Chapter 2
In which things have changed

Fell was not the type of monster that startled easily. He was the kind that startled - no - frightened - the living heck out of anything that dared approach him without his consent. Woe be to that monster or mythical human. They would not live to repeat such a mistake!

Therefore, Stretch hadn't startled him that morning. Stars, no. He had meant to spill his coffee all over the counter.

Ahem.

Despite the fact that Stretch had been coming to Underfell for morning practice for a couple of weeks by now, Fell was still not used to someone who got up before he did. Much less someone who could just teleport into his kitchen at any goddamn time. Yeah, ok, his own brother Sans could teleport as well, but he was never awake before Fell and, he knew damn well to not do it in such a careless manner.

"You ok?" asked Stretch lazily watching the coffee spill spread across the counter.

"I have told you before to not just teleport inside my house" reprimanded Fell "You are supposed to wait for me at your designated place"

"I did" Stretch shrugged his shoulders "Got bored. Ran a few laps but, got bored again"

"Hm" commented Fell. He eyed the kitchen clock. It was barely 5 minutes after 5 a.m. He glared at Stretch "Have you slept at all?"

Stretch looked everywhere except at Fell "I have … unless you mean in the last 48 hours" He added quickly.

Fell growled. "You know DAMN well that Royal Guard needs to be alert! What good are you if you are falling asleep at your post?"

"You know I don't need that much sleep, Fell" he said defensively "I'd rather be moving"

Fell sighed. Under any - any - other circumstances he would find this admirable.

"FINE. If you fall asleep during our training, I'm throwing you back into your world and our deal is off" he said walking out of the kitchen.

By now, some of the coffee spill had began splattering to the floor. "What about …." called out Stretch pointing at the growing mess.

"Red will take care of that WHEN HE GETS HIS LAZY ASS UP!" yelled Fell up the stairs towards Sans' bedroom door. "SANS! YOU BETTER BE UP AND READY BY THE TIME WE GET BACK!"

Stretch tapped his foot impatiently. Red was a grown up, he shouldn't be counting on his brother to wake him up on time.

"SANS!" repeated Fell.

There was some noise from the smaller skeleton's bedroom then something that sounded like a mumbled "i'm up, i'm up"

Fell hmmm'd to himself and turned to leave. As he did so, he noticed Stretch rolling his eyes.

"Let's go" he growled to his Underswap twin.

After he heard the door close, Red poked his head out of his bedroom. He rubbed his eye sockets and yawned. He hadn't gotten much rest last night, despite having been too exhausted to even change into his sleeping clothes. His mind had been busy giving him restless dreams.

His eyes fell upon the empty living room and the now eerily quiet house. It was much too early to deal with anything and, normally he would've just gone back to sleep, but now that Stretch was coming over three times a week to train with his brother, his stress levels had gone through the roof. And that was saying something because it wasn't like he had had any real peace ever since Blue had disappeared into thin air.

He couldn't believe it had been a little over a year since that day. He missed Blue, more than he could ever admit. They were close in a way that was different from anyone else.. Like Fell and Stretch, Blue and him were "dimensional twins" (a name coined by Blue, which just went to prove that it was good that he didn't get to name a lot of things). Their personalities couldn't be more opposite if they tried, but they understood each other. They both were extremely loyal to their brothers and were the last of their kind in their corresponding dimensions-universes-timelines, whatever. Red was still deciding what their worlds actually were.

There were as many differences between their worlds as there were similarities. Magic didn't work quite the same way in Underfell as it did in Underswap. It required a lot more effort and, unless the monster was skilled, it tended to be chaotic. Most monsters in Underfell bore scars from being too careless with magic. Heck, the healed crack over his left eye was proof of this.

This whole arrangement ... it was all … very weird.

None of this would've happened if he hadn't been tinkering around with the machine left behind by the former owner of the house.

Red was no scientist, but he could understand most machines if he had enough time with them. MOST. The one currently residing in the back room of their home was still a mystery to him. It would probably stay that way. All he knew about it is that once he got it working (somehow) it had opened a portal to another version of their own world. A world which had alternate versions of everybody he knew. Heck, they even had their own version of the same machine. Same dents and everything.

Their first meeting had been tense, for that matter … many of the follow up meetings had been as well. It had taken some back and forth between the two pairs of brothers before they became used to each other. And much more than that before they were on friendly terms. Well, for Fell to be on friendly terms with Stretch. Because as usual, Blue had just adopted everyone from day one, and Stretch and Red had come to terms fairly quickly.

Blue had suggested at one point, that there were probably a lot of other worlds out there with their own machines. Maybe one day they'd be able to go visit them. Red had just nodded dismissively at this notion. As far as he knew this machine was a one-time-direct-connection deal.

Stretch had had his own ideas regarding the machine, and other worlds, and many other things. Their conversations had been fascinating. Blue may have been his twin but Stretch was certainly more attuned to his interests.

He … He was a friend. A close one.

At least, at one point they had been.

Now Red wasn't so sure anymore.

Ever since that dark day Stretch had just changed.

They still talked.

But It just wasn't the same.

Goddammit Blue. Sighed Red. Where hell are you?

.

..

…

"HE'S NOT DEAD!" screamed Stretch. The painful growl behind the statement resonating deep inside Red's chest.

Fell did not even flinch. He had obviously been expecting this reaction from Stretch. How could he expect anything different? He had just stated that after all this time of searching, the only reason they hadn't found Blue was because he had to be dead.

Still, Red couldn't believe Fell had said it so … so easily. He looked around the Underswap living room where Fell had asked them all to gather. The three of them along with that world's Undyne and Alphys. The females looked just as shocked as Stretch, but they were probably reacting more to the statement than the painful truth behind it.

It had been a year since Blue left. They had combed that Forest for most of that time. The search had even included other areas of the Underground, including the Ruins. There had been no clues, no new leads. No hope.

Stretch had become obsessed. He would go off on his own and they would not hear from him for days. Returning exhausted and, in some cases, with unexplained injuries.

How many times had his Alphys argued with him regarding his actions? How many times had Red taken it upon himself to patch him up with Undyne's help. How many times had his own brother, also gone on his own searches?

The only reason Red didn't follow suit was because he had been prohibited … no … practically begged by Fell to not do so. Fell had said that Red just wouldn't be able to handle it. Red would usually just ignore him and go off on his own, but the way Fell had said it...

He had sounded desperate.

And now, he was saying to Blue's closest friends that they should stop searching and let go. Let go of Blue.

Stretch had slammed Fell into the wall and proceeded to punch him several times in the face.

"STRETCH!" yelled Red and tried to grab Stretch's soul to stop him. To his surprise, Stretch resisted his hold and sent a large femur bone his way, hitting him on the arm. Fell was on Stretch in the next instant punching him in return.

"LEAVE HIM OUT OF THIS!"

Undyne helped Red get up and checked on his injury. Luckily it was minor as there had been no killing intention behind it. More than the pain, Red was still reeling from the shock that Stretch had turned on him so easily.

"A-ALPHYS! DO SOMETHING!" yelled Undyne "THEY ARE G-GOING T-TO KI-KILL EACH OTHER!"

Red watch Underswap's Alphys stand before them as she watched the fight closely. Her large, powerful frame was something that he still hadn't gotten used to. His own world's version of Alphys was smaller and you would certainly never find her close to a fight as fierce as this one.

"I will … " she said "if it gets serious"

"HOW CAN YOU NOT THINK IT'S SERIOUS?!" argued Red

"Have you noticed that Fell is not using any of his powers?" said Alphys' over her shoulder.

Red blinked and looked at the two of them exchanging punches and throwing each other all over the large room. While it was true that some furniture would need to be fixed, neither of them were using magic and most of the damage, so far had been contained to just themselves. Either of them could've ended this fight easily using blasters or, a well placed bone attack. Perhaps the only reason Stretch had used magic at all had been because Red had used it in the first place.

"Stretch needs this" said Alphys somberly.

"What the h-..." commented Red

"Language" said Alphys not even looking away from the fight.

The sound of bone cracking.

"Not yet" said Alphys.

A table splintered against the wall to their collective left.

"Just give them a few more minutes"

A Gaster blast missed their heads by just a few inches.

"ALPHYS!" yelled Red and Undyne in unison.

"Ok. Ok!" said Alphys sighing and quickly making her way to the fighting pair. It had taken a couple of slaps to the back of their heads and the threat of limbs becoming separated from their bodies before the partial destruction of the Underswap brother's home came to an end.

Both Fell and Stretch lay on the carpeted floor panting. Fell got up first and adjusted his battered scarf back into place. Stretch then got up and, while glaring at Fell, repositioned his broken finger, making everyone but Fell wince in sympathy.

"If you're THAT serious about fighting" said Fell applying green magic to some of his injuries "You should train under me. I can help you find the monsters that … "

"FUCK OFF" said Stretch teleporting away.

Fell sneered at the empty spot. "He needs a collar"

Red came over. "Boss, want me to go after him?"

"No, he'll come back. He just needs to -think- about it" said Fell then, as if he had not noticed it before, he looked around the half destroyed room "He DOES have potential"

Alphys and Undyne both started speaking but Red beat them to the question that was on both of their minds "Boss, why did you provoke him like that? You don't really think that his brother is dead, do you?"

Fell busied himself with his gloves before answering.

"Blue had training. He was resourceful. He could be annoying sometimes but, none of us can't say that he lacked determination" he said finally. He looked at each of them in turn "If he could come back, he would've done so by now. This ... uncertainty is -killing- that fool of an older brother"

Nobody could really disagree. It was something each of them had thought about at least once, if not more.

"This needs to stop"

.

..

…

Stretch had not stayed away for long after his fight with Fell and, when asked again had not voiced anything against having the ceremony.

"Do what you want" was his only comment.

The funeral itself had been a modest affair despite the entire town being present. The Fell brothers stayed in the background, mostly to keep an eye on the stubbornly quiet Stretch. When asked for a few words, he declined.

Everyone not in his immediate circle looked at him with pity. Everyone was aware that the Underground held its own set of dangers. As far as anyone else knew, it had been an accidental death. Poor, poor dear.

At the small gathering afterwards, Red noticed Stretch try to sneak off into the woods behind the brother's house. He started following when he was stopped by Fell's hand on his shoulder.

"Boss?" asked Red.

Fell sighed and let go of his shoulder then turned away from him. Confused but determined to not let Stretch go off on his own -again- the small skeleton made his way through a group of monsters, and soon he was just a few paces behind the taller skeleton.

Stretch stopped at the river and rummaged for something inside his jacket. Finally, he pulled some cigarettes and a lighter.

It occurred to Red that he hadn't seen Stretch smoke since that day. He waited a little while but Stretch just stood there looking at the items on his hands as if he didn't recognize them. Red cleared his throat to announce his presence.

"Hey" said Red walking to Stretch's right side. When he didn't receive a response he balanced his weight on his heels and looked around "At least it's not snowing, huh?"

"Hm" said Stretch.

*Well that was stupid* Thought Red. *Why was he there anyway?. What could he possibly say?*

"Huh, uh, just came over to … to…" he looked at Stretch's hand "To see if I could bum one off you" he finished pointing at the cigarettes.

Red was nowhere near as much of a smoker as Stretch was. Most of the time, he only did it when he and Stretch went fishing together. It was a habit too much of a bother and too expensive to keep up.

Stretch gave the entire pack of cigarettes and lighter to Red without a word.

"Uh … ok. Just wanted one" mumbled Red then took one out of the package and after placing it in between his teeth, he lighted it. He took a couple of puffs and exhaled slowly. He sneaked a look at Stretch only to discover that the taller skeleton had been staring at him the entire time. "What?"

"Nothing" said Stretch then after a long pause he added "You shouldn't smoke"

"What? Seriously?" said Red managing a small smile "You. Are. Telling. ME. I shouldn't smoke"

"Yeah. I'm telling you that" said Stretch but he looked away towards the calm river in front of them.

Red stubbornly kept the cigarette in his mouth. He offered the rest of the package and lighter back by holding them out on his hand, but he was ignored.

*Isn't this lovely* He thought looking around and, trying really hard not to look as uncomfortable as he felt. He exhaled more smoke and flicked a few ashes from the tip of his cigarette.

Suddenly, the package and lighter were snatched from his hand and thrown into the river. Red turned to Stretch, dumbfounded.

"You shouldn't smoke" growled Stretch not looking at him.

Red glared at him but still removed the cigarette from his mouth and put it out in the snowbank next to him.

"Fine" he said quietly.

They stood in silence for about half an hour. Red's legs started bothering him and he fought the urge to sit down on the snow. "Look…." He started. "This whole situation …" he waved his hand in front of him vaguely …."Sucks"

No response.

Red sniffed and adjusted his jacket. The Underground light was dimming. It was getting significantly colder.

"Maybe we should head back. Before we freeze in place" said Red. When he was, again, ignored. He reached out and grabbed Stretch's arm "Ah, C'mon"

"Will you just… stop?" said Stretch not moving an inch.

"Stop what?" said Red blushing.

"Stop trying to be my buddy"

"YOUR WHAT?" exclaimed Red "I'm just trying …. I don't know … Help you?"

"Don't" said Stretch turning away from him. "Stop trying. Stop trying like your brother wants everyone to do. Go back to your backwards world and leave us alone"

"Aaargh. Don't tempt me!" Red rubbed both sides of his skull in frustration "But … but, I can't!"

"You can't" repeated Stretch looking at him over his shoulder.

"Blue wouldn't do that. I can't do that. You know your bro would've stuck by us … if … if… something happened to me or boss" Red avoided Stretch's gaze

"I can't" he said again defeated. He was in no mood to suddenly get all confessional. Couldn't Stretch just let him help without the need for an interrogation.

He saw Stretch turn his body back to face him out of the corner of his eye. He didn't dare to look up at him.

"You're not my brother" he heard Stretch say resentfully. Red felt his HP drop a bit. "You don't need to pretend to be him"

"Huh?" said Red as Stretch turned to return to his house. "Yeah, well, I WOULD NEVER WANT TO BE BLUE WITH SUCH A DUMBASS FOR A BROTHER!"

Stretch's long strides soon took him out of view. Red stayed a little bit longer. His legs refusing to move. It wasn't until the light had almost completely gone out before he started walking back. His jacket's sleeves wet from tears.

.

..

…

A short while later he had learned that Stretch had accepted Fell's offer to train him. He had announced to the group that was still at his home that he would catch and bring the monsters that had taken his brother away to justice.

Alphys had been a little taken aback by the announcement but had eventually agreed that if Stretch was able to pass the trials coming up in three months, she would consider giving him a Cadet position in the Royal Guard. In the end, Red guessed, she may have just been glad that Stretch seemed to be moving away from the self destructive behavior he had been indulging in lately.

Red and Stretch hadn't talked since then. It had only been a couple of weeks, but still.

Red honestly didn't know what to do. He had tried to help out by making food for both Papyruses and keeping both houses organized and clean among his other duties as a Sentry. He never thought of himself as the domestic type but it felt like it was the only thing he could do.

For some reason he could not figure out, Stretch resented him.

What else could he do? He just couldn't do nothing.

Blue wouldn't.

No. What Blue would or could have done did not matter. At least, Stretch was right about that.

The problem was in …

Did it matter at all what Red did.