The house was filled with cheer and laughter, chatter filled the silence of the rather disheartening morning the two brothers shared. Sans chuckled softly at the ending pun war he and Toriel just had, while Papyrus stomped around trying to silence them. A knock at the door caught Sans’ attention, he shuffled over to the door and opened it. Sans tilted his head in confusion. 

“Outer? What the heck are you doing here?” Sans whispered and pulled Outer into the house before anyone outside could see him. Outer chuckled and scratched the back of his head a nervous smile plastered to his skull. Sans sighed heavily and gave Outer a questioning look.  

“What can I say? I missed you and wanted to celebrate your first day home.” Outer whispered and looked around, everyone in the room seemed so happy, Sans seemed much happier. Of course, he loved to see a smile on Sans' face. Especially considering what’s been going on. He tensed when he felt a small pain in his soul, he couldn't be jealous of all this, could he? No way he isn't going to make a big deal out of this. This is for Sans and his happiness, not his selfish jealousy! He can make Sans just as happy as a room full of people can. It's stupid to be jealous of this, or maybe rather... he isn't jealous, just hurt. Upset that he missed so much of Sans' life because he was selfish. He has no one to blame but himself and he's going to fix it. He'll just have to make up for lost time and get to know Sans all over again!

“No one saw you right, you weren't spotted?” Sans asked softly, glancing at the door in slight suspicion. Growing worry evident on his face as he stared the door down.

Outer grinned and shook his head, “Nope, not a soul.” he chuckled proudly. Sans jumped when a furry paw was placed on his shoulder. 

“Sans? Who’s this?” Toriel’s soft voice seemed to catch everyone's attention, the chatter stopped and they glanced at Toriel and Sans. Confusion quickly swarmed the room as the look-a-like of Sans looked around the room. Outer gave everyone a nervous wave as he slowly stepped behind Sans.  

Papyrus quickly stepped in, “No need for alarm! This is merely my brother! But from another universe!” Papyrus quickly explained, well, he explained but it did nothing to clear the confusion. In fact, it just confused everyone more than they already had been.  

Sans sighed and nodded, “Yeah, this is just a copy of me!” Sans began to sweat at the stares he was getting, he chuckled nervously. Taking a step back only to bump into Outer who gave him a comforting smile. 

Alphys suddenly lit up, “O-oh my! I-It’s l-like a p-paranormal a-anime!” Undyen seemed to light up at those words and picked up Alphys pulling her into a tight hug. 

“Oh, my Asgore, Al! Do you think they have giant swords!?” Alphys started to stutter and rant with Undyen, both of them nerd-ing out. The cheer slowly returned to the room, but they were still confused, the anime reference didn't seem to help.

Outer chuckled and waved at the others that stared at him and Sans, looking for answers anywhere they could get them. “Guess, I’ve got a lot to explain, don't I?” Outer got a few nods he sighed and looked over at Sans. He seemed to be lost in thought while glancing around at his friends. Maybe he was just happy his friends were understanding and didn't freak out? Maybe, maybe not, he wouldn't know, he could never figure out what was going on in that skeletons head. 

...

It was quite for a long moment, Toriel just seemed to stare, most of this probably going way over her head. “So, your Sans, but from another universe called AU’s? And your nickname is Outer, because of your AU?” Toriel mumbled look between Sans and Outer, the two nodded a grin plastered on their faces. Toriel sighed and nodded she already seemed worn out trying to figure it all out. “Okay. This will obviously take some getting used to, but I hope we can be good friends from now on Outer!” Toriel cheered trying to make the best of a very confusing situation. Outer nodded quickly, “Of course lady Toriel!” Sans chuckled as Toriel quickly cast at glare at Asgore who grinned nervously. Toriel didn't like the title 'Lady' very much anymore. Asgore and Toriel haven't been getting along too well as of late, which hopefully changes for the better sometime soon. Toriel got up and brushed her dress down riding it of any creases, “I shall make some more pie for our new friend then!” she cheered and rushed to the kitchen, her fur feet padding against the wood floor. 

Asgore sighed and got up, shaking Outer’s hand, “And I shall make us some tea. Thank you for being so kind as to explain that to us.” Outer nodded and grinned at Asgore who left to the kitchen to make tea. The soft chatter of Toriel and Asgore quickly filled the kitchen. 

Frisk bounded up to the two a large smile on their face, ‘Why did you come visit us Outer?’ Frisk quickly signed bouncing up and down, it would be a lie if Frisk said they hadn’t met Outer before in another timeline. They were surprisingly good friends as well in other timelines, Frisk even helped keep their relationship secret.

“What can I say, I missed my ol’ friend!” Outer chuckled and gently patted Sans’ back grinning at Frisk. The child seemed happy with that response judging by the glowing smile on their face. 

Frisk nodded and gave Outer a quick hug giggling silently, ‘I’m glad you came back again! I was starting to worry you’d never come visit us again!’ Frisk cheered, Sans, smiled at the two before his smile slowly disappeared, maybe he was too hard on Outer. Now that he thinks about it, he should be the one saying sorry, not Outer, he should! He hurt Outer just as much if not more, he's not any better Outer doesn't deserve his anger. He sighed and looked up at his room, maybe he could just go back to bed? Well, he would if Paps wouldn’t get frustrated with him for sleeping through this reunion. 

A pat on his back broke Sans out of his thoughts, “Don’t overthink it.” Outer whispered smiling softly at Sans, the smaller seemed to shrink away from his smile. But he easily placed a smile on his skull, pushing his thoughts to the back of his head. He shouldn't let his emotions show so easily, this is a happy time, not a depressing time.

“Right, thanks Outer...” Sans chuckled, Outer’s smile seemed to brighten at the smallers smile, Sans slowly walked to the couch and flopped onto the couch, sighing in content as he sunk into the couch. Outer watched Sans for only a moment before looking around, the house looked, no, felt different, cleaner maybe? No, that wasn’t it, the house felt more...gloomy I don’t think anyone else could see it, but the atmosphere of the house felt tense and dark. Maybe it was the strain to pay for medicine and treatment, or the fact that Sans could...die at any given time. Outer quickly glanced back at Sans who was half asleep on the couch, a lazy grin on his face, Outer grimaced a bit. He wished he could just crack his skull open and see what he’s thinking and understand the things Sans says. Understand the things he does and why he does them, Outer wished he knew what was going on in that head of his. Why did he hide from everyone...maybe that was his fault but...

Outer sighed and quietly walked to Sans sitting next to him. He could feel the happiness coming off the chatter around him and the people that filled the house. Everyone seemed so peaceful, maybe they were just enjoying the moment, trying not to think about what could happen in the future. Outer jumped when someone poked his cheek, he looked to his side his ‘nose’ now being the thing that is poked. “Don’t overthink it.” Sans smiled softly at Outer, the starry skeleton smiled for a moment before breaking out into laughter. 

“You got me there buddy, I guess I should stop spacing out now.” Outer joked making Sans laugh and sit up, and he sighed, both of them sat in silence for a while, Sans blinked and quickly looked at his hand, Outer’s hand rested on his a few fingers interlaced with his. A small blush rose to Sans’ cheeks Outer’s face looked slightly more flushed than Sans’. Sans snorted and began to laugh, locking his fingers with Outers. The tallers blush worsened and he looked at Sans slightly startled, “Why are you laughing?” he whined embarrassed, Sans snorted and smiled.

“Sorry, it was just so cute.” Sans chirped happily small giggles escaping his 'lips'. He missed this, the feeling of someone's hand locked with his, someone sitting next to him, and the sound of their soul beat, the feeling of stress slowly melting away as each finger interlaced with one another. The peaceful silence between them or the soft chatter about nothing. He missed this peace, Sans glanced at Outer a soft smile growing on his skull, Outer glanced at him, his face still flushed with a magic purple blush. Sans tightened his grip on Outers hand his smile grew. He started to laugh softly again making Outer tense, his embarrassment increasing with each giggle from Sans. Outer looked at Sans and poked his 'nose' with his free hand huffing. He wouldn't take this sass from a shorter skeleton. Sans just seemed to laugh more at this, the pain in his body melting away for a moment, the depression he felt coming on almost dissipate. 

Sans slowly calmed and looked at the taller a soft smile gracing his face. Outer chuckled and smiled back at him, "I really did miss you," Sans rolled his eyes at that the smile on his face betraying his sass. 

"It's only been two days dork." Sans huffed his smile only growing as he spoke. Outer rolled his eyes at that and shrugged,

"It was enough time to miss you." Outer whispered faintly looking at the ground. Sans blinked in surprise; his smile quickly returned as he tightened his grip on Outer's hand again. He ignored the ache in his bones, his faint whisper rang in Outer's ears. The words spoken were something he would be holding onto for a long time. He couldn't help but look at Sans, his blush quickly returning smacking itself onto his face. He didn't want to let go of Sans' soft smile the life that seemed to flicker in his eye lights like a burning fire. He could see the pain he was in but despite that, he still found a way to be beautiful. His soul pounded against his chest; it was so loud he swore everyone in the house could hear it. He took a deep breath, the words still rattling around his head, he didn't know what to say. He just smiled at the smaller next to him and looked off into the distance letting his beautiful voice echo in his head. Outer tightened his grip on Sans' hand slowly careful not to hurt him, he wishes he could relive Sans of his pain, take away this ache in his bones. But all he can do for now is keep helping him make his payments and hope for the best. Outer glanced back at Sans who slowly leaned back into the couch humming softly to himself.

He was such a fool, leaving this skeleton was his biggest mistake, and he'll be damned if he makes it again, nothing is going to stop him no from proving to Sans, he did love his beautiful soul. He smiled at Sans and leaned back into the couch closing his eyes. The faint whisper could be heard playing his head again.

"I missed you too,”