"NYEH HEH HEH!" A high pitched laugh came from the other side of the yard, followed by the screaming of other kids as they ran back and forth. Sans was huddled in his jacket behind a tree, his back pushed against it. His hood was pulled over his head and covering his face, buried into his arms, his knees pulled to his chest.

    He was silent, sitting motionless in the cold, the chilling wind biting at his jacket, but he didn't care. He was too hurt to do so. A short skeleton wearing a bright red jacket stopped his play to turn towards the figure behind the tree, turning his head slightly as he studied it. He knew it was his brother, but he wasn't sure what he was doing.

    "Hey, Papyrus! C'mon! Bet you can't catch me!" A shrill call reached him and he turned, his smile fading slightly as he locked eyes with Undyne, a small fish kid who had dreams of becoming head of the royal guard. She watched him closely, then glanced in the direction of Papyrus' older brother, where Papyrus had been looking. She could tell he was worried.

    "Why don't you go and check on him?" She asked, understanding how he must feel about Sans. Sans was his only family, really. As far as Undyne knew, they were orphans, just like her. But she didn't prod.

    "Okay." Papyrus gave her a curt nod with a determined look on his face before running towards the tree line, his boots crunching on the soft snow. He slowed to a jog as he neared his brother, then came to a stop a few feet away. He was close enough to see the tension under his brother's jacket, and could hear quiet sobs emitting from the clothing.

    "Sans..? What's wrong?" He asked, his voice troubled. Sans stiffened, but didn't move, his face scrunching with more tears as he heard Papyrus step closer. He lifted his head a little and turned his face away from the youngster, not wanting to scare him.

    "Nothing, Pap.. I-I'm fine." He managed, his voice tight and quiet. By now, Papyrus knew something was wrong, despite Sans' attempts to hide it.

    "Brother, are you.. Crying?" The question was asked in a concerned and soft tone, in a way that showed Papyrus was agitated, but it felt to Sans like a blow to the chest. He felt his soul stiffen as a cold grip of dread pulled on it heavily, but he did his best to shake it off.

    "No, lil bro.. Big brothers don't cry." He wiped his cheeks and turned to Papyrus, a weak smile on his face. Papyrus looked into Sans' eyes for a second, and the expression on his face worried him. What if he didn't believe him, and thought less of him? But a sigh of relief cleared the thoughts from Sans' troubled mind as Papyrus came forward and embraced him.

    When standing, Sans was at least 6 inches taller than his little brother, but sitting down Papyrus was a little higher than level with Sans, and was able to get a good hold onto his brother in a comforting hug. Sans smiled wider and chuckled a little, returning the gesture. For a second they stayed there, seeking support from one another, the two the only family they had. They used to have a dad, but one day he had mysteriously disappeared, but not before leaving a large mark in Sans' life that would haunt him for as long as he lived. But Papyrus didn't know, so Sans kept it quiet, vowing to never tell the younger skeleton in fear that it would bring his life crashing down like his.

    He could have sat there for hours, holding his brother close, feeling as if he could protect him from anything in the warm shield of his love for him, but Papyrus pulled away, much to Sans' disappointment.

    "Well, if you're not crying, then come play with me!" He pulled on Sans' jacket with a great effort, his face showing his strain. Sans began to laugh at the sight, and let out a call of surprise as Papyrus actually managed to move him. Sans had to catch himself with his hands to prevent falling onto Papyrus who let go and sat back, panting.

    "Whoa there, kiddo. I'm coming!" He stood briskly and beat his jacket, knocking any excess snow from the blue fabric. Papyrus was already on his feet and running away, back towards the playground with his friends, calling to Sans teasingly. Sans smiled and yelled back at him playfully, chasing him through the yard. As he ran, his mind darkened again, but he pushed it away and let it float away on a cool breeze.