Papyrus POV until further notice.
I lightly placed my hand on my brother's chest as I looked Sans firmly in the eye. If Sans was uncomfortable or was not okay with me seeing his soul than that was okay. I always have known my brother was not confident with himself and didn't have any close friends to give him more confidence. It always made him feel special that Sans felt he could be a little bit of himself with me and no one else. Yet also upset that Sans didn't have the courage to be open about himself. Yet how I was the one Sans thought was the coolest and would brag about how great I and my skills are to others. How he'd do little things for me even if Sans himself thought it was embarrassing. How sometimes Sans would explain a particular project he'd been working on with stars in his eyes. How I could see how much he loved my praise and opinion, how much he valued it. Yet after what Frisk had told me...
Frisk had told me that Sans should get help. I couldn't understand what exactly my brother could ever need help with other than maybe making some friends or having more confidence but, what Frisk started to elaborate was impossible. How they said that Sans' soul had been particularly weak recently. I had never thought my brother's soul could ever be weak. I had always thought it was strong and powerful. Besides Sans had taught me all of the magic I know and some of the things Sans did took way too much magic to use without a powerful soul. Yet Frisk had started to cry and begged me to help him, that they couldn't see Sans with how he was right now. How they told me they felt it was all their fault.
I look at the fear trembling out of my brother's frame. Afraid of what I will find from his stats and soul, but still trusted me enough to see them because I was concerned.
I pulled slowly on the soul giving Sans plenty of time to stop me if he needed me to do so. I watched as Sans let out a small tear as his soul stood before us. I had always imagined my elder brother's soul as large and strong, yes maybe a scratch or two on it from his struggles in life but... I imagined that my brother's soul was encased in a swirl of his own blue and yellow magic like my soul did with its green and orange. That my brother's soul would be as amazing and powerful as it's owner. I had never thought it would look like this. His poor soul was mangled and discolored, the surface a deep gray and covered in deep cuts and even chunks that were missing, his magic roiling with many colors beneath the surface like it wanted to explode, some of the magic nearly flowing out but would retreat back to its origins. The soul quivered as it floated towards me.
I felt tears run down my face as I read Sans' stats, his HP a measly 0.1, his ATK at .95, and his DF... his defense at only 0.03. My eyes flicked to the text below his stats. 'Loves you very much, you're his only hope and beloved sibling.' I was his only hope. I looked to that tiny decimal and could hardly believe that my brother was in this... this much pain. I never questioned why I rarely felt his soul, because I did feel it sometimes. It felt like the purest forms of love and adoration like I was a god among mortals and Sans was a priest who worshipped everything about me. Sans had always gotten me everything I wanted and told me how cool I was and gave me advice and helped plan my puzzles. I remember when we were young how I had gone to school while Sans had gone somewhere else every day. How Sans was nine and I was only five. I remember when I was ten and Sans had brought me over to what would become our first actual home. I remember how Sans had convinced Undyne to let us into the Gaurd after days of begging hadn't worked. I remember how tired he always looked but my smile and joy would brighten his soul no matter what.
I looked at my tiny abused brother as I scooped his soul into my hands and slowly, gently began to pet my brother's core. The intent to soothe and calm and reassure him as I watched Sans relax into the gentle touch and cuddle into me. It made me think about how little I knew about Sans. I don't know where he came from. I don't know how this happened. I don't know what Sans could have ever done to deserve his soul to be so hurt. Sans couldn't hurt a fly even if he wanted to. Yes, my brother could be infuriating sometimes but, Sans was the most amazing and thoughtful monster I could ever know. He had raised me after all. If he could make someone as Great as I, then I don't see why he isn't a million times better.
"Sans," I say softly, wanting to get his attention but to not alarm him from his relaxed state. Sans looked up at me with a small content smile as he purred in my arm. He stared in a daze like trance as he seemed to be memorizing every feature of my face. I would be very flattered if Sans was not my main concern at the moment, I could preen later. "Sans, can you answer some questions for me?" I ask carefully, making my voice sound as non-threatening as possible. To my surprise, Sans sat up with a tired yet blank expression as he nodded.
"If You don't feel comfortable or don't want to tell me all of it, that's okay. We can take as many breaks as you need to and if there's anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable," I lean closer to see his expression better now that he was looking behind himself, his expression and posture suggesting he was not comfortable right now," You can just let me know and I'll do it."
Sans looked back to me, shame still filled his soul for worrying me about his health and as much as I could just disagree I want to hear Sans out first. He is my number one priority after all.
