Chapter 1: those you've known

After the monsters where freed from their thousand-year imprisonment under the mountain, San and Papyrus managed to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Ebott City. It was on the fifth floor, not high enough to have an unobstructed view, and just high enough to make their calves ache like hell by the time they reach the door. They'd take the elevator, but that thing's been broken since they moved in a month ago, and the landlord doesn't seem to be interested in repairing it, anytime soon. It always boggled Sans' mind that they don't have muscles, yet their bones ache as if they did. Papyrus, at least, seemed more than alright with this. He called it training. And Sans mostly just teleported everywhere, so the stairs were rarely used by him. Though, sometimes his magic would become weak, due to his low HoPe (HP) levels. He would have no choice but to walk, and he hated it.

When papyrus started telling him about these weird dreams, of a beautiful woman in white, he thought it was odd, but really didn't think anything else. Dreams were weird, and sometimes, they were recurring, so it was relatively normal. Though, as the months went by, Papyrus started to grow obsessed. He'd draw her, rather well, to be honest. He didn't know his brother was such a good artist. He'd also draw a cabin in a wooded clearing, surrounded by snow. His room became cluttered with these drawings, along with some scribbled words on paper. 'help me', 'save me', and lyrics from the song she would sing. This song would echo through the woods, leading Papyrus to her location, which was either the cabin, or a frozen lake.

While Papyrus was away at work and Sans had off, Sans would sometimes sneak into his brothers' room (despite the sign on the door that said 'no brothers allowed') and assess the damage. Every time he did, the room became more and more crowded with drawings and letters and scribbled words. All around his desk and walls, mostly. When Sans would ask about them, Papyrus would get defensive. "they're just drawings, Sans!" Was mostly his excuse. Just drawings is alright, but this? This is excessive.

The way he talked about her was….odd. like he knew her personally. Like they hung out all the time.

"I have to look my best for her, Sans!" Papyrus exclaimed, slurping up the strings of meat sauce covered pasta. They were sat across from each other at their large dining room table, having their Sunday spaghetti dinner with all their friends. At the head was Toriel, helping Frisk cut their spaghetti. She looked over, worry on her face, as did the rest. She was all he talked about anymore, so they were getting worried. Even Frisk could tell something was wrong.

Sans had made the mistake of asking Papyrus why he was wearing cologne and a suit. He didn't expect him to be dressing up for a….dream woman. "….Pap…. you're dressed up for….." he trailed off. He didn't know what to call her, honestly. He never told them her name.

but papyrus knew what he was saying. "of course! She's always wearing this….long, beautiful dress. It's….getting a bit dirty and torn, however." there was worry in his voice. He frowned. "b-but! She had invited me into the cabin the last time! I've never been in there, and I am sure this is a date, so I decided to dress for the occasion." He looked to Frisk with a large smile. "I am deeply sorry, Frisk, but I have found someone else…"

Frisk smiled sweetly at him, nodding gently. He was mute, so he signed 'it's alright. I'll be fine.'

papyrus was about to speak up, but was cut off when he caught a whiff of something burning. "ah, oh no! the desert! I-I will be right back!" he stood quickly, rushing into the kitchen. Once the door closed, Undyne let out a deep sigh, elbows on the table, hands clasped and forehead resting on her knuckles.

"…..am I going to be the first one to admit this boy needs help?"

Alphys nodded, adjusting her glasses on her face. "I….I agree…. The psyche is indeed a s-strange place…. And Papyrus seems to be…..very damaged in that area….."

Sans let out a deep groan, leaning back in his chair. "….yeah, yeah, I know….. I just…..I'm not sure how to tell him she's…..not real, you know? I mean…. I've given hints, but….he refuses to believe she's just…..in his mind."

"dear, you need to set him up with a psychiatrist. Frisk has one, and she's been able to help him a good deal." Frisk nodded with a smile to confirm his mother's statement.

Sans considered this. In fact, he has been considering this for a long time. Ever since Papyrus started acting as if she were real. "…yeah, I'll…..i'll think about it…."

Toriel frowned. "well…..please really consider it. Darling, he needs help-"

"I know!" Sans cried out, much louder this time. The room grew quiet, and Sans calmed himself down as he stood up, now practically whispering to counteract his loud burst. "…..i know…. Okay? I'm sorry, i…..i need some air….." and with that, Sans teleported out of the house before anyone else could respond.

"…..that…..didn't go so well…." Alphys said with a frown.

after a few minutes, Papyrus re entered the room, sporting a large smile and wielding a steaming tray of individual personal chocolate soufflés. "they were only a little burnt! I managed to scrape off- wait, where's Sans? He barely ate his food!" Papyrus looked disappointed as he set the tray down on the table.

"don't worry about him, Pap! He's just….taking a smoke break outside!" undyne chimed in, trying to cover up the tension in the room.

Papyrus placed his hands on his hips, scoffing and rolling his eyes. "I wish he'd stop that nasty habit! Or at least wait until he's finished eating! His food will get cold!""

"it'll be alright, dear. I will go retrieve him for you." Toriel spoke, standing up from the table.

"ah, thank you, Queen Toriel!"

"it is no problem. I will be back in a giffy." she reassured as she headed for the door. Her expression became stern as she turned her back on the others, and closed the door behind her. once in the hall, she broke out her phone, dialing Sans' number. It rang a few times before he picked up.

"…..hello…?"

"Sans, what are you doing?" she sounded irritated, and Sans winced at the sound of her voice.

"ah…..taking a walk?"

"well, come back. I need to talk to you."

"can't we just tal-"

"no." she emphasized irritably, making Sans wince once again on the other end.

"….fine, give me a second….." and he really did mean just a second. In the blink of an eye, he was infront of the tall Goat woman, who was glaring down at him with her arms crossed. Sans rubbed the top of his skull, sockets narrowing and grin faltering. He looked her over in the small hallway. She was wearing a flowery dress and heals. "….um…..you….look very pretty tonight, Tori….~"

"don't try to flatter me, Sans…. What was that back there?" she gestured to the closed door. Muffled conversations heard, but not understood.

"….yeah, I….I'm real sorry about snappin' at ya…. This whole thing, just….." he sighed, leaning against the wall next to her. "…..it's draining me…. I'm worried about him…."

'if you're so worried about him, you need to get him professional help, Sans…." Her voice changed from stern to understanding, placing a white paw on his boney shoulder.

"yeah…." Was all he said, not looking up from his gaze on the ground.

"just…." She reached into her purse, taking out a card. "take this…. And think about it…." She placed the card in his hoodie's pocket, then gave the small skeleton a kiss on the head. He let out a soft chuckle, blushing lightly.

"yeah…. Thanks…."

After they re entered the home, the friends continued their meals, trying to keep the conversation away from papyrus' 'date'. as they did every Sunday, after dinner, they crowded around the livingroom, watching that week's pick for their 'human movie night'.

Having been trapped underground for thousands of years up until only a few months ago, the monsters didn't really have many movies. The only ones they've ever gotten was the old ones that would fall into the underground via the water way flowing down in Waterfall. The area was dubbed the garbage dump, though it mostly contained human garbage that seemed to be endlessly flowing in. occasionally, they'd find gems, such as movies. The movies and books would go to the capital's library, where monsters could barrow them whenever they wanted. They were old, but it was all they really had. Now that they were on the surface, though, they had an endless supply of movies to choose from! They would always consult Frisk before choosing, since he was human and came from the surface in the first place. Though he was only twelve, he seemed to know a lot about movies, which helped a lot. This weekend's choice was A Walk To Remember. A sad love story about a girl with terminal leukemia, and a boy who falls in love with her.

One particular scene caught Papyrus' attention fully. It was the scene of the school play, where the lead female is donned in a white dress and sings a beautiful song. The song is much different than the one his date sings, though the voice is just as hauntingly beautiful. After she is done singing, the boy kisses her, which was not a part of the play. Was this what he was supposed to do after he finds her and she stops singing? Is this why she's never given him her name? he will have to remember this for tonight.

After the movie, their friends said their goodbyes, and Sans and Papyrus were left alone. Sans looked to the clock. It was about bedtime. He stood up from the couch, stretching and grunting. "alright, Pap. We should get to bed. You got Royal Guard training at 4 AM, right? What story you want me to read tonight? Fluffy Bunny?"

"yes, I have training! But no, Sans, it is alright! I will go without a story tonight. I must get to sleep quickly if I am to be on time for my date!"

Sans' face fell, and he followed behind his younger brother as he practically sprinted up the stairs. "Pap, common, how do you even know you'll dre- er, 'see' her tonight?" papyrus hated when people referred to her as a dream. He avoided it at all cost.

Papyrus scoffed. "because she told me, San!" he said, as if his brother should have known. "I will see you in the morning. Goodnight, brother!"

"….yeah…. night, bud…." Sans watched his brother enter his room, sighing exhaustedly once he was gone. It seemed like Toriel was right.

Papyrus needed help.