The emptiness of your soul, the numbness and unfeeling that it brought was enough to floor you to the ground. Arms and legs feeling like lead, and your mind and body struggling to stay awake. Sinking into the darkest part of your mind, floating and never moving. But here you are, skipping behind a large joyful skeleton as he sang loud for all to hear. His energy sparking within you, lifting whatever little part of you that kept you moving. You wanted this, craved for this, his energy, his overwhelming mercy... his light.

But most of all, what you wanted most was to just be near him. Even if it's only a little bit, you wanted to be under his light. To catch a small ray of it was all you needed to not fall into that darkening feeling. Sensing you falling behind, Papyrus took hold of your hand, pulling you close towards him. His smile was so bright and inviting, you found yourself smiling back. Basking in his happiness.

Papyrus' eyesockets widen at the sight of your full smile, your laugh heating his cheeks with magic. Embarrassed he looking away and covered his mouth. You enjoyed watching him all flustered up, to see that beautiful warm glow only made you wish to see it more. But your want, your desire brought an unsettling feeling deep within you. Staring at the hand that held onto your own, you could almost see your darkness swallowing him up. The fear displayed across his skull as the dark water pulled him deeper, extinguishing that light of his.

"GOODBYE YOUNG FAN OF MINE!!!"

"Yeah! It's was awesome meeting you!! Nye-heh-heh!"

"NYE-HEH-HEH!!!" Papyrus waved cheerfully at MK as he left to go back home to his family. You were unable to register what he was saying as your mind kept wondering off. You looked up at him as his light shown brightly before you. Not wanting to taint that light, you tried to release your hold on his hand. Papyrus noticing the slack on your hand, only tightened his grip even more. "HUMAN, TO CELEBRATE OUR NEW FRIENDSHIP, I THE GREAT PAPYRUS, INVITE YOU TO EAT AT MY HOME FOR YOU HAVE YET TO TASTE MY FAMOUS SPAGHETTI THAT I WILL EXPERTLY COOK FOR YOU WHEN WE GET THERE!"

Nodding your head yes, Papyrus led you towards his home. Feeling the warmth and sturdiness of his hold on your hand, you tighten your grip. For even though you were afraid of your darkness tainting his pure light, you didn't want to let go.

You're greedy.

You're selfish.

You're human.

Something was bothering you, but he wasn't quite sure what it was. But he could feel it. Papyrus wanted to ask, he wanted to know if there was anything that he could do to help, but he didn't want to seem intrusive. So he'll wait. He'll wait until you're ready to tell him. There was something else that bothered him anyway. Well, not really bothered, he was just curious on where you were hiding at. He knew you where living at the Inn for a short time until Undyne came over. After that he wasn't all that sure if you had found a place for the night. He was quiet worried about that. All the more reason he was so glad to hear your voice through the phone and not looking any worse for wear, which was a plus in his book. Seeing his friends looking happy and healthy was always on the top of his priority list, well second at most. For his brother's well-being always came first.

"HUMAN, MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION?"

'A question?'

"YES, YOU SEE I AM QUITE CURIOUS TO KNOW WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING LODGING AT. FOR THERE ISN'T ALOT OF PLACES NEAR HERE TO STAY IN FOR THE NIGHT. WE DO ONLY HAVE ONE INN."

'Grillby was kind enough to let me stay at his place.'

"GRILLBY?! I...I SEE..." Papyrus didn't know why he didn't like that. It baffled him to feel such an odd twist in his soul. Grillby was a kind gentleman of a monster who's helped him in countless occasions in regards to his brother. A widowed young monster who stayed strong to raise his own daughter. A young...single...monster, who was not unattractive by any means who can most certainly make any monster and or human...fall...

The moment of when you layed unconscious on the floor as he struggled against his own inability to help out rushed into his mind. Without any hesitation, even knowing that your damped skin could cause him unbearable pain, Grillby had placed his lips on your own.

"HUMAN! YOU CAN STAY WITH ME!" Papyrus in a panic had gripped your shoulder as desperation laced his words. Seeing your perplexed face and coming into realization on what he had said, released his hold and tried to regain is composure. "I-I MEAN, WHAT I WANTED TO SAY...IS THAT.." Clearing his non existent throat, "BEING AS I THE GREAT PAPYRUS IS NOW YOUR FRIEND, IT WOULD ONLY MAKE SENSE TO ALLOW YOU RESIDENCE AT MY HOME FOR AS ALONG AS YOU ARE HERE!!"

'You want me to stay with you?'

"OF COURSE DEAR HUMAN! ARE YOU NOT NOW A CHERISHED FRIEND OF THE GREAT PAPYRUS!??"

'Yes!' Seeing you smile, Papyrus could feel his confidence rising.

"THEN I SEE NO REASON WHY YOU COULD NOT STAY WITH ME AND MY BROTHER! IT WOULD BE LIKE HAVING A SLEEPOVER EVERY NIGHT!!! JUST LIKE HOW UNDYNE AND I USED TO HAVE BEFORE BROTHER GOT ON HER NERVES WITH HIS TERRIBLE PUNS AND HIS LARGE AMOUNT OF SNACK CONSUMPTIONS."

'Undyne?' You looked concernedover him mentioning the name of the Caption of the Royal Guard. He suspected that you must be quiet afraid seeing how Undyne's main purpose was to obtain your soul. Just when he was about to reassure you that were safe with him you nodded your head as if you were agreeing with yourself on something.

'Thanks for reminding me, Papyrus. I'll stay in Snowdin for a day or two, maybe less. But then I'll have to go to Waterfall and meet the captain herself.'

"YOU'RE LEAVING! AND SO SOON!!"

Papyrus was a bit taken back, for he didn't believe that you would decide to leave him- leave Snowdin so soon. It was way too soon, there was so many things he still wish to share with you. Feeling his soul tightening painfully from these thoughts, he shook his head in the attempts to get rid of them. For you are here with him right now and he will not let himself ruin this time he has with you.

Waking from his deep slumber, Sans groaned as he sat up from the couch. As much as he loves taking his daily nap on the old thing, it's another thing sleeping on it through the whole night tucked deep into its cushions. He should really tell Papyrus about letting up on the whole tucking him tight into wherever he had decided to sleep. Massaging the back of his neck, he heard the front door knob turning.

"heya paps, sorry bout' sleep-" the lights in his eyesockets dimmed at the sight of you standing casually near his brother. Remembering about his visit at Grillby's yesterday he made himself relax. Closing his eyesockets he let out a breath. You were back and there was nothing to be afraid of. "kiddo wh-" the sound of bone crunching filled the room. Snapping his eyes open, his soul shook in fear as he saw his brother slowly turn into dust and you were nowhere in sight. "wh...what..."

"BR-BROTHER..." Sweat dripped down his skull. He couldn't understand what happened. His gaze ran frantically to see who had killed his brother. The room turned dark and cold as his vision began to shake.

No no no no! This...this isn't happening!!

{WhAts wroNg? What are you so scared of, comedian}

Sans breath hitched when he heard that sickening voice coming from behind him. Turning around quickly, the dark room echoed with their laughter.

{Oh Sansy, you don't know how pathetic you look right now.}

Cold pale fingers gripped onto his shoulders as the voice whispered sickly by the side of his skull. Gritting his teeth, his magic burned brightly in his hand. "ahhhhh...!!!!!" Turning around, he launched himself towards the perpetrator. He wasn't going to let it happen again. He wasn't going to let you destroy his world again! Not again! The shadow disappeared in a haze when his body slammed into it. Preparing to feel the impact of the floor underneath him, the floor vanished as well. Sinking into nothing he heard a rattling sound before finally hitting the ground.

His eyesockets opened wide from the impact. He was back, back in his living room. Laying on the floor with a thin blanket tangled around his legs. Looking down at his hands, he could see them quivering. Sweat drenched his clothes as his soul thumped uncontrollably. That's when he heard a small soft laughter. A laughter extremely different from the one in his dream. Looking towards the front door, he saw his brother looking down at him with you next to him once more. Before his fear could return again, you bent down and started to wipe the sweat from his forehead with your sleeve.

"SERIOUSLY BROTHER, I DISTINCTLY LEFT YOU ON THE SOFA. WHY ARE YOU ON THE FLOOR?"

'Maybe he was floored by the amount of naps he takes?"

"OH MY GOD HUMAN! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! YOU HAVE BARELY MEET MY BROTHER AND ALREADY HE'S HAD A BAD EFFECT ON YOU!!!"

'Actually, your brother dill-ed away a couple of puns while I was at work yesterday and offered to ketchup again today.'

"NYHOHOHO! HUMAN WHY!" Papyrus comically sobbed as he held onto your shoulder which only made you laugh more. Annoyed by the string of badly crafted puns, he marched his way towards the kitchen. "HUMAN! IF YOU INSIST ON RUINING OUR TIME TOGETHER WITH YOUR BAD PUNS, THEN I MUST REGRETTABLY INFORM YOU THAT I WILL NOT LET YOU ASSIST ME ON PREPARING THE SPAGHETTI!!" Your hands began to fumble around as to create words of apologies. Seeing you frazzled, Papyrus face softened before accepting your attempt in saying sorry.

As the two of you continued your playful banter, Sans continued sitting on the ground watching you. Watching how you smiled ever so gently and how your soft laughter erased the gripping fear that had wrapped onto his soul.

You weren't the thing that plagued his dreams. You weren't the merciless demon that haunted them time after time again. You were you. A merciful human filled with so much determination. Never giving up and always so goddam forgiving. That you would even forgive a lonely monster who did nothing but kill you over and over again.

Here you are, sitting so calmly on the floor next to him; bantering cheerfully with his brother. You weren't even afraid of him. Letting out a shuttered breath, his head dropped and rested against your shoulder. Was it true? Were you really going to stop all the resets and finally free them all like you did once before. Will he finally be able to live through his life without worrying of reliving through it all again? Can he really see what else lies beyond the cave walls that imprisoned them? To feel the breeze and see the bright sun over the horizon?

To finally walk away from the nightmares that threaten him every day?

Feeling your soft hands stroking his skull, he leaned deeper into the warmth of your body. Your arms wrapped themselves around him, providing him a better access to your warmth. You were so soft that he could feel himself drifting away. The comfort you provided; lulled him to a small sense of safety.

{Sansy, Sansy, SAnSy ...how pathetic}

Sans wrapped his arms around your torso, gripping you as tight as he could. Afraid that you would dissappear again. Remembering that small moment at Grillby's, the way you laughed the way you smiled...he didn't want to lose it.

Kiddo...don't ever leave...don't leave us again...

When you felt Sans resting his forhead ontop of your shoulder, you could feel his body give off small shakes. Settling his rattling bones before his brother could hear, you placed your hand ontop of his head. When you did this, he only seemed to lean closer to you. Figuring he might want a hug then a simple pet, you opened your arms.

"BROTHER?" Papyrus poked his head out of the kitchen to see you cooing Sans as if he was a small child. "HUMAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

'I think Sans wants a hug?'

"YES..."Papyrus squinted his gaze while stroking the bottom of his skull. "HE HAS BEEN VERY CLINGY LATELY. HUMAN! I HAVE FINISHED POUNDING THE VEGETABLES!! WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED, YOU CAN ASSIST ME WITH THE NOODLES!" You gave him a thumbs up before returning to your cooing since it seemed to calm him. Wanting to go and help Papyrus with the late lunch, you tried to release the smaller skeleton. But his grip only tightened in response. His grip kept getting tighter and tighter that you felt it was getting harder for you to breathe.

Papyrus was so glad that his brother and you were getting along so well. He was afraid he had to intervene if either of you had wanted to fight. Not that he would suspect you of doing so. But...something told him that humans were...dangerous and that his brother would...he would...

Feeling a slight pain in his skull, he shook of whatever he was trying to understand. All he needed to know was that you two getting along. Not seeing you yet in the kitchen, he went back into the living room.

"H-HUMAN? ARE YOU OK, YOU'RE LOOKING QUITE...BLUE? AND WHY ARE YOU FLAILING YOUR ARMS LIKE THAT?" You kept singling to Papyrus to get Sans off of you. "HMM? IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO TELL ME?" You tried to to sign that he had fallen asleep and if he could place him back to the couch. But unfortunately, with your wild arm flailing Papyrus didn't get all of that. "HUMAN, AS LAZY AS THAT SOUNDS FROM YOU, I'LL LET YOU TAKE A NAP WITH MY BROTHER. JUST UNTIL THE FOOD IS READY." Papyrus picked both of you up and placed you on the couch before leaving you.

You weren't quiet sure if Sans was secretly still angry with you that he wanted to crush you in his sleep. But as soon as your body rested ontop of the couch and the skeleton was resting more comfortably ontop of you, his grip lessened. Worried that he might try to crush you to death again, you layed motionless until he decided to let go.

{What are you doing!!?}

Hmmm? Resting?

{Why are you letting that comedian hug you like that!!?}

What do you mean?

{H-his face, his face is literally between-! I'm mean- you know right!!}

Chara, you sound...flustered. Is something wrong?

{Don't you have any SHaMe!!}

Eh?

{GAaAa! FoRGeT It!}

Not really getting it, you stayed laying on the couch, holding onto the slumbering skeleton. Having him draped over you felt very comforting. His bones were similar to how Papyrus was. Warm, sturdy but not uncomfortable to lay on. Or in this case, to have ontop. Lifting your hand, you began petting his skull seeing how he seems to like it. Mind wondering towards the sound of Papyrus happily humming in the kitchen, your hand began to wonder. Curious to feel the pile of bones ontop of you. Ever so lightly, your fingers trailed down his skull to his spine. Feeling him give a small quake, you wondered if it had hurt him.

Watching as he got closer to your touch, you continued. He looked so tired and warned out, that you wanted to help him; and giving him a small massage at the moment, seemed like a good idea to you. Seeing how there's nothing else you could do but wait until he woke up. He might even thank you for releasing any tension he might have. Back at the facility near Mt. Ebbot, your friend would always give you massages after your training, she was worried about how much you used to complain about the aches in your muscles. You were always thankful for her for what she did to help you. If she didn't, you'd probably have gotten in trouble for being weak when you first started off.

Pressing a bit harder onto his shoulder blades you continued dragging your fingers down his spine. Being made of only bones, it was harder on finding places to place your hands. Deciding to go lower down his spine and his ribs, he let out a small moan.

Did it hurt him?

Trying a slower approach, you continued to move your hands, stroking Sans back. Having his weight on you, you could feel him starting to relax that he started purring.

How cute...

Running your hands deeper into his spine, he breathed out a shuttered moan. Worried that you might have hurt him, you looked at his face for any signs of pain. Noticing the blue glow plastered across his skull and his slightly off breathing, you went back to his shoulder blades. Hearing his purrs once again, you concentrated more on them until you heard a small pop.

"ah...hh..."

Papyrus hearing the unnerving bone pop, he ran into the living room. When he entered, all he saw was Sans snoring away with you having your arms high up in the air.

"HUMAN? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT WAS THAT NOISE?!"

'.....nothing.'

"WHY ARE YOUR ARMS UP LIKE THAT?"

'Stretching.'

"HMM..." He stared at you suspiciously before smiling his usual smile. "I UNDERSTAND DEAR HUMAN. FOR LAYING DOWN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME DOES PUT SOME STRAIN IN ANYONE'S BODY. WHICH IS A MYSTERY TO ME WHY BROTHER DOES IT ALL THE TIME!!" Having finished with the spaghetti, he asked if you'll wake up his lazy bone of a brother.

You tried nudging him awake but he only grunted in response.

"...Sans...Sans..." You whispered. Hearing your voice stirred him as he lifted his groggy head up. Eyesockets unfocused, he let out a sly smile.

"heh, gotta say that that was the 'breast' nap i'd ever have." You smiled at his sleep induced pun before trying to sit up.

'Your even puny when your half awake. Guess you'll never get tired of it. '

Sans tried to focus at your hands, registering his current position. Coming into realization of where he found himself at and what he had said in mid sleep, he launched himself off the couch. Landing with a loud thud onto the floor, he tried hiding the raging blush that plagued his face.

You just laughed at his werid antics before heading towards the kitchen.

"BROTHER! WHY ARE BACK ON THE FLOOR!? HURRY UP AND COME AND TRY THE SPAGHETTI I MADE TO CELEBRATE ON BEFRIENDING THE HUMAN!!"

Getting up from the ground, he rubbed the back of his neck and found that he felt strangely relaxed.

Sitting down at the table he looked down at his plate and saw the lack of glitter. Looking up at you as you shoveled away the food into your mouth, you gave him a thumbs up telling him that it was good. Apparently you had told Papyrus that you were allergic to glitter. While he placed the burnt noodles into the deep void of his mouth, he could hear his brother squealing. His brother was sparkling with so much joy at watching you forcingyour way through the food that he couldn't help but laugh.

After everyone was done with their meal you and Sans had went to the living room while Papyrus cleaned the dishes. Seeing how he was the only one tall enough to reach the sink. Both of you were quite short which he believed it was the lack of consumption of milk. Which is very important for bones to grow tall and strong like himself!

Through the sound of the rushing water from the kitchen faucet, he could hear Sans chatting happily away with his insufferable puns! But before he could lecture his brother, he heard you laughing out loud. You sounded so happy that he felt that strange sting in his soul again that he rushed into the living room. You and Sans looked up at him as he tried to come with an excuse why he interrupted the two of you.

"H-HUMAN...I...I WAS WONDERING IF YOU LEFT ANYTHING AT YOUR LAST LODGING PLACE. I...I MEAN, SINCE YOU WILL BE LIVING WITH US FOR NOW!" Hearing the news, Sans raised his bone brow at you.

'Just a short time. I don't want to bother Grillby any more and Papyrus said that it was ok.'

"grillby??!" Noticing the disappearance of the light in Sans' eyes, you jumped off the couch and rushed towards the door.

'Papyrus, I should hurry up and get my stuff and thank Grillby again for letting me stay with him.' Waving goodbye you rushed back into the cold leaving an awkward silence between the brothers.

Heading towards the back of the bar, you noticed Flowey hiding around the corner. Cautiously, you made your way towards him.

'Flowey?' Flowey shifted his eyes a bit as he started to sweat.

"Look, about what I said last time...I'm... I'm so-...I didn't mean it ok! Just got caught off guard."

'You're not mad?'

"Mad?! N-no..I'm mean I'm just annoyed! You shouldn't be getting overly friendly with every monster you meet!"

'There's a thing as being too friendly?'

"What are you an idiot!!??"

'No, I'm a human.' Flowey gazed at you're clueless face, not knowing how to respond to that. Taking this chance, you gave him another peck on his petals before running back into the apartment building. Flowey's face grew red hot as he screamed into the snow, adding steam around him.

"YOU'RE SUCH AN IDIOT!!!!"

Knocking on Grillby's door, you could hear him cooking inside. After a couple of shuffling noises, the door opened up.

"...Frisk?...Is...is something wrong?..." You shook your head no.

'I just came by to say thank you for letting me stay here when I had no place to go. And that I-'

Grillby placed his hand over your own, stopping you from saying anything further.

"...would you like to join me for a small bite to eat?..." Grillby's voice was softer then usual and for some reason it sounded sad to you. You nodded your head yes and he let you inside. Sitting on the stool by the the island table, you rested your cheek against your perched hand, enjoying the aroma of Grillby's cooking. "...you're leaving ...aren't you..."

'How did...' you slowly signed. Did Sans tell him? A heavy feeling landed in your heart. You wanted to tell him. That you were sorry after everything he has done for you that you were planning to quit. Not that you hated the job, you actually enjoyed it. But you couldn't stay, you wanted to free the monsters as fast as possible, before you lose your resolve. You only asked for the job in the first place to have a little bit more money to help you on your journey.

"...I over heard about it when you where talking to Sans, I'm sorry..." Noticing the guilt on your face, Grillby walked around the island to face you.".. do not worry, I know you don't have any bad intent on leaving the job so soon...just..." Grillby placed his hand ontop of your head, pulling you towards him. "...just be careful..." he whispered into your hair.

You tried to stand but you lost your footing and fell off from the stool, knocking Grillby to the ground in the process. Landing ontop of the flame monster's chest, you tried to get up to apologize when the front door opened.

"Dad~ I'm h...home?"