"SANS!"
The smaller skeleton stuck his skull out of his bedroom, left hand rubbing the tears of his face. The last RESET had been a doozy. Pap had gotten hurt just before the sixth human had come through. They'd gotten killed like always, and then that weird flower asked to stay with Sans for a bit. He couldn't think of a reason to say no, so for about two weeks he had a roommate. Then Pap had been dusted in the hospital because of a mistake in his medicine. Sans had been deep in grief. Then he woke up back here.
"yeah, bro?"
"I'M GOING TO PICK UP SOME MORE OF YOUR SMOOTHIES. WHAT FLAVORS DO YOU WANT?"
Okay. They were back at the beginning, it seemed. That was nice. He didn't have to keep track of a new variation.
"can i have some strawberry?"
"OF COURSE, BROTHER! ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT USUALLY WANT THAT FLAVOR. IS SOMETHING WRONG?"
Crud. He wasn't supposed to ask for strawberry until next week. But he really wanted that comfort that came with drinking the first flavor his big sib had given him.
"nah. just feel like it."
Downstairs, Sans thought he saw Papyrus wince, and then radiate sympathy. He must have imagined it, because the next second Pappy was smiling like he always did.
"OKAY. PLEASE TRY NOT TO FALL ASLEEP AT YOUR STATION WHILE I'M GONE. I DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH YOUR WEIRD SICK TASTE BUDS."
Sans grinned. He always did that today, despite Pap's warning.
"I'll try, bro. no promises."
Papyrus sighed. He always did. Then he walked over to the door and-
Hesitated. He never hesitated, but Sans had messed up, so it could happen.
"YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING, RIGHT?"
Sans' sockets widened, "of course. me too."
Papyrus smiled his usual smile, "GOOD. HAVE A NICE DAY!"
And with that, he was gone, leaving Sans to wonder what about asking for strawberry had made his brother change.
Chara rubbed their eyes with their free hand as Papyrus dragged them down the night-dark hallway. He'd sworn them to silence before they left the room. He hasn't brought Asriel, probably because the needy crybaby would have whined and protested all the way. He had something to show them and nothing would do but they hurry right now to go see it.
Their little brother came to a sudden stop outside the living room. He held a finger to his mouth. They nodded. Then both of them leaned in and listened hard.
"I don't know what it could be, Tori. We've tried everything we could think of to tempt him, but he won't open his mouth for anything. He won't eat, and he's wasting away."
Chara's eyes went wide. They turned to Papyrus, who just looked so sad. Her loved his little brother, even if the toddler was a smiley trashbag who never cried. He must be worried sick about him.
"I have called the doctor; she believes it may be a problem with his jaw. Apparently it runs in the family. She grew up with the Revenants - two of their three children died from the condition. It would also explain why he does not make much noise. He is in constant pain such that he would not like to speak. She is amazed he has lived this long."
"Is there nothing we can do for him?" Their dad sounded heartbroken.
"I am afraid not."
Papyrus looked about to cry. Chara felt angry. How dare they give up so easily? She could think of a dozen foods from the surface that Sans would still be able to eat. That wasn't even including baby food.
They were so mad that they forgot themself enough to storm into the living room. Their parents started at them with open mouths. Sans was in Asgore's left arm. The other was holding a big piece of cheese. Toriel stood to his left. She had the barest hint of tears in her eyes. Their little brother had followed them in. He stopped tugging on their arm when he realised they'd been spotted.
"There are lots of human foods that he can eat. If you put magic in them like you do my chocolate, then he'll be fine."
Their dad's face lifted in hope. Papyrus' excitement radiated into their back. Their mom's expression was more mixed.
"I should be scolding you for eavesdropping right now, children. However, if what you say is true, I shall have to thank you. Please explain what foods you mean."
Chara's cleared their throat, their confidence vanishing. Mom sounded mad, and nothing good ever came from an adult being mad.
"Chara," they turned to their father, who looked much less intimidating, especially considering that Sans was drooling blue magic all over his shirt, "Please. We need your help."
The thought of helping their family be safe and healthy- it filled them with determination.
"There's a thing on the surface called baby food. You can put just about anything in it, but then you blend it up until it's liquid. Then recently they started putting it in squeezable pouch thingies. That way you don't need a spoon. You can also do the same thing with fruits and sugar and juice and stuff. Then you drink it out of a straw- a really narrow tube of plastic. That's called a smoothie."
They heaved in a huge breath, having spoken the whole speech without pausing. When they opened their eyes, both Mom and Dad were staring at them.
"I do not know about this blending action you speak of. Is there a specific device involved?"
Chara smiled and nodded, "It's likes a big cup with a lid, only the bottom has a small, round set of blades that spin really fast and chop everything up really, really small."
"Hmm," Toriel looked thoughtful, "I believe I might have seen something like that in the garbage dump. Perhaps our Royal Scientist can make it work?"
Papyrus, speaking for the first time since the two had come into the room, clapped and smiled wide.
"UNCLE GATHTER! HE'LL HELP. HE LIKETH THANTH!"
Toriel smiled down at him, "Oh he does, does he? Then I am sure he will put all his energy into building this," she sighed, her expression growing slightly peeved, "He usually does."
Chara giggled. Gaster was a common subject of their mom's rants. Apparently he didn't take care of himself, was super messy, and very scatterbrained. But he was also a brilliant Scientist and super fond of kids. He'd figured out how to make chocolate grow Underground when he'd heard they liked it.
"We shall have to make a trip to see him tomorrow."
Asgore nodded. Chara was secretly pleased to see him nuzzle Sans gently. Dad was happy, and Sans really liked it too. He would nudge Asgore back even in his sleep. It was adorable.
"In the meantime, you two must go back to bed. You will need all your energy tomorrow, so a good night's rest is important. And do not think I have forgiven you for eavesdropping. We shall talk about it in the morning."
Chara and Papyrus both hung their heads.
"YETH, MITH TORIEL," Papyrus answered. Chara just nodded. Her new little brother hadn't sat through one of Mom's lectures yet. He had no idea what he was in for. They did.
The whole walk back to their room, Papyrus alternated between skipping and giggling, then hushing himself and acting really nervous. It was kinda funny. He was clearly so excited that his brother was going to be okay, but also worried about the lecture tomorrow. They doubted he'd be able to sleep.
Once they got into their room, Chara helped their little brother climb into his bed. Once he was settled, if vibrating slightly, they climbed up the brand-new bunk bed above Asriel and buried under the covers. They liked being under the covers. It felt safe.
Silence ruled the crowded bedroom for the few minutes it took for Mom and Dad to finish talking and head off to bed. Everyone breathed in the darkness just a little bit longer- just to be sure. Nothing happened.
"Alright Paps. Now will you tell me what you needed Chara for?"