"Mrs. Queen?" Toriel stopped grading the tests of her students, a blue pen still held in her dominate paw. She looked up, expecting to see a student but was a bit puzzled when there appeared to be no one else in the classroom.

She was about to return to her work when a small red mitten slid over the edge of her desk on the opposite side of her, padding the wood softly to get her attention.

"Down here!" Toriel smiled warmly as she recognized the squeaky voice of her youngest student Papyrus. On normal circumstances, he wouldn't be enrolled to the school, but since his older brother took him everywhere, he was qualified to have an academic inclusion.

"Why, hello, Papyrus!" Toriel laughed sweetly as she stood from her chair, peering over the load of papers on her desk to see the small skeleton standing  behind it, his scarf wrapped halfway around his face.

"Hi, Mrs. Queen!" Papyrus chirped, perking up and flashing a big, goofy smile to the older monster. Toriel laughed and walked around her desk, kneeling in front of the short skeleton in order to be closer to his level.

"Do you need something?" Toriel asked, her presence enough to make Papyrus feel warm and comfortable. 

"I wanna talk to you about my big brother." He admitted, his smile fading a little as he glanced at his feet. Toriel tilted her head, one of her ears sliding along the shoulder of her dress as she looked at the little monster. 

"Sans? Yes, what about him?" Toriel was astonished as Papyrus spoke again, his voice lacking it's usual joyous tone.

"He.. I.. He's been really sad lately.. At recess.. He was sitting alone, so I went over to him.. I asked him if he was okay, and he said he was.. But I know he wasn't Mrs. Queen.. He wasn't.." Toriel's soul dimmed as she watched the tiny monster tear up, lifting his arms to wipe feebly at the liquid running down his cheeks, his mittens streaking wet tracks across his cheek bones.

"Oh, Papyrus.. It's alright, my child." Toriel said softly, producing a warm smile as Papyrus looked up at her, tears still welling in his eye sockets. She used her paw to swipe away the wetness with ease, her fur warm and soft to the touch, effectively reassuring the skeleton.

"He just doesn't want you to see him upset, because you're his little brother. He's a big boy now, and knows what's right for you, even if that means hiding when he cries. You're worried about him, right?" Papyrus nodded, sniffling loudly and sinking his face into his scarf, looking up at the tall monster.

"He knows that, and doesn't want you to be. He wants to make you happy, no matter what. No one likes when someone else is crying." Papyrus lowered his gaze, staring intently at his boots as they squeaked with melted snow on the tiled floor. He rubbed his face timidly, his breath hitching.

"Of course.." 

"That's why Sans is hiding it." Toriel wrapped her student in a comforting hug, smiling when she felt tiny arms hold onto her. She knew how Sans must feel, the only child other than Papyrus in the underground without a family. She wished she could do more than teach them math and send them home with homework, but also understood that would only create more problems.

She whispered to Papyrus, rubbing the back of the skeleton's jacket gently. 

"Don't worry about him, okay, Papyrus? If he's feeling really really sad, than he will tell me or you and get help. But the best thing you can do is make sure he stays happy around you." Papyrus nodded against Toriel's chest, feeling safe in her presence. After a few more moments he let go, taking a step back as Toriel smiled at him. He smiled back a little.

"You are right, Mrs. Queen. I will go now, and make him some noodle art! It is his favorite!" Toriel tittered at the monster's determination, covering her mouth when he put his fists on his hips, his overly large scarf drooping to the floor behind him. 

"Of course, Papyrus. Now get along, I have to check your test to make sure you got a good grade!" Papyrus perked at that, his smile returning, his goofy childish innocence replacing any trace of worry or sadness.

"Oh! Will I get a golden star?!" He chirped, clapping his mittens together to make small muffled sounds. Toriel stood and nodded, returning to her seat behind her desk.

"I am sure you will." Papyrus seemed pleased with the answer and giggled, letting out a small "nyeh heh heh!" before dashing out of the empty classroom.

When he had left, Toriel sighed, rustling through the papers on her desk with a unreadable expression.

"You be good, Sans. You should know, little brothers always know."