(Art by KevinFagaragan on tumblr)

I sneezed out of the blue which caught him in a trance.

"boy, you really caught the chills right there, ey? Guess we'll have take a quick stop first at Grillby's" he added.

I simply nodded and covered my cheeks with the best of my ability to shield me from worsening the cold.

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»*****«

We arrived at the said town and passed some inns and shops. I gazed around and saw the nice warm welcoming smiles of monsters.

They all seemed to be reluctant to kill me or threaten me. I waved at them and returned the smiles.

We went inside Grillby's and I still sneezed, freezing to death.

The warm and sudden heat engulfed me when we entered as if it can already melt the snow clean off my boots.

There are a lot of people in what I assumed was a restaurant.

Some are playing poker and someone is even drunk, snoring on the table. Everyone greeted Sans as if they were his good old friends.

We sat down the brown rusty counter seats.

Its quite comfy though.

Before us is a flame like guy who wore a a waiter's clothes and a slim pair of glasses under his eye's calm expression.

He was slightly leaning on the counter as he cleaned the goblets and wine glasses with a damp piece of cloth.

This is definitely a restaurant.

Now I see why this place is hot.

Not the hot hot thing whenever you see a handsome guy.

I meant literally because he's made out of flames.

I crossed my brows and thought my way out to why is his clothes not burning nor the piece of cloth.

But I guess its all because of magic.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was truly magic. Everything I find unusual in the underground is explained by magic anyways.

"ey grillby, i'd like to order some hot chocolate and two large fries." Grillby nodded vigorously and went through the kitchen.

"A-a-achooo!" I sneezed, attempting to not make it loud.

"hehe, don't worry kiddo, that cold would be gone in no time." Sans said, tapping his bony fingers on the countertop.

"Sans?"

"yeah?"

"Thank you for this, its too much." I mumbled, shyly burying my face.

He barely even knows me and yet he treated me as a close friend and not a total stranger.

"nah, don't mention it, it's not like you meet a human everyday, so, I'm making the most of it."

Making the most of it..?

He almost sounded troubled just by hearing himself say it.

I don't know why but I have a strong sense of curiosity towards this guy.

"anyways.." He cleared his throat, dissolving his blank stare.

"how did ya get here? I mean, before you fell and met Toriel." Asking, he turned himself directly to me.

"you never told me about it before." he noted, probably reminiscing all the topics we've been chatting through the door.

I blinked my eyes at him, thinking of how hilarious it was.

Its been days, maybe even a week since we started to 'get to know' each other and yet it turned out to be conversations less about our personal lives.

It always gets interrupted by humor or the topic occasionally changes.

I began to shift uncomfortably from my seat, thinking that there's no way out of this one.

He looks serious enough by the way he looks at me.

"Its a long story and..I don't want to dig deeper into the details..." I mumbled.

"you can cut through the fi- accident chase." he corrected himself, noticing my uneasy movements.

I smiled lightly at his consideration and heaved a deep breath.

"it's funny actually, as I have told you I don't remember much about my past life." I mumbled slowly.

"That's because of the accident, that caught me into a minor case of forgetfulness."

Sans raised a nonexistent brow and snickered.

"that's called aging."

"Amnesia, Sans." I rolled my eyes annoyingly, giving him the 'let-me-finish- first' look.

"i wouldn't refer that as a minor case." He mumbled lastly.

"Anyways, after all that drama episode, a puppy showed up by my doorstep."

"seriously??" he doubtfully asked.

"Yes seriously, I'm telling you nothing but the truth." I groaned at his side comments.

Slowly reaching in my sweater made him flustered, but he brushed it off anyways when he realized that he was staring.

"So he took this locket and sped off till I chased him into the woods." I continued, revealing the locket out on my palms.

"He led me to a cave and I found a hole and tried crossing it, and then yeah, I fell." I finished my tale but he doesn't seem satisfied by it because he reached for my palms.

"kid, may I see that locket..?" I nodded vigorously and carefully handed it to him.

He started to be very preoccupied in thinking by the time it landed on his hands.

He was deep in thought, I can tell by the narrowing of his tiny pinpricks,

But all his interest vanished when he opened it slowly then shut, Only catching but a glimpse of the inside.

"Is there a problem, Sans...?" I asked, reaching for his shoulder to shake his troubling expression.

Beads of sweat started to form on his forehead along with that dim expression that scared me about him.

"n-nothing....quite a nice fam ya got there." he complimented, tossing the locket back to me, his warm grin returning.

There it goes again.

Seeing him acting this strange troubles me- no, it scares me.

If this keeps on going, I'll be forced to confront him but I hope it wouldn't come to that point.

Sans is quite intimidating because of that dead serious look in his eyes.

"Oh haha yeah....almost." I chuckled, glancing at the blurred picture of the unfamiliar girl again.

I tried to think harder and deeper to hopefully remember anything that connects me to this girl.

But to no avail...

I only ended up flinching in the sudden wave of pain.

Over thinking about this doesn't get me anywhere, only pain.

The clatter of the food tray drained me out of my thoughts, Sans perked up too from Grillby's sudden presence.

"welp, ya better drink up before it gets cold."

I helped myself, unveiling my now warm hands under the pockets to take a few sips, taking a glance at Grillby till he disappeared in the back doors.

"want some ketchup on that?" Sans offered, his gaze falling on the fries before me.

"Yeah, sure." He squeezed the bottle but it only wheezed out some air so he tried again again till the ketchup splattered onto my puffed face.

All the attention was directed to me when the whole place roared with laughter, except for an agitated me and a sorry Sans.

He immediately pulled a few tissues next to him with a slight chuckle.

"whoops! my bad." I rolled my eyes at him and it was enough to shut everyone down back to their own businesses.

I grabbed the tissues and desperately wiped the gooey ketchup off my face, but the tissues didn't offered me much help.

Sans watched me, feeling sorry for it but that didn't held him down to stifle a laugh.

"here let me help." his fingers gently touched my cheeks and grazed the icky substance off, constantly locking his gaze to mine while doing so.

I was caught in a daze while staring at him, his touch making me stiffen and flinch from embarrassment.

Till then I felt the lump rising up my throat when his face drove nearer to mine, still removing the cold substance.

"T-Thanks Sans, I can h-handle this on my own." I stuttered, shoving his hand away with a small huff.

He backed away, a small hint of blue dusting his cheekbones.

Well,

That was new and weird...

My face started to redden a shade darker from embarrassment, almost matching the ketchup on my cheeks that I attempted to wipe away.

I didn't even know skeletons' could blush.

"oh wait, ya missed a spot." Sans offered his hand once again and wiped down the ketchup remains off my chin with his thumb.

It was less embarrassing, Now that I have seen his permanent grin back on his face. I did nothing but share him a small grin too.

Nothing ever made me so energized yet famished when the aroma of my longing cravings for surface food reached my senses.

Sure it was a simple hot choco with a side of fries, but that makes me feel a wave of relief that there isn't much of a difference between modern delicacies from above and here.

I was almost emptying the hot choco and was down to the last fry when Sans was about to talk.

"umm, kiddo, you might wanna watch out for my brother, he's a human hunting fanatic but don't worry he's harmless, he's way too nice to capture you." He chugged down the last bit of ketchup and placed the bottle down with a soft thud.

"can I ask a favor from you, kid?" Sans asked in a serious tone.

"Yeah, sure, what is it?" I mumbled lightly, still enjoying the last of the drink.

His gaze fell for a moment before I lent my ears to him.

"you see, he's been down lately and seeing you would make up his day." he said, unsure of how to put in the right words but it was enough to sink in my head.

"since, it'll be better if he sees you first, if you know what I mean."

I understood him clearly, he just wanted to see his brother happy. Now I realized how selfless he can be not only to others but also to his brother.

They only have each other so I understand how dearly he must be to him.

'I wish I had a brother.' I sadly thought.

I looked up to him and said. "Yeah, sure, anything for a friend." it made him smile and almost hug me in gratitude but I had other plans.

"But, if you only grant my favor too." I cheekily beamed, popping each word with victory.

I'm so doing the favor even if I know this would never succeed. Besides, this is just a small favor to ask, it's more of a reminder actually.

"taking the opportunities, ey?" he chuckled in amusement.

"Hey! That's what friends do!" I stuck my tongue out and giggled, teasing him in a friendly way.

He hummed in fake defeat and leaned onto the counter, raising a nonexistent brow, waiting to hear me up now.

"Stop calling me kid, kiddo, pal, bucko, bud or anything else that makes me younger to you." I plainly said.

He snickered. "why? don't ya want those nicknames?"

"Not really, it just makes me uncomfortable."

Honestly, it makes me embarrassed and annoyed.

"uncomfortable about our age gap?" he smirked, turning the friendly conversation about.

"NO! NOT THAT!" I blurted out, the red shade reverting.

"ki- Frisk, I may be 116 in years but that doesn't literally mean I'm way older than you are. Time in the surface and here differs, A hundred-

"I don't do good in maths but I understand that already." I sniggered, interrupting another space and time ramble from him.

"Besides, it consumes time." I remarked, whipping my pointer fingers as guns.

Normally, we both ended up laughing from the bad joke that we nearly fell off the cushioned stools.

Everyone seemed to be eavesdropping from our conversation because they also did the same, shedding their fake tears away.

Grillby was not really buying any of it, because of the soft groans of annoyance he emitted.

"welp, i'd be leaving already, its almost getting late." Sans noted as he stared at the clock behind Grillby, its hands nearly striking 10 pm.

Leaving...?

I mentally whined, not ready to leave the fun yet my eyes are killing my vision.

"i'm bone tired..." he groaned, with his back lurched slightly in exhaustion.

I felt nothing but to be tipsy and tired too. Now I have to find a place to spend the night in.

I sighed in relief, remembering the Inn we passed by earlier but that doesn't solve everything. I gulped, realizing that I don't have anything as valuable as gold to pay for my stay in there.

"say, do you have a place to crash in?" Sans asked.

I wanted to say no because he's done a lot for me already, Also, I don't want to snuck up into his and his brother's lives.

I'm sure I can take it from here.

"Y-yeah, yeah I do." I replied, but fumbled badly.

"you're one bad liar, Frisk."

He's seen through my thoughts. I awkwardly looked away, debating whether to take in what he said.

"well, you can spend the night at my house, or you could just stay here, your choice ." Sans casually said, hopping off his seat.

'I don't think staying in a restaurant full of boozers would do me any good.' I shivered at the horrid thought.

"well..? Time's ticking and I'm waiting." he hummed, leaving a few gold pieces on the counter for the pay.

I huffed and let the bag slide off my shoulders lazily.

"Ok, I'm coming..."

"sweet, come along." he beckoned and tapped the counter lightly to catch Grillbys' attention.

The flaming guy shuffled out and stared at the payment in disbelief as he blinked his eyes for a couple of times.

I guess Sans doesn't really pay his debts, he always must've hang them in for a moment.

Sans shared him one last quick grin and waved at the dumbfounded yet smiling waiter.

We walked down the snowy paths of Snowdin. Fewer townfolk were to be seen along the stores and shops, brandishing their 'closed' signs.

Only the streetlights were lit, except for one two-storey house where dangling Christmas lights glittered faintly from our view.

'It's their house.' The labeled mailboxes gave me the idea.

One was bulging with mails and heart shaped letters with the name 'Sans' engraved on the side.

And the other one was Papyruses' which was surprisingly empty.

'Now I see who has many admirers, more than I can count.' I giggled silently, taking a quick glance at the words written on one of the letters.

"Aaachooo!"

I shivered, wrapping my arms around me tighter than ever.

'The nerve of having colds'

"Won't your brother be thrilled to see me here?" I asked nervously, fidgeting and freezing in place.

"nah, he arrives very late, so I guess he won't be around at this moment."

The lock clicked and he twisted the knob open. He motioned me to get inside with him closing behind.

My breathing steadied when my eyes rolled around the house, taking slow small steps as I go.

Everything in it matches the way my old home looks like, from the small flight of stairs to the comfy looking sofa.

It reminded me of my joyous childhood, sighing at the flashbacks entering my mind.

Mom and I used to race from my room, down to the stairs...

Dad and I used to have late night movie marathons during the weekends...

We all used to bundle up with blankets and have pillow fights on the sofa...

My nostalgia kicked when the sound of invisible laughter and giggles filled up my ears, threatening a single tear to fall.

A simple scene depicts a thousand words.

'This isn't the right time to be crying.'

I batted my eyes and pulled a quaint smile to wave my feelings off.

"so, I'll be sleeping here on the couch, while you bundle up in my room." Sans huffed, collapsing on the sofa with weary eyes.

"No, I'll stay here and sleep on the couch instead." I insisted, crossing my arms at him.

I've taken a part of his time, his food and his clothing. There's no way I'm taking his room for myself.

He grunted under his breath in annoyance and concern.

"hey, you're the guest here, no guest of ours is to be treated deficiently, and, you don't wanna be seen by Papyrus too soon, since uhh.. he has a blaring enthusiasm for greetings heh."

He does have a point.

"Bu-"

"ah ah ah, no buts, go up there and rest." He commanded, tossing me the key to his room.

I sighed in defeat and climbed up the upstairs but stopped halfway when my conscience kept bugging me to talk and feel regret.

"Are you sure you're okay with it? To stay down there...?"

"yup, totally." he raised his thumb up high.

I smiled and walked up to the front door.

"Thanks for letting me stay here, Sans, Goodnight." I called out one last time.

"anytime, goodnight, bun-bun."

My cheeks grew a deep beet red and groaned in mixed frustration and annoyance when he chuckled back downstairs.

I quickly jammed the key and stormed in his room with a loud bang from the door.

'I'm not gonna last here because of leaving but because of dying in embarrassment.' I mentally screamed.

"umm, sorry if my room's kinda messy, Papyrus should be the one cleaning my room today!" he called.

"It's ok!" I shouted back through the door.

My face fell when his room entered my vision.

" I... can manage...." I added, groaning at the whirlwind of a mess.

There are a bunch of clothes lying scattered around the corner, there was even a small tornado whirling beside the cabinet with a bunch of papers.

It was a total disaster to even mention everything wrong about it.

"Well, simply staring at it wouldn't make much of a change." I shrugged, talking to myself.

I started cleaning them up. Starting from picking up the bunch of clothes (that I wouldn't dare to name) and threw them down the laundry chute.

Being organized is one thing that would describe me. I would never dare to leave anything in a mess because sleeping in messy room gives me the idea that I'm a messy person with a messed up life.

That's what most people say, right?

So Sans is a messy person...?

I frowned, thinking of the mysterious looks he's given around me when we talk seriously.

Especially when its about his personal life and my parents.

Maybe he isn't just the person to normally start the serious talk or to open up...?

Besides, his signature humorous attitude makes him, him.

I grunted and groaned, throwing myself on the mattress. Tiredness sweeping all over my ached body.

'I wonder how Sans can stand a day or two to leave his room like a garbage dump.'

I heaved out one big sigh and crawled into the blankets.

"Goodnight, mom and dad." I whispered, pecking a soft kiss on the locket.

With the blankets draped on me and Sans cozy jacket, everything felt comfortable.

I snuggled on the pillows until the warmth lulled me into a deep sleep.