Two Worlds, Two Souls
Chapter 61: Bubbling Pain
Angel's Point of View:
"God damnit!"
At my cry there was an instant storming of feet as Papyrus and Frisk entered the kitchen where I was working on some baked goods. My balance had finally come into control almost a couple weeks ago after another month of healing, putting us at the end of June. Children were out of school, which meant that I cut back on the studies for Frisk so she could have fun as well as help me a bit here and there.
Which is exactly what I needed in those moments…
Sans sat at the table beside me, watching on with a slight worry to his boney brow. He hardly left my side after we'd confided in each other when I was allowed home from Alphys'. He took it upon himself to help me when I was practicing walking, attempting to get my balance back. If I'd fall, his grab on my soul was imamate. I'd be back to my feet in the same spot so that I could try moving again.
It took me another few weeks to get my balance taken care of. No one had to be there as much to grab me if I'd fall. Soon, I had the muscles back in my legs and I'd learned to deal without the weight of my second arm. I slowly was trying to learn without it. It was hard, I used my magic more than ever to help since my dominate arm was gone. I'd use to hold certain objects for me, such as the bowl I was holding while baking that shattered under the intense grip of my chains.
"Oh dear…" Papyrus was instantly to my side to help pick up the pieces. "Angel, are you alright?"
"I'm not hurt if that's what you're asking." I sighed and stepped out of the way. I'd done this too many times to know already that if I tried to help, Papyrus wouldn't let me. He knew I'd wounded my pride too many times already. "Sorry…"
"Meh, it's just a dish. Nothin' special or anythin'." Sans merely shrugged at the news. He knew I was frustrated, but I was still upset with myself for breaking so many dishes.
This was my fifth one in the last week…
"Here Sis, I'll get the plastic one." Frisk moved herself over to the cabinets where more bowls were stored and grabbed the plastic one I'd been using as of late since when I bent it, it didn't damage the dish from drops and or pressure. I wasn't a fan of it. I hated soft bowls like that, but since it was so hard to grip anything with my stub of an arm or my chains, I had no choice while I tried to get back into the swing of most things.
"Just leave it on the counter Frisk." I sighed and decided to sit next to Sans. His gaze followed me as I moved. "I'll give baking a break. I honestly need a few moments to compose myself before I lose my sanity."
"Well, why don't we spend some time with Undyne and Alphys?" Papyrus was quick to offer. "The two of them noted that they were going to a hot springs location on the edge of Hotland and Waterfall if we wished to join them. Alphys was a bit nervous to go with other people, so she and Undyne rented the center out for the day for relaxing. Even the king approved of it and chipped in a bit. It would be us as well as our two friends on the entire property."
"What about attendants and staff?" I questioned him quickly. "How would Frisk and I be able to enjoy ourselves if they're always around?"
"Oh! Asgore has had them stock them place and then dismiss them!" Our skeleton friend grinned. "So, we'll have to run certain things, but Alphys pretty well has that covered! And there are game rooms, and a sauna. Technically, there are massage rooms as well, but the members of the staff will be held to those rooms for the entire day and will not leave until the end of their shifts at six tonight. We sort of… expressed to Asgore that you and Frisk wished to go and because of the struggles you were still working around, he eagerly agreed to close off the building, especially since your 'training accident'."
"Hm…" I still had a sickening feeling when I worried about anything happening. Granted, Frisk was quick to ease those worries with her words.
"Come on, Sis. Wouldn't it be nice for a day to just relax? Just one? You and Sans could go and enjoy a hot spring or the sauna while we could go and play in the pool! Alphys is responsible enough to keep us out of trouble! Besides, we're trying to get her and Undyne together! They so have crushes on each other!"
I blinked at her. "Really now?"
I had absolutely no idea from all the time I was using to focus on recovery and half that time I was passed out. I didn't get the opportunity to see what Frisk had seen in my time resting.
But if my sister could see it, then it most likely was true.
"I mean... I guess it wouldn't be too bad if we went. Swimming or soaking may help with my muscles some more." I turned to face the eldest in the house. "What do you think Sans?"
He flashed me grin. "A day for me ta laze away n' keep ya girls safe? Sounds good ta me."
"Alright," I sighed. Standing up from my spot, I patted my sister's shoulder. "You and I need to go find what we can use as swim wear. We don't have any bathing suits."
"Oh! I will call Undyne and see if she has any spares or knows where we can stop! There may even be some on site to purchase!"
While Papyrus rushed off to go and call our scale covered friends, I moved away to my room away to find some clean clothes to use in the pool.
I was sure that Frisk had seen it, and perhaps even Alphys, but I wasn't ready for everyone to see my scars yet.
Later that Day:
"Look how cool this is!"
The younger two of our family gasped in awe, squealing at every turn of their head as their eyes caught something new to see. A couple of security guards gave us a smile as they let us inside before closing the doors and they could no longer see in, however, we could see out.
We were standing in a large entrance area for people of all kinds to wait until they were welcomed inside. I could see some policies and rules that were left out on the front desk for us to read through by the staff. The room quickly divided to two changing rooms on either side of the desk. One of them red in coloring while the other was blue.
Once the doors were closed, Frisk eagerly hurled her cloak at me before she rushed off to find Undyne and Alphys. Papyrus eagerly raced after the girl, struggling a bit more to keep up with her after her sudden growth spur. The two of them quickly left our sight and I glanced back over at Sans.
It had been quite some time since the two of us had been left alone by the little ones. I supposed they figured it was okay since I was feeling better at the time.
"Welp, guess its time ta get changed." Sans shrugged pointing to where I could see the entrance for males on the right and females on the left, where Papyrus and Frisk had gone. "Send Pap over m'way, once ya find him, okay Precious?"
"Sure Darling." I rolled my eyes at him. "I'll see you in a few minutes-"
"PAP! YOU'RE IN ON THE GIRLS SIDE, YA DORK!"
Both Sans and I sighed at that remark. "I'm going now..."
Sans could only snicker as I watched him fade from sight, teleporting into the changing room.
Hurrying in after on the girls' side, I quickly saw Undyne standing before a row of closed curtains where I'm sure Alphys was hiding. Poor thing I'm sure was startled as hell when Frisk and Papyrus came rushing into the room. Frisk was laughing while Papyrus had his hand over his eye sockets, freezing on spot.
Undyne on the other hand looked quite peeved. It was rare to see any other emotion besides anger or eagerness on her face. I was, however, surprised to see a light red hue to her cheeks as she stood before Papyrus, protecting the poor woman behind her.
"Alright, enough is enough." I allowed my arm to wrap around the free one Papyrus had. "I'm going to lead you out of the room Papy, go meet up with Sans and get changed."
"Oh thank you Angel! My apologies, I didn't mean to end up into the girl's half of the changing area... I was only eagerly following Frisk! I thought we were all meeting up before changing."
"Seems those plans changed a little bit, you can uncover your sockets now, I've got you to the door." Papyrus did as such and I watched him step out of the area for women only entirely. "Just around the front desk you'll find Sans. He's waiting over there for you, okay?"
"Okay Angel!"
Rolling my eyes after he left, I re-entered the female's side of the changing rooms and saw Undyne looked much more at ease with just Frisk and I there. Alphys poked her head out of the changing room. She was already dressed in a pale blue, one piece swim suit that was very basic and simple. It suited Alphys well against her yellow scales and complimented her to Undyne's scale tone. Undyne on the other hand had already changed into a two-piece bikini that was almost neon yellow in color. I could see Alphys' eyes trailing on the athletic body of the captain and she could barely control her the flush in her cheeks.
I chuckle at them, thinking it'd be best to keep their blushes a secret just a tad longer. "I see you two are already to go."
"Hell yeah!" Undyne stepped a bit away from Alphys in order to reach into the locker beside her. From it came an old backpack of a tattered brown color that she set on the bench next to her. "I got some old swim suits that might fit you guys. Here, look through it and see what you can find."
"Cool!" My sister eagerly tore into the bag and began pulling out articles of clothing. If it wasn't to her liking, she shoved it in my direction as I was choosing a locker for myself and her.
Quickly did she find more neon ones like what Undyne had on. Frisk was still on the smaller side, but her body was quickly forming into that of a young woman. Her chest was becoming a bit larger, and curves were forming. Frisk pulled out a frilly looking green suit that she quickly dove into a changing room to try on.
Shaking my head at her, I turned to the pile as well. Unfortunately, for me, all the suits were two pieces. The only conservative one that I could see in the pile was a top half that had fabric extending from below the breasts that came down to nearly my waist with a split right down to my belly button. The suit was a rich red in color.
There was absolutely no way to avoid showing off my scars...
"A-angel?" Alphys grabbed my attention while I saw her and Undyne heading out toward the pool, though she stopped for a moment to point to the locker besides me. "Y-you need t-to t-take your m-medicine b-before h-hoping in the p-pool."
I blinked at her, but I wasn't about to distrust the doctor that took care of me for the last two months. I didn't know of any other medicine I was supposed to be taking... "Sure Alphys."
"I-I put i-it i-in m-my bag. I-it's in m-my locker. F-front p-pocket." And with that, she headed out into the other room with Undyne. When she was gone from sight and Frisk was still changing behind the curtain, I rummaged through the bag that Alphys had pointed out to me in the cracked open locker. In the pink bag she had on hand with an anime character printed on the pouches, I pulled out a small bottle of what appeared to be a cream of some sort. Looking it over carefully, I noticed that it was a waterproof cover up.
"Oh Alphys... I owe you..."
A Short While Later:
It took me a good twenty minutes to get myself ready for this event. Part of it was nerves, since I wasn't used to showing off so much of my body, even among friends. Frisk was the only one who saw me with little to no clothes on, mostly in the mornings when I'd wear lighter clothing to bed before putting on my housecoat. Perhaps Sans and Papyrus had seen my form once or twice, but I wasn't sure.
The second part was applying the solution that Alphys had given me to hide my scars. She knew how nervous I was about them. She and I had briefly talked about it during my recovery. She knew I wasn't comfortable talking about them and often kept them hidden if I could. I wasn't expecting her to save my ass and grab me some makeup to help hide this...
And it was good quality too, took me a while to apply it properly so it wouldn't come off in the water.
Once I was set, I was dressed in the conservative red bikini that Undyne had let me grab, before heading out onto the pool deck. As soon as I entered the pool area, the air was thick with moisture and heat. The area surrounding the pool was rough under my heels as I walked. The rocks that were used to outline everything were dark and seemed to be layered in their formation, most likely from the lava that flowed here once before. The pool was surrounded by trees with palm like leaves, glowing crystals that resembled the shapes of fruit, they consisted of a soft orange like glow. A large congregated area of them seemed to more put together toward the back out of the way of the pool where I saw a hot tub. Above us were crystals with a tourmaline hue to them for color.
Quickly did I see my friends to the side. Frisk and Undyne were already fully in the water and splashing each other. Papyrus was only a few feet away leaping in and creating a large cannon ball to splash even the giggling Alphys who hung out on the steps of the pool. I'd never seen the skeleton in so little clothing as he rushed around in a set of orange trucks that were almost tied to his bones it seemed like. Sans on the other hand was casually relaxing over in the hot tub I could see, his cheekbones coated in a light blue coloring from the heat of it all. He almost looked like he was asleep.
My sister was quick to see me and motion me to the water. "Come on in Sis! The water's really warm!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming." I waved her off while I carefully made my way over. The water below my feet made me feet slightly more off balance compared to the rougher rocks on the outer edge. I saw Alphys and Sans both glue their eyes to me as I carefully made my way over. The two of them always fretted over me whenever it seemed like I was struggling, ready to interject and help if needed.
Using my left arm, I grabbed onto the railing in the middle of the stairs that descended into the water. Carefully, I stepped in; setting myself in the water by Alphys within her reach to grab me if anything. As soon as the water came above my chest, I felt more stable then I had in months. The water carried more of my weight then I did and when half of my remaining arm was under the water, I felt more… normal then I had in a long time…
"H-how d-do you f-feel, A-angel?"
I looked up at the little lizard woman, unable to resist the smile that was on my face. "I haven't felt this much in control in a long time…"
"Y-you s-should t-try to s-swim a-a bit. I-it might h-help. B-But! D-don't t-try and dive j-just y-yet. F-floating s-should b-be okay…"
Nodding to her, I lifted my legs in the water to allow myself to float, water instantly trying to gather in my ears. "I promise not to go too far, until I know what I can do, I'm not going toward the deep end, okay?"
"S-sounds good."
Just floating for a while was very peaceful. With my head dipped partly below the water, the sounds around me became much number, dulled in both volume and intensity. I could feel the ripples of the water move as the others played. It was nice to know they were all having a great time, even after everything that had happened to us all.
After a few moments of floating, I felt my soul being tugged on. It caused me to force my eyes open and I felt my slow movement in the water had stopped. I could see I had managed to float only a few feet away from Alphys, but I was moving quite close to the wall of the pool. I could see her gaze on me before it gazed back to where the hot tub was located and the dim glow of blue was all I needed to see before I noticed Sans release my soul.
It didn't look like he was getting much of a day off with him constantly watching me… I'd have to sit with him for a bit so he could rest.
But I wasn't ready in those moments. I wanted to swim yet, see even if I had only my one arm, I could still move about.
Reaching back behind me to grab the wall, I pulled back my legs in preparation to launch. With a quick release of my single hand, I kicked off the wall and shot forward into the water. Below the water it was fuzzy in my vision, cloudy without a set of goggles to assist me. Regardless, I could still see the colors and shapes of my friends. Frisk was green, Undyne was yellow, while Papyrus was orange and white.
My legs still had the same power, the kick to them kept me moving as I struggled to use my single arm in swimming. I began with a breath stroke, using my legs more than anything while I figured out my arm. Then as I met the top of the water's surface, I switched to a freestyle stroke, something that I could still easily do, so long as I turned to the left side to breath.
I decided a few laps like that wouldn't hurt me. As soon as I approached a wall, I grabbed it in order to pull my legs back in to kick off again and start anew. When even those laps seemed to be going well, I attempted then to do a turn at a wall, the one that required me to dive underwater and spin. I hadn't done one in years, but what a better time than any to practice?
Taking a few moments to just practice the spin itself, I had to get my bearings about me as I attempted to dive and turn under water, and remember when to stand up. Then do it again on repeat until the dizziness left me. Kind of like when I needed to be teleported an incredible number of times before I no longer was dizzy when traveling with Sans. Especially since we did it on a nearly daily basis.
Then I began my laps again. Those laps the second time around went faster as I didn't need to change direction, only flip.
I had no idea how long it was that I was doing this exercise for, not until I saw a flash of yellow enter my vision. At seeing the bright color, I knew it was Undyne and I was quick to stop. Slowly floating to the surface, I carefully stood in the water and glanced at the female who merely grinned at me.
"Damn, Punk! I never knew ya had such stamina!" She laughed deeply at me, throwing back her head in motion, then leading me out of the pool. "But Al says ya need to get some food and water in ya, so time for lunch."
I simply shrugged at the woman. "Okay, was I down for long?"
"Y-you were s-swimming f-for at l-least a-an hour." Alphys spoke up from where I saw the others sitting and eating already. All of them were just starting their meal while two spots were left for Undyne and myself. "Y-you n-need to st-stay hydrated."
"And ya better eat before the mighty terror eats it all!"
I couldn't resister the giggle that escaped me as Sans set up a plate for me between him and Frisk. The eager young girl easily was eating up much of what we had before us. The two skeleton males watched my sister intently to make sure she didn't take any of my food, not that I ever dreamed she would unless she didn't know.
Taking my place beside them, I slowly began to eat at my meal along with my friends while Frisk was quick to inhale hers. With little regard to the fact that she literally just inhaled her food, she headed back toward the water.
"Excuse me?!"
The tone I used froze my sister as she had just lowered her first foot into the water. She turned back at me with wide eyes while mine stayed narrow at her.
"No. Out of the water."
"WHAT?!" Frisk was quick to pout, upset by the events. "No fair!"
"You need to allow the food you just sucked up to digest there, dear sister." She shied under my gaze. "I will not have a repeat of the three-pie incident. You'll just puke up your entire stomach into the pool. You need to stay out of the water and wait."
"Awe…" Frisk was quick to sulk as she sat back down by the edge of the pool. She allowed her toes into the water while she carefully watched my gaze. She knew what signs to watch for when she'd pushed my buttons too far.
"Oh! We could take her to the game room after this!" Papyrus eagerly cheered, already halfway through the sandwich he'd packed for himself. A meatball sub of course… "That would not put us in the water, but this way we could still play some less active games until our food settles! Could we do that, Frisk?"
"Oh yeah!" My sister's sour mood was instantly curbed. "I'll meet you there!"
"Oh- Wait Frisk! Wait for me!"
Papyrus took one large chop of his sandwich, eating it almost whole, wiped his digits and teeth with a napkin, before racing after the girl who was his best friend.
The rest of us were a mixture of laughter and sighs as we watched them leave. Undyne seemed to pay special attention to their departure. There was a surprising tender look to her eye as she watched them. She carefully turned back around and faced the remainder of her food.
"I'm so glad that Pap found a really good friend like her." She set her cheek into her hand while playing with her food, distracted slightly. "I can't help but admit I was worried for him for a while. Seemed like the only friends he had was me and Sans."
"It just took a while for everyone to just understand how wonderful he was, that's all." I smiled at Undyne while trying to get at my food. All of my bits were made much smaller than normal so I could pick it up with a single hand. My left side coordination was still a work in progress, even after all the time I'd been working on it.
"Yeah, your right." With a slurp of her drink, Undyne had finished all of her meal before she stood by Alphys' side. The lizard woman was also done at that moment. "You ready to head to some of those massage rooms, Al?"
"O-oh! Y-yes!" Alphys was quick to eat the remains of her chips, then standing with her.
"And where are you two heading off to?"
Alphys almost jumped a foot in the air as she realized that Sans and I were right there. The screech that came from her startled her so much that she dove behind Undyne, not expecting it. Sans snickered at this behind his hand. I hit him on the shoulder to hush him.
"Al and I were gonna check out the message rooms." Undyne was quick to say, ignoring the looks that Sans gave her. "She'd mentioned that she'd been stiff a while and never had a massage, so I told her we could go together. We'll be over in those private rooms for a bit."
"I-I h-hope you d-don't mind…" Alphys quickly noted from her spot by Undyne's side.
I quickly waved them off. "Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. Go on and enjoy yourselves."
"Yeah, Angel and I'll be fine." Sans grinned at the two of them. "Knot a problem."
Instantly I snickered, unable to stay quiet during any of Sans' punning.
"O-oh god!" Alphys giggled and it was all of two seconds before Undyne grabbed the little yellow woman, sneered at Sans, before rushing out the door.
Sans turned back to me quickly. "I guess I should know better than to pressure my luck."
"Sans!" My snickers turned to laughter as he kept me captivated. The room echoed with my laughed while Sans watched on in satisfaction.
"Alright, once ya finish up, let's check out that sauna room."
"Oh? Sure." Having a quick drink of my water, I glanced back over at him. "You won't mind if later on I could come back and have some more practice in the water?"
"Sure," I heard Sans pause for a moment. It almost sounded like he wished to ask me another question, but he held back. I glanced over at him; his eye lights were cast to the table.
"You wanted to ask me why, didn't you?"
"Ya don't gotta answer."
"…I don't mind sharing with you." Setting down my bottle, I glanced out to the pool where the water was calm, unlike before when we were all swimming or playing. "I've never felt so normal then since I stepped in. The water helps with my balance, I haven't been able to move so much in almost two months."
"I figured." Sans glanced back at me for a moment. He didn't say another word as we sat there; the air became stiff and quiet. It was incredibly strange…
"Why don't we go and check out that sauna room?"
"Sounds good."
Sans and I threw away our trash before we walked down the hallways that led to the sauna. It was a rare time where Sans didn't teleport. I could only assume he was doing as such since he didn't know exactly where it was located then.
Within a few minutes, we'd arrived at our destination. Sans popped open the door and a wave of heat blasted out at us. It was humid, suffocating so. I continued to follow the skeleton until we both were situated inside and the door closed behind us. Sans was quick to grab a seat to the side. He set himself right behind the steaming rocks that provided the moisture for the location. I took a seat only a couple feet beside him. Sans was more apt to liking the heat them myself. However, to satisfy the worried skeleton I decided to sit with him, even if only for a short while.
As we sat there and let the heat take over, I watch my roommate cast a careful eye light over in my direction. He glanced at me, starting with the ever-missing arm. I would notice he'd do that every so often to see how I was reacting to a situation.
I tried my best to relax, even with his intense stare upon me.
"Yer bruisin'."
His random comment caused me to jump. "Excuse me?"
"Yer abdomen." My friend's boney fingers reached over quickly, but gently, to show the skin that was hidden below the extra layer of fabric that stuck to me. He'd quickly kneeled before me, pulling it back enough and stunning me in the process.
It had all happened so quickly that I hadn't been able to act fast enough.
Sans' phalanges rubbed over the skin, seeing the extent of the 'damage' before he pulled back and some of the cover up had come off on him. The concealer I could see from this angle was a shade or two off from my own pale skin tone, making it look darker than my own color. He stared at it for a moment, confused by it before he glanced at me in silence. He noticed my stunned features and froze himself.
"Angel?"
"…It's cover up…" A shaky breath left me as I tried to calm my nerves. Out of all the people who could have found out, Sans was actually the best one I could have prayed for, even if it was still hard to fathom talking about.
A boney brow was raised in question. "Cover up?"
"Make up… to hide the scars…" I was difficult to suppress the clenching of my fingers at my side. "From him…"
"…shit."
His instant goal was to retreat from me, knowing he'd crossed a line. He'd gotten his feet under him before I moved. Prior to him attempting to push off the ground, my hand latched onto his wrist to prevent him from leaving the spot before me. In response, his sockets widened. His eye lights glanced at me in surprise, unsure of how to respond as I held him there.
"…don't."
"Angel?"
"I don't like talking about it… but…" The shaky breaths I breathed in helped little with how much my heart was pounding in those moments from nerves. "I… I think I should tell you…"
I'd never talked about this with a single soul, not even Frisk. She was the absolute last person I would ever want to know about what happened to me. It was unfortunate when she found me that day after a round with my uncle, yet I had little choice with how significant the wound was on me at the time.
"… he'd only been… with us for a couple of weeks." I began the tale softly, watching my words carefully as I told the one person I wasn't entirely opposed with knowing that knowledge. "He drank… as you know. He drank a lot… led to a lot of… ugly nights. I… I think… he always loved my mother… hated that my father was the one she chose. Took it out on us. I… I look just like she did…"
"So, he hurt ya cuz ya looked like the woman who left 'im behind?" Sans' sockets quickly flared, his right eye vanishing and the left turning its rich blue color. "That's sick."
Sucking in a deep breath, my single remaining hand that held his own gripped tighter as my nerves twitched. "I know… but… he's gone now… he can't hurt me again… but…"
I brought our combined hands to my stomach. My entire chest was covered in an incredibly large scar that began at my breast and came down like a slash to my opposite hip. As much as I hated that Frisk even knew somewhat about it, if she hadn't been there, I would have died…
"Ya don't want others ta know. Makes sense." Sans' socket glanced at my abdomen. His second hand stopped just short of pulling back the edges of my suit to see just how much skin I had covered with the concealer.
"…Go on. Take a look."
He quickly narrowed his socket in disapproval. "Angel-"
"It's okay." Sucking back in another enormous breath of air to assist in steeling my nerves, I nodded to him slowly. "You… you're the only one I trust with this…"
Sans took a few moments to process that, thinking briefly on my words before I watched him reach to pull back part of the loose material of the suit I wore. Quickly did he see how the scar started on the right side of my hip, as that was where the makeup began to hide under the edge of the swim suit. It sharply cut upwards over the center of my stomach before reaching up to my left breast. Just barely could Sans see how I'd used some of the makeup on just above the edge of the suit, to cover all edges of the scars.
"Is it really that large?"
"…yes."
"…why didn't ya just heal yerself? Prevent the scar from formin'?"
"Couldn't… it was a bad wound… I had to… ask Frisk for help. I kept my shirt on so she wouldn't know how bad it was. The two of us together kept me from bleeding out, but the scar never left…"
The heated breath I saw leave Sans showed just how angered he was with that statement. If my uncle had still been alive that day, I knew the skeleton would have had it out for him if we ever escaped the underground. The way his glowing eye pulsed with magic, in absolute fury, it should have made me shiver in fear or worry. However, it did the exact opposite. I felt…safe, protected and cared for as I saw his emotions.
Not in nearly six years had I met someone that cared about me that much… it was comforting…
"Well shit." Sans sighed and leaned back a bit, bracing himself off of my leg. He flashed me a nervous grin. "Guess that means I gotta tell ya about my single eye, huh?"
"Wha-" I blinked, utterly startled by his words. "Sans, you don't have to-"
"Relax, Precious." Sans chuckled, his grip on my leg felt stronger. "I've… been wantin' ta tell ya for a while now… just wasn't sure when was the best time. I know ya won't say nothin'."
Sans stood up then. He resumed in his previous spot beside me where he looked strait at the door rather than my own startled expression. He stayed silent a few moments longer before he dared to speak. The subject obviously was stressful for him or he wouldn't have bothered with it or ignored it entirely.
"I was twelve when it happened." The first words that came out of him was much more like a sigh then otherwise. "I was helpin' Dad in the labs, workin' on a defense mechanism ta protect the core's power source at the time. I'd gone after school with Dad. Grillbz and Sara were watchin' Pap. Some newbie had broken the system, playin' with its settin's. Dad was pissed at the time. I still remember just how much he swore that day, it was damn funny as he tried to re-write the code."
I watched Sans lean back then against the wall of the sauna. His expression seemed emotionless, even as he chuckled at the memories that I knew passed before his eye lights. Ignoring the fact that I was there for a few moments, Sans relished in his old memories that made him content with his family.
"Dad hadn't even gotten through half of it before the machine sounded off an alarm. A secondary programin' kicked in that deemed Dad and I humans and tried ta have us eliminated. My, uh… teleportin' wasn't up ta snuff back then. Dad had grabbed me, tryin' ta keep us both safe while tacklin' the code. He teleported every time a laser came at us, then went back ta write some more with me under his arm." He snorted a laugh. "Couldn't help that I was a bit startled. All I could was hang."
Even his non-funny jokes normally made me laugh, but that time was an exception. I gave him a deadpan look. "Darling, that was pathetic and you know it."
"Eh, I tried." He merely shrugged at me. Sans unconsciously reached his hand up to the socket that no longer held a glowing eye. He covered it with his hand, his grin fading from his face. Sans was too lost in the memories to notice that he wasn't wearing a smile anymore. "But uh… the machine was catchin' up with the speed of Dad's teleportin'. Just as he finished writing the new code, the defense shot out a final beam that shot right into m'eye. It was a mess, cracks around my skull, Dad was freakin' out as I bled all over the place. Had ta go ta an advanced healer for extensive magic. Took about a week ta get me somewhat back ta normal, but… damage was done. Haven't seen outta this socket for fourteen years. Never will again."
I struggled to hold back the sharp breath of air I sucked in in surprised. "Sans…"
"S'alright. I've adapted. Still got one good eye left." His single eye that remained glanced away from me. "Paps only know cuz Dad told 'im. Sides, I hate it when others fret over me. None of their business 'bout it."
"You're right." Before I could say much more, I felt my body giving into the heat and I myself was burning up. I needed to leave before I was roasted alive. "I need to head back out into the pool before I faint from this heat. Meet you back out there?"
"Yeah, I'm comin'." Sans was quick to stand, not willing to leave me alone in my condition.
That day was a good one for us, more secrets were exposed that I felt were safe with Sans. I knew he'd never tell a soul. He was the only one I could trust with all of my secrets, and perhaps soon enough, I'd tell him my biggest one yet.
One day, when I was ready to reveal exactly who I was to him, I knew that Sans would be the only one who wouldn't outright kill me for being a very descendent of the family that locked his kind away.
That I had been the heir of the Terians household… one of the seven houses that ruled the magical world above…
Witch's Note:
Ooo! Lots of secrets came out in this chapter folks! Isn't that great! And look at the healing relationship of Angel and Sans? Still Angel's recovering and its going to be a while before she's entirely normal, but, ya know!
Oh, and I hope that everyone's ready for the next chapter! I've given a hint about it here and there, but it covers a lot of the future arcs coming up! Hold onto your seats cuz you all gonna need it!
But now, onto reviews!:
Mystic Boy: My lord… (I sigh and turn to Mystic Girl) Why in the world does he want to kill everyone? I thought I told you to tell him to cool it? Now he's going after other readers?
Mystic Girl: I did tell him to cool it, but you do remember Chaos' little rampage right?
Me: Rampage? You mean the brutal honesty where he spoke about how you are? Both of you?
Mystic Girl: Yes that. I guess we should tell him that Chaos apologized at least.
Me: Oh, we'll be getting that, don't you worry. (Glaring at my best friend)
RoseCentury: Sometimes no news is good news. Rose Sometimes it means that nothing bad is happening in the world or in your life! But excited to hear more from you, no worries!
Thechaosmaster: Another super long review! And this time its massive piles of apologies?! (I glare down upon my best friend after reading the letter multiple times) Do you have anything to say for yourself? He has Aspergers! And is autistic! He's just like my little brother!
(Mystic Girl shrinks away from me as I'm near shaking with my rage and she's just plain guilty at what she's done.)
Me: Well?!
Mystic Girl: I'm sorry! When someone says something like that, it hurts! I'm sorry! (Under her breath) Bitch.
Me: (I raise my eye brow) I know better then to think that's directed at anyone else but me, right?
Mystic Girl: Duh!
Me: But there is no need to raise a right flag. And I appreciate taking the time to talk about our souls! Really intriguing to hear what soul type you think we have!
Not A Shady Guy: So happy you're enjoying these chapters Shady! Oh, it was hell to write them, but I'd like to think they've come across well. Angel is slowly overcoming the suffering she went through and building her relationship back up with Sans, but it has its own ups and downs because of what's happened. The guilt, the pain, the memories that haunt them. Things that they still have to keep dealing with… well everything…
Oh boy, here we go! Hoping to this year being a good one and I hope you all are enjoying the second half of the story just as good as the first! Don't forget to leave comments and review! Mystic Girl and I really appreciate them all! Love you! See you next week!
And next week is gonna be fun.
Halloween Witch
