When her vision flooded back to her eyes and the air to her lungs, Charity found herself stood staring out at the dark horizon. It took her a moment, but she eventually recognised her surroundings. Moments ago, she had been sat on a park bench outside the gazebo, surrounded by lights and music. Now, she was stood on the roof of her apartment block, the gazebo and the music barely distinguishable in the distance.

"Okay..." she wheezed, still breathless from the jump, "that was more than just one of your shortcuts."

Sans chuckled as he released her wrist, "whoops. Should have warned ya, huh?"

She nodded, her eyes taking in the distance they had just traveled in quiet disbelief. The gazebo was lit up like a lantern against the inky black horizon. Mettaton's music was a dull murmur on the wind.

"Why did you bring me here?" She asked when she finally caught her breath, Sans waiting quietly beside her, hands in pockets- a picture of ease.

"Like I said," he began, strolling a short distance away into the gloom, "I wanted to show you something."

When he emerged back into the slither of light the street lamps below provided, he was carrying a telescope. He set it down and began adjusting it while Charity looked on curiously.

"Since it's such a clear night, I thought I should finally take the chance to set this thing up." He jerked his head towards the telescope. "Howzabout it?" He winked.

Charity grinned. His was so contagious. He moved aside while she shuffled towards the eyepiece. She pressed her eye against the cool metal and couldn't help but be amazed by what she saw. It was funny to think that, as she admired the blazing orbs above her, in her 21 years on earth, she had never used a telescope before. She breathed out a sigh of delight when she pulled back from the eyepiece.

"Beautiful!"

When she turned to look at Sans, she was startled to find him grinning broadly at her. Of course, she was used to his trademark expression by now. She knew that he had a different grin for nearly every occasion. Sometimes it was slightly slack and lazy with lowered lids. Other times it was laughing in that low, steady rhythm. This time however, his eyes twinkled like the stars above them and his white, even teeth glinted like a wild cat's fangs. It was the grin he pulled after he'd pulled one of his pranks. Damn him.

She ran her tongue across her teeth. That low, impish chuckle cut through air. She didn't even have to touch her face to know she'd find the skin around her eye wet. She did so anyway. Her fingertips came back red.

"I swear Sans, if this is ketchup..." she tried to sound threatening but her voice trembled with strained laughter.

"Huh? You aren't satisfied?" He replied, feigning ignorance.

After swatting at him for a good 30 seconds, she finally relented when he offered her a napkin. Her face and the telescope now ketchup free, Sans actually began to talk her through some of the constellations and planets visible above them. She sketched some in her sketchbook next to the small stain of red that had gotten there somehow.

From their view on the roof, they watched the party in the park continue. Seven or eight lengthy songs must have passed, judging from the switching of tempos that drifted to them across the lake, over the grass, along the streets and up to their high perch.

"We should probably head back." Charity muttered, stifling a yawn. Her head lolled gently on his Sans shoulder. For once, she was the one on the verge of sleep while Sans sat boldly upright, his usual slouch gone. Although, it may simply have been so that Charity could rest her head easily against him without having to shuffle down a few inches. She smiled at the thought.

"Yeah, someone best save that poor girl from Papyrus' monologuing."

Charity have a sleepy laugh. "Don't be mean. Those two were so cute."

Sans hummed quietly in thought. "I suppose I could just call him." He took out his phone and proceeded to dial his younger sibling's number. The frown on his face suggested that Papyrus hadn't picked up the phone. He left a message and returned both his phone and hand to his pocket. His other hand shook Charity's shoulders gently.

"C'mon sleepy. Let's head inside."

That night, despite their best intentions, they fell asleep on the couch beneath his jacket. A hand slung tenderly around a shoulder, a cheek pressed softly against a temple, one chest rising slowly beneath another.

Even if they were to be discovered the next morning, the kiss they'd shared moments before sleep was to be kept secret.

-The End

Author's note: First of all, a big thank you to everyone who actually read this thing from start to finish. Lemme know who you are in the comments and leave any feedback- it would be much appreciated. This fic was written on a whim, fuelled by the boredom of quarantine. Although this is the end of this particular story, I do intend to continue writing some one-shots featuring these characters. So stay tuned for those! Once again, thanks for sticking with me through my very first fanfic. Which scenes were your fave? What constructive criticism do you have?

Peace.