A skeleton hand danced upward along the blade. A human was on the ground, her blue eyes wide.

"What... I don't..." Gaster whispered, hands grasping at the bars. "Why is she like that?"

"Oh, it's probably because of the drugs." Jandle tied her hair back, glancing over at her boyfriend. "Remember her? She bumped into you a week ago at training. She even had the nerve to try and stick out her breasts like some common whore."

"Because she had to reach over a table I was behind to give me my pen back," Gaster said.

"If she wasn't a whore, she wouldn't have even looked in your direction. Everyone knows your mine. We've been dating for at least three years now. What kind of crazy bitch looks at a taken man and decides to talk to them?" She grasped the humans hair, dragging her up to eye level. "So I'm going to torture her. In front of you. To show you I love you. This can be your Christmas present!"

Instead of being mortified, like a normal monster was, Gaster's eye sockets gleamed as he leaned forward. Trapped body pressing up against the cells one he realized the purpose of this girls presence.

"You're so beautiful when you get like this. Make her scream and beg for death," He tilted his head. "For me, honey."

Sure enough, the news the next day covered it. Asgore was arrested for misuse of political funds, military power; just about everything. Sans zoned out after the first minute of the report, instead letting it drone on as he ate homemade ketchup pancakes on their expensive couch. He had no idea how his Mother managed to make a recipe like that, but it was damn good, so he didn't ask questions.

He let the days drift by. Toriel and Frisk, true to Toriel's word, practically disappeared from his life. Soon, his life became nothing but the three people in his family. He woke up to his Mother holding out a new breakfast option. His work shifts consisted of seeing Gaster in the corner of his vision. He was still the assistant to the Royal Scientist, after all, even if the person changed. And Gaster seemed pleased to spend bonding time with Sans about science. Then, Papyrus and Jandle would stop by with lunch, as Jandle could lead work from her home, and then his day would end with all of them.

Nowadays, the one on one time he and Papyrus typically got was barely there. One of his parents always seemed to be nearby, but trying to push their relationship. Papyrus' weird attitude seemed to amplify every time he talked to him. When he looked around, one night, he realized...

He had no one left. Everyone was gone now, for good. Toriel and Frisk, though they claimed they would, weren't coming back. They'd be far too busy with the political work.

He had no friends. Nothing but the three skeletons he lived with. Officially. This was it. This would be his life.

It was a weird feeling. One that made his feet bounce with anxiety. Not accepting the facts he just thought, no, he already long since believed it would happen.

But he received a notice on an email about an event at Grillby's. It was Halloween in a few days, and the bar was doing a full on themed party. Not costume, but shots were cheaper and it'd be a fun party. And what was Sans afraid of?

Asking his parents if he could go.

Sans was over thirty years old. By all accounts, a fully grown man. Sure, terribly young compared to plenty of other monsters, but still old enough to make his own decisions. Yet here he was, sitting on his bed, contemplating if he should ask his parents or just tell them. He should just tell them. He was allowed to leave the house. Yet he felt antsy when thinking about leaving without permission.

This was their manipulation. It was settling in deep now. And he was letting it happen. And now he was so pathetic that he had to ask his 'Mommy and Daddy permission to go to a scary place'. Ugh.

Sans fell back into the bed. Not like this wasn't his fault. He knew they were killers, yet kept that from Papyrus for his entire life. Refused to tell Undyne, who was on his side at first, until far too late. And decided to fold to his parents whims because his mistakes led to the downfall of his friends lives, and because giving in was easy.

What a pathetic man. No, not even a man, Sans wasn't that. He was a pathetic child who could do nothing right. If Sans was just more stronger, he could of stood up to them. Be so much more confident. Like Papyrus.

Paps.

Sans turned onto his side, grasping at a pillow. His bro was everything he wasn't. Strong, confident, handsome... his glanced to the side with a blush. Sans couldn't recall when his crush started, though he knew it was after high school ended for both of them. He cared about his bro during their school days, but it became different later. When Sans realized his gaze would linger longer, when he made excuses to get Paps to carry him home because he liked his embrace.

Actually, that was...

Sans sat up, still clutching the pillow to his chest. His parents had to go into the castle today to do their main job. Which meant that Sans and Papyrus would finally be alone. Sans could go to the bar tonight, then, for the party. And if they questioned it once they found out (not if, Sans knew they would, they always seemed to know everything) he could just say he wanted to bond with his brother. Something they did push for.

He just wanted to go out to remind himself he still had a life. Just for one night. Sans needed a reminder that he was someone. He couldn't recall the last time he even made a pun. It was so long ago.

Papyrus was in his room, working on a puzzle, or a trap, per say, when Sans knocked. He looked almost so... hollow when he answered. But when his brother saw who was knocking, he immediately perked up, fumbling with the door to block Sans' view from what was going on inside.

"S-Sans, um - hi, hello," Papyrus stuttered. His voice felt strained, and his left eye socket was consistently twitching.

"Hey bro, um... since our parents gave us spending money, I actually have enough to go back to Grillby's again, and the guys holding a party tonight, so I was wondering if ya wanna go over there with me. Feels a bit weird to go alone, so we can go. As a couple of bros."

Sans forced the last sentence out quickly. It hurt to say, but he had to show Papyrus that he wasn't going to force his desires onto him and to set a clear boundary.

"I..." Papyrus looked back in his room. His fingers seemed antsy on the doorknob before he finally turned back around. "That'd be nice."

"Cool."

~~~~~~

They didn't realize how loud they were, right? Gaster knew those group of teenagers were troubled. But to think they'd be so bold as to openly admit to thinking his beloved girlfriend was hot right in front of him.

He adjusted his glasses. Gaster was the smart one out of him and his sister. Always was. Jandle held strength, but he held the knowledge many others couldn't possess. Like, for example, how to make a usually stable cliffside, the teenagers known hiding spot, unstable enough to crash once they reached it. Just a few calculations and days later, and the news spread of the unfortunate accident that took place.

Jandle was all over Gaster when she heard the news. Returning from a trip out to work, she tossed aside her bag and immediately grasped at his skull and pulled him down to her level, pecking kisses all along his cheekbone.

The bar was much more crowded than Sans remembered. Then again, he never went during the parties. Papyrus and him had almost no conversation during the car ride. Just a few simple exchanged words about the time they wanted to return.

The bar was covered in spider webs, courtesy of Grillby's newest girlfriend, Muffet, and spider servers. The elementals boyfriend, some human Sans never met, was helping the spiders set up trays. It was quite known that Grillby was polyamorous, one time someone insutled his lifestyle and Grillby kicked them out in front of everyone. Sans couldn't blame him, the person was a dick.

Papyrus looked out of place, a hand grasping onto Sans'. Sans squeezed back. Right. Papyrus never really visited. He wasn't used to the vibe.

"Sans, it's been forever! At least half a year, right?" Grillby asked, moving from behind the counter to greet one of his usual customers. "I'm glad to see you back!"

"Yeah man, sorry, money was tight until now, couldn't stop by at all," Sans explained. "This is my bro, Paps, the one I talked about."

"Ah, the Great Papyrus. I did hear a lot about you. Good things, I swear." Grillby extended a hand out for Papyrus to shake. "I'm Grillby, the bar owner."

Papyrus didn't even raise his hand. "Okay."

Sans glanced over. Papyrus could have let go of his hand, but didn't even bother. His expression seemed almost grieving, somehow. Like he was losing himself. Grillby withdrew his hand, looking a little insulted, but quickly moving on. "It's alright, can't blame you. If I was holding onto Sans' hand I probably wouldn't let go either."

"Oh, shut it," Sans said, elbowing him with an awkward chuckle. Maybe Grillby's little flirting was a good thing. To show Papyrus that yes, he regretted forcing himself onto his brother and that he was willing to move on.

"Sans, let's go say hi to the dogs," Papyrus said suddenly, carefully - but firmly - dragging his brother away from Grillby with an unreadable face.

"Uh - okay, talk to ya later Grillby!" Sans said.

~~~~~~

Jandle remembered the first time she took a life in the name of love.

In the name of family.

Gaster was always the quiet kid. Scared and paranoid. With his big glasses due to a magic malfunction that took years for his soul to grow out of, he was weak and scrawny throughout the beginnings of high school. Jandle would never let her beloved brother go unprotected.

It wasn't the persons fault, really. Gaster and Jandle weren't dating yet, so technically the poor monster didn't realize that they should have kept their distance. And they didn't mean to bully him. They had tripped over their tail, and ended up spilling their lunch tray all over Gaster. Typically a bully move, but they hadn't meant to. She knew that. But it still hurt Gaster's feelings. He quivered, tearing up, and ran off.

It took Jandle longer than usual to kill this person. They weren't an immediate threat. They didn't mean to. But they hurt Gaster and that was all that mattered. So she found where they lived.

Messy. Very messy. She didn't know the vital points, nor did she know how many stabs it'd take to die. So she kept stabbing until blood coated her pink dress and until they dusted. She stood under the moonlight that night, head tilted back up towards the sky, stained with her actions. No remorse. Nothing but a satisfaction.

Sans was taking a break outside in the alleyway next to Grillby's. He had to leave soon. Sure, it was nice to take a breather from the suffocating embrace of his parents household, but he was worried what they'd do to any of his bar friends if they found out Sans met with them. Maybe this was a mistake. He should have just covered himself with his blankets at home and waited for them to return. So he wouldn't get in trouble.

Next to him stood Grillby, who was smoking a cigarette. And behind them was the bar, where loud muffled music was leaking out from the cracked door. Unless you were right next to the door on the inside, you likely wouldn't hear anything outside. It was just that ridiculously loud inside, likely due to Doggo's sudden urge for karaoke.

"I can't say anything over our new Kingdom ruler. I mean, Toriel was ruler before, so at least I know what to expect. Just with less old timed views, which is a good thing. I was never able to date properly until recently," Grillby said.

"Yeah, you seem to get along with you boyfriend and girlfriend, that's good," Sans said.

"I do, I'm glad I do... but, um, if you're willing, I wouldn't mind gaining another boyfriend," Grillby said.

Sans' jaw dropped. He knew Grillby seemed interested in Sans, but he never did try it before. Yet here he was, asking Sans out of nowhere.

"Shit, um, that came out of nowhere," Sans said. "I know you aren't in love with me, though."

"Ah, I'm not. I'm suggesting a sexual relationship that can develop into a romantic one. So if we do want to date, we can grow our relationship closer, but if we don't, then we can simply enjoy each others company. My partners agreed to me opening my bed to another. I decided to spring the question whenever I saw you again, which is today." Grillby placed a hand on his chest. "We don't see each other enough for me to jump into a deep relationship with you, but this could be a good starter? If you're not willing to date a poly partner, though, I completely understand."

The answer was pretty clear. He thought Grillby was pretty cool, but he wasn't sure if he could handle a relationship with a partner that would love others. Sans needed a relationship that was just him and the other, not several people. It wouldn't work. And Sans didn't want to risk dating someone right now with his parents living with him, so Sans would have turned him down anyways.

Before Sans could even decline his offer, though, the door next to him almost slammed open. Papyrus stood there, hands quivering, before he grasped Sans' own hand.

"He's not going to date you," Papyrus muttered, pushing Sans gently behind him.

Grillby quickly held up his hands. "I didn't mean to come between any relationship you guys have. I was just expressing an interest in Sans sexually, I didn't mean to come between brothers and -"

Sans yelped when Papyrus' fist suddenly struck out, slamming into the elementals cheek. While Grillby fell to the ground with a loud shout, Papyrus followed in silence, fists raised up with the likely intention to beat the absolute shit out of him.

"Paps, stop, Paps!"

It was a flurry of fists and shouts. Papyrus punched. And punched. One hand after another. Expression hidden from Sans. The elemental shouted, clawed up at his red scarf to try and push him off, but Papyrus was stronger. Only when blood splattered from a now broken nose out did Sans physically step in instead of yelling, grasping onto Papyrus' arms and hugging them to his side.

"Paps, bro, stop! What the fuck got into you?" Sans shouted, trying with all of his feeble strength to pull him away. He didn't dare use his magic on Papyrus. Never.

"Sans, I-I have to, Mom told me this is how I need to be, to get what I want and - and just stay back, I couldn't protect you before but I will now and -" Papyrus' words seemed like a flood, one following the other in a hurry of sentences. Jumping about randomly.

Sans got between the two and shoved Papyrus away, towards the inside of the alleyway, but kept a hand on his. "What the hell did Mom tell you for you to -" Realizing what this meant, that Sans wasn't the only victim of the recent manipulations, he ran a hand down his skull. "Fuck, fuck. Paps! Don't listen to her! Don't listen to them! This is my fault! I - fuck, shit, they ain't good people! They're horrible manipulators who mess with people's heads!" He clutched onto Papyrus' hand like it was all that was holding him to this world. And in a way, Papyrus was. And Sans let him become messed up by their parents.

"No, no, that's just what Undyne said, she was messed up, but this -" Papyrus pointed to Grillby, who was coughing up blood and clutching his bleeding nose. "Anyone can try to hurt you! Mom said I need to do this, Dad said you'll understand, that this is all natural and -"

"PAPYRUS, OUR PARENTS ARE SERIAL KILLERS!" Sans shouted, eye sockets wide.

That caused Papyrus to freeze. Almost resembling a statue. The expression of intense unknown emotions vanishing, dropping to one of utter horror. Because, out of everyone in the world, there's one person whose words would always convince him. Every time.

"What?" Papyrus asked quietly.

Their conversation was cut short by the sound of dust filling the air. The two brothers turned to find none other than Gaster standing above Grillby, who now had a bone attack piercing his chest, as he dusted. Right in front of them.

Papyrus' breath stopped. Sans felt like throwing up.

"D-Dad... what did you do..." Papyrus' voice cracked before it trailed off.

"Do you boys know how worried we were when we found out you guys went out?" Gaster tilted his head. "And this man could have hurt you two." He tsked, picking up the bone attack and inspecting the blood soaked attack. "Are you two okay?"

Jandle stepped over the dust and walked forward. She placed one hand onto one of their shoulders, smiling gently. Papyrus looked on the verge of crying. Sans felt like he was back in the basement again, finding out the truth all of those years ago. The dust smelled just like before. It was bringing up unwanted memories.

"I'll take you two boys home while your Father deals with this mess, don't worry, we have some family nearby that can help Grillby disappear," She said, lightly, but firmly, pushing them forward. "Then we can talk about this at home. How does that sound?"