AN- Rus shall finally be brought into the loop.

Warnings
Mention of abuse
Mentions of violence
Lightly referenced sexual assault

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Awakening was almost painful, as this sleep was unlike anything Syrup had ever felt. Warm, comfortable, blissful… it felt like he was in heaven even. He wasn’t in pain, wasn’t feeling disgusting, wasn't shivering trying to quiet his whimpers… He was perfectly content. He could feel the bed below him, yet he was so comfortable he didn't much care.

He felt whatever holding him shift, nearly making him whimper for a second thinking the warmth was going to leave.
… but then he realized, the warmth wasn't just a blanket, or of his imagination.
It was… someone alive.

He quickly opened his eyes, a white t-shirt crossing his vision. His soul beat quicker, sure this person had just used him -
… but he then realized he wasn't feeling any sort of pain. He slowly peeked up, seeing the skeleton face that brought the memories flooding back.
He looked back down, fear flooding his vision

… He was clean. He had disobeyed one of his Lord's most important rules, one that he had been very clear to Syrup about the horrid consequences. He gave a shiver as his mind swirled with all that would happen when he found out-

He couldn't hold back a purr as he felt the other skeleton nuzzle his head, slightly peeking up. The other seemed to have just woken up, his eyes half lidded. " 'orning Syrup." The other sleepily mumbled, but still had a soft smile on. His soul felt so bright at being smiled at, like he mattered…

He snapped out of it, softly saying morning back. The other carefully let go of him, slowly sitting up and stretching. Syrup slowly did as well, carefully getting off the bed still in awe about the lack of pain. "Sleep well?" He nodded, positive he just had the best sleep he had ever had. The other smiled, slipping on his slippers. "Well, Paps is probably back by now, wanna come say hi to him?"

Syrup nodded, he didn't think any harm could come of it. They were just too… nice, a bit too much for his brain to comprehend honestly. But he sure as hell wasn't about to take that for granted. The two got up, heading downstairs. The smell of food, though lightly enticing, wasn't wanted by Syrup. They looked into the kitchen, Papyrus having on an apron. It seemed to say kiss the cook, but the kiss crossed out and replaced for hug. He was curious about it, but didn't comment as Classic called out to him.

"... AH, SANS AND SYRUP! SLEEP WELL?" Syrup quietly nodded. "Yeah bro, need help?" "NOPE! SIT DOWN, BREAKFAST WILL BE READY SOON!'
They both nodded, doing so. Classic immediately grew concerned seeing the other sit on the floor, that bitter feeling returning.

"Syrup, you can sit at the table…"
"... R-Really…?" The other asked cautiously, making his soul hurt. "Yes, of course bud." He slowly nodded, carefully taking a seat. Classic's fist clenched seeing the other's tense posture, seeming ready to flee… all about being on a chair and not sitting on the floor. He was still coming to terms on how another version of himself could've, ever lay their hands on their brother… let alone everything else they did to the other. He was feeling gross still, but he was trying hard not to focus on it.

"So Syrup, what do you wanna eat?"
"Not hungry." The other said simply, making both the skeletons stop what they were doing. "NOT HUNGRY? BUT YOU HAVEN'T ATE SINCE YOU GOT HERE!" Syrup bit his lip, trying to come up with a good excuse. Lucky for him, Classic assumed something looking at the collar still wrapped tightly around his neck. "... It's fine Syrup, we'll talk about it later ok? Why don't you go and get changed for now?" Confused, he nodded still heading upstairs again. Papyrus gave the other a confused glance, but figured he'd figure out soon enough, setting down the other 's plate and sitting across from him.

"... Sans. We have a lot to talk about." Papyrus said, dropping the act. He wasn't going to wait… he knew how his brother hid things.

"... Yeah, I figured…" classic quietly sighed, looking upstairs.
"I came home, seeing your clothes covered in… what I'm guessing is Syrup's blood, glass everywhere, and…" he put up a hand to say he didn't need to continue. "... A lot has happened to Syrup bro. I… I don't, know if-" "Sans, I am an adult now. I don't need you to shield me from the world. But this is about Syrup… and I don't want to betray his trust. But please, at least tell me why he won't eat since you seem to know."

Classic nodded, looking at his food not particularly hungry anymore. "... That collar around his neck… something is wrong with it. It's… not just a fashion statement." The taller's stomach lightly twisted, hoping he hadn't gotten it, hoping it wasn't what he was thinking. "... Do… you think it's… preventing him from eating…?" "... It's a possibility… but no matter what it's hurting him."

He went quiet at that thought, his hand stirring at the forgotten eggs, almost trying to will himself to take a bite. "I… was thinking of perhaps trying to bring him to Alphys, to check out the collar… then bringing him to a doctor." "That's… a good idea brother. Why don't you call her and let her know. I'll… go bring water at least to Syrup in the meantime." He didn't wait to see him nod, getting up and walking to the kitchen. He grabbed a large cup, filling it up trying to keep his hand from shaking.

Once it was filled he began the walk up the stairs, each step feeling larger then they actually were. Once he finally reached Syrup's bedroom, he took a bit to take in a deep grounding breath. He knocked.

"... U-Um… y… yeah…?" He couldn't help but, wonder if he was acting like that cause he wasn't used to knocks. That thought was… really concerning, him shaking his head. "HEY SYRUP, CAN I COME IN?" "Uh… s, sure?" He walked in, his eyes catching sight of the bandages fully. His heart aches, noticing just how many there were.

… He had a feeling the other had a good reason for not telling him. Just seeing that, made his stomach churn, without even knowing what was underneath them. Perhaps it was better he didn't know.

"I BROUGHT YOU SOME WATER!"
"O, Oh um, t-thanks-" Rus hid the sick feeling in his stomach seeing the other's lightly surprised expression, a smile being spread across his face to hide his worry for him. He sat it down on the desk, lightly peeking into the bathroom. He nearly froze once he saw the other's old clothes…

He had never seen so much bone marrow in his life. He felt… more than just sick. For the first time in his life, he felt genuine hatred. How could anyone ever purposely hurt another even half as badly as what, he can only assume, was done to the anxious skeleton next to him? He knew he believed in others too much, he was well aware. Cause he knew anyone could change, he's seen it happen before.

… but he felt he needed to understand.. some people even if they can change, can never take back the shit they did. Yes they can be better… but that will never change what they did, and the monsters and people's lives they changed for the worst. He hoped to Asgore whoever did this to the other, would never be able to come close to Syrup ever again.

He quickly looked away, not showing how he felt to Syrup. Instead only looking at him with a smile.

"WELL, ME AND MY BROTHER SHALL GO FINISH OUR FOOD. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, DON'T HESITATE TO ASK!" He made sure to emphasize that, wanting Syrup to make sure he knows. The other looked down, shyly nodding. He smiled, this time not faked, and left the other be. He didn't feel as hungry now… but he could do his best…
For those who couldn't eat like they could.

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The sound of rain pelted against the roof, creating a sympathy of calm. Letting out a soft sigh of relief, a robotical hand brought a cup of warm tea to their "mouth". How they could eat and drink, they didn't know exactly… but it definitely was nice to be able to.

Napstabot, the ghost now inside of a robotical body made specifically for them, was quite content for once. Usually down here, that was impossible to achieve. But they somehow managed, and dare they say they were loving it. They had finally gotten away from their sick family of betrayal, abuse and gaslighting, gotten the job they enjoyed, became a star, and gained a true friend in Undyne. It was a nice change from how miserable they used to be.

Not to say everything was perfect, far from it… they knew how their friend suffered at the hands of the Captain of The Royal Guard, Sans. They hated seeing how he could play her like a fiddle, force her to make anything he wanted for free. They wished there was something they could do, but also knew it was a useless idea to try. He wasn't just an abusive piece of shit unfortunately, he was strong. And had the queen herself on his side, making him nearly untouchable. They felt sick sometimes seeing them parade their own brother around like his prized possession, like he wasn't a breathing living monster.

They sighed in frustration. Great, once again their thoughts ruined a nice evening. Looking at their phone, they wondered if they should go check in on Undyne. It's been a bit, but they didn't want to accidentally bother her. They noticed a knock on their door, wondering who that was. They rose, setting down the tea cup and opening the door.

… immediately Napsta froze at who was on the other side.

The same royal guardsmen they had just been thinking about… for some reason he came to their door. "U, U-Um hello Captain Sans. To, what do I owe the visit?" "NAPSTABOT, I HAVE SOMETHING I NEED FROM YOU."
They nearly shivered at his tone, it wasn't asking they knew that well.

"Um, what?"
"YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH UNDYNE CORRECT?" They slowly nodded, unsure if they wanted to know how this was going. "AND YOUR, A ROBOT TOO?'
"Yes? Where is this going-" They let out a screech, electricity shooting up their arms hitting every wire and circuit. They tried to fight it, but soon enough it shut down their systems, their body falling to the ground with a clang.

"THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP NAPSTABOT. YOU'LL MAKE A GREAT ASSET~" was the last thing they heard before their sensors turned off.