Alphys let Undyne carry her. She got the feeling she couldn't walk, even if she wanted to. Her mind was somewhere else. Her worry was everywhere. Something was going to go horribly, horribly wrong. She could tell. She knew. Something, someone, was going to ruin everything. And Sans trusted her to fix it. She wish he didn't.

The group switched between walking and running. They ignored the curious glances Toriel and Frisk were given. Something more important was happening. Alphys hated herself, for many things, but for right now she hated that she wished Papyrus hadn't gone by boat. Between the four of them, it was far too quiet. And Papyrus would've certainly said something. Undyne would, usually. But right now her eyes were narrowed, one corner of her mouth drawn up. She clearly wasn't feeling very talky. Whether that was from the human not a yard away from them or everything happening with Sans, it was unclear.

It took far too long. After Snowdin, they reached Waterfall. After Waterfall, they reached Hotland. There they took the elevator to Asgore's castle. And then they had to walk some more, down far too many long, empty halls. With nothing aside the sound of footsteps, of breathing and frantic hearts.

Papyrus sprinted his way to Asgore's castle after jumping off the boat. The Riverperson's message bounced about in his skull. Don't let the human near him….?

How much does that strange person know?

He had no time to dawdle on that. He needed to make sure his brother was actually- actually- …There? Alive? Okay? Papyrus had no idea what to expect. He just knew two things right now: Sans was with Asgore, he was going to him.

That's all he needed.

His long, bony legs carried him up and over the pathways and into the large gray, brick house of the King. Wasting no time, but trying not to be rude, he called out:

"KING ASGORE!"

The large, blonde goat king poked his head out from the opening of the right corridor. He smiled warmly upon seeing the skeleton in his doorway.

"Oh, Papyrus." He motioned him to follow with a flick of his claws "This way, please." He turned and lead the way back. Papyrus followed nervously, shifting his feet and trying to peer around Asgore's tall form. He wished the king would walk faster. As it was, his lumbering space was painstakingly slow. Papyrus bounced on his knees and tried not to be rude.

Asgore cast a look over his shoulder at the anxious skeleton, turned his gaze back and subtly picked up the pace. The walk to the room wasn't all that long, but he could understand Papyrus's impatience. This was his brother after all.

He stopped in front of a door, motioning for the younger brother to go inside. There was no hesitation. In fact, before Asgore finished his motion, Papyrus practically kicked down the door into the room. He sprung like a frog to Sans's bedside.

The small skeleton was still asleep, his eye sockets shut and the strings reaching from his soul swaying lazily back and forth. Had Papyrus been more inquisitive, he would've asked about the strings, or how Sans had got there. But at the time, he was so overtaken with the joy of seeing his brother alive he accepted it as is.

Papyrus released a breath he didn't know he was holding and took a seat next to Sans's bedside, staring over the side of the king-sized bed in a bit of a comedic matter. Asgore fidgeted in the doorway a moment, waiting for Papyrus to say or ask something. After several minutes, the king gathered he wasn't going to say anything and dismissed himself on the notion he was going to make some tea. Papyrus didn't point out the already elaborate array of teacups, filled with cold tea, on the bedside stand.

The strings reaching out from Sans's soul all seemed to gravitate toward Papyrus, brushing lightly against his bones. Once the contact was made, the blue skeleton seemed to visibly relax. Papyrus didn't have to force his skeletal grin, reaching across the bed to gently stroke at his brother's skull. The threads wrapped loosely around his forearms, hanging like vines. Sans twisted himself, facing his brother although he was still soundly asleep. Papyrus held his hand. Sans held back.

They both needed this break.

A/N

Wow, what a short chapter. I stand true to the last line though. So. I'll leave them and you guys off with this peaceful scene. Anyway, in chapter 19 while Sans and Chara had their confrontation, I used the phrase 'That damn smile'. That was an allusion to Indulgence-Ahoy's fic, 'My Brother's Keeper', which is amazing by the way. Seriously. If you like this fic, then you'll definitely like their's. Please go check it out.

Also I'd like to thank you all so much for all the kind words! I don't believe I've ever felt as flattered as I had after chapter 19. All of you seemed to enjoy that a LOT and I tried my best to build up to it so I'm happy it paid off. Thank you so much!

Tra La La, … I'm not actually the Riverperson.