Repeat
Sans had already lost count of how many times Serifa had died. He had repeated the same timeline over and over, trying out new ways to make his plan work. One time, he left Serifa a note on what to do, but she was too sleepy and didn't see it. Dead end. Another time, he woke her up and gave her instructions, only for Rabbit Kid to show up and mention where she was, right in front of the Royal Guards. Dead end. Whatever he tried, it always concluded in the same way.
He woke up once more, next to a sleeping Serifa. He had gotten used to headaches by now, having to reset again and again. He had also given up on his previous plan. This time, he was going to experiment with something. Maybe he wouldn't be able to save Serifa, but he would gather more information about his options.
He got up a bit dizzy, went down the stairs and left the house. This time, he immediately addressed the Royal Guards.
-Guys, I can see you hiding over there. he called them.
-Oh, hey Sans. Good morning.
-Are you here for the human?
-So, you figured her out... Yes, we are here for her. Where is she?
-She is inside, but I wanna question her first. Maybe she knows important information about humans. It's too great of an opportunity to miss.
-Well...sure, I guess... Just be careful...We'll stay here so call us in case you're in trouble.
-You...You can go! I mean, I'll be alright...
-Nah, we'll stay just in case! No big deal! the Royal Guard smiled.
-Suit yourselves... Sans's voice sounded really disappointed.
He went back in the house. It seemed that the Guards wouldn't leave that easily, but, at least, Sans had gained some time without them forcing their way in. Maybe he could think of a plan. Maybe they'd leave at night. Maybe they'd change shifts at some point, giving him a chance to talk to different people and explore his options with them. He sat next to the window, carefully paying attention outside through a tiny gap in the curtains.
-Good morning Sansy! Serifa showed up after a while, smiling and going down the stairs. How come you woke up earlier than me?
-Oh...good morning sweetie.
Sans was so focused on what was happening outside, that he didn't even turn to look at Serifa. Serifa noticed this and came close to him.
-What are we looking at? she smiled and pulled the curtain, peeking outside.
Sans quickly shoved her away and pulled the curtain back, fearing the Guards may see her if she was too close to the window.
-N-Nothing!
-What are you doing Sans? she asked, confused.
-Sorry, I was just...ummm...really hungry. Could you please make me a sandwich?
-Are you being lazy again?
-Eh, kinda. he tried to laugh it off.
-Alright! But you we'll soon move anyway! We have to bake that cake!
Serifa went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for both of them. Sans kept checking outside. Fortunately, nothing seemed to have changed, so Serifa had probably gone unnoticed.
When she returned with the food, Sans made sure she was sitting as far from the window as possible. They started biting on the sandwiches, Sans taking his time.
-Is everything okay dear? Serifa looked fairly concerned.
-Y-Yes! Don't worry about it. Did you sleep well?
Sans was desperately trying to take her attention away from his awkward behaviour.
-Yes, actually! It was very refreshing after the long day we had! What about yourself?
-Welp, you did pin me on the wall...so much for sleeping in the inner side of the bed! he chuckled and kept checking the window.
-Wooops! she laughed, finishing her sandwich. Sans, are you sure you're hungry? You'd have swallowed three whole sandwiches by now.
-I...decided to eat healthy! And...more slowly! he grinned.
-Well, you can do that tomorrow. Today, we are making some chocolate cake! Come on, eat up, so we can go buy everything we need!
-I'm...a bit bored to go out, actually.
-Well, if you're that lazy, I can go get the ingredients myself!
Serifa got up and headed to the door, but Sans run and grabbed her hand, stopping her.
-No! D-Don't go...
Serifa looked at him surprised.
-Can we...not go today...? Please...? he looked away.
-You...don't want to...? We promised... Serifa looked down.
-We...We can do it another day! I just want to...stay in today.
-Why...? I can tell there's something wrong with you today Sans... Please, tell me...
-I told you, there's...there's nothing. Sans kept looking away.
-Is it, maybe...That you got bored of me...? Serifa's eyes got teary. Did I overwhelm you with activities, perhaps?
-What? How could you even think that?
-Well, you aren't telling me what's bothering you... And yes, it's CLEAR something's bothering you. So if you can't tell me...It must be me!
-No. I beg you, please, erase this thought from your mind.
Sans tried to hug her, but she pushed him away and ran to the sofa. She lay there face down, with her head in her hands. Sans didn't know what to do. He needed to watch the window, in case an opportunity arose. But he couldn't bare seeing Serifa like that. After all, he was doing this for her.
He decided to give up looking outside sat beside her on the sofa.
-Serifa, please, listen to me... I love you... This will never change, my sweetheart...
She turned and looked at him with her face drowned in tears.
-Then...what is bothering you, Sans?
-I...can't tell you...not yet...I'm sorry.
-Liar...
She hid her face in her hands again and stayed silent, but Sans could feel her sobbing. He gently put his hand over her back and caressed it, but soon realised her sobs were getting worse because of him, so he stopped. He stayed on the couch, next to her, trying to figure out what to do next. He was too stressed to think of anything. The Guards wouldn't leave, Serifa was sad because of him and her dead body just kept showing up in his mind. His headache was also getting worse by the stress. He needed a break but there was no chance he could get one.
He was ready for a mental breakdown, when he heard the bell.
-Sans? Are you in there? We called Undyne and she told us to barge in! a Royal Guard was shouting.
-I-I'm alright guys...j-just wait a bit more...
-Sans...? What's going on...? Serifa looked at the door.
Sans panicked. His thoughts had already been enough for his brain to freeze. And now he had to deal with the situation immediately. He couldn't stay calm, no matter how much he wanted to.
-Sans! We're coming in! Undyne told us it's dangerous to leave you alone there with her, she may hypnotise you again!
The Royal Guards were bumping on the door, trying to break it open.
-So, is that it...? You think I hypnotised you...? Serifa looked really sad.
Sans had reached his limit.
-Can you PLEASE stop this? DO YOU REALISE WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
He didn't mean to shout. That was the first thing that came to his mind, but it was already too late.
The door wasn't going to last long. At any minute, the Royal Guards would force their way in. Sans took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to talk calmly.
-Serifa. These people are Royal Guards. They mean to kill you. We'll talk all you want later, but PLEASE, go hide somewhere now...
-What do you mean...? I don-
-JUST. GO. HIDE. NOW!
The door crumbled down and the Royal Guards came in. When they saw Serifa, they immediately launched their magic attacks at her, but Sans summoned some magical bones on the last second that took the hits instead. Serifa's eyes widened, as she finally started understanding the situation.
-Sans? What are you doing, protecting the human?
-Leave her alone already! Leave US alone!
Sans had lost his control. He was shouting and crying out loudly.
-So Undyne was right...You ARE hypnotised!
Sans summoned more bones and attacked the guards. They quickly dodged his attacks and ran to him. The first Guard tackled him and held him down, while the other ran to Serifa. Serifa tried to run up the stairs but the Guard was faster than her and grabbed her before she did. Sans barely freed his right arm and tried to summon some more bones to attack him, but the Guard that was holding him pushed his arm down, breaking it. Sans screamed from the pain, bringing tears to the hooded figure that had been watching them all along.
-I'm sorry Sans...you'll understand it all later.
But there was nothing to understand. The Royal Guard pierced Serifa with his sword and took her soul once again. This time, things had gotten way worse. Not only had Serifa died, but he had also managed to make her sad.
There was nothing more Sans needed to see from this timeline. His left eye flashed.