AN:

I just wanna say thank you for sticking around even though my update schedule sucks. I'm working on improving myself.

Also, I have no excuse for why this chapter is late.

I realized that making excuses are for losers. Those who do not take responsibilities of their actions are the people who frequently make excuses or always blaming others for their failures.

I do not want to be a loser. Therefore, I acknowledged my mistakes and treat this as a lesson to be used in improving myself.

Thank you for all your support! 

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Chapter 28: Test of Trust

Third POV

Reaper escorted Geno back to Undertale where the others were waiting and immediately closing the portal behind him.

It wouldn't be good if the sight of destruction triggers Geno's depression and made him change his mind about his decision.

The house can wait. Right now, Geno is his top priority.

Letting go of something you've dedicated your whole life to was definitely not an easy feat. One could end up ending their life especially if they found no other reason or purpose to exist.

This perfectly describes Geno's current situation. Now that he had let go of the most important thing in his life, he must find a new one. 

If he failed to do so, he could fall right back into despair.

Reaper doesn't want that to happen. That's why he's here, doing his best to show Geno that he has a reason to live, something to hold on to, and a future to look forward to.

But of course, it wouldn't be as simple as telling somebody that everything's fine and expected it to work right off the bat. No!

Geno isn't some kind of a robot that if given an instruction, would immediately do what it was told to do. No!

Geno is a living, breathing thing with feelings. He needs time to heal.

And Reaper would patiently wait until Geno is well. But until then, Reaper would gladly lead Geno to the right path of healing and recovery.

As Geno cries, Reaper guided him to the bright green couch and sat down with him since the glitched skeleton was practically glued to him. Burying his face on the grim reaper's cloak and hiding his tear stained face.

Reaper knows very well how much Geno hated being seen crying. Guess some things just never change.

The rest of the mortals remained silent, giving the couple some private moments.

What they had just witnessed was both heartbreaking and terrifying at the same time. When Geno let the fire consumes his beloved brother's scarf, they thought Geno had finally gave up.

But no. They were wrong.

Now they look at Geno with a new kind of respect.

Especially Fell.

Fell has always been looking up to Geno. They both have a rough life. They've both been through traumatic times. The only difference was that Geno fought.

Unlike Fell who did nothing but pitied himself for his miserable life with his abusive brother.

Fell admired Geno's determination to pull through even at the toughest of times while enduring the large gash across his torso. Which remind Fell, what happened to Geno's eternally bleeding wound?

The edgy skeleton noted to himself to ask later. Now is obviously not the right time.

Fell shifted his gaze to Sans who was watching Geno and Reaper with a growing ache in his soul.

Oh how much he wanted to be the one in Reaper's place. To have Geno in his arms. But he knows that's nearly impossible. Not after what he'd done.

Sans never felt so stupid. So ashamed of himself. He clenched his hands into fists tightly as he felt his soul filled with bitter regret. Tears rises in his eyes making his vision slightly blurry.

He regretted his action so badly. If only there was a way to change it. But deep inside him, he knows there's nothing he can do but accept that he f*cked up big time.

A hand landed on his shoulder and Sans looked up to find Fell gazing at him with an unreadable expression. But the simple act of placing a hand on shoulder tells Sans that the edgy skeleton was trying to comfort him.

Because Fell knows. Ink told him what and why Sans did it.

Sans couldn't help but tear up even more. It's been hard for him since everything seems to be going against him. Everything he does was wrong. No matter how much he tried, it just wasn't enough.

It's like everyone hated him.

All the guilt, stress and disappointment have been piling up on him and he couldn't bear it any longer.

Worse, nobody was there for him.

But now there is. Fell opened up his arms and welcomed Sans in a hug.

Sans couldn't hold it in any longer. He burst to tears and wrapped his own arms around the edgy skeleton. Clenching the fabric of the black hoodie as he sob on Fell's shoulder.

It felt as if a heavy burden in his chest has been lifted. It was a relief knowing that someone cares. Someone to lean on when he could barely stand up on his own.

Fell rubbed Sans back comfortingly, just like how Stretch would do when he have nightmares.

"There there, you jealous crybaby." Fell teased yet didn't stop his soothing act. The little joke made Sans chuckled, although there was a hint of bitterness but it was barely noticeable.

"Shut up." Sans said, unable to come up with a smart come back.

All the while, Stretch was just standing there awkwardly in between the two pairs of skeletons hugging each other. He'd never felt so out of place.

And then there's Frisk the human child, looking up to him expectantly. Stretch was puzzled as to what the child want from him.

Then Frisk opened her arms.

Stretch almost snapped. He swears this child is mocking him.

Just as then, a portal opened up and Ink came running, complaining about leaving him alone in the wreckage. But he shuts up almost immediately upon the sight.

The creator's expression soften as small, gentle smile made its way to his lips.

No, he didn't plan this. But this was way better than what he had originally thought.

Making his way to the bright green couch and crouch down in front of the glitched skeleton who had his face still buried in Reaper's chest.

Ink place a hand a Geno's shoulder. Geno peeked with one eye, refusing to show his flushed face to the rest of the crowd. But upon seeing Ink, he didn't hesitate pulling away from the grim reaper and tackling Ink to the carpeted floor.

"I'm proud of you." Ink whispered as he held Geno close.

The grim reaper couldn't help but let out a smile as he watched Geno once again hide his tear stained face by burying it in Ink's beige scarf. Geno being shy was just adorable.

Unfortunately, the bliss moment was cut off.

"Ahem"

Ink looked up from the direction of the sound to find Stretch with a rather impatient look on his face.

"Sorry to interrupt but my brother still needs saving" Stretch reminded them.

Ink nodded and attempted to pull away but Geno refused to let go. So Ink gestured to Reaper to take Geno from him.

Reaper did, knowing full well how shy Geno gets when he cries.

Ink stood up as he watched Reaper on the couch as he fuss over Geno. Wiping the glowing blue tears and the small crimson trail of blood from under the glitch.

Turning his head to the other direction, Ink watches for a brief moment as Sans pulled away with a shaky smile and wiped his tears as well while audibly thanking Fell.

It seems like things are starting to look better.

One more thing left to do. Save Blue.

But they need a plan.

Tucking his chin in between his forefinger and thumb in a thinking manner, Ink tried to form a strategy in his mind.

But before he comes up with anything, Reaper called his name.

"Ink," the grim reaper called and the said skeleton turned to face him with a raised brow. "Can you watch over Geno for a bit? I need to check on Paps and the others." Reaper said as he stood up from the couch. Upon the mention of Papyrus, Geno grew worried.

Geno also stood up and opened his mouth to say something but one look from Reaper shuts him up almost immediately. The grim reaper knows what the glitched skeleton was about to say and the answer is no.

No, he will not take Geno with him.

He turned his attention back to Ink who's eyes were wide as realization dawned on him. It didn't occur in his creative mind that Error would even dare go after the gods.

Because Error never did. That's why Ink never gave it a thought.

But now that he did, he realized that they're in deep trouble.

The gods and goddesses were the pillars of the Multiverse. They kept the cycle of birth and death going. They maintain peace and balance. They 'manage' the multiverse.

Without them, the Multiverse will be plunge into great chaos.

This is terrible.

"I'm coming with you." Ink said with a determination in his mismatched eyes.

"Wait, what?! What about Blue?!" Stretch freaked out but was ignored at the moment.

This is a lot more important than the swap version of themselves.

"No. Just stay here and watch over Geno for me." the grim reaper told Ink then his gaze travel to a specific mortal. "I don't want anyone touching what is mine." he added. His voice went lower and colder as he sends warning glares at Sans.

Sans tensed and bowed his head shamefully as guilt rise within him once again.

But Fell was there and assured him that it was alright. That it was not his fault.

"Doesn't anybody care about my brother?!" The tallest skeleton in orange hoodie asked but was, again, ignored.

Ink traced Reaper's line of sight to find Sans shrinking under the god of death's intense glares. The creative skeleton instantly understood.

"Reaper, I brought Stretch and Fell here for a reason." Ink gestured at two new comer behind him.

"I don't trust them."

Ink heaved a sigh as he rubbed his face. "Well, you can't certainly go there alone." Ink said. "What if it's a trap? What if Error is waiting for you there? What're you gonna do?" the creator asked in a serious, almost mocking, yet mildly annoyed tone.

Stubborn. One of the common traits of the Sanses.

Reaper was rendered silent as his eyes wandered to Geno who have a worried look on his face. He didn't really wanted to leave Geno, but he couldn't take him with him as well. As Ink had already said, what if Error is waiting there?

"Please Reaper, just take Ink with you." Geno pleaded. "I'll be okay." then offered a gentle, reassuring smile.

Absolutely not! Reaper will not leave his Geno alone with these sinful scums!

'But you don't have a choice', said the voice from the back of his head. Reaper nearly growled in annoyance. He tried to think of some way to keep Geno safe while he's away.

Ink obviously wouldn't let him leave alone, he doesn't trust Fell, Stretch is suspicious, Sans is out of the question and Frisk...?

"I'll do it." Sans bravely volunteered as he stepped forward. His eyes determined and unwavering.

The god of death narrowed his eyes as he ,as well, stepped forward and gently ushered Geno to keep his distance from Sans.

"You are the last person I wanted to see anywhere near MY Geno." Reaper began. His voice low and laced with venom. "What makes you think I'll trust you after what you've done?"

Sans soul raced yet he remained standing firm on his spot. He could definitely feel Reaper's murderous aura rolling off of him like waves. Yes, hes afraid. But his resolve is stronger than his fear.

"Reaper, I know you hate me, despised me, but please believe me when I say I regret what I've done." Sans pleaded with a hint of urgency in his tone. "I'm an idiot. I take full responsibility of my action. I'll face the consequences. You can insult me, beat me, kick me... kill me! Anything you want!"

Sans paused as he glanced at Geno's shocked face. "But please, give me this one last chance to prove myself." His voice almost cracked as tears blurred his vision yet he kept his eye contact with death.

To show his that he's serious, dedicated and committed to such a task.

"Please, Reaper. Let me redeem myself." Sans pleaded desperately.

But Reaper was not convinced.

"Do what you want." He mumbled coldly and turned his attention to the human child and beckoned her to come closer.

Frisk did, cautiously, as she could still feel death's angry aura.

Reaper crouched down to her level as the human child smartly kept her distance from him.

"Frisk, I need you to watch over Geno for me. Can you do that?" The grim reaper asked, using the kid's actual name rather than just a 'kid' to further emphasize the importance of her 'quest'.

Frisk ran away.

'Running away from the responsibilities be like', Reaper thought as he watched her go and disappears into the kitchen. He stood up once again and sighed hopelessly.

But the human child soon came back with a knife.

Geno and the rest of the mortals were struck by fear as the slowly back away from the child. Reaper, however, grinned maliciously.

"That's what I'm talkin' about. Good kid." the god of death said rather proudly.

Frisk gave him a thumbs up.

"What the f*ck, Reaper?!" Geno exclaimed out of pure terror at the sight of his darkest nightmare.

Reaper was immediately by his side, trying to calm him down. "Don't worry, sweetie. She wont hurt you."

Geno was nowhere near convinced by the god of death's words but his sweet and gentle reassurance made him trust him. But that didn't do anything to ease the dread settling in the pit of his nonexistent stomach.

With the 'bodyguard' settled, Reaper was ready to leave. As Ink paints a portal, Reaper remembered something.

He turned to Sans.

He might as well make a use of him since he's willing to but that doesn't mean that he trusts him.

Sans tensed as the god of death approached him and leaned close to his nonexistent ear. "Keep an eye out on Stretch. I have a bad feeling about him." Reaper whispered and Sans eyelights darted to the tallest skeleton.

Sans doesn't understand why but he's determined to do it in order to prove himself. To redeem himself. He nodded.

Then the god of death retreated a little to look at Sans straight in the eyes. Sans gulped nervously as he struggle to keep an eye contact with the grim reaper's intense glares.

"You should be thankful that Geno thinks your 'little act' wasn't real." Reaper began lowly as Sans' eyes widened in disbelief.

"If you say one thing about it, I'm sending you through the seven layers of hell." the god of death threatened which alarms Geno who pulled him away from Sans.

"I'll be back as soon as possible." Reaper said softly and planted a kiss on Geno's forehead before walking over to the portal with Ink waiting patiently for him.

With one last look at his Geno, Reaper jumped in the portal.

The sooner they leave, the sooner they return.

To be continued...

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AN:

So much things are going on and it's hard to fit it all in one chapter.

Fell's back story is based on lots of Fellcest/Fontcest and HoneyMustard book, I've read so many but couldn't even name a single title. :P

But they're in my private library, if you want I could make a reading list for it. Just tell me.

That is all. Thank you very much.