Ch. 7 Summary: Sans isn't much of a social person but if his brother asked for help then he'd come running. His bro, a member of an elementary school's PTA, searches for a new security guard with no promising results and turns to him. Sans isn't keen on being a "uniformed babysitter" but he needs a job. On his first shift, he meets a rough mirror image of himself who quietly threatens him. If he doesn't stop any bullying he sees towards Red's human child then there'll be hell to pay. Sans finds himself smitten. Oh, and apparently Red is hiding from San's former gang boss, uh oh.

WARNINGS: Swearing, gang activities, violence, mentions of non-con, and mentions of depression.


Ch. 7 – Tightly Tied

Sans didn't think he was the greatest guy out there. Sure, he had raised his baby bro from the ground up but otherwise most people saw him as a lazy, good for nothing slob. Even worse, he was a skeleton monster. Despite having coexisted with humans for centuries after the Humans VS Monsters war, discrimination was commonplace.

As for his bro, people liked the energetic skeleton well enough. He was always able to brighten a room with positivity and enthusiasm. He was cool like that. But not everyone liked his brother. Whether it was because of his attitude or because he was a monster, even Paps couldn't befriend everyone. But he'd try anyway. So cool.

Three years ago, his bro and Mettaton had married one another and adopted a human child. Orphaned monsters weren't as commonplace as human orphans and so the two had decided to give a home to an six year old girl. Alphys and Undyne, likewise, had adopted a human child but connected with a six year old boy. The two human children got along well enough, especially due to their similar history, but Sans himself never interacted with them much.

Sans bounced from job to job and place to place too often for him to really spend time with the kiddos. Between being fired for sleeping on the job or for simply being a monster, Sans had juggled more jobs than he'd like over the past three years. He wanted to return home to his bro but Paps had a life and family now. There was no room for him. Mettaton, Undyne, and even Alphys had made that clear once long ago. So he stayed out of their way.

And then Paps encountered a puzzling predicament.

Bullies had begun targeting his and Mettaton's child. She was an 'orphan' and 'adopted by a monster and a fake robot because humans didn't want her.' Some of the staff tried to consistently intercept the harassment but the majority turned a blind eye or even encouraged it. When Paps found out, he was devastated.

The monster parents and any human parents on their side rallied together against the school. After several threats of pulling out their children and cutting off funding, the elementary school did a sweep of their faculty and fired any staff member caught promoting bullying. One of those members was a security guard.

Teachers and coaches had been replaced, but the PTA had yet to find a suitable security guard. Most of Undyne's suggestions were shot down due to the aggressive nature of the people she suggested. Alphys' option often included quiet people who were too shy to confront others or simply eccentric characters that were difficult to interview. Mettaton referenced fellow robots but some of the humans were wary of robots, and in turn hackable camera eyes, watching their young children.

Which led to Papyrus to suggest him.

Undyne had outright laughed. Alphys hesitated, unsure. Mettaton rolled his eyes but humored the idea for his hubby. The other monsters and humans weren't familiar enough with Sans to outright disagree and, at that point, they needed someone to fill the role even if it was only temporarily.

So here Sans found himself: freshly fired from a fast food job and on a train ride to Paps home. It took several hours until he arrived at the station where his younger brother picked him up in a sleek red sports car.

Sans couldn't stop the soft smile warming his face as he plopped into the passenger seat. "You didn't get a new car while I was gone, didja bro?"

"No!" Paps cruised into traffic. "I merely do routine maintenance and ensure the regular upkeep of this automobile!"

Sans leaned into the leathery cushions and hummed. "Definitely paid off and it's clean as ever."

"It has to be." His bro flicked the turn signal and Sans slowly recognized the surroundings. "Or else I would never get such good reviews on HitchHike!"

"Heh." Blue eyelights drifted to study his younger bro. It'd been ages since he saw him last. "…it's good to see you again, bro."

Paps brightened like the only star in the sky. "And you as well, brother! I missed you terribly and wished you would visit more often!"

"You got a life now, Paps." He kept tone carefully light despite the ache in his chest. "Got a full house, even."

"Nonsense! You are always welcome at our home."

When Sans didn't respond, instead choosing to look out the window, he felt Paps glance at him.

"…I am aware of the fight you and the others had before you left."

He stiffened. "Paps–"

"And while I do not agree with their opinions, I also do not agree with your choice."

Sans studied the shapes of houses blurring past them.

"Running away does not solve problems." Papyrus softened his voice. "And I missed you, brother. Please, come home."

"Paps…" How could he say no to that? To his brother? He folded in on himself. "Paps, I…" He changed angles. "You know they don't want me there. I'd just get in the way."

"You would not." Paps straightened. "You have a job now, brother! They can't think bad of you now!"

Quietly, he grumbled. "I had a job back then, too."

Papyrus heard him anyway. "…I know and I am sorry on their behalf. They were…less than friendly but…can you forgive them? I have."

Damnit. His brother was too kind for his own good. And now to be asked to forgive the unforgivable? He sighed. "…anything for you, Paps."

Oddly enough, the admission didn't sooth his brother's worries. If only, it seemed to make the tension thicker as Papyrus parked and took a moment to fully look him over.

"You have not been taking care of yourself, Sans." The other exited the vehicle and opened the passenger door before he could. A red gloved hand grasped his shoulder and pulled him out of the sports car and into a hug.

Sans melted into the embrace, cuddling close as his brother easily grabbed his backpack and suitcase bag from the back seats with his free hand. Stars, was he really so attention starved as to let his bro manhandle him like this? Welp, who cared? It was just Papyrus. There was no one safer than his bro to let his guard drop around. 'Sides, it felt nice to be cared about.

"–listening?"

It took him a moment but his bro had been chattering to him the whole. He chuckled. "Oops?"

"Brother!" Papyrus stomped up a few steps to a small house and dropped the bags to unlock the door. "I said you are too light!"

"Guess you could say I'm…"

"No."

"…nuthin' but bones!"

The joke, complete with finger guns, sent his bro into a hissy fit. Paps dropped his grinning form atop the bags and opened the door. His bro called out a greeting and footsteps thundered down the hallway stairs.

Two small forms launched themselves at his brother, sending him staggering backwards. Sans jolted at the potential threat before he recognized his brother was unharmed. He watched, morbidly fascinated as the young humans clung to the skeleton and maneuvered themselves until they were both secure on his brother's back. Judging by his brother's playful sigh, it was a practiced routine.

A pang of jealousy shot through him. He had missed out on watching his brother grow not just as a person, but as a father figure. Yeah, he had his reasons for leaving but that was still his brother standing there with two human children climbing all over him. His brother that he didn't know much about anymore.

He shook away the creeping regret with a shrug of his shoulders. "Heya, Paps. You gonna introduce us?"

"Ah, yes!" His bro plucked the girl who sat on his shoulder and presented her with a flourish. "You may remember my daughter, Olivia! And this," he grasped the other child who tried wriggling away, "is Lucas!"

"So we've got," Sans stifled a snicker. "a walking tree and a guy without his lightsaber."

The girl scowled and kicked her feet, flinging fists towards him. "Let me at 'em, Pops!"

The boy gnashed his teeth in a big show of anger. "It's Lucas not Luke!"

He raised his hands and. "Luke's to me like I need an olive branch. Let's start over, yeah? The name's Sans."

Paps groaned. "Brother…!"

The children exchanged confused looks. "Brother?"

"Yes, I can confirm that I am indeed Pap's brother."

"Sans!"

"Yes, that is also my name. Confirmed."

"Nyeh!" Papyrus yelled, shoved him off the bags to grab them, and stormed into the house with children on one arm.

Sans chortled, picking himself up and following after. He almost forgotten that the kiddos didn't recognize him but then again they'd only met him a handful of times. He tried to not let the knowledge that it was his own damn fault for their lack of familiarity with him. Regret creeped but he smashed the feeling. He could wallow later. Right now he had to act okay or else his brother would worry.

"Mama Undyne!" The boy called and wiggled out of Pap's arm. "Check out who Uncle Papy brought home!"

Sans swallowed back fear as a greenish blue arm appeared in a doorway and a spear hurtled towards him. Self-preservation screamed at him to flee but his brother was in danger and so protective instincts won. Bones rippled into existence, shooting towards the spear and blasting the attack into smithereens. More bones erupted from the ground, surrounding his brother in a protective circle but leaving himself exposed.

Blue magic burned in his left eye as he scanned the area for the attacker with a mouth curled into a dark, habitual smile. The atmosphere dropped as he readied a bone for another lethal attack.

"…Sans?" A soft, tentative voice yanked him out of attack mode.

Magic dissipated as he took in the area. Wooden flooring was splintered and cracked from the bones that uprooted the floor. The wall across from him was blackened and burnt. Undyne stared at him from the doorway with wide-eyed disbelief despite the new spear in her hand. The children stared at him, terrified.

And Paps?

Paps looked horrified.

"Heh…" he stumbled back, soul hammering. "Sorry about the floor. Guess you just floored me with a surprise attack like that. Uh," he sweated as Alphys peeked from behind the fish monster, frightened. "Okay! Nice seeing you!"

He snatched his backpack and duffel bag from his brother's limp hold and vanished.

~oOo~

He reappeared in an long since abandoned warehouse, soul heavy. Damnit. He couldn't go one hour without freaking out!

"They were right…" he dropped the bags and slumped to the floor. "I'm a loose cannon…"

Vibrations startled him hard enough that his magic flared before he remembered it was just from his pocket. He flipped open the dinky old phone and winced. Caller: Coolest Bro.

"Sorry, bro…" he snapped the phone shut, ending the call, and tucked his head within the cocoon of his arms and knees. "I knew this was a bad idea…"

The phone vibrated once more but he didn't bother checking the ID. Instead, he turned off the phone and curled up with the lumpy duffle bag as a pillow. He let himself doze in the corner of the warehouse until the sun lowered. In the dark, he finally let himself turn on his phone and cringed at the sheer amount of calls, voicemails, and text messages.

Sighing, he scrolled through the text messages from his brother. The guilt only grew as his brother once again proved to be too good for him. 'Brother, please talk to me!' or 'It is okay to be frightened, but are you okay?' or 'I am not mad, only worried about you!' and 'Please call me, brother, I love you after all!'

Checking the time, he finally caved and clicked a few buttons to call his brother. He had to explain that it was okay the others were scared of him, he understood, and that he accepted their decision to not let him near them or the kids ever again. Oh, and it was okay if he was fired before even starting the job, too.

His brother picked up on the first ring. "Brother!"

He swallowed. "Heh, hey bro…"

"You had me worried senseless!" Papyrus scolded him. "Undyne–"

"I know." His voice sharpened without meaning to and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, Paps…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to endanger you or anyone but Undyne was right all those years ago. I'm dangerous. So I understand if you don't want me arou–"

"Sans?" Static crackled as Paps sucked in air. "Brother, I have not even said anything!"

"You didn't have to." Damnit, was he crying? Stupid tears. Stupid emotions. Stupid Edge and his starsdamned gang made him trigger happy in the first place. Stupid, stupid, stupid. "I…I'm sorry, Paps. I gotta–"

"Please come home."

Sans froze. "Paps…?"

"I understand you were frightened by Undyne's sudden display of rough affection, but that does not mean I love you any less! Please come home so we may talk!"

Weakly, he protested. "But you're kid…"

"She is safe and unharmed, brother. Surprised, but okay. Please come home."

Still, he tried to fight a losing battle. "She won't be safe if I'm around. You saw what happened when I panicked over something so small!"

"I trust you, Sans." Papyrus tone startled him. Serious. Confident. Authoritative. "And I trust you will never hurt our family."

Tears overflowed and his breath hitched. "I…"

"Come home, brother." The voice weakened with a slight tone he hoped to never hear again. Fear. Fear of being abandoned. "Please?"

"Okay, bro." he crumbled like paper. "I'm… I'm on my way."

With that, he tucked the phone into his hoodie pocket and grasped his bags before shortcutting to the door of Pap and Mettaton's house. He lifted a hand and hesitated before steeling his nerves. For Papyrus. He knocked a short rhythm.

Faint footsteps tapped with a metallic thud and he swallowed. That…wasn't his brother. The door glided open to reveal Mettaton's unimpressed face. The robot cocked a hip and crossed his arms.

"Why are you here?"

Sans shrank in on himself as his own guilt from earlier resurfaced. "I…uh… couldn't say no to Paps?"

Mettaton huffed and flicked aside a floofy strand of hair. "Very well. Come in, I suppose."

He offered a meek smile and shuffled inside. The holes in the floor had been sealed with plastic and mostly covered by a rug and the scorch marks on the wall were covered with fresh paint. He could tell because the child-sized handprints on the wall weren't there when he left.

Mettaton led him past the stairs and curved right through the doorway and into a living room. They walked through another doorway on the left and entered a kitchen. Tucked in a corner was another door and they trotted down the steps and wandered through the basement. Next to the washer and dryer was another door and Mettaton opened it.

"You will stay here until you find somewhere else to live." Mettaton abruptly towered over him with a ferocious scowl. "And do be sure to keep your gang activities away from my family, understand? We don't want any part in shootouts, turf wars, or smuggling illegal substances, got it?"

Anger flared. "That was years ag–"

"Got. It?"

"…got it." He averted his eyes. Although it was true he had been a member of a gang, that was nearly a decade ago. Back when he was just a kid and struggling to keep himself and his brother afloat in a money hungry world. "I'll be outta your hair soon enough, alright? I only came back for Paps."

"He's too good for you." Mettaton sneered. "You're lucky he forgives so easily."

He glared at his sneakers.

"What? Not even gonna defend yourself?" A huff of air showed Mettaton was still frustrated. "I'm only ensuring the best for my family and you are dangerous to be around, understand? So stay away from the children. I hope they find a security guard replacement soon. I don't want children hurt just because you are near."

The energy sapped out of him. Mettaton was right, after all. Had been right years ago when he was backed up by Undyne and Alphys. The only one who didn't agree with them, didn't agree that he was unsafe to be around, was his own brother. And his brother didn't know any better.

He sighed. He just wanted to sleep now. "Understood."

Mettaton studied him for a beat. "Blankets are in the dresser. Pillows are in the basket beside the dresser. Bathroom has a cabinet full of towels. Goodnight." The other pivoted and stormed away.

"…night."

He never should've come back.

~oOo~

Despite his brother's protests, he quickly 'found' a place to live. Really, that place was the old warehouse he had shortcutted to the other day but his brother didn't need to know that. He wasn't about to waste money on a apartment room when he knew no one ever bothered to visit the warehouse except for the occasional homeless person or two. As for hygiene and showering, the homeless shelter wasn't far. He could easily borrow their facilities and visit the laundromat afterwards.

Simple and easy.

Though, it wasn't so easy when his brother asked to visit his place or see him at all but he constantly refused and deflected. Paps knew something was wrong but thought he had finally gotten through Sans' thick skull. He thought wrong of course, but the gesture always warmed his soul.

But Paps eventually cornered him. At the school of all places. Paps showed up just before he would be called into the principle's office and briefed on the job duties. Then, after being briefed he would wait to shadow a staff member to walk him through where he needed to be and when.

In the short time it took for Paps to show up with the human child Olivia and Alphys with Lucas, notice him sitting outside the office, and then hurry over with child in tow, a barrage of pleading requests had been hurled his way. He tried to stay strong, really, he did! But under the pressure of puppy dog eyes from his baby bro (and the rumbling of his own stomach), he caved to the most prominent request. He agreed to eat dinner with them that night.

The brilliant grin on his brother's face almost made the promise worth it. Seeing Alphys flinch and herd Lucas away in his peripheral vision sent a twinge of pain to his heart. Stars, he wasn't cut out for this…

The principle called him into the office and his first fay of training began. He followed the teacher around the school, mentally taking notes, and nodded along or asked questions of his own. The day ended uneventfully (save for the uncomfortable dinner at Pap's place) and so were the next few days of training.

Old habits prompted him to pay careful attention to people's faces. Whether it was children, parents, or faculty, he made sure to memorize important features and assess who would give him the most trouble. He idly memorized the layout of the school – finding every way to exit or enter a room whether it was through a window or through a door.

A week passed and the teacher deemed him fit enough to handle keeping watch on his own. Monday rolled around and he now stood in front of the school and either urged drivers to hurry along so others could drop off their kids or directed the parents on where to park for longer periods of time.

When the early morning rush began to dwindle, he let himself relax and sit in the chair provided for him by the school. He absently shifted the bright orange vest labeled Security Officer and tucked the walkie talkie further into the vest pocket. The stiff fabric was uncomfortable over the black button down shirt. But at least his black pants had pockets big enough to stuff his hands into, heh.

"C'mon, hurry up, Val!" A familiar, young voice called and he awkwardly shifted in place as he leaned forwards to peer around the vine covered gate. "If we're late we'll get in trouble again and then your daddy won't let you come over!"

Olivia sprinted down the sidewalk, half-dragging another young human child. Not far behind her and in a bright red sports car, his bro watched the two with a fond smile. Sans jerked back and out of his brother's view.

The two humans, Olivia and Val, hurried past him but Val stopped when she noticed him. "…Daddy?"

He blinked, surprised. "Nope." He popped the 'p'. "And you gotta get to class, don't you?"

She studied him, eyes squinting with confused suspicion. "What's your name, mister?"

He snorted. "Sans, kiddo, and you're late."

Olivia gasped and hurried to grab Val's hand, dragging her away. He tried to not let hurt show. Olivia was still scared of him and understandably so. He tilted the cap on his head as footsteps scuffed cement.

He leaned back as a stranger in rugged clothing approached. A near mirror image stared him down but the face was different. Rougher. The other skeleton monster had sharp fangs, fool's gold for a tooth, and red eyelights. The reflection stopped in front of him with the edges of his mouth curled down.

"Yer the new guy?"

He kept his posture relaxed despite the way he scanned the other for potential threat. "I am. Temporary position, though. So don't get chummy."

The other snorted. "Well while you're here…" Skeletal claws slammed against his shoulders but before he could retaliate his soul had been seized by red magic. "If I hear my precious baby is being bullied under yer watch then there will be hell to pay."

Sans cocked his head, a rush of amusement shooting down his spine. "Good to hear."

The skeleton blinked, magic wavering. "Wha…?"

Sans took the lull in magic to regain control. He broke the other's hold and lightly pushed the other so he could stand. The skeleton was just a bit taller than him, huh.

"I'm glad you care about your kiddo. Val, right? Good to know she's under good care." He extended a hand. "Name's Sans."

The other glanced at the offered bones but didn't shake, wary. "…How do ya know my kid?"

He smiled, relaxed. "She said I looked like her Daddy and you look like me. Put two and two together and you get four."

"…I'm Red." The skeleton finally accepted the shake. "Glad ya've got a brain in that skull."

"You sure?" He tapped the side of his head lightly. "Don't you hear the echo?"

Red snorted. "Clever."

After that, the two of them slowly began to bond with jokes and puns. The security guard job lasted longer than anyone expected and he looked forward to waking up and seeing the other punster. True to his word, he stopped any bullying that happened in front of him. And the bullies, frightened of the skeletal monster with a glowing blue eye, took his words to heart.

Red wound up roping him into meeting after his shifts to unwind and relax. Val grew on him like a weed and he felt half bad that he connected more with a stranger's child than his own niece. To be fair, he did try to refuse as many offers as possible but Red was persistent. He kept coming back no matter how hard Sans pushed him away. Like a boomerang, ha.

Once when Red's kiddo was away with Pap's and Undyne, he and Red were at Grillby's bar and he was beyond drunk, he confessed his life story. He babbled and said he wasn't a good person. That he had done bad things in the past. He had joined a gang when he was younger and robbed good people. How else could a homeless kid earn enough money to feed himself and his baby brother? He had long since escaped the gang but he was still a dangerous criminal. He tearfully apologized, saying he understood if Red never wanted to see his ugly face ever again because he was unsafe to be around.

Red, drunk himself, admitted he was the ex-husband to a gang member and looked at his crying sorry self. Red swatted his skull and he squawked, hurt, until Red dragged him into a kiss.

Needless to say, their relationship spiraled after that. They had stumbled to Red's place, giggling among sloppy kisses, and passed out on the couch. When they sobered, both whined about their hangovers and were relieved to find their clothes still on them.

Red looked to him, took in his ruffled state and shrugged. "Fuck it, let's date."

Sans reeled and argued but when Red tilted his head and smirked with a cocky challenge, he rose to the bait. Though he refused to move in with the guy, he visited and crashed on the couch more often than he rightly should've but neither minded.

Their relationship continued to progress and Val was happy to have "two daddys again" and, when Sans shot Red a puzzled look, the other pointedly changed conversation. They both had their secrets and his memories of their times when drunk were always fuzzy.

Either way, he founds himself in a comfortable rhythm with the other. It was nice to interact with someone who saw him from the present and not him from the past. They worked well together despite their contrasting personalities and eventually he bit the bullet and introduced Red to his brother in a public setting.

Turned out, the two already knew each other from the PTA meetings. Which meant Red also knew Mettaton, Undyne, and Alphys. The three monsters had dragged Red away from him and his bro to warn him about Sans crimes and Sans readied himself for a break up. But, when Red returned it was to peck him on the cheek and loud reminder that he trusted his boyfriend whole-heartedly.

Paps brightened and chattered with Red while the other three watched Sans, wary.

The hang out didn't end soon enough and afterwards he pulled Red to the side. Red reassured him with a smile and Sans let himself enjoy the comfort of the other. It was nice to be around someone who knew he was a threat but trusted him anyway.

He felt safe.

Then everything went to hell.

His former gang found him. He didn't know how or why–he wasn't even near their turf. He was on his way to Red's place when they slunk out of the shadows and grabbed him, tasing him with a shock just high enough to knock him out.

When he woke, it was to a collar around his throat and metal around his ankles. He laid sprawled on a couch in an office. A familiar office.

He shot upright and tumbled to the ground as weak legs collapsed beneath him. Without access to his magic courtesy of the collar, he couldn't funnel more strength into the limbs. He cursed just as his former boss walked into the room with a sick grin. The door clicked shut behind the tall skeleton.

"Ah, Sans, it's been ages." Edge plucked him by the collar and tossed him back to the couch.

He scowled and struggled to right himself as Edge sat in the office chair. Sans growled. "What do you want?"

Edge snorted. "Is that any way to address your boss?"

"Ex-boss. I left years ago."

"And now you are back where you belong." Phalanges laced together as Edge studied him with elbows braced atop the desk. "I have a proposition for you, Sans."

"No dice." He half-debated on making a run for it despite the rising nausea. "Keep your scumbag habits to yourself."

Edge continued as if he hadn't spoken. "As I recall, you were one of the best on my team."

"I was just a grunt." He corrected and crossed his arms. Damn. The shaking wouldn't stop.

"Who rose to become my secretary. You were quite good at it, too. Researching layouts of well secured buildings and the schedules of the security guards: when shifts would change, who was where at any given time, even the locations of cameras. It was a shame when you left."

"I needed money then." Blue eyelights glared at his ratty sneakers. "I don't need money now."

"…How's that brother of yours?"

Sans knew he shouldn't have reacted. Knew that his weak point would be exploited. But he flung himself out of the chair and hurled himself at other monster. Small fists were easily caught and Edge hefted him into the air like a sack of stolen goods. He kicked and flailed and spat every possible insult until he tired himself out.

"Are you finished?" Edge shook his dangling form.

"Take of this stupid collar," his ribs heaved. "And I'll finish you."

"Pathetic." Edge tossed him like a rag doll and he hit the ground hard. "You were always too soft for your own good."

He panted against the floor. When the jerk realized he wasn't about to get up anytime soon, Edge huffed and threw him back onto the couch so he could at least see the other.

"Now, then." Edge returned to the desk. "My proposition."

"Go to hell."

"You have a choice to make, Sans. Either you give me a new grunt," Edge showed him a picture of Papyrus at a park with Olivia. "Or you return my husband." The jerk held a picture of Red kissing a grinning Sans.

Sans growled past the flicker of surprise. Red was Edge's husband?

"What will it be? Your brother…" Edge smirked. "Or your lover?"

He clenched his fists. He had to choose. He had to choose. He scowled.

Sans made his choice.

~oOo~

"Neither."

Red eyelights flared, surprised, and Edge frowned. "What?"

"You want someone? You'll get someone. Just not them."

Amusement crawled across Edge's face. "Then who?"

"Me."

Sans sacrificed himself for his family. He rejoined Edge's gang and ran errands or 'delivered entertainment' to Edge in the form of the jerk messing with his head. He was forced to be Edge's lover in replacement of Red. Usually he'd be locked up in Edge's house.

Sans is tethered to Edge not only by the magic inhibitor collar, but by the trackers on his ankles as well.

On one of the days when Sans 'ran an errand' as in 'robbed a bank,' he was caught by Undyne, the captain of police, herself. He knew he only had his magic for a short period of time before the collar would revert to being an inhibitor. So he was running against time to escape her and return to Edge or else their deal would end and Edge would kill both Paps and Red.

Undyne was rightfully pissed and confused because, "I thought you were through with this shit!"

The collar was also equipped with a mic and receiver. Edge listened to every word.

"You thought wrong." Sans screamed back, desperate to escape.

Undyne snarled that she'd hate to drag Paps into this but had to. Sans' struggles became more desperate as she turned to the other cops and claimed she'd handle "this one" on her own. Sans continued to bite, kick, and struggle. He couldn't shortcut or else he'd drag Undyne with him and that meant certain death for her.

She slapped on magic inhibitor handcuffs and he practically screamed in frustration as she shoved him into her police car. She slammed the door shut and Sans desperately babbled to Edge.

"I need more time, just a little more time, please–"

Undyne entered the driver side right as he cut himself off. Suspicious, she stared him down.

She drove in silence and they arrived at the station. She walked out and the mic crackled to life.

"If you don't deliver by tonight, the deal is off."

~oOo~

In the station, Sans desperately argued and begged to be released. Undyne threw him into a cell and he panicked. Habit prompted him check the containment cell and notice a camera. He narrowed his eyes as desperation built. Soon enough, Paps showed up and Sans was dragged out to talk to him.

Paps was disappointed but beyond the hurt, he noticed how fidgety Sans was acting. "Brother, what is wrong?"

"Oh just robbed a bank, heh." A leg bounced, eyelights darting left and right. "The usual, you know?"

"Not that, brother. You are acting…unusual?"

The bouncing continued. "I'm pretty unusual, you know. I mean robbing a bank is really high on the unusual list, right? Heh."

Paps quietly studied him. "Brother…why did you rob the bank?"

He froze. He couldn't tell Paps the truth. He just couldn't. "I felt like it. Why else? They all thought I was a thug so I proved them right, that's all."

Paps sockets narrowed. "You are lying."

Shit. Had to redirect and fast. "That's me! The routine liar. But I'm not lying about lying. I'm a grade A certified bad monster."

"Why are you lying to me? Did someone threaten you?"

Too close. Too close! He had to protect Papyrus, no matter the cost. Even if it meant lying through his teeth and breaking his brother's heart. So long as Edge was entertained, there was hope.

"I never loved you." He forced himself to spit the lie. "I've always hated you."

Papyrus reared back and the anguished expression was almost enough for him to backtrack but he pushed on.

"You're always so happy. It makes me sick."

Tears started to form in his eyes and he let himself curse out loud.

"Get outta here." He sucked in air. "If I see you again, it'll be too soon."

With that, Paps retreated. He held the angry expression despite the tears and Undyne seared him with a scorching look as she shoved him back into the containment cell. He sagged against the wall.

He murmured, listless as tears overflowed. "How's that for entertainment?"

Static crackled. "Excellent. I'll have my men pick you up tomorrow morning."

He let himself sob silently well into the night. The morning came and before the 24 hours of containment were up and he'd be sentenced in front of a judge, Edge had his gang members bust him out of the cell. The familiar crew set fire to the station and he hoped no one died while he was dragged back to Edge.

This time, Edge did not let him leave for weeks.

When Edge was certain the press had died down enough, he let Sans roam outside the house once more and run simple errands. Only rarely would he be sent to rob places with the explanation that freeing him from jail wasn't a worthwhile hassle. Brought a lot of bad attention, apparently.

It was on one of those grocery runs that he ran into Red. Literally.

Sans was fleeing from one of Edge's crew who wanted to beat him up (or worse: feel him up) for the screw up at the bank. He wasn't watching and crashed straight into Red, knocking the two skeletons to the cement. Red scanned him and scowled, tearing him apart with cold words for hurting his brother but Sans didn't hear.

Sans' curse cut the other off as he grabbed Red by the wrist and dragged him. When Red resisted, he swept the other into his arms and sprinted into the grocery store where the thugs wouldn't bother them. He dumped Red to the tiles and made to retreat back outside so they'd chase him but Red, thoroughly confused, grabbed his ankle and tripped him.

"What the fuck is goin' on?" Red snarled.

"None of your fuckin' business!" Sans snapped back and kicked. "Now lemme go!"

Red yanked him close. "It is my business when ya show up outta nowhere, grab me, and then try tah run away."

"It's what I'm good at." He snarked, fully aware of the crowd gathering to watch the two. "Now let go, you're causing a scene."

"Ah am?" Red balked and wrangled him until his back was against the other's chest and he was pinned. He was already exhausted from the chase. He didn't have access to his magic but even if he did then he'd risk taking Red with him. And worse? The mic–

He cursed. The mic! Edge would listen to the contents and hear every. Single. Word. "Let me go already!"

Desperation lent him strength but Red wasn't exhausted and just tightened the hold. "Ah won't."

He had to get free. He just had to or else it was Red's life on the line.

"I…" he swallowed back tears. "I never loved you."

"Said the same thing to yer bro, I heard." Red retorted.

"And it's true." He growled. "I hate you. I hate your guts."

Red wasn't deterred. "Well it's a good thing I don't have any."

In any other situation, he would've laughed. But he had to convince Red to stay away from him. Red wrangled them into standing and the crowd watched, wary, as one skeleton monster dragged the other outside…

…where gang members prowled.

Sans sockets widened. "Shit, Re–" he faltered on the name. "Get–get back inside!"

"No fuckin' way." The whisper startled him and the hold tightened as the gang members noticed them. "Fuck."

A snap reverberated in his skull and they vanished.

~oOo~

He stumbled out of the loose hold. Red snarled and spun him around, checking him over. He wriggled in the iron grip, whining protests, but when the other ripped open his hoodie with a determined scowl, he halted.

"Knew it." Red sneered and tugged at the mic'd collar. "The fucker. Should've seen this coming."

Sans averted his eyelights. Shakily, he tried to distract. "I don't kno–"

"The boss–er, Edge. He caught you, didn't he? Threatened you with our lives in order to keep you in line."

When Sans didn't answer, Red bulldozed on.

"What'd he say? Either we die or ya die? What'd that fucker tell you?"

Caught, Sans quietly admitted. "I had to choose between you and Paps. Either I forced you to return to him or forced Paps to work for him."

Red watched, anger blending into confusion. "But–"

"I…I made a deal." He studied their shoes. "My life for yours and Paps. Anything he wanted from you two, I would give to him instead."

Horrified realization wiped away confusion. "…I was his husband, Sans."

"I know."

Trembling arms dragged him into a tight hug. The dam burst as he sobbed into the other's hold. Red pulled him away and he flinched, expecting rejection, but Red only offered a soft, sad expression.

"We need to get those off ah ya."

Sans nodded. "Yeah…yeah, there's no chance he doesn't know by now."

"Let's getcha someplace safe."

Red left him to call Undyne and returned by his side, soothing him with nonsense and a soft voice. Undyne arrived alarmingly fast (and had probably broken several laws in her haste) and when she saw him, her rage erupted.

"What the hell is he doing here? You said it was an emergency!"

Sans cowered behind Red as Undyne readied a spear. "Undyne, calm down."

"After what this punk said to his brother? I don't think so!"

She launched attack after attack and Red blocked each one of them. Undyne steadily forced them against the wall and pinned Red in place with a spear before grabbing Sans and ripping him away.

"It's straight to prison for you." She spat and whipped on Red. "What the hell were you thinking, punk?"

Red scowled. "I'm thinkin' he was forced."

Undyne scoffed. "A guy like him has too much power to be forced into anything."

Sans and Undyne gasped as Red grabbed the spear and yanked it out of his clothing. His HP dropped fast and for a one HP monster that was dangerous. Undyne dropped him and quickly set to healing Red.

Sans retreated a step. Then another. Undyne was a whirlwind of anger. There was no way she'd help him or hear him out. The only option was to…

…to return to Edge.

He swallowed back fear and spun on his heel, fleeing the apartment.

The mic crackled to life when he was out the door. "You've made a mess, whelp."

"I'm sorry!" He blurted and ran faster. "Red just figured it out, I didn't–"

"You've disappointed me."

He was almost unaware of the footsteps racing after him. Almost. He approached a crosswalk fast "I'll come back, okay? I won't ever try to run. Don't hurt them, please don't hurt them!"

A car ran a red light and stopped in front of him. He skidded and flung himself backwards, sockets wide as the back door opened.

"Get in."

It was Edge himself.

Without thinking, he scrambled to his feet but a spear landed in front of him and he yelped, leaping to the side. Edge snarled and stepped out of the car but another spear launched in front of the tall skeleton.

"Captain Undyne." Edge sneered. "To what do I owe the pleasure of an unprovoked attack?"

Undyne returned the expression. "For harboring a criminal."

Sans soul hammered as he looked between the three monsters. Red wavered on shaky legs beside the fish monster, expression pensive and pained. Undyne held a transparent spear ready to fire. And Edge? Edge subtly beckoned him to come closer with the slight flick of phalanges.

"Criminal?" Edge feigned surprise. "What could this scared, small monster have done? Do you even have proof?"

Undyne roared and readied a spear but Edge grabbed her by the soul with red magic. "I am a high profile politician. Attack me once more and there will be consequences."

She gasped as the pressure on her soul increased. Sans jolted. "Don't–"

"Sans," the tone was cold. "Get in the car."

He swallowed. Weakly, he begged. "Please…"

"Last chance, doll."

Stars, he was in for a world of pain. He winced and nodded, hands up and head down as he forced himself to approach. Just when he was in arms reach, Edge grabbed him and threw him into the car and slammed the door shut.

Edge turned. "Now to deal with you."

Clicks reverberated and Sans watched, helpless in the locked car, as Edge stalked to Red. Undyne growled and spat profanities as Edge knelt and said something too quietly to hear but, judging by the way Red tensed, it was bad.

Sans curled bones into fists and scooted to the other side as he waited anxiously. By the time Edge returned to the car and finally let Undyne free from the hold, Sans was a bundle of sweating nerves. He averted his eyelights as the car cruised away from the curb.

He waited in the awful, tense silence. Edge let him fret before crossing his arms. "This has turned into an even bigger mess than expected."

Sans waited.

"By all rights I should slaughter you for your insolence but…" a clawed phalange cupped his chin and forced him to meet red eyelights. "I must say, it was quite entertaining to watch you struggle."

He held his breath.

"I will let this incident slide on the condition that you never set foot outside again, understand?"

Sans sagged as air flooded into him. Gratitude rolled off him in waves as he crawled into Edge's lap, ready to show just how thankful he was, when magic vibrated and someone shortcutted into the car.

Sans gasped as bones snagged his wrist and yanked him out of the kiss. Edge spat curses and reached for his wide-eyed, panicked form but they vanished before he could touch them.

They reappeared beside Undyne and Sans wanted to cry. So he did. "Red you idiot!" He sank to the ground. "He had forgiven me! You would've been safe! Why did you do that?"

"At what cost?" Red snapped back, regaining his own breathing and Sans felt a flash of guilt. The other must still have been on low reserves after fighting Undyne earlier.

He averted his gaze but stubbornly insisted. "Any cost is worth it if it means you guys are safe."

Undyne watched, still angry but more confused. She barked. "What cost?"

Sans let frustration bubble over as he confessed. "To be Edge's prisoner for the rest of my life. Happy now?"

Red scowled and grasped his shoulder and Undyne's forearm. "Not even close."

They vanished.

~oOo~

Notes: Inspired in part by my idea Better Run and Hide where Red has a kid and is on the run from Edge.

Had this one sitting around for awhile and dragged my sorry butt to the computer to finally post it.

Went to an amusement park today with a bunch of other students (my college was hosting a trip to 6 Flags so I was all 'fuq it, lezzgo') and I am SO SUNBURNED. Wasn't even that sunny but I'm pasty faced white and am now ridiculously red. And pleasantly exhausted. Got a raw throat too, but being strapped in tight, dropped several stories in the air, and corkscrewing downwards at high speeds was so WORTH IT!

Sometime soon, I'm totes gonna write an amusement park idea involving poor Sans. He's so fun to torment, ha! But what in the world would that lazy lump be doing at THERE of all places? Hmm...

Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a review!