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3:

Titanium

Sans and Frisk

(Third POV)

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"Come on, sweetheart, you gotta learn how to fight." Sans comforted the shaking girl in front of him; they stood in the backyard with the sun shining down on them as Sans tried to coax the human to fight him.

It had been three months since Frisk returned to them, with everything slowly turning back to normal, even if the dangers of Error still weighed heavily on their minds. They felt at peace that the dear human was back with them.

But, knowing it was the best, Toriel and Asgore took her, along with Asriel, to their estate to live, where she was welcomed as the monsters' princess and ambassador to the humans soon after.

Although Sans hated that he had to be without her at night, he knew she would be safe with her brother and parents. But the days were his, he claimed them as soon as he could. She was told that she was not allowed to go anywhere alone, so she spends days at Sans' house or Alphy's when he had to work.

But, although the others disagreed with his decision, Sans wanted her to learn to fight. He hated the thought of it, but the skeleton knew that he wouldn't always be there. Frisk needed to be able to protect herself when he wasn't there. No matter how much Sans hated the thought of her fighting that glitchy bastard alone, he knew that it would be needed:

'I know, Sansy, but…' Her hands fell to her sides, biting her lip, and tears stained her cheeks before she blew a breath through her lips as she began to continue her thought through her hands' smooth movements.

'Do we really have to fight him? Maybe I can….'

The handsome skeleton sighed while he gripped ahold of her hands, stopping her statement with a gentle kiss to her soft hands.

He should've known she would fight against this, would rebel against the thought of hurting someone, but Sans needed to make sure his little human was safe whenever and whatever happens. As much as he would love to, he couldn't be with her every second of the day. So, with a tender touch to her cheek, he gently told her the truth:

"Kitten, he isn't like us. He would kill you without another thought, mercy or not, he would. He thinks of this as a job, he doesn't care. He is a version of me that didn't get to see the real sweet you. The one who changed a bunch of hardened monsters into big softies." He nuzzled his face into her neck, earning a small giggle from Frisk, before continuing.

"That's why you need to at least learn how to defend yourself long enough that I can get to you. I can't live without you again, so I will do anything to ensure your safety."

After a few moments of silence, letting his statement sink in, before the human girl blew a breath and she nodded solemnly. The skeleton smiled reassuringly, touching her cheek lovingly as he pressed a kiss to her forehead:

"That's my sweetheart. A princess should be able to kick butt, too, right?" He teased with a wink as he backed up to his place, making the teen laughed and stuck her tongue out.

After the teasing moment, the couple went back to their training. The couple moved together beautifully, Frisk blocking every attack and returned her own; which Sans rewarded her with a proud smile before moving again.

Their dance continued until Asriel came into the yard with a smile upon his face, his necklace shinned back against the sun's light.

No one knew how Asriel returned to his former self. One day, he showed up with the golden heart within a paw and a sad smile on his snout. Both Sans and Frisk were excited to see him in his right state, but they had to wonder how this came to pass. The couple asked the goat so many times that day, however in the end, Asriel only gave a smile:

"It was a gift."

And with that, Asriel didn't say anything about it. Sans knew Frisk was curious as much as he was, but the brunette didn't push her brother on it. Him, though? He had an idea who gave that necklace to the goat monster, he had a burning feeling inside his bones.

But, he kept his mouth shut. Sans might have raging hatred for the anonymous gifter, but he also knew the pain he had. Sans and Asriel might've bonded over their shared love for Frisk, yes. But, the males had shared the pain of being in love with someone so close but so far. If he brought her name up, the skeletal male would only cause his friend harm. And that was the last thing Sans wanted to do, so he fought the urge to flip his teeth.

As Asriel came to a stop in front of the couple, Sans shook his head free from those thoughts and smiled while his arm snaked around Frisk's waist:

"Hey, you guys, how's the training going?"

In response, Frisk wiggled her nose in dismay, earning a loud laugh from the two males as Sans landed a tender kiss on her soft hair as he pulled her small body into his own.

"Aww, sis, I know you hate fighting, but it's good for you to learn. Sans and I can't always be there to protect you."

"At least someone agrees with me," Sans mumbled under his breath, Asriel's laugh returned the statement. Sans grinned at that before the human teen made a sound to return their attention back to her.

"Sorry, sweetheart, what's up?" Sans smiled down at her, graining a smile back from the tiny human before she lifted her hands to sign as she moved her big blues back on her older adoptive brother.

'Is it time to go home already, Asy?' She cocked her head to show her question, a sweet smile spread over her lips.

The male goat monster flinched, the thought behind his arrival coming back with force. Asriel knew how his baby sister felt about this, but it was a part of being royalty and was necessary. So, with a deep breath, he giggled nervously:

"Um, mom and dad said it's time to officially introduce you to the monsters and humans tomorrow." Asriel rubbed the back of his neck, but the pair looked confused as they peeked at each other before they moved back to the tall monster.

"But I thought you guys already did that?" The skeleton asked confusedly, scratching his cheek, a habit he formed when he was small whenever he was confused or nervous.

"Wrong, they might know her as their adoptive daughter, and they connected the dots, but they want to give her a proper introduction. Fit for a princess." He winked, but the sole human wasn't amused.

Frisk snorted annoyingly, not bothering to hide it. She knew she was a princess and had a duty, but she hated speaking in public. And then there was Error to worry about, her being out in the open wasn't the smartest thing right now. Apparently, Sans thought the same as a growl escaped from his teeth before he spoke.

"Are you crazy? Error doesn't care about the crowd, he will kill her without a second thought!"

The other male cringed, knowing he was right, but they couldn't change their parents' minds. The monster king and queen knew the danger. However, they thought that this would show her she belonged here, and she never would go back to feeling an alien in the world of monsters. They thought they all needed a moment away from looking over their shoulders, apart from thinking about the danger Error brings.

Their parents wanted her to have a standard, happy memory without Error's presence looming over her head. They knew that was impossible, but they just needed this to see her smile without worry.

And the goat vocalized that to the couple, gaining himself a short sigh from both; the couple couldn't deny that, and they nodded slowly as Sans crossed his firm, but bony, arms over his chest, glaring a bit at the young goat:

"Fine, but I'm going to be there right beside her, understood?" Asriel laughed at that, shaking his head amused with a grin dancing across his face as Sans pulled his sister closer to him and nuzzled her comfortingly:

"I thought you'd said that. Don't worry, we both will."

As the males talked, the beautiful flower went back to her mind, the dark thoughts of her past. They haunted the new-found princess throughout the happy moments, always reminding her of her sins, and it always makes her feel like she doesn't deserve this happy ending. She knew that it was a silly fear, especially next to the actual danger, but this beautiful but broken rose was slowly faltering under the pressure of everything.

Now, with the introduction, the demand grew even more intense. And what's worse is Frisk couldn't vocalize a thing to any of her friends due to worry they would freak out and would try everything to make her feel better. However, even Sans' touch could only relieve her fears for so long. She was alone in this fear.

And sometimes, Frisk couldn't help but wonder if she deserved to face it alone:

"Don't worry, Sans, I doubt that Error would want to take on all of us. He might be hell-bent on getting to her and is strong, but I would bet that he is not dumb." Asriel stated, bringing her back to the present, and she turned her eyes to him as she nuzzled deeper into Sans.

Frisk just wanted to forget for a bit, even if she knew she couldn't, having his arms around her brought some level of comfort to the human's soul.

The skeleton looked down at his beautiful angel, sensing something looming over her soul as she signed something to her brother, growling under his breath at the hidden broken look in the girl's sparkling blue eyes. Sans sucked on his teeth as he watched her dainty fingers form words in the air. He always hated that about her, still facing her inner demons on her own. Although she knew she could and should lean on not only her family but him as well.

He would do anything just to make her feel better, but she barely let him. She just smiled through her pain and kept the pain hidden behind gentle touches and sweet smiles. Sans both loved that and hated it like he mentioned before, but he wanted her to just be weak in front of him. To let him see another side of her. Why couldn't she only trust him fully, why couldn't his human let him be her lovingly monster?

With that thought and a tender tuck on her chin to force her eyes to his empty sockets, cutting the siblings' unheard conversation with a scowl dancing across his toothy face. Sans pulled the flower even closer to his chest; making sure the eighteen-year-old was staring back at the skeleton:

"Ok, kitten, what are you hiding? And don't try to lie to me, you know I can tell when you're lying." Both the monster's and the human's eyes widen, one in confusion, but the young woman's held recognition. She knew he knew, and she was caught.

"Sans, what're you talking about?" Asriel questioned with confusion dripping from his voice, stepping closer to the couple, but one glare from the skeleton stopped him dead in his tracks before he moved his sole pupil shining bright red back on her shaking form.

But beneath the glow was a tender expression as his fingers gingerly caressed her cheek, whispering softly to her to calm down her nerves.

"Frisk, sweetheart, if you don't tell me, I can't fix it. Stop hiding from us, from me."

At that, with tears shining behind her blues, the blooming flower tightened fists around his arms as Frisk nodded slowly as she buried her face into his sweater. A few moments after her calming, she sighed softly before lifting her hands to confess every dark thought that past the walls of her mind.

The monsters watched while her fingers danced in the air, their souls shattered a bit with every word, knowing she was wrong.

As the movements went on, a desire burning strong started building in their chest. A willingness to show Frisk that she was indeed a princess and that she deserves to feel like one, not a mere girl without a purpose in her life.

This desire burned even tenser when the men watched as the human went into more details about her past long before she was Frisk Dreemurr, long before she fell into a bed of buttercups and into the world of Monsters. A story no one never knew because the human knew her family—and her boyfriend—would hunt down the real monsters.

The skeleton felt anger as she detailed the abuse, the feeling grew with every tear that fell from her beautiful eyes. Sans' whole body shook with building passion, and he could tell that he wasn't the only one, Asriel was trying to fight back an angry growl:

One story happened just before she fell, or somewhat more that she proposedly fell to escape the daily pain.

She was at her grade school, she slowly signed, when her bullies finally took their cruel taunts too far. They beat her so badly, it hurt to just move, let alone walk home. And Frisk knew she couldn't go back, knowing that she would get no sympathy and even more pain. So, she only saw one way out: Mountain Ebott, the forbidden mountain from the stories of the war.

'I knew no one would ever miss me, so I jumped, wanting to just end the pain. I wanted to be free from my miserable life. What I didn't know is when I jumped off that ledge, I would get my wish. Just not the way I planned, which I'm thankful for. I finally found my escape from the true monsters through meeting monsters.'

She chuckled slightly as she dropped her hands to her lap, not noticing Sans walking towards her, smiling at the happy memories she made with her monster family, even when they were a bit crueler now. They loved her with every fiber in their beings.

The monsters desired to heal her slowly from the emotional wounds she suffered from her time on the surface. Then, what Frisk had to face in the Underground. The thing is, the monsters didn't blame her misguided actions. They forgave her a long time ago:

Now, all they wanted is for her to know that she was safe, she was forgiven. She smiled lovingly at the thoughts as her skeleton crept Sans' arms around her unnoticed.

The feeling of arms rounding her waist woke her from the thoughts, lifting her off the ground. Then, the girl found herself placed onto a lap, er brows furrowed, her eyes lifted to see a very angry skeleton looking down at her. But behind that anger, there was such a sadness.

Putting away his anger at whoever broke her for the moment, the skeleton shook his head as a sad smile appeared onto his face as he reached to her braided autumn hair, tucking a few loose strands from her forehead to land another kiss. Oh, how he wished she saw what everyone else saw when they looked at her, especially her beloved skeleton.

He sighed, grabbing her shoulders and turned her to face him, her straddling him, and her eyes could meet his sockets. He often had done this when she was small, and she was stubborn about something. He gently tugged her chin up, forcing her to look him in the eyes. She was going to hear him this time if it took him all night. For that was his job as her protector.

"I wish you would realize that you're perfect to everyone that knows you, Frisk. No, no, kitten, you have to hear this," Sans put one of his fingers to her lips when she tried to interrupt. When she realized that he wouldn't let her cut in, she pouted but nodded slowly, making the male chuckle:

"You are so perfect. You are so strong, for years you faced bullies with a smile, you might think that the other world broke you, but it didn't. I might not have known you as you grew up, but I know you didn't stop fighting to stay you. With your determination, you stayed true to who you are, and you found a better life. You stayed you, the sweet girl who would do anything for anyone even if they did her wrong. Frisk, you are the perfect person to be a princess, you might be thinking that I don't know your story enough, but I do know it and you. And you embody what a princess should be.

You symbolize everything they are loved for; sweet and calm, soft but bold, beautiful but modest, dependable, and pure. You are a true princess, honey. Yes, you had a horrifying past and did some bad things yourself, but you don't let that hold you down, and you changed beings. You made them for the better. Don't you get it? Being faced with something like that open your eyes and heart to things some stun away from. You are the most understanding person I know, and my princess, that is what a ruler needs to be.

Everyone else would be bitter from whatever you could face in your past, but you forgive almost everyone who did you wrong, I can tell in the way you carry yourself. Our princess is the most beautiful, understanding creature the world has ever seen, there is only one woman that fits that, and that woman is you."

He brushed the hair out of her face, letting that sink in. Her eyes bore into his, her teeth biting at her bottom lip as Frisk searched for some untruths hidden in the skeleton's fiery gaze. But all she found was a gentle and tender smile, telling the beautiful flower he wanted her to see the truth behind his words. The tears were fresh and new, happy when she realized that he was right. He and her family loved her truly.

She already knew that, but to hear it so firmly just made her feel better. She wasn't alone, she never would be on her own again. She laughed joyously, and with a tender kiss pressed to Sans' teeth, Frisk smiled at him before she moved to hug her older brother tightly, hearing his chuckle in her ear, and his breath fanned through her wispy brown strands as he whispered to her.

"He's right, Frisk. We love you, and there's no way we're letting you go, beloved Frisk." The goat poked her tiny button nose when they pulled back, chuckling as she wiggled it while a slight blush crept over her cheeks. The males loved how cute she still is when she was now an adult.

She still had her innocence, even if she should have been jaded from all Frosk had been through and saw, she could see the good in anyone. And although they loved that fact, it was a worrisome factor. Would she really be ready to face the beyond help or mercy skeleton? The males weren't so sure, and as the thought came back, the fear rushed through their veins.

Would they lose her once more? That question makes the males' souls shatter a bit, fearing the answer.

"Welp, it's time to go, my princess." Sans sighed, laying his forehead against hers to kiss it one more time, wanting to not to think about it for now.

But, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched by taunting eyes, reminding the skeleton that he was out there. He was out there, just waiting for his chance to strike.

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A day later found Frisk sat in front of the mirror with Toriel brushing through her reddish-brown locks, curling her hair into a low bun at the nape of her neck with her yellow bow.

As she watched her mother work, Frisk wondered what she did to deserve this second chance, remembering all her sins. She made so many mistakes on the path leading to this end, she felt like Error was the universe's way to remind her and teach her a lesson. But she won't let him ruin their happy ending.

For now, she was going to be the crowned princess of the monsters and their sworn protector, she would bore the title with pride and bravery. She might be a little relented to hurt anyone again, but she would do anything to protect her family from the pain of losing her still.

But, she hoped that she could still talk to Error. However, Frisk doubted it from what Sans had said. She closed her eyes at the thought, wincing at the shiver that came up her spine.

However, no matter how much Error scared her, the idea of killing him sent a tensed shiver throughout her body. It almost felt as if someone pushed a knife into her heart whenever Frisk thought about facing Error. Frisk would've never admitted this aloud, but it felt like when she had to face Sans in the Judgment Hall.

As if she would have to kill her….

With a sigh, Frisk shook her head as her mother's voice brought her back from the rushing thoughts:

"Alright, my child, you're ready," Toriel smiled at her reflection, taking her hand into her semi-giant paw, and Frisk was pulled back to admire her mother's handiwork, "What do you think, my dearest?"

All thoughts of Error disappeared as the teen took the sight in front of her in. Her grown was buttercup yellow, the new color of hope for monsters and humans, the royal purple slash bright and odd against her breast, but the colors mixed beautifully as the gown made her feel beautiful. Like she was going to be great, she would help her family to lead their race to a better tomorrow. This time she would do everything right:

She giggled a bit, twirling childish to see the skirt fared before Frisk pulled Tori into a warm hug. The mother goat laughed, nuzzling her scout into her youngest child's hair for a few moments, before stepping back from the hug with a broad smile on her face.

"Well, Frisk dearest, are you prepared for this? We will be there beside you, my love. Don't be afraid." Her mother brushed the loose strands away, giving the girl a comforting touch.

Frisk breathed a calming breath, letting the touch soothed her racing heart, before nodding firmly as she grabbed her skirt and moved to the hallway, feeling butterflies fluttered their wings against her stomach's walls.

When the ladies stepped into the almost empty throne room, their family's eyes flowed to the beautiful flower. Still, the oldest Skeleton Brother was the only one unable to move nor speak as the others rushed forward to shower their human with many a compliment before the ceremony started.

It wasn't that Sans didn't think she looked beautiful, no, she looked like a goddess to him for the second time. That was the reason behind his non-existent voice, no word could ever express how beautiful she was.

He growled lowly in annoyance, thinking both he had gone soft, and she was turning him into a big cinnamon roll, just like his now-harden brother was a long time ago.

But then again, he mused with a grin as the sun struck his golden fang, Sans wouldn't want it any other way. So, as his smile grew, his legs started to work towards his angel.

"Sweetheart, you are breathtaking. I might be a bit worried that people will try to steal you." He winked flirtatiously, and he reached to brush through the loose strands lovingly, bringing her eyes to him with a bright blush on her cheeks and a smile placed onto her lips. The brunette raised her hand and signed her thanks as she turned to him fully.

"Don't be shy, kitty, it's going to be alright. I will keep them away."

That statement earned him a giggle, lifting her hand to scold the skeleton playfully before a heavy feeling came over her, her brows furrowed in worry as she looked around the room.

She felt like hungry eyes were following her every movement, sending a shiver up her spine. It wasn't the same way Sans would stare at the teen, it felt darker than his loving hunger for her. The feeling was like she was a deer in an eager hunter's sight.

With one more shudder, she turned back to her family as she gave them the signal for danger, growling from her crowd echoed through the walls as Papyrus and Undyne rushed to opposite sides of the room, their eyes scanned every corner. At the same time, Alphys stayed with the couples, shivering in fear, but she tried to be brave for her female best friend:

"D-don't worry, Frisk. W-we won't let him or anyone else dangerous near you." She stuttered out through a low growl, giving the human's hand a comforting squeeze as Sans held her to his side, whispering the same words into her ear.

She smiled slightly, nuzzling into him to hide her fear and worry from them, knowing that not only Sans but her father would try to cancel the ceremony. She didn't want to give whoever was watching her that power. She wanted to show them that Frisk wasn't as weak as they think:

Frisk didn't know if it was Error, but she knew she was in danger. And she needed to be vigilant and cautious through the Crowning. She was required to protect her people. That was the reason that she wanted to go through with the Crowning, she had to prove that, even if Frisk was afraid, she wouldn't back down.

"Asgore, perhaps we should cancel this and let Sans take her into hiding. I can't lose her—"

"No, mother." Frisk's hoarse voice rung out, cutting Toriel off, stepping out of the skeleton's hold while everyone's eyes fell upon her, wide in shocked at hearing her and her confident tone:

"But Frisk dearest—"

"No, mama. I am not running away, that would be giving him the power, and I am not doing that. Don't worry. If I have you guys on my side, then I will be strong enough to stand up to whatever or whoever comes my way."

Everyone just stared at the human as an expression of confidence danced across her features, surprised at her strength, but then they grinned. They should have known she would say that she was a strong young woman who faced so many things in her short life with unfaltering strength; this was no different. They should just stand by her because there was no changing her mind when she decided.

Sans chuckled deeply, shaking his skull amusedly before he stepped forward to her, offering her his hand. A signal for trust and belief, they often did this when they argued or needed comfort:

"You're always going have us behind you, you know that, sweetheart." Sans grinned boyishly, pulling the young woman into a huge hug just as her hand touched his. The human giggled shyly as she hugged back, pointing her eyes up to his sockets.

"Well, is this just sweet? True love wins, huh, Sans?"

The voice echoed off the walls, making the group freeze. Sans and his friends growled as they hid Frisk in their circle, scanning the room but found no trace of the glitch. That is until he decided to show himself with his taunting grin and his hand up in a surrender gesture.

"I come in peace, I have a deal to discuss with your precious ambassador."