i don't remember what was supposed to happen this chapter. . might edit it later. I dunno.

[i'm so sorry]

It was quiet. The stars shined brightly overhead. The only sound they heard was from the crickets chirping around them in the grass field. The view from the mountain really was wonderful.

Everyone had finished their picnic and was now looking up at the night sky.

Frisk sent a Sans a glimpse. He looked a bit happier, more content. Even if it was only a little bit, it still made her glad he was doing a little better. She didn't expect this to solve everything, but it was at least a start, right? To her, Sans was like the fun uncle who did all kinds of mischief with you. Getting into trouble, and just plain having a good time. He was funny, not necessarily because of his puns, but because of the pranks he pulled. She figured he did it for the reactions, and she had to admit Papyrus's frustrated (yet secretly amused) expression was hilarious!

Lately, though, he hadn't been saying as many jokes as usual. He still wore that smile, rarely faulting even when something bad would happen, as if he was afraid if he stopped he'd never smile again. She didn't know how many had noticed, but to her it was heartbreaking. He just hadn't been himself ever since getting to the surface. But. . . Was that ever really him to begin with? Was Flowey right? Did he really not care?

No. She refused to believe that.

Of course if that were the case. . she had only herself to blame after all, even if it wasn't really "her".

What was it people said about consequences again?

Ah, well. Either way she wouldn't blame someone, anyone, for something she had started.

Even if it was easier to blame it on someone else.

Isn't that right?

This was nice. The stars were shining, the crickets were chirping, on nights like these. . .

kids like you

"SHOULD BE BURNING IN HELL."

The fuck..? Why would say-

"it's what you think i was going to say, isn't it?"

Wait.. He wasn't saying anything. So why-?

"hey, don't ya' know how to greet a new pal? or should i say old? heh. no worries, i ain't judging. oh, wait i am, aren't i?"

"Now, now Sansy~ Don't be rude. I'm just stopping by to say hi! So how's your brother doing? Isn't running about with his head cut off again is he? Hehe~!"

Chara...? No no no-! Not again! She's dead! Chara isn't ever coming back!

"Hm? Ignoring me now are you? You really are rude!"

What..?

"Look at me when I'm talking to you."

He felt someone grab his chin, turning his head around to face them.

"Greetings, Sans. I am Chara, the demon who comes when you call its name."

What was she doing here?

"It's nice to see you again. It's been a while, Sansy~!"

Chara stood in right front of him, only a foot away. His chin was on the top of her palm. The way she looked resembled the few past timeliness that seemed to glitch, her real appearance, not Frisk's She was slightly taller than him and was wearing the same green sweater and heart shaped locket that she had died in. Chara's skin was pale with rosy cheeks. Her short hair was a reddish brown auburn color. Still had that sickening sweet grin and red eyes that seemed to piece through your soul. In her right hand was the same knife that had killed him so many times.

"chara? what...? how are you here?!"

This was wrong, so very wrong.

"Oh you fool. . . did you really think I was gone? Why, I'd never leave you all by your lonesome! We had so much fun together!"

"fun? Fun! You call all that torture you put me through fun?!"

"Well, of course, silly! I had lots of fun playing with you!"

She made him sick, toying with people's lives like she did.

"Now, what's that look for? Is something wrong? Is there anything I can do? I'd be happy to help!"

He frowned.

"if you really cared then you wouldn't have come back."

Chara lowered her head.

"You're wrong. I did care. But that young girl who wanted nothing more than to free the monsters... the girl who hated herself so much, she ran away, falling down the rabbit hole like Alice once did. . . the girl who wanted to disappear, but instead ended up being adopted into a loving family. . . the child who didn't deserve the kindness she was given. . . the human who didn't want to be one, . . Asriel's sister . . That girl. . . She's gone, and she isn't ever coming back. Or did you forget; I'm DEAD."

"Then what are you doing here? Why are you back?!"

*". . ."*

She was silent.

"Chara," he said the name as though it were poison.

"You tell me... This is YOUR dream after all. . . "

She spoke quietly, softly as though she were upset.

"Right. . . "

" SaNs?"

"SANS . . .?"

Sans had fallen asleep, not really much of a shocker nor that much cause for alarm. It wasn't until he began tossing and turning, did Papyrus actually start to worry.

Sans was having another nightmare. .

Papyrus hated these nights and it was happening more frequently after they had all come to the surface. Sometimes they got so bad Sans woke up screaming. Eventually Sans had no choice but to tell him the "truth" that he had nightmares. Papyrus was this close to saying something sarcastic because that much was plain obvious.

Sans told him that he sometimes dreamt of Papyrus and everyone leaving him all alone. When he had told him that would never happen, Papyrus caught a glimpse of Sans frowning. If he wasn't paying very close attention he would never have seen it. It scared him. . Was really that good at hiding his emotions? How long has this been going on? Papyrus just wanted everyone to be happy. . . Why couldn't the very person closest to him be so as well?

Papyrus wasn't stupid. Sure he was a tad bit naive, childish, way too trusting and kind, but was that always such a bad thing? To try and see good in everyone? He knew something was bothering Sans, and that wasn't everything. His brother had always had the habit of not telling him the whole story, that being if he said anything at all. Papyrus wasn't a little kid anymore. He wanted to know what was wrong.

Did Sans not trust him . . . or did he think he couldn't handle the truth?

Right now though, none of it mattered. His brother was suffering and there wasn't much he could do. He tried shaking him awake without alarming any of the others. He knew Sans hated it when other people made a big deal out of things, despite them actually being a big deal. Sans barely trusted him as it is, he didn't want to ruin that.

"Sans, Sans! Wake up!" Papyrus spoke quietly as to not alert the others yet still loud enough for his brother to hear.

"W-wha-?" Sans was still a bit drowsy but Papyrus didn't really blame him for that.

"SANS? ARE Y-" he paused then spoke in a quieter voice again, "Are you okay?"

"huh? oh, i'm fine. don't worry about me."

He would always say that. Papyrus never believed him. Sans knew he would worry anyway. They both knew, but he would say it anyway.

The younger of the two sent his brother a disbelieving look but didn't press the subject any further.

It had gotten very late and they all decided it was time to head on home. Frisk was still a child with a bedtime and they all needed their rest.

At least that was Toriel's argument. She always did think of their well being.

Sans didn't really mind much. He still wasn't over the nightmare a little while ago after all. Then again he never truly did get over them, not really anyway. (Briefly he wondered if he ever would, but then he decided it was unimportant) While he didn't get much sleep that night, he figured a small break had been worth it.

For everyone else of course.

They all said goodnight to each other and went to their separate rooms.

Even on the surface Sans' room was still a mess. Not as bad as before since Toriel didn't allow food in their rooms (with exceptions) and it had less papers thrown everywhere, but Sans still couldn't be bothered to clean it at all.

Flopping down on the mattress he just laid there in the dark, not really doing anything. He had been doing that more often lately ever since the barrier had been shattered. Just laying there, thinking.

But he didn't want to start thinking again. If he did he'd only bring up memories of death, dust, and people no one else could (should) remember. He had regrets, everyone had them.

The truth of it all was that there are things you can never take back, no matter how hard you try.

You could argue about right and wrong all you wanted but there never was one true right answer. The world wasn't simply black and white. Hardly even grey. The world was filled with color that blended together so perfectly, yet so unstable. It formed a white light so bright that unless you stopped to peel back such layers you would hardly even notice its depth. Black was the omission of all that, something that felt it had no color, void of any true feeling. Grey was in between showing something not quite right, yet not quite wrong either. And just because something was the "right" choice didn't mean it was a good one, and just because something was "wrong" didn't make it bad.

(He knew that could be applied to Chara as well, but didn't want to think about it like that. What that said about him he didn't really want to know. Even if he did anyway.)

Every choice you made adds up. Everything has a consequence no matter what it is, good or bad choices be damned.

That was something Sans was all too familiar with. And he was done pretending that nothing they did mattered, even if he was a hypocrite.

He was (had been) a judge after all. The one who watches, gives some advice once in a while, but never interferes. Not unless everything was at stake.

He had let them die again and again. (too many promises broken, so much dust it had become hard to breathe) He killed the kid over and over. He had failed to save them. (even if he could barely remember who "them" even was) It just kept repeating, resetting.

(sometimes he wished he could just judge himself, but that wasn't how it worked)

How long had it been when he stuck to those principles like a moral compass? How many times had he told himself that this all meant something?

When exactly had he given up completely because it was all too difficult for him to bear?

Hell if he knew.

So now here he was *skull-king* in his room again even after he told himself he wouldn't think about the past so much.

He guessed some things would never change.

"Are you just gonna stare out into space all night?"

A voice interrupted his thoughts. It was so sudden he nearly fell out of his bed. When he turned to see who had spoken he internally groaned. Still, Sans tried not to be too hostile.

"how'd you get in here, weed?"

Keyword being "tried".

"You left the window open," Flowey pointed one of his leaves over to the window. It was indeed open, though he can't remember opening it.

"okay, so WHY are you in here?" He really didn't want to deal with the dumb plant right now.

Flowey had always been difficult to handle. Before Frisk came along the plant had the power to reset. That fact alone made him wary. Sans couldn't remember most of them, but it isn't hard to figure out what happened. Being able to mess with the timeline however you wanted. . That was bad enough. Flowey took it to the extremes. He had played with their lives like his playthings. The Dreemurrs, Alphys, Papyrus. .

Long story short, Sans was a bit resentful of the flower.

". . . That's none of your business," Flowey paused before answering.

That phrase seemed vaguely familiar.

"what you want me to 'leaf' you alone?"

The response to the pun was a frustrated growl.

"If you want to kill me again, just do it already," Flowey told him. He looked a bit dejected. Sans leaned against one of the trees.

"nah, i won't do that. so what's bugging ya'?" Sans asked rather lazily.

". . . That's none of your business." Flowey turned away for a second before speaking up again, "Shouldn't you be with Frisk and everyone else?"

"yeah, probably," Sans just shrugged. "frisk is looking for you, actually. looked pretty determined to find ya."

"I don't care."

"if you don't care then why are hiding?"

Flowey didn't answer for a moment. Then he gave a frustrated noise, turned slightly and said, "Why are YOU?"

Sans didn't answer. That frustrated Flowey even more.

"Why are you even HERE?!"

Sans simply shrugged again, "dunno."

"What DO you know?" the plant rolled his eyes.

The skeleton's eyes dimmed.

"Lots of things, weed. More than I'd like to."

He didn't get a reply to that. Not that he was expecting one.

Until Flowey spoke again. It surprised him for a moment.

"Don't you want to ask about it?" he said it almost mockingly, giving what would seem to some like a comforting smile. He didn't mean the sentiment at all and knew very well what the answer would be.

"no, not really. ."

Flowey continued glaring at the snow.

Sans could recall the conversation rather well. It had been after Frisk decided to bring the plant to the surface with them all.

Neither him nor Flowey had been all that happy about said decision. But they didn't really have a say in the matter. Sans didn't vocally object to it either.

Maybe he should have.

"considering this is MY room, i'd say it definitely is my business," Sans snapped at him.

"Tsk, I was checking up on you. You seemed even more out of it than normal, Smiley Trashbag."

Sans ignored the nickname and gave him a rather confused look. "okay, but again, why?"

He revived a rather sweet looking smile in return. "Ever thought that maybe I care about you?"

Sans gave him a flat stare.

Flowey made a gagging sound, "Ugh, just saying that makes me want to throw up. Anyway, Frisk's been worried. So has Papyrus. Normally I would be glad you're not doing well, but their stupid concern is annoying. I hate you, but if something happens to you then everyone would be unhappy. And if everyone's unhappy that means reset. And we BOTH don't want that, right?!"

Sans almost turned away. "that so?"

"YES, STUPID! So would you just TRY for once?!"

Sans snorted at that. He wanted him to "try"? Heh. That's rich.

"Look. I know you have your secrets and you like being all mysterious and whatever, but eventually they'll find out. And what will you do then, hm?"

Sans narrowed his eyes and looked away. "Like you're one to talk, eh, Azzie?"

Flowey looked shocked for a second. The look was quickly replaced with something else.

"Fine! Dig yourself and early grave! See if I care!"

He didn't need to turn and see if the yellow flower left. He already knew. Sans was once again left alone in his room to his own thoughts.

That had been a low blow and he knew it. But Sans had said it anyway. He didn't regret saying it even though he should have.

(and that said all too much about him)

The next day after their stargazing Frisk was outside playing while Asgore watered his garden. He accidentally got some on Flowey.

"Hey! Watch it! Do I look like one of your dumb flowers?!" Flowey snarled. He had been rather irritated ever since last night, which really said a lot considering he was always irritated.

Asgroe looked apologetic before replying, "I'm sorry. I did not see you there."

Frisk told him he did indeed look like one of his flowers to which he just yelled even more.

So far a perfectly my normal day.

Mettaton and his cousin were still off on their tour. Toriel was busy cleaning while the rest of their rag tag family were in the living room watching an anime.

"Ugh! That totally didn't happen like that in the manga! They're replacing all the character development with dumb flashy scenes! And THAT! That was totally filler!" Alphys of course giving her own dose of commentary. While it was nice that she could talk without stuttering, some of them hoped the weeabo rants didn't become a normal thing.

(Papyrus and Frisk had once asked what "hentai" was. . needless to say Alpys and Undyne were grounded from watching Anime the rest of the month with Toriel thoroughly inspecting everything they bought)

"Hey, Papyrus, shouldn't Sans be done sleeping?" Undyne asked abruptly.

"HE'S PROBABLY STILL TIRED FROM LAST NIGHT," Papyrus sighed. He hoped Sans had actually slept after his nightmare. He wouldn't mention it to them though. Yet.

"Still? Geez, he gets lazier everyday. I bet he'd sleep through and entire apocalypse!" Undyne teased. Vaguely she remembered watching a movie about cannibalistic humans muttering about eating brains, and wondered how people even came up with that kind of stuff.

"yeah probably."

She received a lazy response from behind the couch they were sitting on.

"See even Sans agrees with- Wait when the hell'd you get here?!" She turned and there he was. The topic of their brief conversation spouting a lopsided grin and relaxed posture.

"just now," the short skeleton replied. "sooo. . what're you guys watching?" He looked back at the T.V. showing what he assumed to be another one of Alphys' anime she rented.

"I-it's um . . the second season to Attack on Ninja. . " Alphys sheepishly replied.

"huh." Sans never really cared for anime, but they liked it so he guessed it was okay. (for the most part) He liked the sci-fi ones though. Those were always great, even the bad ones. Of course he generally liked anything science fiction so that didn't mean much.

"W-we were just about to watch Steins;Gate, you wanna join us?" Alphys asked him.

The name sounded familiar. He had seen some of it briefly online and wondered what was so interesting about a group of friends microwaving bananas, but decided to roll with it anyway.

"sure, why not?" he shrugged. How bad could it be?

Turns out it was very, very bad. Not in quality but in content. The whole premise of the series in general resonated too strongly for his liking. It just HAD to be about time travel.

Well. . at least it wasn't that one movie where the day kept repeating. Groundhog Day if he remembered correctly. Neither him nor Flowey would go near that movie even with a ten foot pole. Frisk could hardly watch it with a straight face.

Still it was hard to sit through the first episode. While Papyrus and Undyne had been incredibly confused (with Alphys making her own fan theories that he didn't bother paying attention to) he knew exactly what had happened. And it became clearer as they watched the other episodes. It had taken a lot from Sans not to bail out right there.

Multiple timelines. .

Oh, the irony.

When the main character's childhood friend had died he fled to the kitchen.

When he entered he saw Toriel begin making them all lunch. Man, he really slept in didn't he?

"hey, tori," Sans greeted.

The Boss Monster turned to greet him with a smile, "Why good morning Sans. Sleep well?"

"not morning anymore is it?" he replied casually giving her a grin.

"No, I suppose it isn't," she remarked. She placed some food in front of him. "Here eat. You must be hungry having skipped breakfast."

"heh, thanks."

Toriel Dreemurr, former queen of Monsters. . and an important friend of his. While his feelings were in no way romantic, (he couldn't see himself dating anyone with his mindset) he truly did care about her. Though not as much as his brother. That's why it hurt all the more when he remembered his promise to her. . and the many, many times he broke it.

She wasn't wrong in wanting to protect them. They were children after all. At the same time however, their deaths did help them all escape. That didn't really justify it, Justice always was a vague concept, but you can't deny the facts.

The fact being that six children were killed without Mercy while Monsters got their "Happy Ending". Sans didn't know how all of them died, but he did know that some of them were natural causes. The rest simply murdered.

. . All thanks to the war between humans and monsters, which was caused from fear. Humans did it all the time according to some history books he read. Of course he once questioned how humans knew Monsters could absorb Souls. They knew for certain from Asriel's case. Which meant that it had to have happened once before then. Why or how he had no clue.

Some may say it didn't matter anymore since it was so long ago. He would disagree.

Although now really wasn't the time to dwell on such things.

Toriel had seen to it personally that the fallen children were given proper burials and funerals as consolation to their families. Some forgave them, some didn't. Everyone handled it differently.

If the entire situation was reversed, would they have done the same?

Yes, they most certainly would have.

He didn't know why he was so confident in that answer. Or to which side he was referring to. What he did know was that, for the most part, they had all moved on.

He almost wished he could too.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

But that wasn't how the world worked.