AN:

I can't apologize enough for what I've done.

I deserve all the hate for making you wait.

It's alright. I understand.

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Chapter 20: Opportunity

Third POV

As soon as Geno and Ink appeared inside Papyrus' room, the creator immediately locked the door.

"Ink, let me talk to them!" Geno pleaded with urgency.

Ink swiftly turned to him with an annoyed expression but definitely not directed at the glitched skeleton.

"No, let them be. It's between the two of them." Ink firmly said as he folded his arms over his chest.

"But this is my fault." Geno reasoned which made Ink swiftly turned to him.

"No! None of this is your fault!" The creator said and grabbed Geno by the shoulders and shook him gently. "Stop blaming yourself."

Ink wished that he could just tell him what was happening but he wasn't in the right place to do so.

"But it's true. Didn't you hear them? It's all my fault." Geno countered as he shrugged Ink's hands off his shoulders. "I should've told Sans what happened. If I did, none of this would've happened."

Ink was silent for a moment as he stared at Geno. He was right. Sans didn't know anything about the recent events. It might help the situation if Sans understood the current state of... Reaper and Geno's relationship. But...

"I doubt Reaper would let you." Ink said plainly which made Geno raised a non-existed brow.

"I doubt Reaper would let you talk to Sans." Ink said again.

"Why not?"

Oh, that's a hard question to answer. Ink shrugged his shoulders.

"I know Reaper has been protective over me lately," Geno began. "But it's not like Sans is going to hurt me. He's my best friend."

Oh how Ink wished he could just say it. Just reveal everything then it's over. But he couldn't. The creator mentally sighed.

"Alright," Ink gave up. "We'll talk to Reaper, then after, Sans."

A warm smile made it's way to Geno's lips and he hugged Ink gratefully. They stayed like that only for a few seconds before Ink pulled away and lead Geno to the door.

When they walked out the room, they found the place empty. Oh wait, Frisk was sitting on the couch, hugging the white fluffy dog and holding a stick.

"Where are they?" Ink asked the kid. But before the child could talk, a deep voice echoes throughout the room.

"I'm right here." Reaper said as he fades into existence beside Geno. The grim reaper immediately but gently latched himself onto the smaller skeleton. Enveloping Geno in a warm and comforting embrace.

"I'm sorry." Reaper said softly as if he was being guilty about something. "Are you okay? Do you want to go home?"

"No you're not going anywhere." Ink quickly intervened which earned him a sharp glare from Reaper. The god of death was losing his patience. The longer he stays in that universe, the more he felt threatened. It terrifies him to think that Geno might rather stay with Sans.

"Geno needs to talk to Sans." Ink said.

"No." Came Reaper's immediate reply.

'I knew it', Ink thought.

"Reaper, pleas-" Geno pleaded but was cut off.

"No", the god of death said, more firmer this time. His embrace tightens a little around Geno.

"But-" Geno tried again.

"I said No" Reaper nearly growled. At this point, Geno was on the verge of tears. His eye light was dilated and lips trembling a bit.

Reaper felt a pang of guilt. He loosed his arms and cupped Geno's cheek. He made him looked up at him. "Look, I'm sorry but... I just can't."

"Why not? I'm just gonna talk to him." Geno said innocently as he looked up at Reaper with pleading eye.

Reaper hated seeing Geno cry. He hesitated a few moments before sighing in defeat. "Fine." He finally said which made Geno smile. "But not without me." The grim reaper added quickly. Geno nodded.

Now that that's established, Ink asked Frisk to go find Sans. The human child nodded and run out the door as fast as she could with the dog trailing behind her. It was as if she knew where Sans was.

It took nearly ten minutes of waiting until Sans and Frisk teleported in the room. Sans was looking tired, annoyed and definitely not in the mood.

"Geno wants to talk to you." Ink informed him and within an instant, Sans' anger subsided. Replaced with something much lighter as he met Geno's eye. Hope. A chance.

He immediately agreed. "But we're talking alone." Sans added.

"Definitely not." Reaper replies threateningly.

Ink almost slapped himself in annoyance. Here they go again.

"Reaper, it's fine." Geno said. And before Reaper could reply, Sans spoke. "Yeah, it's fine." Which earned Sans a glare.

Sans glared back. "I don't get it why you two *points at Reaper and Ink* are treating him like a baby. He can handle himself. He's not as helpless as you think." Sans ranted on.

The two gods were rendered silent. Not because Sans was right. But because they didn't know where to begin explaining that Geno was really nowhere near mentally healthy. That they have to constantly watch over him or else he might broke. Loneliness is a tough enemy to battle.

Geno could only bow his head in shame. He felt guilty about hiding everything to Sans. His loneliness, madness, and even his suicide attempts. Now he doesn't know where begin explaining.

"You really don't know anything." Reaper mumbled loud enough for Sans and others to hear. This made Geno shrunk even more in shame.

It was his fault. Not Sans.

Gathering his courage, Geno walked up to Sans and said "I can explain everything."

Sans facial feature softens as he looked at Geno. Sans nodded almost excitedly but managed to hold himself from smiling. Now's not the right time to be in bliss. But Geno's close proximity made his soul pulsed faster.

"We can talk outside." Sans added. He wanted privacy from both overprotective gods. Reaper was about to say something but Ink elbowed him. Shutting him up.

Sans lead Geno to the door and out into the cold winter wonder land. Honestly, Geno was thrilled to feel the cold breeze of Snowdin air again after a long time. It brings a sense of home.

Geno didn't mind if he wasn't wearing any jacket. The cold felt nice. Nostalgic.

Sans lead Geno into the woods while Ink and Reaper watched them go from the porch of the house.

"I'm surprised you're not following them." Ink said as he watched the two skeleton disappeared into the woods. But when he receive no reply, he turned and found that he was alone.

For crying out loud! He quickly made his way and followed the two skeletons as well. Without them knowing of course.

Meanwhile, as Sans and Geno trek the snowy forest of Snowdin, unaware of the two gods stalking them, Sans was lost in his own thought and swirling emotions.

This is it. His chance!

But he doesn't know where to begin. This is getting awkward. For him, at least.

He sneaked a shy side glance at Geno who was walking beside him. Geno's head was bowed, lost in his own thoughts as well but seemed stressed, he was also nervously fiddling with his fingers. He wasn't even looking at where he was going.

But in Sans' sight, Geno was the most attractive creature he had ever seen. Bleeding or not. All Sans could see was how perfect Geno was in every way. Even when stressed or frustrated, Sans just couldn't resist. It was just pure bliss.

"So...where do you want me to start?" Geno abruptly asked, breaking the silence between the two of them.

Sans was snapped back into reality as he blinked and looked at Geno once again.

Geno was looking at him. Anticipating his answer with mild nervousness.

"I'm sorry. What?" Sans asked. Quite embarrassed that he was spacing out. He could only hope that he wasn't caught staring at Geno.

Too bad, though. The god of death was silently giving him death glares from the shadows.

"I said where do you want me to start. What do you wanna know?" Geno said again. Patiently waiting for Sans' answer.

Sans stopped walking which made Geno stopped as well. They were surrounded by frozen trees sprinkled with untouched pure white snow. As well as the forest ground. It was peacefully quiet. Nothing but the soft and fresh breeze of winter air.

It was cold, yes, but it doesn't matter at a moment. What matters to Sans was finally saying what he wanted to say. Just three words.

'I don't care.' Sans wanted to reply. He doesn't care about what happened between Geno and Reaper. What matter was Geno was here. With him. And nobody else. It's his opportunity.

But the words won't come out.

"Uh, Sans?... Are... Are you okay?" Geno asked in concern when he noticed his best friend suddenly looking frustrated. A bluish tint spreading across his face.

Once again, Sans was snapped back into reality. "Huh? Uh, oh yea-. Yeah, I'm fine." He nearly stuttered.

Geno was not entirely convinced but he let it slide anyway. "Maybe I should just start from the beginning." The glitched skeleton mumbled.

"Y-yeah. T-that's a great idea." Sans nearly punched himself for that stupid reply and awkward tone.

"Alright." Geno took a breath, carefully analyzing his thoughts before starting. "You already knew that someone attacked us, me and Frisk, in the Save Screen, right?" He paused and looked at Sans for confirmation. Sans nodded. So Geno continued.

"Honestly, I didn't know much of what happened because I was passed out. But the other gods told me everything." Geno ranted on, not making a single eye contact and continues to make weird gestures with his hands.

The lack of eye contact irritates Sans. But he kept listening anyway.

"They told me that Reaper attempted to kill them all just to protect me." Geno said. Looking to the side with barely noticeable tint of blue dusting his cheeks.

Of course, Sans noticed. And he clenched his fist in jealousy.

"Reaper ran amok. He even attempted suicide." Geno continues on. He was hesitating whether or not it is a good idea to tell Sans that he died.

"Wait, why did he try to kill himself?" Why didn't he die then? Sans wanted to ask.

Geno took a breath. "Because he thought I was dead." He hesitantly answered. Oh he didn't like this part. It's gonna make Sans worry.

"I mean, I did die. But-the-goddess-of-Life-gave-me-new-soul-and-I'm-revived." Geno quickly added the last part knowing that Sans might dive straight into hysteria upon knowing that he actually died. "I'm alive." He assured him.

Sans nodded stiffly. Eyes wide and in a state of mild shock. Geno died. But he's alive. Alive. The word echoes in his mind as if his own consciousness was trying to comfort him.

"Then... After that... um... I woke up. I was healed. I met the other gods and goddesses. And... And...." Geno trailed off. Trying to find the right words to say.

"Go on." Sans urged gently. But on the inside, he was anxious. Why was Geno blushing, and squirming, fiddling with his fingers like he was shy? If it has anything to do with Reaper, Sans swear-

"Reaper and I..."

'F*ck you, Reaper!'

"We... Uh, had some private talk." Geno briefly said while looking away like he was embarrassed. Well, he didn't want anyone to know what they had talked about. It was mostly about his mental state and Geno didn't want Sans to worry.

Sans was the only one who treated him like he was okay. Just like what he wanted. Geno didn't want to be looked at with pity in their eyes. He doesn't want Sans to change.

Meanwhile, with Sans. Upon sensing that Geno doesn't want to tell him something, Sans asked "what did you two talked about?" to urge Geno to tell him.

Geno bit his lower lip as his blush intensifies. Most of those talks were about Reaper comforting him. About both of their feelings. Oh dear. This is a bit awkward and embarrassing to tell.

A sudden realization hit Sans like lightning. He quickly grabbed Geno's upper arm which surprised Geno and accidentally let out a small yelp.

Reaper nearly jumped out from his hiding spot but managed to hold himself. Not yet, he thought as his grip tightens around his scythe.

"Tell me-... Did- did he confess? To you?" Sans asked the dreaded question.

Geno was shocked. 'How did Sans know?'. His eye was wide as he stared at Sans. He was rendered silent as he was still in a state of surprise.

Sans shook him gently and unknowingly lifted Geno a little higher which forced Geno to stand on tip toes. "Did he say he loves you?!" Sans asked, a little louder than necessary. Probably because he couldn't hear better due to the loud beating of his soul against his chest.

Geno nodded meekly. Mouth shut and quite scared at Sans sudden change of behavior.

Sans felt his soul constrict. No. There's no way. But thinking back, the way Geno act around Reaper was... too intimate for his liking. Was that why? Did Geno...

Sans felt a lump form in his throat. He swallowed before asking, "what did you say?" as calm as he could but his anxiety was completely showing.

"Huh?" Geno was a little confused.

"What did you say to Reaper? Please tell me you didn't say you love him too." Sans pleaded desperately.

Geno exploded into a bright blue blushing mess. "W-what! No! Of course not! It- it was j-just uh... um... he was just... um, uh... I uh. I didn't say anything." Geno didn't know what to say anymore. He was still mumbling incoherently though. He was even on the verge of tears. It's not like Sans was teasing him or anything.

Reaper smiled amusedly at Geno's poor attempt at lying.

While Sans was beyond relieved. He released a breath he didn't know he was holding. His tensed shoulders relaxed and his grip around Geno's upper arm loosened a bit. He brought Geno closer and wrapped his arms around the glitched skeleton.

"Thank you." Sans breathlessly said. His arms tightened around Geno as he breathe in Geno's scent.

Geno was now utterly confused. Did he say something? He patted Sans' back gently to comfort him. They stayed like that for a minute until Sans pulled away but didn't let go.

He looked at Geno straight in the eye before speaking, making sure he had all of Geno's attention.

"Geno, listen. I want- *gulp* I want to t-tell you something." Sans began. His face flushed, knees trembling, and soul pounding hard inside his ribcage. He ignored it all. He's not gonna mess this up.

"What?" Geno innocently asked. Quite concern at how flustered Sans was at that moment.

"I love you."

To be continued...

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