Sans sat as his station, the snow fell lightly to the ground from the cavernous ceiling of the underground. He let out a sigh, another day the same as the last… his nihilism often got on the nerves of his brother, but he wasn't ever able to shake the feeling that everything was meaningless.
Click…
He wanted to go to Grillby's…
Clack…
He wasn't hungry but he could use a little comradery…
Click…
But he really didn't want to listen to another of Papyrus' tirades…
Clack…
It wouldn't be long before he'd be around to make sure Sans was doing his job anyway…
Click…
what is that noise?
Clack…
God is it annoying…
Click…
Clack…
Click…
Clack…
Click…
Clack…
Yeah I can't ignore that…
He stood up heading toward the noise, this way? There isn't anywhere to come from over here… except…
The Ruins. There was never anyone by the ruins, aside from the lady that lived there… the doors were sealed, he remembers talking to her but he's never seen her once. He reflected on their conversation.
Click…
Clack…
"can you promise me something?" they had been silent for a short while, her voice was suddenly laced with sorrow.
He was taken by surprise, "I don't really like to make promises… but shoot."
"If you ever see a human come through here, please promise me you will guide them and protect them from harm…"
That was a lot more then he was expecting, he thought of his job and what his brother would think. How would he explain anything like that to Undyne?
"I know it's a lot to ask… you said you work as a sentry? I understand if you don't want to…"
But that sadness in her voice, she sounded as if she has lost everything…and for all he knew she had…
"I'll do it."
Click…
As he approached the bridge he saw a figure walking toward him; was this the human she meant? He grinned, he could have some fun with this.
Clack…
He took a shortcut, ending up behind them. he left the treeline to stomp on a stick laid across the path. The loud snap made them jump and turn around. But he was already hidden.
Click…
He snickered to himself as they turned back around, the rhythmic sound continuing as they pressed on. He followed far behind them, every time they turned around he was gone in a flash, they never saw him, and the sound continued.
Clack…
He crept up behind them as they approached the bridge. They froze, hearing his feet crunch through the snow. he stopped mere inches behind them, taking extra care to breathe down their neck.
"Human." His soul swelled with amusement as he saw them stiffen.
He went to continue but they turned around, they were a young woman, scared stiff. He stuck out his hand, determined to complete the gag, but she flinched back crossing her arms over her face. In one hand she held a small black box.
He dropped his hand to his side, what had happened to make her so frightened? Oh right… him. "Hey…" he said, maybe he had taken the whole sneaking in the shadows thing a little too far. "I didn't mean to scare you. Look." He pulled the whoopee cushion out of his sleeve. "I was just trying to prank you."
She lowered her guard slightly still observing him distrustfully with piercing, blue eyes. "intimidation isn't funny." She stated flatly.
He scratched the back of his skull. "I suppose it isn't…" he felt bad. "I'm sorry I scared you."
He took a step towards her and she jumped back, holding the small black box in front of her jabbing it at him like a knife, "don't come any closer…"
He eyed her curiously, he couldn't have scared her that badly… he never made a move to harm her…he didn't move, she took it as a challenge. She flicked the top open… a lighter?
"I mean it." Her voice was steely, "Step back, now."
"A lighter kid?" it was hardly a defensive weapon…
"I'm not a child." She sounded annoyed.
"listen, I'm not going to hurt you." He took another step forward, she lit the lighter.
"I'm warning you!" she looked as if she was contemplating something dire.
Sans wanted to challenge her, find out what was so threatening about a little lighter. But before he could move he heard a hollow "Thud" and she fell to the ground, the lighter went out in the snow.
He looked behind her, a very freaked out looking Papyrus stood over her, holding a bone over his head like a club.
"Paps!" Sans fell to his knees to check over the human.
"Is that a human?!" Papyrus was obviously shocked and confused.
She wasn't bleeding, Sans sighed in relief, he had only knocked her out… that's going to hurt later. "Yes… but she wasn't doing anything wrong…"
"It looked to me like she was threatening you!"
"She was scared!"
"Why would a human be scared of you?!"
Sans felt shame wash over him, "I may have… snuck up on her… from the shadows…"
Papyrus' shoulders dropped in exasperation, a hand moved to his face.
"Are you serious Sans?! Your joke could have got you killed."
"Look at her Papyrus…" he gestured to the limp figure on the ground. "She's not a threat."
Papyrus looked torn, "Sans, you know as well as I do that Undyne wants humans captured."
"I know." Sans had made a promise, to protect the human. And although he couldn't explain it, he felt a strange connection to her, it made him feel oddly protective anyway.
Papyrus saw Sans expression as his eyes were glued to the human's face. He sighed. "Let's get her home so she can get better…"
Sans nodded appreciatively, he picked up her lighter and put it in his pocket, Papyrus lifted her off the ground and cradled her, he felt a strange familiarity, like a spark in his soul… he pushed the feeling away as they headed home through the brewing snowstorm.