I must keep her away from Flowey and her, before its too late to save her in this timeline.
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|| Frisk's POV ||

The last thing I ever remembered was horrid laughter and the next thing I knew is that my whole body was in pain.

My breathing was cut short, and I winced whence seeing the crimson color visible underneath the gauzes that littered my arms and knees.

"glad to see ya awake bud." sans grinned, walking casually into the room.

Strange...

Why does my whole body hurt like hell..??

And I don't remember taking Sans' room for a nap after skating.

Did he bring me here..??

"How..?? Where..??"

"passed out from coldness. brought ya home"

"Is that so..." I pondered quizzically.

that laughter..

Flowey !!

He came back to torment me, saying "we'll come and rule all."

What does he mean..?

I shivered at the troubling thought of it.

But Sans doesn't seem to recall anything odd about yesterday. His expression remained undaunted and calm.

"hafta break it to ya but, you shouldn't get so cocky about snowing off.." he suddenly mused, hinting out my current situation.

"It was a dream...?"

"i don't know what you've been dreaming about in there but geez, you got us worried sick for a moment there."

"whatever you've dreamt of yesterday, it ended, and its never gonna happen."

He crouched down by the bedside and held my arms. It took me by surprise but he simply inspected my bruises.

A great wave of embarrassment flushed over me from the contact of his rigid bones. He didn't seem to notice my uneasiness but the memories of yesterday flashed before my eyes after the short exchange we had when everyone left.

The thought itself was absurd.

Liking Sans..???

But it does feel warm to admit that I do..?

"still dazed and confused?"

His voice brought me back from reality and my cheeks burned a shade darker.

"D-don't push it." I huffed, daring him amidst the burning sensation I was holding back from him.

He merely chuckled and patted my head.

"no, you shouldn't and look what that did to you." he teased before leaving the room without a word.

I smiled at him and sat up slowly, careful that I might stumble and fall.

A part of me wished that I shouldn't have been too cocky, especially towards Sans.

I'm only making a fool of myself, bigtime

Letting out an exasperated sigh, my hand brushed the arm where he held me earlier.

It was fleeting yet alarming, making me feel giddy inside.

What the heck.

This isn't the first time we've been up close and yet why do I feel so much tension and anticipation as if I was longing for his touches..?

Before I could finish my train of thought, I dismissed the funny ideas pooling in my head.

Just keep it cool, he wouldn't notice.

Besides, it's probably just infatuation.

Fixing the covers of the mattress, I started waltzing my way out of the room downstairs.

The placid atmosphere was prominent, along with the light filtering the windows, as if promising a much better day ahead of us.

'might as well spend the day with Papyrus, he did say that he wanted to learn how to bake'

"Where's Papy?" I asked, seeing no trace of the exuberant tall skeleton.

"he accompanied mettaton for the latest cooking show." He grumbled as he flipped the channels on the TV with little to no interest.

'Aw what a shame, I was looking forward to see him, but now I'm stuck with the certain skeleton of interest'

The tingling sensation on my skin intensified at the thought. But then again, I discarded them away before making a beeline towards him.

The show on the channels starred all of Mettaton and his expression grew wearier and wearier by the second, close enough to either fall asleep or get annoyed about the repetitive display.

He really doesn't seem to like Mettaton.

But I do understand that he's only acting in such a way since it's part of his responsibilities of a brother.

"Hey, no need to be a grump about it. I'm sure paps would have a lot of fun." His frown was tugged away lightly, an idea abruptly sparking in his mind.

"welp, 'tis no use sittin here all day."

"I never expected that you'd say that." Raising a brow, I plopped down beside him.

The cushions shifted and it threw me off my relaxed position.

"come I have a job for you."

Without further questions, he instantly grabbed my hand, but careful enough to not put me off the edge.

Being hauled into the his arms, we were teleported into a hotdog stand in hotland..??

The scenery was different since we never had passed the place, let alone see a hotdog stand existing out here?

"So other than having a sentry stand you also have a hotdog stand..?" I asked, dubious of the hilarity he's been displaying lately.

It seems like I don't know everything there is to know about this peculiar skeleton.

But he does intrigue me, and he never fails to surprise me with each turn.

"yup, a hotdog and hotcat stand." He corrected, calling from behind the counter as he rummaged through some boxes.

Just what is he up to today..?

Peeking in to get a clearer view of what he had in store, he only obscured my vision even more.

"So whaddya want me to do? Take your post for today..?"

"even better" I snickered.

There he held a costume in full display and then it hit me.

why...

"you're gonna be my mascot for today!" he beamed, trying to suppress the laughter in his voice.

"I never agreed to this?!" I retorted, pushing the hideous abomination away.

His grin stretched even wider, immune of my sudden outburst.

"you never did, but you signed yourself up for this the day you decided to taunt me" he sniggered, countering my claim as soon as it left my mouth.

Scoffing lightly, I diverted my eyes away from his pleading yet cheeky expression as if mocking me.

"stay alone in the house or so help me, think of it as a request than a punishment." flatly saying, he slumped his feet on the wooden board as he laid back on his chair.

Groaning, I hastily embraced the fluffy costume in my arms.

"Don't laugh ok, I swear."

After slipping it on, the warmth engulfed me. My movements were restricted but I guess it would be alright since all the patches in my body are covered.

But unfortunately, the hot air and my current state made my cheeks flush red and sooner in sheer embarrassment.

"aww you look PURR-fect on that hotcat costume, you look like a PURR-fessional!" Sans chuckled, looking at me from head to toe.

I sank my head further inside the costume in annoyance. The heat was bearable but the smell filled my senses with musty ketchup.

"i'm glad you've accepted my off-FUR." Sans joked even further.

"Stop it sans....I look terrible."

"no you don't, you look absolutely PAWSome!" He snorted.

"Enough..." I said, heaving a frustrated sigh.

If he weren't someone I admired, I swear I would lose it soon.

"i wish somePAWdy would be able to see this, i bet it'll be one of the breaking MEOWs this CATurday." he hollered, between breaths.

"SAAAANS! PLEASE STOP! I HAD ENOUGH!" I yelled, but he seemed more amused than intimidated.

He paused for a moment.

"looks like someone's on a MEOWtrage."

My nerves were on the edge. I never knew Sans could be this...

unbearable

Maybe I never did understand Papyrus' concerns about Sans' impeccable sense of humour.

But I wouldn't pass on the opportunity to leave him to have all the fun like this.

"You've CAT to be KITTEN MEOW..HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO SELL ANY HOTCATS AND DOGS IF YOU KEPT ON THROWING THESE CAT PUNS AT ME! WE'RE NOT CATVERTISING! NOBODY'S GONNA PURR-CHASE IF WE JUST STAND HERE AND DO NOTHING!" I reprimanded, which made him shut up.

He was speechless, but I can say that it made a big impression on him.

"you've mi-STEAK-en, I didn't threw them." He added, winking my way.

I smiled uneasily from the action, feeling that unsettling leap within my stomach.

"F-fine, let's get this over with."

Awaiting for possible customers, I took my position and ignored the moment that had happened.

Sans left his seat and fetched me a glass of water from the jug by the counter top.

"ok , i don't want to get on your bark side though."

A few hours had passed by, and I kept up my best to uphold my duty as a mascot. It wasn't all that bad since I could keep myself distracted from him at a good distance. 

Business was...well...fine. 

I've had several encounters from what seems like are regulars of Sans' 

Come to think of it, I've been only made familiar of a few people around these parts. It was amusing to see new faces of different shapes and sizes. Although Hotland wasn't very crowded, the similarity of the cultural norms here were that very much of human life and civilization.

A monetary system, shops and stalls, celebrations and so much more

Why were these people deprived to live aboveground...?

After the stall ran out of stock, Sans offered that it was time to go home, but then my stomach pleaded otherwise.

"Hey Sans"

"yea?"

"Can we stop by Grillby's for a bite?"

Sharing a knowing look, we trudged down the snow all the way to Grillby's. Sans eagerly pushed the double doors before us and sauntered into the shack.

"sup grillby" 

"Hello sans, care to introduce her? I met her before but I didn't catch her name." Grillby said, ever so cleaning the goblets with vigor, interest in his voice.

My eyes caught his gaze and I can't argue the fact that he's one charming guy.

"she didn't threw it ya know." Sans grinned, grabbing the bottle of ketchup by the tissue holder, taking Grillby aback.

"Really sans?" Grimly saying, he snatched the ketchup bottle away from Sans.

"aww cmon grillbz, i haven't had once in a awhile ya know." Sans pleaded, crossing his arms in distraught.

"No, not today." Grillby added, taking all the ketchup bottles from the shelf, giving a knowing look between me and Sans.

"pshh, fine." he muttered, retreating at the other side of the bar. I guess his tab is reaching grillbz's flames.

Immediately rushing upfront, I introduced myself. Grillby should be embarrassed at Sans' careless display sometimes. But this time, I felt the need to take responsibility.

"Frisk" With an outstretched hand, I smiled.

Grillby took my hand and returned the gesture. Instead of the scorching heat, I felt warmth tingling at the edge of my fingertips.

"Grillby."

"I apologize for Sans, I'm surprised you've gotten used to being around him." He chuckled, earning a huff of annoyance from Sans, but he never looked back in our direction.

Adjusting my seat, I began to drill my fingertips at the counter.

"Barely, but he's a great guy." I mused, smiling at the thought. Grillby only nodded, his eyes crinkling underneath his glasses.

I guess there's no denying it anymore.

|| San's POV ||

Reaching the corner of the counter, I began minding my own business, thinking about yesterday.

Just like that, everything repeated itself again. She was caught in trouble with that weed.

If things like that happen occasionally, then there really is something going on in this timeline.

But nonetheless, Alphys was right.

I shouldn't forget.

Dismissing my thoughts away, I watched Frisk as she was surrounded by the dogs in the area.

"Aww such cute dogs"

"Hey! Stop it haha!" she was giggling, as the dogs started to lick the sides of her face.

And I would do anything, just to hear that laugh everyday. I just have to hold on a little bit longer.

"Help, they're being ruff!" 

I chuckled as I watched her getting swarmed by the dogs. Showering them all with attention as much as she can.

"hehe they're going mutts."

Stray tears started to run down my cheeks, melancholy overidding my smile. I hastily brushed them away before she notices.

Only then that I was to realize that people were right..

that the mind forgets, but the heart never does.

"You alright Sans?" Grillby asked, pushing me away from my train of thought.

"oh heh, it's nothing. just bone-tired." Diverting my eyes away from him and putting on my best attempt of a smile.

He paused for a moment and assessed my current situation with a stern look to a grin of amusement.

"You like her, don't you?"

"what makes you say that?? even if I do, it's none of your business..." I scoffed, feeling the heat prickling on my cheekbones.

In denial, I tried to play it cool in front of Grillby. As much as I'm not an expressive fella myself, Grillby knows almost everything that's been going on in my mind.

His assumption was never wrong.

"Sans, I've known you long enough...and I can tell that you've been doing more than just babysitting the girl for the past few days."

I sombered at the thought.

He was right, yes I was protective of her from the very beginning, but it was for a reason.

And that reason is what keeps me sane, day by day.

Unsatisfied of my sudden silence, he pulled a nearby chair and sat beside me.

"Cmon sans, its alright, why don't you tell her, yea?" Grillby said, adjusting his seat.

I rolled my eyes, seeing that he wouldn't budge if I don't give him an appropriate answer.

"it's not... the right time, yet."

With everything that had happened and the fact that almost everyone's life is in danger, I don't think it's time to deal with these feelings. Even if I wanted to, it's just not settling right in my stomach.

"besides, I'm a busy man. ain't got time for that." I chuckled, never catching a glance in her way.

"You and your excuses." with an exasperated sigh, Grillby resumed his work as more patrons came.

"But if I were you, I'll tell her sooner." Grillby urged, a small smile and snicker escaping his lips.

Frowning, my gaze wandered to her again.

He's right.

Nothing can assure that I'd see her again in this timeline or maybe see her in others.

Time will come when this would all come to an end, and be nothing but a distant memory.

That's how everything works.

She comes, she leaves...

But I'm not letting them get to her and take this chance away.

It's time to help her jog up her memories soon.

just as I promised...