Warnings- PTSD, violence, game events out of order
You flinched away so violently that you slipped on the snow and cracked your head on the path. Sans looked down at you with a confused look and put his outstretched hand back into his pocket. You knew what he was going to say, but he changed the script.
"Well human, I can hear your bones rattling from across the Underground." He said with his usual grin. You just stared up at him, trying to dull the aching in your head. You were stupid and forgot to heal at one of those floating stars after meeting Sans, so you had to go back and relive everything after leaving the ruins. It was an embarrassing way to die, in your opinion. Greater Dog licked you to death and you woke up in the snow.
"I'm fine…" You said faintly. You stood, your knees still shaking a little from the experience. You almost found yourself back on the snow as your knees gave out. Sans managed to lunge out and catch you before you hit the ground. "Thanks Sans."
"Hmm…" His grin didn't change as he helped you stand upright. "I don't remember giving you my name…"
"Um…" You felt your stomach drop at your mistake. Before you had to cover your tracks, Sans laughed and slapped you on the back.
"Eh maybe I just forgot. Anyway, you're a human huh? That's hilarious." The lights in his eyes never dimmed, but you could feel him looking through you.
"Wanna grab a bite to eat?" Sans asked, resting his cheek on the counter top of his post. There were a few monsters hanging around, their talking mixing with the soft trickling of the waterfalls in the background. You knew if you continued on you would have to face Undyne again, and the thought of facing her spears even once more made you want to throw up the monster candy you had just eaten. Sans must have seen the green tint of your skin because his grin dropped a little. "Of not, I mean I have a break so I can do whatever."
"No food is fine." You said, trying to brush off the impending doom that was weighing on your chest. His grin came back as he came out from around the booth.
"Perfect, I know this great place back in Snowdin." He took your hand and you tried to keep it from shaking as best as you could. He started walking in the opposite direction of Snowdin. You tried to tell him, but he said something about a shortcut and the next time you blinked you found yourself sitting on the bar stool of Grillby's.
The customers all greeted Sans, not fazed by the skeleton teleporting directly into the building. A few greeted you as well, but most went back to whatever they were doing before giving their halfhearted greetings.
"Whatcha feeling kid? We got fries and burgs and… fries with a burg on the side," He said, not even looking at the menu. You glanced at your own menu and saw there were many other options, but since he mentioned a burger you suddenly wanted to have one.
"A burger sounds good." You said with a smile as you closed the menu and handed it to Grillby, who nodded and crackled gently.
"So, how has your adventure been so far?" Sans asked as you waited for your food.
"Erm… alright I guess." You said choppily. You couldn't let him know you've been killed almost a dozen times and had the whole world reset back to the last time you 'saved' as you've come to call it. He glanced at you from the corner of his eye and opened the bottle of ketchup in front of him.
"That's good to hear," He said, taking a sip of it as if it was soda, but you didn't question it. Honestly, it was the most normal thing you've seen since falling down into the Underground. "You know, when I was napping at my post earlier I had the weirdest dream. In this dream, the world kept turning back like a clock that was being rewound because you kept getting killed somehow. Now, I know that can't be real… right kid?" He turned his head to look completely at you, but there was something off in his eyes that made you hesitate.
"…nah that sounds like one crazy dream." You said, purposely looking anywhere but at the monster sitting next to you. Sans was silent for a few seconds and with each tick of the clock you felt a pressure on your chest increase. Finally he sat back and chuckled.
"Yeah you're probably right," He took another sip of his ketchup. "Look, I know its a little weird cuz we're practically mortal enemies, but if you ever need help or something I'm here for you. I mean. I don't know how much help I can be, but the offers there."
"Thanks Sans." You said, unable to help the soft smile that you gave him. You ached to tell him about Undyne, to ask for help because the thought of dying one more time at the hands of those magic spikes made you want to cry.
"Oh nice here comes the grub." He grinned as Grillby came out of the fire doo with a plate in each hand. You thanked the fire monster and dug in, relishing the non-sweetness of it. You didn't realize how many sweets you had been eating in the past couple of days, or the past couple of lives?
You put down your burger as you tried to untangle the timeline since you fell. It felt like you had been down here for few days, but after you thought more about it this was technically still the first day since you left the ruins. You've just relived it all so many times you might as well have been there for a week.
"Sans?" You got his attention. He put his own food down and turned to you, tilting his head to the side like a puppy. "When did we meet?"
"This morning, wasn't it?" he answered, not looking nearly as confused as you expected him to. "Though it seems like we've known each other for a few life times." Your breath caught in your throat as you struggled to say something.
"…" your words were frozen in your throat. Sans' eye sockets turned black as he turned fully towards you.
"Weird, isn't it?" He said, almost as if he was threatening you. "Tell me kid, are you the one making the timelines jump?"
His growl snapped you out of your panic. You scrambled away, falling off the barstool and causing everyone in the building to go silent. You and Sans stared at each other for a breath before you took off and sprinted from the building, your heart beating painfully.
Sans watched you leave and sighed, turning back to his burg. That didn't go the way he planned. He really did just want to talk about the skips, but he stepped out of line. He rubbed the back of his head with a boney hand and turned back to his half eaten meal, no longer hungry.
You sat in Hotland, panting and crying. You had finally gotten away from Undyne but you had been so close to dying yet again that you couldn't bring yourself to feel relieved. You still don't know why you saved her, but there was just something about the strong warrior drying out on the bridge that tugged at your heart strings.
You nibbled at some healing food – you didn't even care what it was anymore – and winced as you felt the deep gouges seal themselves up like a zipper. The blood stayed behind, making you look like the victim of a psychopathic killer, not that it was very far from the truth.
"There you are kid." A familiar voice said right next to your ear. In a flash you were scrambling away, sobbing and staring at Sans as though he was a ten foot beast, or an armor clad monster. All of a sudden, it wasn't Sans standing over you anymore. It was Undyne, her armor glinting in the faint light like a signal of what was about to happen to you. Her spear glowed, casting an ominous shadow on her bloodthirsty grin.
You tried to run, but found yourself backed up against the cave wall. You scrambled up, clawing at the stone as if you could claw your way away from your inevitable death. You couldn't feel the pain as your fingers were torn apart. Suddenly, a force pinned you to the ground. You tried struggling, but all you managed to do was scrape your cheek against the ground. More blood oozed onto the rocks as you fought for your life.
The figure came closer, and your struggling got even more frantic. You knew if you didn't get away you would be killed. Your tears stung your cheek as you screamed. She as going to kill you she was going to kill you she was goingtokillyou-
"Kid calm down!" Sans yelled, trying to get you to stay still. Finally his voice broke through your mind and you stopped struggling. You looked up at him from the force pinning you to the burning stone floor. The lights in his eyes were bright and seemed to be shaking a little, his usual grin turned down in a horrified grimace.
"S-sans?" You whispered, your throat raw from screaming.
"Yeah it's me… come on let's get you fixed up." He said, and the force holding you down suddenly disappeared as he gathered you in his arms. You tried to grab onto his jacket but it felt like you had dipped your fingers in the lava below.
He teleported directly to his house, which you only barely recognized from your brief date with Papyrus. He set you down on the couch but you couldn't bring yourself to look around. You stared blankly at the dark television as Sans rummaged around in one of the other rooms. He came back with a plate and a small white box. He handed you the plate and you saw half a sandwich on it. You took it without saying anything, but took a bite when he gestured for you to do so.
The sandwich started to heal a little of the damage, but your wounds were still tender so he wrapped your fingers and your cheek with soft white bandages. He worked in silence, and you were glad he didn't try to make conversation. You were so tired you thought a single word would cause you to pass out.
"Finish the sandwich kid," He said as he closed up the box. You finished the last few bites and suddenly felt much more energized. He came and sat next to you on the couch, looking as exhausted as you felt. It might have been the lighting, but it seemed like there were bruises under his eye sockets. Your eyes started to drift shut as he spoke again. "What happened?"
"I don't know," You answered honestly. "I finally managed to get away from Undyne, then all of a sudden she was back. She was g-going to kill me again-" you stopped yourself, going white when you realized you gave away your biggest secret. Sans just looked over at you with a sad expression.
"Sounds awful… no wonder you were trying to get away so desperately…" he rubbed a hand down his face before turning and giving you a tired smile. "But Undyne ain't gonna hurt you anymore. Papyrus talked to her… if you were to go by her house I'm sure things would be different."
You didn't say anything. You just started crying, not entirely sure why you were crying in the first place. You were thankful when Sans didn't say anything. He just pulled you close to him and let you cry into his jacket until you were all cried out. He got you a blanket and let you sleep on his couch for the night without asking any other questions.
Your throat was burning. You sat upright, screaming your lungs out. You didn't know where you were, or what time it was. You frantically looked around but you kept seeing flashed of stone and water within the coziness of the home. Hands were on your face, and your screaming became even more desperate. You threw your hands out, trying to hit whatever was touching you so you could escape whatever painful death was coming for you.
"Wake up!" A familiar voice screeched and broke through your fear. You stopped screaming and blinked the tears away before looking around. Sans and Papyrus were standing by the couch, both wearing matching expression of horror. You realized where you were and felt immediate shame. Shame for waking them up, shame for being so afraid.
"Are you alright human?" Papyrus asked, kneeling next to the couch and placing an ungloved hand on your back. The warmth from his hand calmed you down as you focused on your breathing. It took you a few moments before you could speak.
"Just a nightmare." You managed to say. Sans didn't say anything, but the look on his face told you he knew what it was about.
"Do you wish to talk about it dear human?" Papyrus offered, but you knew you couldn't really tell him. He would be destroyed if he knew his friend had caused you have nightmares.
"It's nothing…" You mumbled, pulling your knees up to your chest.
"It was about Undyne." Sans said bluntly. Papyrus turned to his with his browbones crunched in confusion.
"What are you talking about Brother?" He asked, sounding like he wasn't sure if he really wanted to know.
"Undyne has been attacking them, hurting them to the point where they could have died. They've been having flashbacks and hallucinations and now nightmares."
"Sans stop it's fine." You tried to make him stop, but he was determined.
"Papyrus, I know you, and I know you would want to know why your friend is hurting. And now that you know, maybe you can do something about Undyne to fix this."
"Brother, I do not know what I could possibly say to Undyne. I am not a part of the Royal Guard." He said, unconvinced he could be of any help.
"You're the only person she listens to except maybe Alphys and King Fluffybuns," Sans said in return. Papyrus hesitate and stood, one hand moving to grasp the upper part of his other arm.
"I will speak with her in the morning. Human, would you be more comfortable if one of us stayed with you down here? I know how hard it can be to be alone after a nightmare."
"I don't want to be alone." You said quietly, your tears barely dried. The skeleton brother looked at each other for a second before moving to sit on the couch, you in between them. They wrapped their arms around you. In seconds you had relaxed enough to close your eyes again.
You don't know how, but you didn't have any more dreams that night. The next day, you were dragged to Undyne's fish shaped house in Waterfall despite your reluctance. Each step caused a more and more powerful weight on your chest to crush your breath. Sans had tagged along, murmuring encouragements along the way which kept you mostly calm.
"Undyne!" Papyrus pounded on the door, and continued until the door was thrown open by an obviously upset Undyne.
"Papyrus I swear to- is that the human?" She stopped herself and stared at you, her sharp teeth showing through her grimace.
"Undyne what have you been doing to my friend?" Papyrus demanded, the usual joy in his voice gone. Undyne blinked a few times before scowling.
"I don't know what you're babbling on about Papyrus-"
"They woke up screaming last night." Papyrus said, cutting her off.
"They were having hallucinations. They thought I was you and that I was going to kill them. They were so afraid they ripped their fingers apart in an attempt to escape," Sans continued, staring the fist monster down. Undyne had the decency to look ashamed, but tried to defend herself.
"I just did what was best for the Underground! It's not my fault the human befriended everyone…"
"Undyne, the least you can do it apologize." Papyrus said, exasperated.
"Paps…" She tried to say, but Papyrus repeated himself.
"The least." Was all he said. Her ear fins drooped as she looked over at you. As soon as she made eye contact, she glanced away.
"Sorry human… I didn't actually want to hurt anyone. I just wanted to free everyone…" She said, biting at her bottom lip with her fangs.
"I understand…" You said softly. You didn't want to forgive her after everything she's done but at the same time you couldn't fault her. She was just trying to free her friends. She gave you a half smile but didn't say anything more.
"Why don't we have tea?" Papyrus suggested, opening the front door and ushering everyone in. "I'll heat up the water."
"Are you okay with this Kiddo?" Sans asked, tugging on your sleeve to keep you from going in. You turned back to him and let your smile drop.
"I don't know… I know she was just trying to help everyone, but I'm still afraid. What if she snaps and attacks me?"
"Then we'll protect you, alright kid?" He ruffled your hair in an attempt to get you to smile again. "We got your back."
"Thanks Sans," You said throwing your arms around his neck and hugging him tight. "Thank you."
"Anytime kid." He hugged you back and walked with you inside.
This was a suggestion that I thought worked really well with the other PTSD chapter I did. It makes a lot of sense that Frisk would have some form of trauma based issues, especially with the whole Undyne thing. Personally I adore Undyne so I wanted them to have a happy ending, so I apologize if it's not a realistic ending for the subject.
I go back to school soon and I'm getting a little nervous. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to take six classes, two of them being online. I can't guarantee many updates throughout the semester, but I promise I will try my hardest to update as much as I can!
Thank you so much for all your support and love. It means the world to me that everyone cares so much about not only the story, but about me as well.
Until next time~
Starlight