A-n-B: The deed is done! Enjoy!

Part 5: Magnetic

...

Wind swirled around Frisk's crouched form, whipping golden petals around and up towards the sky.

She felt energy building in her chest, felt heat throughout her skin. It was reminiscent of Sans' beautiful blue magic.

But this was warmer, familiar, blazing a gorgeous renewing red.

Frisk stood warily, tendrils of cascading magic encapsulating her entire form and licking the air around her. She was powerful, she was rejuvenated.

She had a purpose.

With a wide confident grin she set herself to the task at hand.

Maybe it was instinct or perhaps spending the better half of the week around magic wielding circus folk, regardless a dormant wisdom took control of her actions.

That instinct willed the image of the circus in her mind's eye, its huge big top, the flowing tapestries and labrynthed booths. She envisioned BurgerPants and Guy chatting idly, Undyne barking orders with a timid Alphys at her side, happy chatter, people passing in and out of view...Sans sitting at the Guest Information booth, talking to faceless people.

A wave of heat and energy shot through her and suddenly she was pulled through what felt like space and time and straight to the scene she had been envisioning.

Sans gaped at her from his seat.

The coiling heat of magic that spread through her limbs started to fade, breath calming down with each exhale.

They both stared at each other, Sans speechless for probably the first time in his life and Frisk truly proud for the first in hers.

Sans quickly turned back to the faceless patrons, pointing vaguely at the maps in their hands, before getting flustered and snapping his fingers, magic encapsulating the two figures, then with a light tap with his hands upon their heads they were gone.

He hastily started towards her, "what are you doing here Frisk?"

"What are any of us doing here really?" She snidely responded, poking fun at her companion.

His blue eyes were wary, hands hovering uncertainly, as he took in the woman before him. She was practically glowing in the most spectacular way, "where did this magic come from?"

"I...I think it's my sister's," Frisk's voice was hushed before a more important revelation hit her, "Sans! I have him. I have Papyrus!"

A brief blip of betrayal spread across his face before being replaced by the most gorgeous smile the brown haired girl had ever seen.

"I had it, we had it, the whole time," Tears welled in her eyes as she shakily held out the locket, looping it around her head to give it to the ecstatic, if still mildly disbelieving, Sans.

The moment the locket had traded hands Frisk felt the magic completely leave her. The thrumming pulse had vanished instantly and her feet felt more firmly planted on the ground.

"but...how?" Sans breathed, "i had opened it before, there was just a picture." He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts, "we have to get this to gaster."

Frisk nodded in agreements as she held out her hand, already prepared for Sans' preferred traveling method.

He automatically gripped her digits in his, a small tremor coursing through his appendage before settling down as he focused his magic.

With a deep breath they were in Gaster's trailer, tall figure perched busily in the corner.

-Don't you know how to knock?- Gaster signed dismissively, -Or are you here to fight some more?-

He had finally turned around, slightly surprised to see Sans wasn't alone.

The tall male's right hand went to his chest and made a circular motion, -Sorry, I wasn't expecting you so soon.- His lips turned into a pleasant smile.

Frisk nodded, -I found Chara.- She signed, Sans sputtered.

"wait, you what?" Sans sounded offended. Frisk shot him a silencing glare.

"How else would I have her magic?" She responded.

The blue eyed male gave a nondescript shrug. "beats me, didn't even know she had magic."

-Join the club.- Gaster signed. Apparently he was fairly decent at reading lips, -Now may I have the necklace that has been giving us so much trouble?-

Sans gently gave the item to his superior, Gaster taking it with the utmost care. A soft smile filled out his features.

-She really was a strange girl.- He signed before prying the object open.

The two encased souls floated before Gaster's scarred race.

-Sans,- Gaster signed slowly, focus still on the two glimmering hearts before him. -I need you to leave.-

-what?!- He signed back, indignant, -i'm not going anywhere.-

-Frisk and I have to discuss a matter that doesn't involve your -.- Gaster began, but Sans promptly intervened.

-this is my brother you're talking about!- He interrupted, eyes blazing.

-Which makes you too invested in the outcome of Frisk's decision.- Gaster attempted to reason.

-i'm invested regardless, so it's a little late for your concern.- the shorter male scoffed.

Frisk waved her hand to catch their attention, clearing her throat for Sans' benefit.

The two stopped squabbling and gave her their undivided, albeit limited, attention.

-Whatever you have to say to me, you can say to him.- Frisk stated with a reassuring smile.

Sans practically lit up, triumphant.

Gaster shrugged. -Don't say I didn't warn you.-

Frisk found herself taking a step closer to her light haired companion, needing his immediate presence for comfort.

Gaster lightly flicked the floating hearts around, causing them to twirl like a spinning top. He eyed them curiously.

-I'll be honest with you both, I am not confident that what must be done will work.- Gaster continued, letting out a brief sigh. -But we do have some options.-

Gaster continued, eyes watching the two dancing souls fondly, -Frisk, from what I can gather and from what you say, it seems that your sister was in possession of magic, but unable to use it.-

Sans scoffed -would've put her to work if she could've-

Gaster nodded, -especially since we're always so short handed around here...-

Sans glared, -gaster no.-

The latter waved off his subordinate's comment, -Right, sorry, back to the matter at...hand.-

Frisk let out a sigh, how did anything get down around here? -Your point being?-

Gaster appeared to be whipping away a few mirthful tears, -Would you two lighten up? The point being that somehow, Chara possessed magic that she couldn't use, and somehow you are able to use magic that you do not possess."

There was a pause before Gaster continued, straightening himself in his seat -In our current predicament, you are a huge asset Frisk. What with us being surrounded with immeasurable untapped magic.-

-How do you figure?- Frisk asked skeptically. She was having difficulty processing the information.

-Because you and I are the same.- Gaster smiled, eyes and scars crinkling together.

Frisk didn't find that comforting in the least.

-you saying you don't have magic boss?- Sans quipped, a brief flitter of surprise before letting out a chuckle, -always knew you were a fraud.-

Gaster shrugged with a snide grin, -You never bothered to ask.-

-So what does that mean exactly?- Frisk signed hesitantly.

Gaster's smile turned kind, -It means you have options like I said.-

He breathed in pushing the slowly twirling crimson soul towards Frisk's slight form.

Frisk could barely breath.

-You've been tapping into the magic in Papyrus' soul, and though it was unknowingly done, it is at its limit. But Chara's on the other hand...- Gaster continued, gesturing for Frisk to take the offered floating heart.

It was warm and fluttering, spinning and turning of its own accord. An elegant hand cradled the soul kindly, bringing it to Frisk's tight chest.

Breathing came easier.

-That's a soul determined to accomplish something.- Gaster stated finally. -A strength like that is enough to put us out of business.-

A quiet gasp escaped Sans, -you saying what i think ya are gaster?-

He smiled, crossing his long legs, -Well that would be up to Frisk here.-

Their focus was aimed pointedly at the confused female.

-So what say you? You could release Chara's soul, let it fade into non existence like the hundreds we see everyday, into obscurity and nothingness or...-

-Or?- Frisk prompted quietly.

-we could harness that magic, we could free everyone here.- Sans continued, vaguely understanding the severity of this new power.

He and Frisk connected glances, there was a pleading behind those light blues that almost crushed her heart in the process.

'...I wish I had been useful...' Her sister's words practically echoed inside her head.

A small smile graced her pink lips. This was a no brainier.

-Let's do it.- She felt her heart swell in tandem to an increased beating coming from her sister's soul. Elation spread through her body as the idea set.

Sans could hardly contain himself in an uncharacteristic display of eccentricity, scooping Frisk up in a large embrace, spinning them momentarily as Frisk let out a sharp keen, trying to protect the precious soul tucked into her chest. She was smiling just as brightly.

He brought her back down to solid ground, slicking a hand through his disheveled locks, "er right," he stated, embarrassed, his facade turning cool again, the epitome of indifference, "imma go get everyone going on this."

Another shot of excitement ran through him, forcing him to bring his forehead to Frisk's, sharing a sweet embrace, eyes closed, smiles wide, a large hand ruffling her brown hair endearingly.

"you sure?" Sans breathed, opening his eyes to stare into the hazel ones before him.

Frisk nodded reassuringly, knocking their heads together accidentally in the process. Sans let out the most beautiful laugh. It was rough and joyful, not overstating anything but conveying the depth of what this meant to him.

Her heart fluttered faster, pride and excitement dousing her nerves.

He signed a casual -thanks- before heading to the door, letting it swing behind him, already teleporting to spread the word.

Gaster and Frisk were left alone in the wake of Sans' enthusiasm.

-It's not that simple is it?- Frisk signed sadly, trying her best to hold onto the euphoric feeling Sans had sent through her.

Gaster sighed, -Well aren't you an observant one?- He gave an apologetic smile.

-So what's the catch?- She returned, knowing full well she didn't want the answer.

-Finding a soul like this and the parameters that you and your sister have set are a one in a million chance. It's not what this place was made for. You're severely expediting the process these souls needed to go through. Understand?"- Gaster flicked his fingers by his temple questioning.

-You'll have no recollection of your time spent here. No one will. Not Sans, not Papyrus...-

Frisk gasped, -We'll bring him back?- She felt the smallest hint of tears.

Gaster smiled, -Thanks to you.-

-And Chara?- Frisk hated herself for hoping.

The taller's expression fell dramatically. -It would be too much.-

She nodded in understanding, gazing sadly at the soul still hovering idly by in her palms.

-We can always do something els-.- Gaster began.

-No,- Frisk interjected, -No, this is what Chara would want.-

Gaster seemed relieved and quickly tried to hide his own personal feelings.

A silence fell.

-Does Sans know?- Frisk asked hesitantly.

-About the lapse in memory? No.- Gaster responded, folding his hands neatly.

-Good.- She smiled.

Gaster returned the curve of lips knowingly, -He's melancholy enough as it is. It's about time he had something to look forward to.-

-Agreed.- Frisk signed smiling.

-Well, we should get started.- Gaster stated evenly, offering a hand out to Frisk.

She took it almost immediately, other hand still protective around Chara's floating soul.

Gaster stood and shifted, hands atop Frisk's shoulders and pushing her to sit upon the cushion he had just been occupying, turning her towards the mirror of the armoire.

He grinned at her, fully focused on the task at hand. Frisk blanched under his scrutiny.

-We've some work to do.- He signed encouragingly.

...

Everyone was gathered inside the big top, voices buzzing off of the contained surfaces of the tent, sweet sentiments being exchanged, excited expressions appearing on scattered faces and reappearing on others.

Frisk had spent the better portion of the night preparing with Gaster. Her hands were cramping from extended use, she was more out of practice than she thought with her signing. The tall man was determined to try and bestow the magnitude of his knowledge upon her in the short amount of time and Frisk had been "the perfect sponge" as Gaster kept calling her.

She was greedy for the knowledge, she felt like she was being drenched in an entirely different world with its own culture and language and she was hanging off of every fact and scrap of information available. An encapsulating feeling of wanderlust spilling from her heart and out into the furthest reaches of her DNA.

But to what end really? She felt her own excitement deflate minutely. This would all be forgotten moments from now.

She slowly scanned the beings before her. Some she recognized, though most she did not. It was almost alarming how many there were.

But not for long.

This was it. The final performance.

The seats were filled past capacity, everyone had an all access pass to the festivities tonight.

Frisk felt her pulse quicken, the magnitude of her newly allotted responsibility hitting like a ton of bricks.

-Where's Sans?- She signed expectantly at Gaster, hands shaking the smallest amount.

What if he was one of the ones that wasn't just here for kicks? For comfort?

What if he was being sent to his death bed?

Gaster quickly scanned their surroundings, having a much better vantage point from his considerable height. -He may be doing a perimeter check.-

-Is there time before...?- Frisk trailed off at Gaster's wide grin. He nodded gracefully.

-Go. You're not needed til later anyways.- He smirked, lightly gesturing for her to get out of there.

Frisk gave an embarrassed smile, turning and heading out into the crisp night air.

The temperature drop from inside to outside was beyond refreshing. The brown haired girl let out a sigh of relief before putting her eyes to work.

She caught the brief blip of a familiar blue fabric passing from out of sight around the bend of the big top and followed after it. Sans was about to enter from the back tarp.

"Sans!" Frisk called, succeeding in getting the disheveled male's attention from halfway into the tent. He stepped back out and turned towards her, eyes lighting up minutely as they took her in.

"woah, what happened to you?" He asked skeptically, grinning like a fool, his eyes taking her in.

Heat filled her cheeks, she was draped in an elegant shawl that twinkled like small galaxies, had a considerable amount of makeup, well considerable since she never wore any, and hair pinned in loose curls.

Gaster was quiet crafty indeed.

"Not so much a what happened, but a who." Frisk remarked, fingers automatically going up to fiddle with a stray curl.

Sans gave a good hearted chuckle, approaching the slighter female and taking her busy hand into his.

"shouldn't you be in there already? looks like they've already starte-" Sans began, but Frisk quickly interjected. Heart racing, a small twinge of fear overriding her more sensible politeness.

"I need you to promise you'll find me." Frisk insisted, eyes pleading, as she grabbed both of his hands in hers.

Sans let out an awkward laugh, "you know how i feel about promises...", he responded half heartedly, looking away from the woman before him.

Frisk gripped his hands tighter, finding his eyes again. "Promise me, Sans."

His blues widened, "are you, oh geez you're being serious?" He let out a breath, taking a hand back and running it through his white strands.

His smile grew sincere, "of course i'll find you."

Frisk didn't seemed appeased. But she also knew more than he did. "Promise me."

He laughed, "okay, okay!", He fully released her hands, holding out the pinky of his right, "pinky promise."

Frisk smirked, lacing her pinky with his. They curled around each other tightly, giving a few firm shakes up and down.

"i promise i'll find you, Frisk. no matter where you are." He stated and a small thrill of magic shot through their intertwined fingers.

Frisk brought her hand to herself as if she had been shocked, staring at the appendage curiously. Her eyes widened.

A silhouetted cyan bone was now imprinted in the skin of her pinky. A tattoo all her own, matching the ones she adored on the man before her.

She smiled, still slightly gaping, and tackled Sans in a large embrace. Her heart fluttered at the sound of his laugh against her ear. Like church bells. She felt a reverence take over her body, she didn't want to let go.

"Don't forget." Frisk chastised, pulling her head back to look at him more fully. A few stray tears running down her cheeks at the thought.

Sans looked at her curiously, catching the tears on his thumb, "don't think i could even if i tried."

Her smile faltered momentarily.

Sans started to pull away. "you know, it's funny really..." He looked around the empty space around them, lights twinkling in unmanned booths, the air was blissfully quiet, "people have been coming here for so long because they needed something, it never even occurred to me that you might be here because we needed you."

His eyes were twinkling as they held hers. His expression truly relaxed, happy even, for the first time since Frisk had met him.

She was blown away.

"so, guess what i'm tryin to say is 'thank you'," Sans continued, tucking a stray curl behind Frisk's ear, gently caressing her flushed cheek after.

Her smile widened, letting out a brief laugh, "It's been a pleasure, Sans."

There was thunderous applause that was poorly muffled by the tents flimsy material, startling the two of them from their musings.

"well," Sans stated, holding out a hand, "i think that's your que."

Frisk heart picked up its pace in her chest. She took his hand readily, fingers lacing together, as they both entered into the fray.

...

The show was in full swing.

Muffet upon the high trapeze, elegant as she tumbled through the air, latching onto impossibly timed bars. Asgore taming incredible lion-esque creatures that faded and ebbed in the limelight. Acrobatic bunnies, birds with delicate face pieces mirroring snowflakes twirling and diving in the air. Ribbons spun gracefully, beautiful feat after beautiful feat as everyone joined in, Frisk witnessing it all from the center of what felt like the universe, an unmasked and blissful Gaster at her side.

The air was heavy with excitement, everyone performing at their best, in perfect and occasionally adjunct unison. Wave after wave of enrapturing performers, building into an overwhelming crescendo. Everyone's attention eventually turning to the two in the center in an almost picturesque fashion.

A gradual humming tone overtook everything, radiating out of Gaster until it filled every crevice of the space around them. He turned to Frisk, hand extended out towards her patiently. Frisk delicately removed the locket from around her neck and placed it into his hand. The item instantly began to float above Gaster's palm, hovering idly before it burst open, light and sound shimmering from the object.

It was blinding. Gorgeous and absolutely pure in hue. Everyone was awestruck, staring eagerly, rarely blinking, afraid to miss even a second.

Two hearts became visible out of the all consuming whiteness, twirling around each other. They made what could only be interpreted as a bow towards one another before the orange heart started floating away, swiftly above the crowd, as if it was looking for someone. Everyone watched with bated breath as the heart finally settled in the waiting palm of a wide-eyed Sans.

The heart touched down in his palm, the kindest smile gracing his usually haggard features. Then more warming light encapsulated the area around the precious soul, the heart silhouetted against the brightness until the shape began to morph and change, growing larger by the second until it was in the undeniable humanoid shape of Papyrus. The light died down, Sans smile growing ever more, blue eyes twinkling in delight.

"hey bro," he said warmly, Papyrus' hand held firmly in his still out-held palm, "i've missed ya."

Papyrus wrapped the significantly shorter male in a tight embrace, "AND I YOU BROTHER! I'M SORRY FOR ALL THE PAIN I CAUSED YOU!"

Sans appeared to be tearing up, but let out a chuckle that dripped with unimaginable relief, arms wrapping around and holding his brother close as they both collapsed to their knees from the sheer emotion overtaking them.

Frisk could feel tears pricking at the corner of her eyes and blinked them away to the best of her abilities, a few running loose, but they were nothing compared to the smile she felt she was sharing with the reunited brothers.

Her heart suddenly ached for Chara, her hand clenching at her chest absentmindedly.

Gaster then turned to face Frisk fully, and she moved with him. He gave her a smile, gently asking if she was ready. She nodded once, hands cupped towards him, ready to play her part.

Chara's brilliantly crimson heart slid into her awaiting hands, gently swaying and dancing to an unheard tune. Frisk's soft smile grew as she focused on what Gaster had spent the better part of the day trying to drill into her head.

She took in a breath, eyes falling shut to block out all of the tempting distractions before her. Now in the darkness of her own mind, she slowly slowly slowly released the breath.

She willed the soul before her to hear her call, internal voice calling gently towards her sister's soul.

But nobody came.

Another breath in. Eyes held closed a little tighter. Slow breath out.

"Chara?" She heard herself say, it echoed in her mind, falling into the void like darkness held behind her lids. "Chara, we need you."

Frisk felt a quiver run through the soul in her hands, a brief blip of something appearing in her blocked vision. Confidence restored, she began again.

Third breath in, muscles relaxing, shoulders drooping, breath released.

"Thank you." A small voice called, Frisk's eyes flying open.

The surroundings of the big top began to warp, flowing and shifting like water, until everything was a blur.

The heart in her hand was floating towards the roof, leading a numerous array of rainbow hearts, everyone's souls, their hopes, their dreams, and for some their final, albeit happy, demise.

They swirled around each other in an intimate dance, creating the final touches on the scrambled environment, loud choruses of harmonious sound vibrating through the air, bouncing off each other and creating echoing rounds that brought tears to Frisk's eyes.

And then, before Frisk could even take in a shuddering breath, they were gone. Chara's soul the lone entity hanging above Gaster.

The soul descended, greeting him as if he was an old friend. He felt so many conflicted emotions from this soul he almost couldn't decipher it's intent. Anger, guilt, fear, hopelessness, but above all else gratitude.

He cracked a smile, taking in the emptiness around him.

"You did good child," Gaster spoke, voice soft and cracked from disuse, "you did good."

His smile became a smirk, "So good in fact, that I feel I should repay you."

Gaster's hands began to glow a soft purple, moving around the soul until it too began to glow, brighter and brighter like Papyrus' had until an exhausted Chara stood before him.

She looked absolutely confused, "But how?"

"Your sister," Gaster stated, "and you also. You both did so much that I still have enough magic stored to grant a final wish."

"Whose?" Chara asked skeptically, arms folding defensively at her chest, old habits die hard apparently.

Another cracked grin, "Well, mine obviously. I've been looking forward to retirement."

Chara frowned, "You can't mean...I don't want that."

"It's already done," Gaster shrugged, hiding a laugh at the sight of Chara's indignation.

"This isn't what Frisk would've wanted." She scolds.

Gaster playfully ruffled Chara's brown locks, receiving a biting glare in return.

He let out a laugh, taking in everything fading around him.

-Then you better make it count.-

...

It was a new day.

Sun glistened through the edges of residual condensation left over from a cold spring night. The rays bent and swayed as a soft wind rocked lacy curtains, the bright light dancing across a sleeping face.

"Frisk! You're going to be late you idiot!" Chara's voice rang up the stairs, startling awake the aforementioned sister.

Frisk let out a brief groan, sitting up slowly and stretching as every fiber of her being was slowly brought back to functioning normalcy.

Her mind wandered idly as she looked around, before suddenly she sprung out of bed.

Today was the day.

Frisk swiftly dressed, her clothes already left out the night previous while the rest were packed in her suitcase downstairs, everything falling into place perfectly. She turned to make her bed for the last time in what may be a very long while.

As she went to exit, she turned back to her room, taking it in to store in her mind for those moments where she may feel homesick in the oncoming weeks, months, who knows.

Gently padding down the stares, she hears Chara bustling in the kitchen, a small smile curves at Frisk's lips. What would she do without her sister?

"It's about time you woke up," Chara chided, busily dishing out a hearty breakfast for the two of them.

"It'll be fine," Frisk consoled, digging into the warm food, savoring the taste of a fresh, home cooked meal. "Do you need a ride into town before I go?"

Chara scoffed, "What, trying to balance on the back of your bike with all your crap? No thank you, I'll walk."

"You nervous?" Frisk asked, finishing her food with a contented sigh, lightly patting her full stomach.

Chara turned away, hiding her face behind the pretense of gathering their dishes. "Why would I be nervous? It's just a stupid meeting about the house."

"You sure you don't want me to stay? I can postpone." Frisk asked, standing and stretching off the small lingering grogginess from waking up.

Chara's eyes rolled, "I'm not a baby Frisk, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" Frisk asked again, knowing full well the extent it would irritate her sibling, her own way of poking fun and teasing by smothering her with unnecessary questions.

"Shut up already, I know you're just worried I'll sell the place and run off with all the riches this crap land can give, hoarding my wealth while you become a penniless beggar God knows where." She proclaimed dramatically, her features turning soft at the sound of Frisk's mild laughter.

"Don't worry," Chara continued, following Frisk towards the front door, watching idly as her sister gathered her things, "we'll still be here whenever you decide to come home."

Frisk smiled, wrapping her twin up in a hug, Chara playfully groaning all the while.

"Welp," Frisk shrugged, hoisting her bag up a bit higher on her shoulder, "guess I better get going."

"Let's not make a thing out of this," Chara grumbled, "get out already."

"Alright," Frisk waved, turning and opening the door, "see you around."

"Good luck," Chara called as Frisk descended into the front yard, heading towards her bike perched against the patio railing.

Frisk turned with a nod, strapping her luggage to the back and hooking both arms into her pack, "You too."

"Bring me back something nice!" Chara called, her sister already throwing a leg over her bike, pedaling off, a dainty hand waving in acknowledgement.

Chara allowed a smile as she watched her sister disappear down the road.

...

Frisk was full of energy and brimming with hope as she took a smooth turn through the encompassing hills flanking the road towards the next town over. It was quiet the trek, but she was determined to bring her bike with her for as long as she could, and the train station was her first destination on this impromptu trip to wherever.

Sensing some cars approaching, she angled herself more towards the shoulder of the road, hair whipping around her as they passed at breakneck speed.

She couldn't say what made her decide that she had to get moving, that it was time to do more than spend her days either working or idly wasting time with her sister. But she had felt it, a pulse that compelled her to get the hell outta Dodge.

So she did, almost too happily resigning and packing her things, and she hadn't felt this invigorated in, well, forever.

Though somehow that feeling didn't sit right, a fog almost filling her brain like she was forgetting something.

A tingle shot through her pinky and she brought it up to examine the appendage, glancing briefly at the tattooed skin there. She didn't remember it ever hurting before, even days after it 'showed up' as she like to refer to the drunken stupor her sister and herself had been in that apparently had led to her getting a blackout tattoo. She stopped doing bar crawls after that, much to Chara's teasing provocation.

Her bike lurched forward, the back tire letting out a loud hiss, forcing Frisk to brace both her hands against the handle bars trying to steer straight. She slowly crept to a halt, veering off to the side of the road. Frisk hopped off and kicked out the stand, crouching down to examine the now deflated tire.

A sharp rock had punctured the rubber, leaving a nice gash in the lining and straight through.

So much for an adventure.

Frisk huffed, running a hand through her hair, trying to calm her aggravation. She basically had two options, either keep going forward abandoning the bike, or head back home. Both decisions were about equidistant at this point.

"Ugh," she sighed, kneeling down to inspect the damage again.

Several cars passed and Frisk turned back towards the road, looking towards where the cars had sped off to.

She turned as she heard the sound of tires coming to a halt behind her, crunching against the gravel.

"What seems to be the trouble!?" A male voice called loudly as he quickly scrambled to exit the vehicle, a bright red hard top convertible, another male sitting casually in the driver's seat.

Her pinky tingled again, this time slightly more painful. She winced.

"Are you okay?!" The tall man asked, approaching quickly, face full of unnecessary concern.

Frisk smiled, heart pounding in her chest, "Yeah, sorry, I got a flat."

The man turned towards the useless bike, hands fisting against his hips, resting against his dark jeans and scrunching up the white polo he was wearing. "It looks pretty banged up," he stated, gesturing towards the limp tire.

Frisk felt a strange pulling sensation in her brain as she took him in. His lanky frame, near white hair, smile wide despite the circumstances and eyes twinkling.

Those bright eyes met hers, "It appears that you're in need of assistance, where are you heading?"

"I don't know," Frisk found herself admitting dumbly.

"Well, my brother and I are heading into town, we'd be happy to take you there, we could probably manage to get your bike in the back seat." He stated triumphantly, hands giving a small flare in emphasis.

"Oh, no I don't want to impose on you guys," Frisk lamented, glancing over to the other male who was now approaching them. Her heart began to pound harder, pinky tingling as if it was asleep.

"Yo, Papyrus, what's the hold up?" The shorter male asked, stance lax and blue eyes bored.

"Well it appears that our friend, oh sorry! I didn't catch your name!" The taller brother stated, voice fluctuating in distress.

"Frisk," she supplied helpfully, giving a comforting smile.

He nodded, "Right, our friend Frisk here is in need of our assistance. I offered to help them into town since we're heading there anyways."

"That's awfully nice of you bro, you sure that's a good idea though?" Those blue eyes roved over her slighter form, sending a blush straight to her cheeks, "Could be a deranged axe murderer for all we know."

"Could say the same about you," Frisk countered, causing the appraising male to smirk at her.

"Oh my God Sans, not everyone is an axe murderer!" Papyrus scoffed, throwing his hands in the air.

Sans chuckled, "See, that's how they getcha."

"Well why don't you just ask her then, I don't have time for your boondoggling, I'm going to load up this heap of ingenuity in the car," Papyrus exclaimed, easily lifting the bike, suitcase and all, up off the ground. He promptly began back towards the car.

Sans laughed again, scratching the back of his head, "Aw Paps, I'm just playing. Let me help."

He made a lame attempt to assist his brother who shot him a look that could only be read as,'No way are you helping you'll only make it take twenty times as long to do and then I'll end up stuck with all the work so I'd rather just do it myself, correctly, the first time, and don't give me that look Sans you know it's true!' It was really quite impressive.

Frisk couldn't help it, letting out a small laugh, "I promise I'm not an axe murderer."

"Ah, that sounds like something an axe murderer would say," He countered, "and I'm not sure how good the word of a potential killer is." Sans' words dripped with sarcasm, clearly poking fun at this point.

Another tinge raced down the side of her hand, "Pinky promise then?" Frisk asked holding out her finger.

Sans gave a gruff sigh, "Alright, never heard of a crazy hitchhiker doing that so...," he laced his finger with hers.

The second their fingers touched it felt like she was dragged under water, straight down into crushing pressurized depths, memories of a life she couldn't begin to understand crashing down around her.

Small blips of feeling started tingling in every vein, thoughts of happy desperation, a smile against sweat slicked tattooed skin, content kisses, wary and concerned glances, puns upon puns upon puns.

Everything was Sans.

She found him.

Her mind finally breached the surface, breath coming in heady gasps, eyes watering and unfocused, pinkies still looped together. Sans was in a similar state if the quivering from his hand was anything to go by.

When they finally chanced a look at the other they were both beyond gone, coming together in a heated embrace.

"I told you I'd find you," Sans breathed against her lips, hands running through her brown strands, pulling her in for another wanton kiss. They broke apart again, foreheads pressed together, smiles wide.

"B-Brother?! What are you doing?!" Papyrus shrilled, startling them from their tender moment.

"Look Pap," Sans brought up their conjoined hands, "tattoo buddies!"

Frisk was confused until she caught a glimpse of his pinky, a matching cyan bone across his otherwise pristine skin.

"Wowie Sans, what an incomprehensible turn of fate!" Papyrus exclaimed, but his expression quickly turned suspicious, "...though randomly kissing people is still rather frowned upon brother, no matter how many identical tattoos you have."

Sans let out a laugh, gripping Frisk's hand tighter, as if he intended to never let go. "Guess you got me there bro."

"That's enough lollygagging you two, let us make haste." The taller male proclaimed, already heading back to the car.

They followed him, hands intertwined, begrudgingly letting go as they entered the car, though their fingers quickly laced back together once they were on the road again.

"Where are you heading anyways?" Sans asked, voice louder than normal to compensate for the air howling around them as they sped down the road.

Frisk smiled at him, taking him in and letting out a contented sigh.

"Wherever you are."

...

A-n-B: and that's all she wrote folks. Thank so much for reading and please feel free to let me know how you liked it! Ttfn!