Content warnings: Not much, really. Some casual cursing.


For the second time in 48 hours, Geno woke up on a couch. An uncomfortable one at that. He sat up, stretching and yawning and taking in his surroundings. It was bright outside, clearly closer to noon then any respectable hour one would think an adult would wake to. There was an empty ketchup bottle on the floor next to him, and...Frisk?

Frisk was hiding underneath the coffee table that was wedged between the wall and couch. When Geno caught their eye they gave him a cheesy smile and pressed their finger to their mouth. "Shhh." They hushed.

Geno narrowed his eye sockets, but decided against interrogation.

He stood from the creaky couch, mourned his creaky bones, and made his way into the kitchen, hoping to find some breakfast. He opened the pantry, and what he found among the various food items, was Chara, hiding under the bottom shelf with an 'oh shit' look on their face. They relaxed however when they saw Geno. They too raised their finger in a hushed plea for silence.

Geno opened his mouth to retort, but Chara shook their head franticly and handed Geno the cereal.

Geno eyed the box before deciding that it was breakfast enough and closing the door on Chara.

Then he went to the fridge for milk. Thankfully he didn't find a child hiding in the produce drawer.

But there was one when he turned around.

MK, the sweet armless kid from the Underground had walked into the kitchen. "Hey Sans!" He greeted. "Have you seen Frisk and Chara around? We're playing hide and go seek."

Geno nodded, he had expected as much. *well it would be cheating if i told you* he said easily. *but there definitely isn't anyone hiding in the pantry.*

Monster Kid grinned at this and went to the pantry door, skillfully turning the knob with his foot.

"Found you!" He choused.

Chara crawled out from their space with an upset look, they glared at Geno before turning to MK. For a second Geno thought Chara would push the kid down, but they didn't. "Alright, fine," They huffed, "let's go find Frisk." The two left for the hallway and Geno went back to his breakfast quest.

He made a bowl of cereal, poured some coffee, and found a place to sit at the table. From the living room he heard a 'FOUND YOU!' Followed by a giggle from Frisk, some bickering, and then by counting from Chara.

"1, 2, 3, 4"

Frisk and Monster Kid ran into the kitchen seconds later, MK ducking under the table, and Frisk running outside.

Then, Sans came into the room, wearing his signature slippers and a long blue robe. Geno looked warily at him. Sans didn't speak, he made himself breakfast, poured some coffee, and sat opposite of Geno, who made it a point not to look up.

The quiet moment was ruined by MK. "Hey woah! There are two of you!" He crawled out from under the table and marveled at the skeletons. "Did Alphys finally work out cloning?"

*nah.* Sans yawned, *he's my evil twin.*

"R-really, I've never meant-"

"Found you!" Came Chara's voice as they waltzed into the kitchen, a triumphant look on their face. "You really suck at hiding dude. Where'd Frisk go?"

"Chara, Sans has an evil twin!" MK had stars in his eyes.

Geno and Sans both a chuckled a bit.

"Wha-oh! Um, ya." Chara agreed, snickering a little. "He sure does. Anyway, Frisk?"

"Oh, ya, they went outside."

"You're on my team then! Lead the way!" Chara declared, walking for the backdoor.

MK pursed his lips, but followed Chara anyway. The two left, leaving the skeletons alone.

There was a pause. Both sipped their coffee. Then, Gneo spoke.

*so, the two immortal beings who can manipulate time itself spend their days playing hide and seek with the neighborhood kids?* He asked Sans, perhaps a touch of anger in his voice.

*yup.* Sans agreed, taking a bite of cereal.

*don't you see anything wrong with that?*

*nope.*

*why?*

*playing hide and go seek,* Sans began, *it maintains their sanity. childhood shapes the rest of a person's life, you know.*

That was vague. And didn't answer Geno's question all. The skeleton took a breath. *but,* Geno sounded annoyed, *they're not kids! 60 timelines, right? and they at least get to 70 years old in each, right? that's over 4000 years of life! and that's a fucking conservative estimate!* He crossed his arms, *they're acting like children.*

*yup.* Sans sighed, like he was tired of saying his next words. *that's because physically, hormonally, and emotionally, they ARE children. their brains haven't developed yet. trust me, i've seen timelines where they act like adults in this state of their life. it just destroys them from a young age, leads to additions, danger, anger, and pain, and ultimately another genocide timeline when a RESET rolls around. but if they're allowed to be young, allowed to have fun and live a life that isn't just crushing guilt and self hatred, then they're better off, more balanced, more peaceful and secure.*

*and so what? you just play daddy after every RESET?* Geno raised his voice a little, angry, though he wasn't sure why.

*no.* Sans said calmly, *i simply protect them, defend them, and keep them out of trouble. it's the easiest way to protect and defend ALL of monsterkind. it's my burden, sure, but it's a part of my job. if i do it well, give the kiddos a chance to learn and grow, then, well, i never have to destroy them if we all mess up.*

Geno felt like a huge weight was being thrown onto his shoulders. In a somewhat broken voice, he asked, *is that...what i have to do?*

Sans shrugged. *no. i've meant sanses from many timelines. we all have different ways of coping.* He took a sip of his coffee.

Geno frowned, *wouldn't...i don't know...a therapist, or a trained professional be better...suited, to handle something like this? i mean...i...had a talk with chara last night, and,*

Sans froze, he began watching Geno with a sort of intensity.

*and…* Geno went on, *they seemed to be pretty broken. they told me some things, and i didn't know how to respond. they kinda made it sound like they were suicidal, but they couldn't die, and when they went up to bed again i, um, well i drank an entire bottle of ketchup and passed out on the couch. i don't think i could handle...having to be there for them, i'm not mature enough. and frisk...well, i'm not sure what their deal is. but they seem off too.* His words trailed.

*hmmm,* Sans hummed, *i'll talk to them about it. and as for them getting professional help, well, you said it yourself, 4000 years of life, not only for them, but for me too. i've gotten degrees in psychology, child and adult. and in metaphysics, philosophy, magic, and more. anything i thought would help with raising those two. i know the kids better than anyone. for them i'm a constant, someone who remembers everything. i'm their only rock outside each other. there's no one better suited for the job.*

Geno felt like he was going to be sick. *heh, maybe i should give you my frisk and chara then.* He chuckled half-heartedly.

Sans laughed, *tried that once, taking in more than one pair of kids. it didn't end well.* He put a comforting hand on Geno's shoulder, *if you're anything like me, kid, you'll do just fine. just keep your skull clear, and your mind open. trust me, you have a skele-ton of time.*

Geno gave a small laugh.

There was a silence.

It was broken when Chara sauntered into the kitchen, whistling. They were carrying a long sheet and a pillow under their arms. They stopped and surveyed the kitchen with their shining red eyes, then they crossed the room, grabbed a broom, which was leaning against the back door, a box of crackers from the pantry, before leaving.

The skeletons just watched the child quietly.

When they were gone, Sans spoke. *i should go see what they're doing.* he sighed, standing from the table. Geno grabbed his coffee cup and followed, a curious look on his face. Nothing could prepare the two for the absolute mess that awaited them.


A/N: I really like writing this story. I hope you're enjoying reading it.


Answering my fan mail:

Anonymous liker6: Well, I'm glad this was the first story you commented on! Thank you for writing, reading, and sticking with me.

Mageblood: You by far are my favorite commenter. Thank you so much for reading! Maybe we'll delve a little bit more into what chara was about to say, but you'll just have to wait and see. Worry not, more angst will come. And thank you for the comment on the dreams, I had a lot of fun writing that interlude. Hope you liked Chapter 6!


Thank you everyone for reading, you guys are great!