I wandered around in the dark, looking for something. Suddenly, I heard a strange, garbled noise.

"H-Hello? Who's there?" I spotted some movement, and crept cautiously towards it.

"Hello, ---. I am th-- man w-- speaks in h-nds." I noticed a black blob in the shadows, with a white face of sorts.

"H-Hi. Who are you?" I got closer, and saw it seemed to have a skeleton face, with large cracks running from the eye sockets.

"I

Am

Ga-"

I woke up with a start, looking around. I sighed, realizing that dark room was a dream.

"Mornin' kiddo. How'd ya sleep?"

"Fine. Just had a weird dream."

"Heh, I'm in expert on that. Wanna talk about it?"

"Sure. It's not that interesting though." I told him about my dream, and his pinprick eyes disappeared. "Dude, what's with the face? It's creepy."

He shook his head, white pupils returning. "Sorry, it's just- The figure you're describing... It's gotta be Gaster. He- It's a long story, but he got lost in the void. I thought it was impossible to bring him back, but a few days ago, I had a dream where Gaster told me that when 'she' fell, he would come with her. I haven't seen him yet, but he's sure to show up soon. I don't know how though... The void is impossible to escape for... assorted reasons."

"Well then. This is weird." My stomach growled, making me blush in embarrassment. "Sorry, I'm hungry."

"Well, how 'bout some Grillby's?" He went to grab my hand, but hesitated.

"Sans, it's okay. I trust you." I stood up and shut my eyes, holding out my hand. I felt him gently take my hand, and I felt the same warping feeling. I opened my eyes and stumbled a little bit. "S-See? I'm getting better at taking your shortcuts!"

"If you say so. C'mon." He led me to the bar and we ordered.

We ate, but something else was eating away at me. Finally, I caved in. "Sans, what are your shortcuts exactly? And why do I have to close my eyes?"

His smile faltered, and he glanced around nervously. "Heh, uh... It's complicated. Maybe I'll tell ya someday... It's really a long story, having to do with Gaster as well. As for your eyes, that's kinda wrapped up in the story too. Basically, I opened my eyes, and it changed me, for better and worse."

"Well that's real straightforward, thanks." I liked hanging out with Sans, but I'd only known the skeleton for two days. I didn't fully trust him, especially after this mysterious deal.

"Welp, sorry. It's really personal. Maybe someday. Ready to head home?"

I took one final bite, and took his hand. To close my eyes, or not to close my eyes; that is the question... I was a rebellious person, to say the least. I squinted my eyes, but didn't shut them, so Sans grabbed my hand and I felt the feeling again.

I learned why I kept my eyes closed. Time and space seemed to warp around us, and suddenly, there was nothing. It felt like we were nowhere and everywhere, for less than a second, but all eternity at the same time.

And then it was over. We were back in the living room, and I threw up. "Woah, kid! You were just fine last time-! Oh no, you didn't-" His eye flashed bright blue, the other disappearing. "What did I tell you? Don't open your eyes!" I looked up at him, gasping. His expression softened. "Let's get you some water."

After a few glasses of water and ten minutes of resting, Sans confronted me again. Softer this time.

"Why did you open your eyes? I just told you not to."

"I thought it'd be pretty, humerous, y'know? Heh." He smiled at the pun, but quickly covered it up.

"I suppose I should tell you..." he took a deep breath, closing his eyes.

"You know about Gaster. He- He's my father- actually, he's more like my creator. He was the royal scientist, and was experimenting with Runes and determination, resulting in Paps and I. So, Gaster tested a lot of things on himself before us, leading to him discovering the void, the area outside of both space and time. He could bend them to his will, allowing 'teleportation', in a way. He took me with him while teleporting one time, and I kept my eyes open. It did the same thing to me as you. After that, I found I could also teleport, but far more easily; I had much stronger magic. I could even stop time, if only for a second. Anyway, long story short, Gaster built the CORE, the machine that powers the entire Underground using magic and geothermal energy. There was an accident, and... He fell into the void." He spaced out for a moment, but then continued. "So, I took care of Paps, and slowly discovered the unique powers I had. Paps was very young when all this happened, so he doesn't remember Gaster, and I haven't told him, because I want to protect my little bro. So, uh, my 'shortcuts' are actually me bending time and space. I didn't want you opening your eyes because I have no idea what repercussions it could have if a human gained magical abilities by force." He seemed to be on the edge of tears at this point.

"Thank you for telling me all this Sans. I'm sure, whatever happens, we'll do it together; me, you and Papyrus." I hugged him, and he hugged back. We sat like that for a while, thinking about everything. Eventually, I heard Sans snore, and I followed soon after.

Papyrus' POV

I walked into the house, ready to make lunch for Sans and the human. I would have liked to make them breakfast, but they were still asleep when I left for my morning workout before training with Undyne.

I stopped short. The human and Sans were asleep, hugging each other on the couch. It made me slightly upset the human was touching Sans, but at the same time, this human was going to be living with us, so I had to get used to them around by precious brother. I took a picture quietly, knowing it would bother Sans. It was payback for all his ridiculous puns!

Love you, my little stars!
~RaeTheStar