This was now the second time Sans woke up inside of his parents house. But this time, he didn't roll straight out of bed. Instead, he lingered, staring up at the ceiling marked with star symbols. They were pretty cool.

He really didn't want to leave bed. An eternal sleep sounded good right now. Not facing anything. Just peaceful slumber. So he could get up when he was ready.

Guess yesterday settled it. He had officially given in. Let his parents do what they want. Submitted under their pressure.

What to do now? He never really imagined bonding with his parents after... that. So he wasn't exactly sure what came next. Much less how to deal with Papyrus.

His parents probably had a plan. They always did. So he'd let them go with that. With whatever they wanted to do. It was pretty clear they weren't hurting anyone, or planned to.

Feeling the ache of his lingering wound, Sans forced himself to sit up. It barely stung now, but if he ended up sleeping awkwardly it'd act up. Seemed like last night he turned in his sleep too hard.

When it calmed, Sans climbed out of bed, popping a few bones back into place as he stood. The bed was so stupidly comfy it was ridiculous. Not like his old creaky mattress at home. He could sleep in this one without any complaints.

Ah, right, he had forgotten what this felt like. When he was younger, money was never a stress. He wanted a book? He got it, the sequels, and a shelf specially for them. One meal he wanted to eat? They ensured he always ate it fresh. And he was starting to remember the joy of not fearing for money. Knowing he finally had a safety net to fall back into, and knowing the net wasn't going to let him tumble into the darkness below was an unusual thought.

When he came downstairs, he found several large boxes littering the living room. Gaster set down another with magical hands, noticing Sans with a smile. "Ah, good morning sleepy bones. Your stuff arrived today. We paid extra so it would get here quickly."

"Oh."

Why did he expect anything else. It was weird, jumping from having barely a job to... this. Speaking of which, he checked his phone. After the whole Papyrus situation, Sans scheduled as many days working in the labs as he could. Not with Alphys, though, but Asgore. That wasn't too unusual, though. He and Papyrus basically let their parents banish her from all of her friends, and possibly ruined their relationship. What could he do now, though? If Undyne wasn't willing to listen to the explanation, would Alph?

"I can't unpack right now, I uh... I told you this yesterday, I got a job today at the labs," Sans said, holding up his phone. "I slept in so I have to leave now..."

Maybe it was a good thing his job was cutting their time short. Sans wasn't really sure what came next, so he'd rather have some time to think over it. And more time to think about confronting his brother. Any excuses he could use. Anything. As he still found nothing but blank papers when he tried to write out anything. There was no excuses for their kiss. It wasn't a drunken mistake, a push of the wind, or a shove. And his poor brother likely returned the kiss out of shock. Either that, or...

Sans knew that was his own desire speaking. He knew Papyrus was gay, but... he was a very open and loving person. So of course he'd treat Sans special and give him extra attention. And that could explain why he returned the kiss, likely too afraid of losing his brother to even say no. Fucking hell, Sans felt so ashamed.

His Father nodded. "Ah, I was actually about to go wake you up for that. I'm going to the lab too, you're actually helping me set up."

Sans blinked. "I'm helping you... what?"

"Ah." Gaster averted his eyes. "You must have not been informed. Do you recall the documents we gave you about all of Asgore's... mishaps? Well, someone managed to find out the determination experiments and leaked it anonymously, and it's causing a big backlash. Specifically because Alphys didn't inform the families or affected monsters. She experimented on life and death without proper consent by forging documents and withholding the information of their status from the families for months, almost a year. So, Alphys was... ah, let go. Effective immediately."

Oh. Oh shit. Alphys was fired? He knew the information, but it wasn't really Alphys' fault. She...

"She was the scape goat for Asgore?" Sans asked.

Gaster nodded. Sans scowled at that fact, turning his head. Sure, he knew Alphys was the one who performed those experiments, but that was out of a desire to help people. And she didn't reveal the news due to her anxiety over the situation. Asgore was the one who altered documents, desperate for results. Yet he was tossing Alphys out just because...?

"Sans."

Gaster rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. Sans looked up. He wasn't really sure if the hand helped. But his Father persisted, drawing the hand up and tracing his cheekbone.

"Asgore did throw her under the bus, but... remember she isn't guilty free in this situation. She was well aware she was withholding the monsters from their families for months, and leaving those families without answers. Don't feel guilty. She watched her girlfriend mercilessly attack you and remained in a relationship with her. Neither of them are good people."

Like you're any better. Sans bit back that comment, remembering their deal. Don't fight back. And they'd stop with... whatever they had been doing to his friends. They probably were the ones who gave the tip that got Alphys fired.

This explained why Asgore gave all of those weird orders to get rid of documents. Honestly, Sans didn't read them, he just needed the money. So he had obeyed, like an obedient little worker, and shredded several files.

Was being with his parents any worse than listening to Asgore? Fuck, Asgore ran their Kingdom, and he did a lot of horrible shit. Misusing taxes, forging documents, and those were the simple stuff. He knew Tori did some of that stuff in the past, but she had long since discarded those ways and worked towards self improvement. Asgore, though, lingered. Hiding his mistakes instead of trying to fix them. His parents killed, ruthlessly, but Asgore did too.

Lord, was Sans' head messed up. He didn't know who he could even follow anymore. Asgore is bad. But so are his parents. And they at least cared they were on the streets. Asgore didn't extend any help out.

A headache was starting to form.

After a homemade breakfast from his Mother (delicious, what else would he expect) he and Gaster had taken off to the lab. And there he realized he missed much more than he thought while bedridden at the hospital.

The newspapers were filling. Informative. Undyne, after being forcefully fired from Head of the Royal Guard, was replaced with a temporary filler who was previously in that position before Undyne, only having stepped down to focus on family. They would wait until they found a suitable head, and appoint them.

And that person, the Head of the Royal Guard, was his Mother.

So not only was she on the Royal Advisory, the second highest position in the entire monster community, but she was now also in charge of their entire fighting force. And Gaster, who was the Royal Scientist before Alphys, was now also temporarily taking the position before he would find a person. Both could have the jobs permanently, as they were well suited for the positions, but have cited they enjoy their positions on the Royal Advisory and would rather have their extra time spent on family.

Basically, without anyone realizing it, Gaster and Jandle practically ran the entire monster population now. Gaster through science, Jandle through the military, and both had influence over Asgore. His parents managed to gather a terrifying amount of power in such a short span of time, it was almost terrifying.

They could have done this before. They could have met with Alphys and Undyne forever ago, try to take their positions Underground, but they didn't. Because they didn't have any motive to.

Not until Sans and Papyrus walked into their lives and gave them a reason.

Now he knew, for a fact, he certainly couldn't fight against them. If they managed to do all of this in just a few months of meeting them, what could they do if their children continued to rebel? Sans had to deny any further reasons to gain power. Any other people they deem as threats towards their goal.

But he wasn't afraid of them. Not like before. Now he was just... tired. Of watching everyone around him seem to disappear. Watching relationships crumble. He just wanted this to end, and if it means being an obedient son and let himself succumb to his parents, he'd do it.

His soul was so tired of fighting.

When they got inside, though, after Gaster and Sans moved boxes from the shed outside of the lab, they found someone still within the walls. Packing up her objects. A small lizard, slowly collecting the last pictures on her desk. Hearing the door open, she turned. An unreadable expression on her face.

"Sans..."

"Uh, heya." He waved awkwardly. He knew Alphys didn't deserve this. Being fired from being the Royal Scientist would severely wreck her chances of getting any other higher paying scientist jobs. It was the best scientist job for monsters, and being publicly denounced and fired would ruin her reputation. The papers in the front had stated as much, even claiming both her and Undyne to be the "troubled lovers". Reputations ruined, high paying jobs they worked hard for removed.

"I'm j-just packing up. Won't t-t-take long." She said, huffing at him with annoyance. Turning, she shoved a few more pictures into a box before picking it up now. "Done."

"Oh, okay..." Sans rubbed the back of his neck. "Are you and Undyne doing... okay?"

"A-As if you c-care."

Yikes. Alright. She was pissed. And could he blame her? Alphys' life was nothing compared to a mere month ago. She had an amazing girlfriend, well paying job, good friend group. Now she had a criminal girlfriend, no job, and was basically kicked out of their group. He felt awful this had happened, and just seeing her in person after so long... it really hurt to see her like this.

But he didn't know how to fix it. His parents probably were the ones who spilled the news, they likely wanted this outcome. And they'd do something to her if Sans stepped in.

"I do, I just..." Sans rubbed his arm. "Sorry."

Alphys muttered something under her breath, body trembling, but Gaster suddenly reached out and grasped her wrist.

"I understand you're going through a lot right now, it's a difficult time in your life, but Sans is my son. It's not anyone's fault but yours that you were fired. Don't take out your anger on him." He let go of her wrist. "I considered you a friend, Alphys, and I respect you work... and I still do, but perhaps you need to take a step back an evaluate anyone within your life that is badly influencing you. I can't consider you a friend anymore after you remained dating the woman who almost murdered one of my children. Please leave, before you tarnish your name further."

Alphys, on the verge of crying, sniffed before rushing out of the building. Sans watched, in silence. This was for the best. If she left their life she wouldn't be hurt anymore.

Indulge in some of his hobbies, find a way to rebuild his relationship with his brother, and stay by his side. And if by his side was under the grasp of his parents, so be it.

"How are you doing, Sans?"

Their work was quite simple. Organize files, document what was destroyed, and collect all scientific equipment to label later. Sure, it was easy, but there was quite a bit. Not that Sans even did much. Gaster seemed more keen on letting Sans doing the thinking tasks while his Father did the more difficult one's.

"Alright," Sans said.

Bone touched bone when his hand rested on Sans' exposed phalanges, usually embraced by the comfort of a glove, but absent today. Sans left his gloves at home.

"Are you sure? It must have been hard today, learning everything," Gaster said.

Sans didn't know what to feel. He felt like a broken record, occasionally spitting out repeating, broken thoughts, but never able to fully expand upon them or even make a decision. Just repeating. Over and over and over until he tired himself out.

That's what happened, wasn't it? His parents let Sans' mind run around like an excited little toddler before bedtime, and once he exhausted himself, quickly swooped in to put him to bed.

"It's going to be hard, the first couple of days you spend with us after finally accepting what we do in our spare time, but remember that we will never hurt you both." He moved around the table, hand still on Sans'. "Your Mother and I will take care of you two, and we'd rather you both be safe and sound at our home, but we want you both to move in on your own terms. And that's why we wanted you to try and bond with us. It's time to stop the fighting, and for good. With me, your Mother, and you Brother."

"I..." For once, his usually loud head was quiet. He nodded. Quietly. "Okay."

Gaster smiled, like a candy apple with a rotten core, and patted his head. "That's good. Is your scar hurting you still?"

"A little bit, but that's just if I move weird." Sans didn't recall ever telling his parents it still hurt in the first place, but he might as well not lie now. Memories of Undyne's spear flying at him, though, flooded his skull. "It's fine otherwise."

"Just let me know. We can by you some medicine." Gaster paused, looking down at his phone. "Please don't risk your safety like that again, though. Alphys and Undyne are unstable people who didn't deserve the jobs they gained, they are unstable and uncaring."

Sans' soul hurt.

"Okay."

《》《》《》

Early upload because I started spring classes today and ew

Lol jk I have like only three classes on mondays so im not annoyed, im just bored