Hi! First of all, credits! This fanfic is based on the Handplates AU comics of Tumblr user zarla-s. They are wonderful angsty comics that will break your heart and repair it with fluff just to break it again. You should definitely go check her blog and comics. Besides, you probably won't understand what's happening here if you don't.

Also, trigger warning! This fanfic contains bits of body horror, so if you think you won't be able to stand it, I suggest you go back now.

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy!

It was curious to 1-S how he could feel so many reactions in places that weren't technically attached to him. How the empty space in his ribcage would feel heavy or tight on days like this. How each time that the door at the end of the room shut after his brother and that scientist, his soul would fill him with so much sorrow that it seemed the feeling leaked into every space available. It filled his skull. It filled his chest. And he could only shut his eye sockets and cover his head with his hands to try to block the sounds that he knew were to come. He sat in a corner of the cell and rested his head against his knees. It would be his turn soon enough.

One of the worst parts was the silence before it started. It always gave 1-S time to imagine what was about to happen and to device dozens of ways to try to stop it. He didn't know why he still did that. He knew it was pointless. Even though his attack power kept growing, he still couldn't even scratch that man. And so, after he remembered the reasons that prevented him from carrying out those plans, he would start to berate himself for being so weak. For being so frail and being the reason his brother had to endure the worst of it. This time, however, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door sliding open.

At first he thought that the mad man had forgotten something on another part of the lab, but then 1-S realized it hadn't been the door to the room where they were that had open. But if that was the case… 1-S frowned. He tried to get as close as he could to the force field, trying to see the left of the room. Of course, it was just out of his sight. The room he was in was L-shaped, and his cell just happened to be placed in the exact corner where visibility was limited the most. All he could see was the damned door where his brother had been taken to and a couple of filing cabinets. He wouldn't have to deal with curiosity for much though, because soon after, steps resonated on the floor.

"Dr. Gaster?" a voice said. "Are you here?"

1-S froze. Not only had he never heard that voice before, but it was also unlike anything he'd heard. It was higher-pitched than any of the only ones he knew. He wasn't aware voices could sound like that. But that meant someone strange was in the lab… He focused on what the voice had said. Gaster. 1-S probably wouldn't know his name if he didn't present himself as 'W. D. Gaster, Royal Scientist' every time he answered the phone. So the stranger was looking for him.

It wasn't long before the trespasser came into view. 1-S found himself staring at them in astonishment. Their face was long, reminding him of the shape of his blasters. What had the scientist called it? A muzzle? Not only that, but their head was also covered in a reddish-orange and white material that looked like the soft strands of a brush. There were pointy things on top of their head that made 1-S wonder if that's what ears looked like in creatures that weren't skeletons. Seven fluffy… appendages (tails, he supposed) moved in a waving manner from their backside. Then he noticed their clothes. They were wearing a white coat that looked exactly as the one he'd come to despise. So they were probably another scientist, huh? Wasn't that just great? Did the man thought it was too exhausting to torture 2-P and 1-S by himself and now he had brought someone to help him? He huffed.

He realized his mistake too late. The sound had drawn the attention of the new scientist, who gasped when they caught sight of him. They quickly approached, but stopped just before reaching the force field. 1-S instinctively backed off to the farthest wall of the cell. He felt them stare at him for a long while, and he saw how different emotions flashed through their eyes. He couldn't manage to identify but one: anger. He felt his magic condensing within him. Would he be able to defend himself against this one? One hit and he'd be dead, and who knows how many it would take to defeat the monster in front of him. The goal probably wasn't to kill him, though. It never had been that way, but he was worried that maybe this new person didn't know how little he could endure. To his surprise, the new scientist's first move was to clear their throat and crouch. They… smiled?

"Hey, there." They said softly. Too softly. Like they didn't want to say anything. "I'm doctor… I-I'm… miss Araday. But, uh, you can just call me by my name."

Miss… Was this what he had heard the doctor refer as a female? He shook his head. No time to ponder on this kind of stuff. He kept watching her carefully. She was being way less formal than Gaster, but she probably just wanted to catch him off guard.

"What is… your name?" she asked.

He chose to be silent. The only two things he'd ever been called were either 1-S, which he hated, or brother, which wasn't even a name. Besides, why would he willingly cooperate with another scientist? Any information she needed, she could just consult that jerk to get it.

"Please, I know you can speak." She tried.

When he remained silent, she sighed. She stood up and gave him a last quick look before turning around. About time, 1-S thought. He really didn't want to have to deal with more than one crazy scientist. But just as he was beginning to relax at the sight of the stranger walking away, a shrilling scream pierced through the air.

No, no, no, no, no. He didn't want to hear it, he didn't want to imagine it. He once again curled himself in a corner. He knew that bastard did it on purpose. He knew Gaster had placed him within earshot. It was to intimidate him into obedience or something. And he hated it. He hated it because it didn't work because of that, but because of the fact that if the doctor did this now, 1-S didn't want to know what he would do to his brother if he rebelled. And the screaming wouldn't stop, and he was so filled with sorrow again that he could practically feel the pain himself. He shut his eyes and tried covering his ears in vain.

"Hey! Listen to me!"

1-S' train of thought was interrupted by her voice. He looked at her, shaking slightly. She had been saying something to him. She was now practically touching the force field trying to get his attention.

"Where is the other one?!"

Other one. His… brother?

"This place is a labyrinth for me, but surely you know how to navigate around here by now, don't you?"

His mind was processing her words slowly. The screaming was too much. He couldn't think.

"Please! I-I can help him! I'll help you both! I can get you out of here!"

That made him snap to attention. Everything that was happening suddenly clicked in his head. If she was saying what he thought she was saying, all the plans he'd made, all the dreams of escaping, they would come true; he could keep his brother safe. If she wasn't, though… He didn't dare get his hopes up. He would play her game, and as soon as he had his brother back, safe and sound, he would get them both as far as he could of these crazy people. But if he failed… Heck, how much worse could it really get?

…He didn't want the answer to that. No time to think, anyways. The female scientist was backing away, looking at the next door as if it held any of the answers she wanted.

"w-wait." he said, praying for his brother's sake that this wasn't the biggest mistake he would ever make. "i'll… i'll help…"

That was the only answer she needed. She slapped her hand against the device Gaster used to activate and deactivate the force field, doing something out of 1-S' line of sight that made sparks jump out of it. In seconds, the blue rays that formed the barrier were gone.

At first, he was at a loss of what to do. He had never had this freedom of choice or movement. Then he heard the familiar buzzing of a saw, and his feet were carrying him as fast as they could, door through door. He could feel the presence of the stranger following close behind him and he tried to push away the sensation of being chased.

It wasn't long before he could see the pair of doors that were the last obstacle between his brother and him. He stopped in his tracks, though, when he reached for them. There was no more screaming… His hand began to shake badly and beads of sweat started forming on his skull. This was the room where the worst of the procedures happened, and he had never entered it willingly. The image of the doctor with a drill flashed through his mind. He shook his head trying to dismiss it. He wasn't sure he wanted to go in. No. He knew he didn't want to. What he wanted to do was destroy everything in that damned torture chamber and make sure it was erased from existence. He didn't want to see what was going on at that moment. But… he had to. If he didn't take this chance, trap or not, he might never be able to take his brother out of that place. Then… why wouldn't his arm just slam the freaking doors open?!

The feeling of a hand on his shoulder made him flinch. He turned around and swatted her hand away. He didn't like being touched. Only his brother was allowed to be that near to him. She seemed to understand, stepping back to give him space. But she obviously decided she couldn't wait for him to be ready, because she walked around him to open the door herself. 1-S didn't like that. He couldn't let his brother be alone with two of them. So he made a last effort and tackled the doors open.

For a moment, everything froze. He could see his brother strapped to that horrible table, a distant look on his face, like he was about to lose consciousness. His ribcage was open, the sternum and some ribs having been cut just enough to forcibly pull them apart and create a slit. The white light of his soul gave the man looming above him an even more terrifying appearance. Gaster had stopped a needle just above 2-P's open ribcage to turn around with an annoyed expression just to paralyze when he noticed the stranger in the lab.

1-S felt fear flooding him. Fear of what might happen next. Fear for his brother. But he also felt extreme hatred towards that stupid scientist. He blocked everything that was impeding him from advancing forward and ran towards the table. He felt the doctor's magic tugging at his soul to keep him still, but it was interrupted.

"DOCTOR GASTER!" came a horrified scream.

"Doctor Araday?! How did you…?"

1-S didn't even try to pay attention to them, their talking and yelling becoming white noise in the background. As soon as he arrived to his brother's side he started calling him.

"h-hey! bro! can you hear me?"

The only response he got was his brother attempting to look at him. 1-S looked at the wound. Damn it. He wasn't sure he'd be able to heal that. 2-P could probably do it in seconds, but 1-S didn't have that ability as developed as him. What was he supposed to do? He shut his eyes. Think, think, think. He tried to recall when similar processes had been applied to him. First things first, aligning the bones. Right, right…

He grabbed both sides of his brother's ribcage and pushed them together to try to close the gap. 2-P flinched and whimpered, wriggling as much as he could against the straps to get away from the pain.

"it's okay! it's okay! it's me! just me!" 1-S tried to calm him down./p

In spite of the growing pounding in his head, he managed to place the ribs and sternum into the right position. He focused all his magic on the wound, while maintaining the bones in place. A green light started leaking from it and he knew it was working. But would it be enough for this kind of injury? He soon felt the toll that forcing his magic to this level was taking on him. It would be easier if he could just place both hands on the correct area, but if he did that then the wound would reopen.

Just when he felt his legs were starting to tremble because of the strain, a reddish hand was placed on top of his brother's ribcage. Before he could even protest, a bright light burst out from it, blinding him momentarily. His grasp on his brother tightened, refusing the instinct to let go of him and cover from the light. It was over as quickly as it started, though.

He didn't dare open his eye sockets just yet, but he forced himself to do it when a weak voice reached his ears.

"B-BRO… THER?" 2-P was finally looking at him, and he was smiling as much as his current strength permitted him. The relief was apparent on his face.

"y-yeah. it's me" 1-S tried to return the smile. He glanced at his brother's ribcage. There were still a few cracks here and there, but the bones were mostly rejoined. Good. He quickly went to free him from the straps, fumbling a little before figuring out how to untie them. The moment he was done, he carefully wrapped his arms around him. 2-P moved as he could to lean against 1-S.

"That's it, Gaster." said the female scientist. "They are coming with me."

Both brothers snapped their heads at her with wide eyes. She was getting close to them and all they could do was hold tighter to each other. Gaster quickly caught her forearm to stop her. He was frowning slightly, but his face was firm.

"I am afraid I cannot allow that, doctor Araday." He said, his voice eerily calm.

1-S could see the tension in her face. He was familiar enough with that expression; he could tell she was afraid. The brothers couldn't blame her. Fortunately, she was facing away from Gaster, so the scientist couldn't detect it. She stayed silent for a moment, probably pulling herself together. She yanked her arm away from his grasp and turned around to confront him.

"And what exactly are you going to do to stop me?" she said, "Asgore will definitely not approve of this, and neither will any of your coworkers. And I swear, Gaster, if you come any closer…"

Her tails spread in a fanlike way, sparks and electricity originating from them. She separated her hands from one another forming a bright blue line that, in 1-S' eyes, appeared to crack the air surrounding it. The lights of the room started flashing on and off and the different machines in the room emitted static noises. Soon, the air was filled with trails of electricity and everyone present could feel a dangerous tension forming. 1-S clung to his brother even more. Gaster, meanwhile, just stood there, looking around the room thoughtfully. Finally, he let out a sigh.

"Dr. Araday. Surely you must know I'm smarter than to attack a monster that is surrounded by their element." he said. "Besides, that is some expensive equipment you are messing with, right there. It would be a shame if you were to destroy it with your… abilities."

Araday narrowed her eyes at him. She slowly lowered her hands, but her tails stayed in the same position.

"Then… move." 1-S didn't missed the slight tremble in her voice, and he was sure neither did Gaster. "Go over there and face that wall." She motioned with her head to the wall opposite of the door.

Gaster complied, but he made clear he wasn't in any hurry. He reached for a box of cigarettes on one of the desks behind him, completely ignoring the sparks Araday summoned as a warning, and lit one of them before doing as she demanded. 1-S didn't think the stranger could see it, but the mechanical movements of the Royal Scientist told him that he was containing his anger, which only made him sweat even more. Araday's eyes followed the doctor's every move, same as his followed hers. When she seemed satisfied with the position Gaster had chosen, Araday approached the brothers.1-S instinctively put himself between her and his injured brother.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to need you to move." she told him firmly.

1-S didn't budge. But his stance faltered when he glanced at his brother to know what his opinion about the situation was. The taller skeleton was once again on the brink of unconsciousness, so 1-S would have to make the decision on his own. He looked back to Gaster, whose glances at him sent chills down his spine. 1-S shifted his gaze from one scientist to the other, trying to choose the right option. On one hand, this could be the ticket out of their personal hell, but on the other, it could also be the ticket to something worse. Right now, however, he knew who he wanted to get away from the most. He reluctantly stepped to the side, leaving his brother exposed.

Araday gave him a grateful smile. She then took off her lab coat to wrap 2-P in it.

"Dr. Araday, I'm afraid removing your lab coat inside the facilities goes against the laboratory safety regulations. You might get penalized." Gaster said without bothering to look at them.

She shot him an angry look, but didn't respond. She was too busy trying to find a good way to carry 2-P without hurting him any further. Once he was steady in her arms, she started to back away.1-S made sure to follow closely behind her, since he couldn't see any other option. None of them took their eyes off Gaster as they slowly made their way to the doors. Araday pushed them open with the back of her shoulder. 1-S studied her position and predicted that she planned to make a break for it. He readied himself to do the same. Just as they gave the last steps outside the room and before the doors swung back close, they heard one last statement from Dr. W. D. Gaster.

"1-S, 2-P, Araday… I'll see you soon."

You all probably figured it out, but just in case you didn't, Araday is a fox-like monster. I thought that the bros probably didn't know much about anything outside the lab, so they wouldn't know what a fox is. Or anything that belongs to other creatures, like fur and tails.

Now, I want to say that this is not my personal headcanon of the story of the skelebros nor it is for Gaster, but those comics are so wonderfully made and I loved the characterizations so much that I decided to make a fanfic of them. Because of this, this fanfic will be disconnected from any others I do. (Unless I decide to make a bonus for it or something)

Also, I know that I'm working on two other fanfics right now, so don't worry if you follow those. I won't stop updating them.

Well, I hope you liked it! If you did, please tell me what you think! Constructive criticism is always appreciated!