A/N: And now Ishall sin in my books...so much skele-sin
As always, I hope you enjoy~
It was dark where Sans stood. By the cold chill of the air around him and the familiar crunch of snow beneath his sneakers; he knew he was in Snowdin, or at least within its forests. The artificial lighting in town never reached into the forest, the trees being far too thick. During the 'daytime' in the underground, crystals in the cavern's ceiling glowed fiercely. The glow almost mimicked that daylight outside, illuminating the underground fairly well. Although at this moment they were dim, almost like the stars he'd seen in those books about this 'astronomy' humans loved to do. The area where Sans stood being plunged into darkness as a result of the dim 'stars.'
"B-boss?" Sans called out, his voice sounding odd in his ears. Almost as if he had woken from a very long nap. He took a deep breath, shouting in a tone that was close to his usual growl, "Boss?" Silence was all that greeted him. "Damnit." He cursed beneath his breath, grumbling to himself.
Sans looked around himself, trying to figure out why he was out here to begin with. The last thing he remembered was leaving Grillby's. Sure he had downed a few drinks but not nearly enough to make him drunk. Hell, he'd left the bar without as much as a buzz. Sans had opened up a shortcut as he did every other time and stepped through. It was during the time after that there was a blank in his memories. He sighed heavily, rubbing a hand along his sternum. 'Shit...Boss is sooo gonna kill me this time...'
As soon as Papyrus found him he was sure that he would be in for a beating. Not just any old beating either. A normal beating would be cracked bones and scratches. Papyrus never touched his fragile soul during those times. Only on a handful of occasions had Papyrus ever felt that Sans has deserved anything worse.
On those days, Papyrus would take them deep into the forest, so deep that no one would be able to hear anything from any sentry station. He'd take Sans' soul and use his magic to constrict around it like barbed wire. The result didn't damage his hp but had left him in utter agony. It was the only time his voice rose above a speaking tone. His screams rang out until he couldn't scream anymore, just whimpering brokenly with tears streaming down his cheeks.
Sans knew that he had to hurry home. The whole reason he wasn't drunk was because Papyrus had called him home before he had really started. His tone left no room for argument and he had told him he'd be home quickly. He had left the bar just as the call ended.
Sans clenched his teeth and looked around. The glow from town was unmistakable, however dim it was. He'd found it almost immediately, although it seemed...brighter than he remembered. Nonetheless, it was where he was headed. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and started to walk, not quite trusting his shortcuts at the moment. Sans didnt want to end up even further from town. He would already have to deal with his bound to be fuming brother. Sans wouldn't dare risk making him even more enraged.
'This is new...' Sans sighed. His shortcuts never failed him before. So why had this time been different? Had he not connected the other side fully and the void flung him to a random place in the forest? Had he used it one too many times? Sans bounced the ideas around in his mind. Surely the there was a reason for it. He kicked a snow puff in his way angrily, he'd figure it out later.
For now...he had to get home.
It took a little longer than he thought to reach town but when he arrived he had to rub his eye sockets to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Had Snowdin gone through some fucked up redesign in the hour or so he's been gone? The last he remembered, Snowdin was a lot more run down with blood and dust coating many of the doors and the windows all boarded up...not this, this cheery and happy shit. Christmas lights were strung around each building, the paint clean and windows unblocked and unbroken. Even the town's sign had changed now sprouting a chipper, "Welcome To Snowdin" greeting painted neatly and illuminated by bright lights.
"What the actual fuck..." Sans groaned. Perhaps those drinks were stronger than he thought and he had actually passed out right outside the bar. Funny thing though; he didn't remember falling asleep in any way.
After a moment of gawking at the new Snowdin, he started towards the other side of town where his and Papyrus's house sat. A shiver of fear went down his spine at the sight of the same lights strung around the outside. The walls neatly painted and the windows repaired and unblocked, hell...even the porch was rebuilt, the structures holding up the overhang were not splintered and cracked.
Did Papyrus agree to all of this? Surely not. If there was one this Papyrus wasn't, it was cheery. The only time his mood ever even resembled any sort of happiness was after he had killed someone. Be it a rush of LV from a random kill or a public execution: it made no difference. LV was LV and how one obtained it was no object.
Those were the days Sans looked forward to. As an older brother, he knew he shouldn't feel joy that his little brother had killed another monster but...he couldn't help it. Not when it was the only time that his brother resembled what he used to be in any way. Be it the taste of his lasagna or the slight chip in his voice that he gained when excited or happy.
Sans shook his head of the memories, facing back to the house before him. He climbed the steps cautiously before reaching out for the handle. Hopefully things hadn't changed to much on the inside.
Just before he turned the handle there was a click from the other side. It was the only warning he received before he was knocked back by the door opening.
"I'll be right back!" A blue blur called back into the house before ran right into him, making him stumble back and slip from the step.
Sans heard a shocked shout mirror his own as they tumbled back, the other figure landing in top of him and knocking the air out of him. He gasped and sucked back in the air he had lost in the fall and groaned. 'Could this day get much worse...you know what? I don't want to know...'
Sans panted as he felt the figure on top of him stir. As it looked, he'd be trapped as he was a little longer as his limbs were stuck in a such a way that he couldn't move very well. Sans shook his head a bit, clearing away the shock as he checked his hp. Thankfully, the single digit was still intact.
1/1 hp
'Well...that was a brush with death...'
"Oh my stars! Are you alright?!" The figure asked causing him to look up as the figure sat up quickly, staring back down at Sans with a near mirror image of his face.
Sans had tried to speak, opening and closing his mouth in surprise and shock. He was staring right back into the eyes of his doppelganger. Or rather a smaller more pudgy version of himself. Sans was now almost positive that he was dreaming and would be woken soon by the sound of his own pain filled screaming as Papyrus would surely not wait until he awoke to punish him.
"A-are you alright other me?" The other spoke timidly, seemingly just as affected as Sans was. His voice was clearly shaken but the concern was clear.
"Y-yeah, just g-get off of me!" Sans replied after his mind processed what had been said. Other Sans stood and moved away, holding out a hand which had been ignored as Sans stood. Sans took a moment before looking over the new sight in front of him.
This new Sans was dressed in childish blue pajamas with little stars and bones on it. He was smaller as well, shorter by at least two inches. This other Sans looked to be childish and naive, perhaps innocent in most things involving the world. The way the world worked around here must be a lot different than his Snowdin. The sight of this blue Sans reminded him of a fragile baby rabbit that wouldn't last but a few minutes in his world.
"Well, isn't this a strange predicament? Who knew there was another me wandering around the underground?" Sans decided to call this other him 'Blue' for now. If only to keep from confusing himself. "I, the magnificent Sans, sure didn't."
"Sans! Are you alright out there?" A voice called from inside. The familiar gruff tone making a shiver go down Sans' spine.
"Yeah! Just slipped!" Blue called back, taking a brief glance inside. It was silent after Blue had called back inside, giving Sans a chance to breathe.
Sans looked away, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. A swift chill crawled down his spine causing his bones to rattle a little bit. Now...skeletons don't get cold easily with no flesh to feel it, but that doesn't mean that they weren't affected in any way. Sans dimly remembered that he must've been outside for hours. The cold slowly seeping through his thick jacket. His favorite jacket was resilient and warm, but it couldn't hold off the cold forever.
"Come inside, but be quiet." Blue said suddenly, a new tone in his voice. Blue smiled as Sans looked up, catching the hush in motion, "Go up the stairs and down the hall. My room is the last one on the left."
"But-!" Sans tried to protest as Blue grabbed his arm and tugged him towards the door. "W-wait!"
"Shh! My brother is lying on the couch." Blue said in warning before the happy chip returned to his tone. "We'll talk in my room."
Sans clanked his teeth shut, nodding his head with a grunt. He followed after Blue inside and made a b-line to the stairs. He made sure to be as quiet as he could as Blue stepped over to the couch and stood between his brother and the view of the stairs.
Sans took advantage of the chance and ran up the stairs, flinching when one of the steps creaked under his feet. In a flash, Sans had opened a shortcut without thinking and stepped through it so that he was out of sight. He didn't need to waste Blue's efforts to sneak him in. He closed the shortcut with him at the top of the stairs, hidden in the shadow of the hallway.
Sans froze when his magic dissipated, sucking in a shaky breath as he listened for any movement. At first there was nothing before he heard one of them speak.
"Sans, did you let that dog in again?" He heard Papyrus speak, his tone low and holding a light growl, unlike the one his own brother held. His papyrus held a cold tone with a heavy dose of 'asshole.' The sound of this Papyrus's voice sent a familiar shiver of fear through him.
"No, I didn't. The little thing must've slipped past me brother." Blue said, quickly answering his brother's question. "I'll be sure to give it the boot in the morning."
Sans sighed, sneaking to the end of the hall as Sans dragged his brother into a conversation. Sans slowly opened the door enough for him to slip through. He closed the door behind him as quietly as he could before looking around.
'Well...what now?'
Sans looked around the room, noting that it was set up much like his was. A blue bed was set up in the far corner to the side of the window. On the other side was a small dresser with a desk lamp settled on top next to some figures. There was a closet settled to his right a few short steps from the bed. The closet door was half open so he could see the various blues and whites of the clothes inside. Sans stepped over to the window, looking out at a brighter but none the less identical view.
His soul ached in his chest as he gazed out at the bits of town he could see from here. His mind wandering back to his own home. What was Papyrus doing? Probably cheering that his 'worthless' and 'pathetic' brother is gone. Either he was cheering, or fuming. Whichever it was, it would be at an extreme. Sans rubbed at his sternum, letting out a tired sigh.
A creak from the stairs made him jump, the sound of the brother's voices coming closer. Sans looked at the door and then around himself for a hiding place. The only place he could go was the closet, so he quietly crossed the room and slipped into it. He pressed himself off to the side and towards the back. He took a breath and double checked that he was hidden well. As long as they didn't look into the closet, he was safe.
The door swung open as he had gotten himself completely settled. The noise making him jump a bit as Papyrus spoke.
"Are you sure you don't want a story bro? Are you not feeling well?" There was a tired edge to his voice, like he'd been up for days. But there was also an undertone of warmth, something he hadn't heard in his own brother's voice in years.
"I'm not sick! The magnificent Sans doesn't get sick!" Blue said proudly, his hands on his hips. "Go on ahead to bed brother, I will be fine without a story for tonight!"
Papyrus made a non-committal noise and laughed, "Fine fine, G'night bro."
"Goodnight Papy!" Blue smiled as Papyrus closed the door. Silence fell over the room as they listened to the sound of Papyrus's door close down the hall. Blue sighed before moving to sit on his bed. "You can come out of there now."
Sans leaned forward, taking a cautious step outside of the "You sure?"
"Yup, just keep your voice down. Papy is a light sleeper." Blue hummed, stretching a bit before patting the bed beside him. Sans was hesitant in leaving his hiding place but moved to sit down on the edge of the bed, keeping some space between them. He kept his guard up, ready to bolt back into the closet if his brother returned.
They say in silence, both staring at the blue and grey star rug in the middle of the room. Time dragged on slowly with only the ticking of a clock downstairs and their breathing to fill the silence. It stayed that way for several minutes before Blue leaned back, letting himself fall against the covers with a sigh.
Sans watched him, a small yawn escaping him as he noted how much more comfortable Blue's bed was compared to his back at home.
As if almost sensing his thoughts, Blue finally spoke up. "What's your home like?"
"What?" Sans asked, turning his attention to Blue.
"Your real home. You can't be from here, I haven't heard of other skeletons in the Underground other than me and Papy." Blue hummed, "Not to mention that you look just like me and have the same name, voice, and everything."
"Ah, yeah. I guess." Sans laid back beside Blue, his arms behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. He took a long breath before closing his eyes, "My home is very...different from here."
"How so?" Blue asked, "If you don't mind me asking."
Sans shrugged, "In my world...it's kill or be killed. Boss...well, my little brother is second in command of the royal guard. In Snowdin, his word is pretty much law."
"Is his name also Papyrus?"
"Yeah, but I call him Boss. Been that way since he took his oath for the guard." Sans recalled that day, he'd been worried for his brother. He had started acting strange and been getting more violent. One day, after his oath, he had come home with his gloved covered in dust. His LV had gone up quite a bit. Sans had found out later that he had killed the second in command in a challenge for his post.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that." Blue said sadly, his eyelights not showing anymore, "that place doesn't sound nice at all."
"It's tough. Especially having as little hp as I have." Sans chuckled darkly, "all it would take is one hit. Hell, I could slip and fall on my ass and likely dust right there."
"That doesn't mean that you have to be fragile. You can train your defense up really high." Sans smiled, "check me."
"You sure? That's something personal." Sans said as he sat back up, a hand over Blue's chest, just over his soul.
"Go ahead, I told you to." Blue encouraged, the stars returning to his eyes. Sans gave him a curious look before doing so.
Sans "Blue" - 1/1 hp - 276 defense
*You feel you can trust him...
"That's bullshit!" Sans exclaimed only to have Blue slap a hand over his teeth.
"One, watch your language. Two, keep it down. We don't want Papy coming in here." Sans nodded sharply, almost forgetting about the taller skeleton in the other room. Blue gave him a warning look before pulling his hand back.
"You've got to be tricking me with those stats." Sans growled, softer this time.
"Nope, it's the fruit of my training with Captain Alphys." Blue grinned, "I'm training to join the royal guard."
"Wait...Alphys the mad scientist? The crazy lunatic that lives in Hotland?" Sans asked, things seemed more different than he thought.
"No. Is that how Alphys is in your world? Sounds scary." Blue hummed, laying back down, this time under the covers.
"Anyone who ends up in her lab is never seen again. Not even their dust is seen." Sans sighed, rubbing his jaw, "Screams can be heard all the way from Waterfall."
"Undyne is the royal scientist here. But she's skittish and just watches anime all day." Blue hummed, "Not that it's a bad thing."
"What is anime?" Sans questioned, his head tilted a bit. "Is it a game?"
"You're kidding me!" Blue whisper yelled, "please tell me you are kidding Red!"
"Red?" Sans asked, "Why did you call me that?"
"Well...we both have the same name, so I thought it might be odd calling you 'Sans.'"
"Great minds think alike, I've been calling you 'Blue' in my head for the past hour." Sans grinned.
"Why 'Blue' though? My outfit?" Blue yawned a bit.
"Nah, you remind me of a little blueberry. It just stuck." Sans shrugged, "What made you choose 'Red?"'
"Your magic is red you know? It flickered a few times during our conversation." Blue grinned, proud of himself. "Blue and Redhuh? Not bad at all if I do say so myself."
"Let's do it then. I can get used to the ring 'Red' has to it I suppose." Sans said, his soul fluttering in his chest. It had been a long time since he had felt this simple feeling of joy.
"Yes," Blue grinned widely. "Come here Red." He patted the space next to him, moving the blanket out of the way, "It's time to sleep. Sentries like me have to be up quite early in the morning."
"What about me though? Do I just hide in your closet all day?" Sans...no...Red asked. He felt something so natural with the name.
"No. I'll think of something in the morning." Blue hummed, tugging Reddown to lay with him. Redcomplied, pulling the blanket over them both. "As well as what to tell my brother."
"Why didn't you tell him earlier. You could've just walked me in and told your brother." Redturned so that he was facing Blue, "Why didn't you?"
"Because I'm not sure how Papy will react to there being two of me." Blue replied honestly, "And I had a feeling that Papy going off on you or trying to attack you was the last thing you needed."
Redwas silent for a few moments before bringing Blue into a hold, lightly grinding his knuckles against the smaller's skull in a noogie-type fashion. "You are far too innocent for this world."
"Don't noogie the Blueberry!" Blue protested through muffled laughter. Redfound himself joining in as they both struggled to keep their volumes down.
Slowly, but surely, thy began to quiet down. Blue's eyelights dimming with the threat of sleep. Edge watch him with a light grin, the only light in the room being the dim lights from town and the faint glow of their souls.
"G'night lil Blue." Redfound himself saying as Blue was on the verge of falling asleep.
"Night Red." He yawned before snuggling into the warmth around him. Neither cared about how close they were laying, just that they were warm and safe.