Papyrus waited a few days before he brought up Sans self destructive behavior. He informed Sans of how close to death he had actually come. Sans was shocked and promised to take better care of himself.
Sans still seemed a bit more lethargic than normal and Papyrus was keeping an eye on it. Clearly Sans didn't know his body's limits and Papyrus was dead set on making sure Sans never got to the point he was at again.
Everything else seemed to go back to normal though. Sans didn't really take off his costume and if Papyrus wasn't so painfully aware of what had transpired he might be tempted to think it had all been a dream.
Papyrus was pondering this one day after dinner. Usually he would go to his room after a meal but today he was so caught up in his thoughts he just sat there as Sans gathered up the dirty dishes.
The taller of the two watched as Sans pulled out his plastic gloves. He slipped them over his blue ones then turned on the sink to start washing. Something about this struck him as odd. It took some time before Papyrus realized what it was.
"Hey, Sans?"
The other made a little hum to acknowledge the question.
"Why're you using rubber gloves?"
"So I don't get my blue gloves wet! Isn't that obvious silly?"
"Well I mean wouldn't it just be easier to take the blue gloves off?"
Sans went still at the sink. He seemed to seriously consider the question.
"Well, maybe..."
Now that he was thinking about it Papyrus started to question a lot of things.
"And on another note wouldn't it be easier for you to eat without that mask on? I understand you still need to keep the whole human thing a secret in public but we're home right now. You don't have to hide behind closed doors do you?"
As his brother spoke Sans put the dish he had been scrubbing back in the sink.
Papyrus was right.
Of course he was right. Papyrus knew, Papyrus knew and didn't hate him.
So why was he still hiding? Sans had thought about taking his mask off last night at dinner. It would be simpler to eat without it in the way. He wanted to take it off so bad but his nerves had failed him in the end. He just felt naked without it plain and simple.
"Doesn't it make you uncomfortable?" Sans asked instead of answering his brothers question.
"Nah" Papyrus said getting out of chair. "I'm more worried about you. Does it make you uncomfortable?"
Sans thought about lying but decided against it. "A little."
"Then keep it on." his brother said heading to the living room "Better hurry with those dishes if you want to watch a movie with me before bed."
Sans did hurry, he didn't want to miss movie night!
When he was done he pulled off the rubber gloves in a hurry, in the process of pulling them off his blue gloves came off as well.
Sans was about to hurriedly put his blue gloves back on when he stopped.
He didn't have to hide anymore. Papyrus didn't think he was gross and didn't hate him.
Sans ran his hand along the cool metal of the sink. Sometimes he forgot how muted the world was with all those layers. How nice it was to feel things again and without the worry of being found out.
Sans still didn't want to take off his mask. It was too soon for that... but maybe he could go without his gloves. For tonight...
Papyrus had the movie ready and he was now lounging on their sofa waiting for Sans to come and join him.
He was just about to call out when Sans made his appearance. He looked nervous and was rubbing his hands together. His ungloved hands.
Papyrus smiled and patted the seat next to him.
Sans obliged and they started the movie with no mention of his brothers missing apparel.
Baby steps Papyrus thought to himself as the movie played in the background baby steps.
