Sans

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I was going to the door at the end of the underground, ending my shift. I've been working on some new jokes for her, but it was mainly to just check on the lady, y'know? She's sounded real exhausted for quite a few months now, it's gotten me pretty worried. Least a friend could do.

So I was walking over there when I heard something odd. It sounded like, giggles? Did a human come through? I gave a small shrug, and heard the small laugh again. My steps were getting quieter as I got closer to the source of noise. I froze when coming close to a shadow. But whatever it was, it still laughed. 

I finally got a clear version of the little noisemaker. It was a little girl, with long white hair wrapped into a ponytail and pale skin, playing in the snow. She couldn't have been any older than a year. 

I gave a little look around, not seeing anybody else. Just me and her. I looked back at her, making no sound. She looked like a human, but was the youngest I've ever seen. The little girl noticed I was there and stopped, staring straight at me. When I finally saw her face, my nonexistent heart stopped, causing me to topple to the ground. 

This couldn't be right. I had to be dreaming or something. There was no way this could be happening. 

She looks just like me. 

The toddler crawled onto my chest with curious sky blue eyes. Her small hand hit my head, and she started examining me, like I was a confusing new puzzle for her. She must've figured me out, because the little girl gave me a big smile, hug following afterwards. 

I gave a small chuckle as I held her. "well how 'bout that? not gonna lie, there was snow way i saw you coming."

The kid was already asleep on my chest. 

I held her closer, mind swirling in thoughts. One part of me, the sensible side, was along the lines of am i really a father? should i keep her? but... what about the woman? While the other part of me, the jokester we all know and love, was yelling yes! i get to make dad jokes now!

I looked around one final time before deciding the kid was coming with me. I knew she had a home, but the door was locked, like always, and she had already given a couple of shivers on my chest. It would just be for the night anyway, I'll give her back tomorrow morning. That's what I told myself. 

The temperature dropped quickly as we headed home, I ended up having her held inside my jacket as we got to Snowdin. Fortunately everyone was already inside their homes so I could go through without questions asked. The last thing I needed right now was attention towards me. 

I got to our house with a relieved sigh. I don't get cold easy, being a skeleton and all that, but I was more than happy to get inside the house that night. We went through the front door to find Papyrus cooking dinner. Guess he got home pretty late as well. 

I tried to find a place to hide the kid, but nothing came in sight. So I put her head inside my jacket, receiving a small coo in response. Looking down, I saw her give a content smile to no one in particular. It took a lot to not give a light chuckle. That lady may not be getting her kid back. But I'll let the woman visit.

The noise seemed to be enough to draw my bro away from his spaghetti and into the living room. "OH, WHY HELLO BROTHER! DINNER'S ALMOST READY!", he called. "hey bro. yeah, i'll be there in just a sec.", I responded. Finally unzipping my hoodie, I let the kid sleep on the couch. Giving one final chuckle, I walked towards the kitchen. Carrying a kid around can make you pretty hungry. 

 Papyrus seemed glad as always to see me. "HELLO BROTHER! I HOPE YOU'RE READY FOR THE BEST BATCH OF SPAGHETTI I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, HAS MADE THUS FAR!", he practically yelled. Normally I'd be happy more than happy to hear him at this volume, but with my little guest, I was a little more skeptical. 

"sounds great bro. i'm sure it'll pasta all the rest." I could feel the heat of his glare on my head. "SANS. ONE IS ALREADY MORE THAN ENOUGH." With that, I was served a plate of spaghetti about as big as my head. Chances are the kid hasn't eaten yet, so I only ate half a plate, though it was still filling.

Guess I wasn't as hungry as I thought. 

Papyrus appeared to notice this, and asked, "BROTHER, WHAT'S WRONG? YOU'VE ONLY EATEN A LITTLE OF YOUR PLATE. AND YOU HAVEN'T TOLD ME HOW GOOD IT TASTES." "what, oh. it's awesome. unfortunately, i'm not that hungry. so, i'll just put it away." I walked up and left towards the living room. "THAT'S NOT WHERE THE FRIDGE IS, SANS.", my brother chided. Giving a small sigh, I turned to the kitchen and reluctantly put the plate away. 

I turned around to see Papyrus looking down on the now awake child. She was looking straight back at him with eyes almost brimming with tears. "SANS." "you called?" "WHAT, IF I MAY ASK, IS THIS?" He held the small child toward me. The little girl immediately changed her expression from fear to joy at the sight of me, giggling and clapping her hands. 

I gave a shrug as I cleverly responded with, "it's a kid." "I KNOW VERY WELL THAT IT'S A CHILD. WHAT IS IT DOING HERE?" I took the little girl as she laughed. "i just thought that it would be nice to take her in from the cold." "RATHER THAN RETURN HER TO HER PARENTS?" "i'm doing that first thing tomorrow morning."

"Pa...pa.", the little child cooed. "e-excuse me?", I stuttered. I didn't know she could talk. Yet the small child gave me a big hug and kept saying the word. "Pa..pa. Papa." I pulled her away, and she repeatedly clapped her hands in joy. "Papa!" 

Taking the child, he spoke much quieter than normal. "A-are you trying to say my name? Papyrus." The little girl stammered, "Pa-pap." "That's it. Papyrus. Say it with me. Pa," "Pa", she repeated. "Py," he continued. "Py.", she said it differently than he did, but seemed happy with her success. "Papy." 

Clapping her hands, she started to only say that word. "Papy. Papy. Papy!" His eye sockets began to well with tears of joy. He hugged the little girl as he said, "IS THAT ME? AM I PAPY?" "Papy." Another giggle. "c'mon kid. now try me. sans." I said my name slowly so she could understand. 

But she had one look at me and called me it again. "Papa." "WELL SANS, LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE PAPA NOW.", Papyrus picked up the small child, putting her into a fit of giggles. I took a light blush at the name. Papa. A word normally used for 'father'. I took another look at the small child, how she laughed, how she smiled at the sight of me.

"huh. i guess... i am."