"uh-huh, yeah it's no problem, nah don't worry mrs. darren, sam can borrow some of sandra's clothes, oh uh-" Sans blinked, perplexed, and removed the phone from the side of his skull to stare at it. "...she hung up on me."

Sam winced at his mother's usual curtness, not for the first time wishing she wasn't quite so businesslike in every aspect of her life. "Sorry."

Sans took a look at him and sighed, somewhat disgruntled, turning to speak to Frisk, "i'd say you owe me 'cause you know i hate phonecalls but, uh, that was pretty damn short so... one sleepover with an imaginary classmate all set up and ready to go." he addressed the last part to Sam with an mischievous smirk, which Frisk returned with full enthusiasm in Sam's stead.

For his part, the boy opted for a grateful smile. "Thanks again for letting me stay the night, Mr. Sans."

Sans seemed to choke on something between a laugh and a protesting remark, scratching at his cheekbone sheepishly, "i told ya, kid, you don't gotta call me that, i really prefer just sans."

Sam's smile widened a smidgen, "Alright then, Mr. Just Sans." he replied with a look of perfected innocent obliviousness that couldn't possibly be anything but faked. Sans narrowed his eyes for a moment before he started chuckling.

"not bad, kid."

Any further further conversation was halted by the sound of the front door opening as well as–

"SANS, IM HOME! I HOPE TO DEAR STARS THAT YOU FINALLY PICKED UP THAT SOCK!"

–that.

Sam watched bewildered as another skeleton entered the apartment, just about bursting with energy and volume. He was busying himself at the entrance, setting down a bag and an umbrella

"OH, I MADE A LITTLE HUMAN FRIEND TODAY! I THINK I'LL BRING HER SOME OF MY SPAGHETTI– OH? "

"hey bro. frisk brought a friend over, his name's sam. do you mind if he stays overnight?" Sans asked, although it was mostly a formality since he knew exactly how his brother would react to such a request.

"WELL OF COURSE! GUESTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME, ESPECIALLY ANY FRIEND OF A FRIEND. HELLO HUMAN, I AM THE GREAT PAPYRUS! IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU." he grinned broadly at Sam, "YOU'LL BOTH BE STAYING FOR DINNER, THEN?"

Sam hesitantly nodded, but stopped when he saw Frisk shake their head. They would've loved to stay, but their mom would be expecting them for dinner. Papyrus nodded in understanding and only a little disappointment.

Meanwhile the situation was starting to really dawn on Sam. It felt like water, a sea, endless and up too his chin, just ready to rise. Frisk would have to leave soon. And then he'd be alone, staying overnight with two strange adults, monsters even. This was a terrible idea, why had he even agreed to–

He felt a bony hand on his shoulder, "LITTLE HUMAN, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"

Sam looked up into twin, very concerned sockets and couldn't help but compare them to Sans'. They were much smaller, the lights in them tiny and invisible at a distance, but they also seemed much more expressive, radiating worry and confusion.

"I... sorry, I'm just... nervous- worried? I'm- I don't know..."

"WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT?"

"I... I..." his fists clenched, bunching up the ugly, nauseating dress and when he looked up there was nothing but sincere concern in those weirdly expressive eyesockets and the overwhelming feeling that had been building up since this morning, a sea of worries (his mom, the dress, the looks, the impromptu takeoff with Frisk, the strangers, a night away), suddenly retreated from his chin.

It gathered.

It crested.

It fell.

There were tears in his eyes, on his cheeks, on his chin and the world became blurry as his legs felt like they would never hold him anymore. Through gradually increasing sobs he barely noticed the two pairs of arms around him, distinctly different in feel and size.

He wasn't really sure how long he spent sobbing his soul out, but by the time he calmed down he realized he'd been gripping Papyrus' shirt while he crouched on the ground, leaving the poor, very tall skeleton in what looked like a rather awkward sitting position to try and accommodate him.

Sam's face flushed with embarrassment and a fair bit of shame. "Oh god no, I'm so sorry Mr. Papyrus, I... I can't..." he felt almost on he verge of tears once again, this was just great.

"THERE'S NO NEED TO BE SORRY, LITTLE ONE. YOU OBVIOUSLY HAD SOMETHING TO CRY ABOUT, SO IT'S GOOD THAT YOU DID."

Sam looked up, ignoring the ache induced by the movement, "But- but you're a total stranger and I don't- I shouldn't- I'm not even a little kid anymore–!"

"WE'RE NOT STRANGERS." Papyrus cut in, though not unkindly, tilting his head with a smile, "YOU KNOW MY NAME AND I KNOW YOURS. BESIDES THERE'S NO SHAME IN CRYING, NO MATTER HOW OLD YOU ARE. RIGHT, SANS?"

"right bro." came sans' voice from somewhere behind him.

And Sam simply took a moment to marvel at the sheer, sincere wonder that was Papyrus. He looked down, cheeks still a little pink and muttered an almost inaudible "Okay."

It was after the tall skeleton stood up and headed to the kitchen with his brother, though not before smiling at Sam one last time and patting his head, that he realized that Frisk's arms were still wrapped around him from behind. A small smile tugged at his lips as he gently placed a hand on top of theirs.

"...I think you've been dethroned, Frisk."

Their arms tightened around him in askance.

"I think Papyrus is the nicest person I've ever met."

He could feel Frisk's shoulders shake as they giggled in delight.

AN:

well that escalated quickly

oops