Life in the underground was boring. That is until the day I met that family.

I'd never given them much mind. Just a small family of three: dad and two kids. Really I didn't see much of them other than the father coming and going. My own father worked with the skeleton in a lab in Hot Land. Thought my dad isn't work much and never say much about the other skeleton other than he seemed troubled.

Again I didn't mind. I was on my last year in school so was focused on my studies. I just studied basic things: human and monster history, skills class (basically learning to fight with my fire abilities), and other stuff. I was a good kid. Did as I was told and always finished my homework on time, I got good grades; really I was a great kid.

So of course when I was on my way home one day I had to jump in when I saw it.

A short monster was being bullied by some other kids. Pushing, pulling, hitting, calling him names. His small soul was visible, shivering a pale yellow and bright blue, yet his face was stern. Both eyes glowing light blue and yellow inside dark sockets. Mixed colors in a monster's soul were rare, but not unheard of. Most monsters held pure white, some with a glimmer of color, while a small number had colored souls reflecting the strong emotions they singley held onto.

I got in the middle of them, pushing the kids apart. My flames must have been blazing from how the kids' expressions paled. They ran off leaving me alone with the short skele. I lowered my flames, turning to him with a soft smile, but the way the boy glared up at me had me shiver. It wasn't a hateful stare, but one that told me "I didn't need help". I sighed, kneeling down to him. "Where's your dad?"

He looked away, his face hiding in his worn out jacket. It puzzled me, the clothes he wore. From the house I knew he lived in, they were rich. He should be dressed much nicer.

The child still hasn't answered me. "Is your dad home?" Still he refused. "He's at work."

Shoulders stiffened. "He always is," the boy spat.

I smiled. "I'll bring you home. Okay?"

He glared at me again. "I don't need help. I know where home is." His eyes flashed yellow.

My smile didn't fade. "I'm sure you do, and so do those bullies of yours." When his eyes flickered back to white I knew I'd hit the nail on the head. "Let me walk you back, kiddo."

A moment of hesitation before he grabbed my offered hand. "I'm Sans..." He murmured.

I stood and began moving toward Snowedin. "Grillby."

By the time I returned him home my own father had called my cell multiple times. I was supposed to be home earlier but had gotten caught up helping this kid. Sans's dad wasn't home when I got there so I insisted I stay to keep an eye on him. He had a bad attitude about me staying and kept his hood pulled over his head.

As for the skele's brother who was quite a bit younger, it was like day and night. The moment I walked in this tiny, well dressed child came running down the stairs. He paused on the way but continued seeing as I'd entered with his brother. "Hello fireman!" His voice was high and loud. A permanent grin placed on his bony face. "I am the great Papyrus! Who are you?"

I laughed at his enthusiasm. "Grillby. I was walking your brother home."

Little Papyrus glanced at his brother with little care. "Sans."

"Sup." The boy stepped past the other and went upstairs, closing the door to the same room Papyrus had left from.

I could feel the tension cutting through even my fire. "Do you mind if I stay until you dad comes home?"

The much smaller child's eyes gave a faint orange glimmer. I could tell his soul was colored as well just from that small glint. "Oh yes! Stay as long as you want! We can play games and watch tv and eat paskety!" He was positively ecstatic just like a child should be.

"Yes yes. All of that fun. I'll see if Sans would like to-"

"No. He doesn't like fun things. Sans is a lazy bones." Papyrus shrugged it off. "Not like me! I am lots of fun! Let's go play!"

I allowed the child to pull me further into the living room. All the while we played I couldn't help glancing up at the closed door on the second floor. It didn't feel right how easily the small skeleton pushed his brother away.