The town was bustling around the small cafe, people running around excitedly. Sun sprinkled in through the large windows, decorating the tiled floor. Sans and Papyrus sat in the booth, waiting for the two females of their group to show up.

Papyrus being Papyrus, he practically already had the entire day planned out for the group. Sans had woken up at six in the morning to find the teenager already active, running around their small hotel room with breakfast already being prepared and their schedule set up.

It was really helpful that Sans had brought those extra blankets, creating a pile of them to sleep under so Papyrus wouldn't see any of his bones if his clothes slipped, which they tended to do. And Papyrus didn't object, understanding Sans didn't want to show his face. So he let Sans sleep in his horde of pillows and blankets, only to emerge when he had woken up and fixed his hood.

Papyrus making breakfast for them was really nice, but it was... the flavor was indescribable. The noodles were somehow burnt at one end and raw at the other, and the sauce was too runny. Not to mention, why spaghetti for breakfast?

That's why they were meeting at the Cafe, to get some real food. Papyrus had admitted to only knowing how to cook like Undyne, who would shove an animal on a stick and cook it over a fire. It worked for animals, but not for pasta.

Sans scarfed down his muffin, Undyne's hoodie she had lent him thrown over his shoulder, ready to be returned when she arrived. His own blue favorite hoodie was now on, as he had a chance to change when he had gotten to the hotel. They agreed she would get it back when they would meet for breakfast. It was pretty cool of her to lend it to him, so Sans had decided to buy her a muffin as a thank you.

It wasn't long before the two were arriving, rushing up to their booth. Papyrus and Sans scooted over, handing the two the food they bought, along with Undyne's hoodie.

Walking in was a bit hard for Alphys, who was practically a celebrity. She gave an awkward wave as everyone as they started clapping, and soon was copying Sans' strategy of wearing Undyne's hoodie and pulling it up to cover her face. The hoodie looked just as big on her as it did Sans, really. They both were small in height, so the hoodie practically went down to their knees. The edge of her red and white dress barely peaked out of the bottom, the dark green hoodie way too big for Alphys, bagging past her arms to nothing but a puddle of fabric on the table. The lizard had to struggle to reach her hands out, wrapping them around her coffee cup.

"Oh, man, this is comfy," Alphys said, "I see why you wear these all the time, Sans."

"Heck yeah," Sans said, "They're epic."

"You can keep it if you want," Undyne said, slinging an arm across the back of Alphys' seat. "You look really cute in it, like a little burrito! Aw, man, now I want a burrito. Dad used to bring those to me all the time. Do they serve burritos here?"

"No, it's a Cafe," Sans said.

But it was too late, as Undyne was already climbing out of her seat, rushing up to the counter to ask if they had burritos. Even though it was a Cafe, and they would certainly not have that food. Additionally, she had scarfed down the muffin Sans bought her, so she just ate. Meanwhile, Alphys gently pulled at the edges of her sleeves, smiling to herself.

"Yoooo!"

The yell was louder than the clapping had been, causing everyone at their table to look at the source of the sound. There stood one of the kids from their field trip, Monster kid. Son of Cinderella.

It was a good thing he was the son of Cinderella, due to his lack of hands. He was a bit short, and a bit younger than them, due to being a few grades below them.

"Undyne, that sword fight you had was so cool!" Monster Kid had said, bouncing up and down next to her. "Yooo, you're awesome! I wanna be like you when I grow up!"

"Don't you have a destiny of being a Prince?" Undyne asked.

"So? I'll get my glass shoe, then be like you! I'll be a super cool King with a sword!!"

Undyne didn't seem to care about the fact that he was armless, instead giving the kid a high five, to his tail, with a large grin. "Hell yes, you can use your tail! Just train kid, and you'll do great!"

When she had turned away to walk back to their table, the boy followed her with a goofy, happy grin.

"You uh, need something?" Undyne asked.

"Nope!"

"Okay."

When Undyne turned to walk away, Monster Kid started to follow her again. The red haired girl sighed, whipping her body back towards him.

"You want to hang, kid?" Undyne asked.

"Yes!" Monster Kid squealed, the younger jumping up and down.

~~~~~~

Do you know that feeling where a child follows you around? Like a younger sibling, the one who insists to hang out with your friends?

That was the thing about Monster Kid. He sure felt like it, and he wasn't even related to any of them. Yet he somehow deemed Undyne worth all of his time and obsession, following her around much like a lost duckling would.

Sans wasn't sure how the others felt, but for him... he was a bit uncomfortable. Everyone else in the group he managed to get along with, they were his friends he trusted and liked. Not that he didn't like Monster Kid, the kid was alright. But Sans didn't think they'd be good friends, Sans was a rather introverted person. At least Papyrus was willing to do all the talking, and while being an extrovert, he understood introverted people like Sans and Alphys needed time to recover. Monster Kid did not understand this.

Undyne managed to get along with him during their exploration of the town, but it was clear the constant high pitched voice was not only annoying him, but Alphys as well. Even Undyne looked a little upset, having their friend group butted into.

Maybe it was just the way they did things, but it felt odd with someone like Monster Kid forcing his way in. The whole point of their group was that they were outcasts. People who couldn't make friends, having banded together. They didn't exactly mind another person joining them, but it wasn't of their own free will. Monster Kid simply joined without knowing any of them, and without having any reason to be there but to follow Undyne. He didn't even seem to like Alphys or Sans, likely because their destinies didn't involve weapons. Well, to his knowledge, anyway.

Sans didn't really have any problems with the boy as a person, but he had been really looking forward to spending this day with the very few people he could trust enough to talk to.

Alphys seemed to be understanding the constant anxiety Sans went through now that she was doing exactly what he was doing. Stumbling down the street, hood pulled up, begging to any god out there to not have any strong wind somehow push down her hood. With the constant talking of Monster Kid, continuing to insist on talking to Undyne like the rest of them were there. Sans understood the kid looked up to her like an idol, but he needed to take it a step back and let poor Undyne breath.

Being the amazing savior Undyne was, the female had motioned for Sans and Alphys to make an escape, letting the introverts of the group take a much needed break. She had hinted that she would call them later, Papyrus helping their escape when they needed it. Sans made sure to note down a pasta shop he saw on his way down the street, sending the location to Papyrus to check out later.

They both scrambled into the shop, neither wanting to be out inside of public too long before they shut the library closed. It seemed to be a crowded space by the looks of it, shelves full of book after book crammed into each tightly packed corner. From how full the library was, Alphys and Sans could barely see inside, instead a maze of sorts led them throughout the small building.

"I think I'm going to throw up," Sans said.

"Why is he so obsessed with Undyne? That's so weird," Alphys said, wrinkling up her snout in annoyance. "I like her too, but he doesn't even know her."

"Now Undyne knows how you feel," Sans said, "Being adored by someone so obsessively."

"Undyne understands my suffering," Alphys said, "She is actually going to be dead later, it's going to suck for her."

"Heck yeah. But that was a seriously cool thing to do to let us introverts escape."

"Freedom. And into a book store, our natural habitat."

"Aaahhh, I love reading so much," Sans said, stretching his hands out to the many books around them. "I feel like I should just live here now. Just abandon school and read every book here. My grades are already terrible, it'd be perfect."

"Hey, we got a good grade on our project," Alphys said, nudging his shoulder.

"Yeah, but that was because I had the great Alphys White as my partner, I don't have you in any of my other classes," Sans said, nudging her back. "I'm good with science stuff, but history I die in every single test. I like reading books, not stupid documents."

"History is the worst," Alphys agreed, "Yuck, I hate that class."

"Yuck?" Sans snorted. "You don't eat classes, Alph'. You obviously snort them."

"Math class messes you up when you snort it," Alphys joked back.

"Yeah," Sans agreed, "But I have actually seen someone in Wonderland eat mushrooms and get high. It's not too uncommon."

"Wait, really?" Alphys asked, turning towards him fully.

"It's one of the first things you learn in Wonderland class," Sans explained, "You don't eat anything from Wonderland that isn't directly food. Mushrooms are the worst thing to eat, though, they almost all make you feel high. That's where a lot of drugs are from, Wonderland messes you up."

"And you're from Wonderland, right?" Alphys asked.

"Kitty and I were born there." He took a brief look at the awkward mirror hanging on the wall, catching sight of his angled reflection. "We moved here when the... well, you know, the incident happened to Wonderland. My Mom at least had the foresight to buy a house in this world in case, so we're good now."

"Did your Mom manage to make it out?"

"Nah, not a lot of people managed to escape. That's why there's barely any kids from Wonderland, the rest didn't escape."

"Sorry to hear about your Mom."

"Hey, don't worry about it. It sucks, and everyone's been screwed over by the Evil King, but it's fine... Why do our talks always take such depressing turns?"

"Why do they?" Alphys agreed, "We're in a library, we should do book things. Like reading."

"Or building a pillow fort and playing video games."

"You know me too well. Wanna split up and find books to read?"

"Sure."

The two weren't really equipped to talk too much, as they were already socially exhausted from everything that happened. Monster Kid was extremely draining, and from that entire day, Sans couldn't think of a single interaction he had with the kid that he actually liked.

His thoughts were broken when a book thudded to the ground next to him, noise shattering through his thoughts like glass. There, lying next to him, was a thick book, cover worn with age more than the Librarian's face. He tilted down, slightly, letting his fingers brush against the edges before they firmly grasped to better see the cover.

No title or words graced the thick leather, making Sans' curiosity turn within his nonexistent gut. He eased it open, looking down at the pages yellowed with their time. It was a firm book, a little old, but nowhere near falling apart. Nor did it look like any printed book.

This was-

Sans flipped a few pages, eyelights trailing around as lost as he was. Why was this here? How did it even get here? This was a library, this wasn't any place for something this personal!

He lifted his head, ears perking as he surveyed the small corridor of books and shelves he had been standing inside of. His gaze dragged across book after book, softly looking into the mirror at his own reflection until he continued. No one was here but himself.

How exactly did this get here?

"Yes, Mother, I understand. I'll get you the-"

A voice rang behind Sans before stopping as the Library door opened, non other but Grillby Beanstalk standing there. His flames tickled the air in their height, healthier than ever before. He paused, no doubt unexpecting to find a Cheshire within the Library.

"I'll... call you back," Grillby said, swiping away on his mirror.

"Hello again," Sans said.

His eyelights focused onto the bag at Grillby's side. His old book. Grillby still was carrying it around.

"Did you come here to try and connect the book to someone?" Sans asked, "If you were saved near our school, the savior wouldn't be connected to a library from another town."

"No, I... I actually like to read," Grillby said, "I know I'm still looking for him, but I understand my chances of finding him out here are slim to none."

At least Grillby was aware of his situation.

"What book do you have there?" Grillby asked, looking at the story Sans was holding. "Do you, by chance, like to read?"

"I dabble. Alphys enjoys reading, and she's my friend, so I read alongside her." Sans' lie was blatant, he loved reading so much he would likely continue until he dusted from the earth. "But this isn't a normal story. It's my Mom's diary. Before the curse of Wonderland happened."

Grillby gasped, taking a step back. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't offend me, it's no problem."

The curse of Wonderland. Everyone knew about it, as no one could travel to Wonderland. Set by the Evil King himself, his final spell that was hidden in the dark, springing upon the unsuspecting innocent people out of nowhere. His revenge, some claimed.

"I'm just wondering how a diary from my Mom ended up... nevermind. It's a Cheshire problem, and you have your own, no?"

Their first encounter had been admittedly awkward, but both had been so caught up in that day's occurrence to really build a decent conversation. Grillby had been too eager to get information out of Sans to even account for his sudden appearance, having startled a squeak out of Sans previously. His face burned at the memory. That was embarrassing.

"There are some tables near the windows, let's sit down," Sans said, "I know most people aren't done with their first answers."

Cheshire cats were known for their knowledge. As they would watch from the shadows, they often gained a lot of insight. When you had a question about drama or rumors, you went to the Cheshires. Sans couldn't count how many times Kitty had returned home from school, having been asked yet again by someone for information she would know. Yet, as Cheshires, it was in their blood to be tricksters. They liked pranks, and those pranks often amounted to answering with riddles or giving such confusing answers that people often came back to settle it out. People knew not to push Cheshires, though, as they were secretive. Even as he held his Mother's diary, he knew barely half of her tales of life would be contained within it.

Grillby settled, the book gently placed next to him. He was treating the object better than the Prince of Cinderella treated the glass slippers.

"I'm sorry, for being an annoyance..." Grillby apologized.

"It's no trouble." Sans' tail hung lazily in the air. "People aren't ever satisfied with their first answers, they always come back for more. And people never ask myself anyways, so I have time for your questions."

"Do people not like you?"

"I kept my distance."

Grillby's flames wavered, no doubt analyzing his social status. Even the strongest hurt when they had no friends to turn to, no one to lean again. Sans knew from experience. It hurt, being alone. It truly did.

"Ya really didn't come into school with a grand start," Sans said, "You burst in looking for the person who saved you, then you followed it up by claims that aren't exactly in your best interest. Have you met Shyren?"

"Daughter of the Little Mermaid?" Grillby asked.

"Yeah, her. She's a bit shy, but her body is of two parts, and her head is round and looks white underwater. Have you considered she might be the person who saved you?"

"I know what I saw!" Grillby said, "No one believes me, but I know I saw a male skeleton."

"You're a fire elemental, and you fell into a river. I'm not saying you didn't see them, but I am saying you should consider the possibility that you might have mistaken Shyren for a skeleton."

"I..." Grillby fell silent.

"Hey, you don't have'ta get down or anything," Sans quickly said, "I know it sucks not being able to thank who saved you, but you should really consider what you've been doing. You've been obsessing over someone you don't even know exists. Just try and make some friends, be a teenager. You don't have to worry about your future, you have a good destiny."

Sans himself wished he could follow those words. In a sense, he was. He was a prankster, who liked to giggle and who liked to spend time with friends. And say puns. Lots and lots of puns. If he could talk about his love for books to Grillby, he would.

"You talk like you don't have a good destiny."

Sans glanced over, leaning on his gloved hand. "Not really. My sister, Kitty, gets our Mom's destiny. I got my Dad's."

"Like... a destiny of the Evil King. You go to Alphys' Royalty class, don't you?"

Sans almost froze. Instead, he tilted his head, pretending to be taken aback by Grillby's words.

"Are you trying to insult me by calling me a child of the Evil King?" Sans asked.

"Oh, wait, no! Not at all!" Grillby said, waving his hands. "Gosh, I'm so sorry. I've just been so obsessed with this lately that I've been losing myself. Sorry."

"I just wear hoods because Cheshires like secrets, and there's a lot more evil destinies with royalty out there than just the Evil King's."

"Sorry, I just... blurted it out, I guess. I'm just reaching for straws at this point, they probably don't even go to our school. In public, at least." Grillby leaned against his own hands, burying his face into them. "Don't take that as an insult. I'm sorry, I jumped the gun without even thinking. I know you're not the person who saved me."

"Cats don't like water," Sans said, "And I don't write in books."

Grillby ran his hands down his face, glancing at the book. "I guess that's also why I'm so obsessed with trying to find them... I've read all of their notes, heck, I even read the book again just because of their notes. It's amazing. They pointed out ideas and character moments I never noticed, and their jokes are funny. I keep thinking about him, about who he is, about his ideals and beliefs." Grillby gestured to the book. "If you're a book lover, you should check it out. The notes are fantastic, and they even drew a really funny looking dog. I want to meet them to gain more insight about their thoughts on the book."

Sans wasn't sure if he should be flattered or not, but he was anyway. Thanking the lord his hood tucked away his blush, he continued the conversation. "So you're a book nerd, huh?"

"Yeah. I've always liked reading reviews and analysis stuff about them, as well as just reading them. That's also why I've wanted to find him so bad, I'd love to hear more of his thoughts about other books I enjoy. It's hard to find people to read with."

It was.

If Sans' identity wasn't on the line by revealing he wrote those books, he would have nerded out with Grillby the first chance he got. Instead, he kept his body composed, and his love towards literature shoved into the very bottom of his soul, as to not harm him. Maybe, in another life, he and Grillby could geek out. Discuss their shared love for books, over a cup of ketchup and some greasy food, Sans' favorite kind. If only.

"I enjoy books, but not to that extent. Maybe you'll find that person, and maybe he is a skeleton, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. Especially where you're throwing around accusations of someone hooded being a skeleton. I may have taken it lightly, as a Cheshire, but others don't."

"I understand. Again, I'm very sorry. I don't believe being a skeleton should be an insult, though."

"Tis the world we live in."

Finally did Grillby shift in his seat, triggering the whoopie cushion Sans had snuck onto there using magic. Sans let out a snort, pressing his hands against his teeth as he started to giggle.

"Are you- you planted a whoopie cushion?" Grillby stood up, almost knocking over the table.

"Yes!" Sans couldn't stop his laughing, dropping against the table as he tried to muffle his voice with his gloves. It wasn't working very well.

"Quiet in the library!" The Librarian yelled from her desk, hidden away behind the numerous shelves of books.

That must have startled poor Alphys, who was still searching for a good read, as a crash sounded from the other side of the small building. Sans only laughed harder, almost falling out of his seat.

This was great.