As the days and nights fly by, each day seeming longer than the next and the nights seeming to get shorter. Before anyone knew it, a month had passed. Sans was still laying in his hospital bed sleeping through the afternoon, which had become normal now due to Sans' treatments. Papyrus sat in a chair next to his bedside and he held his brother's hand. He couldn't help but smile, normally he would be annoyed that Sans was asleep at this time, but now, he wishes he would just sleep more. Nights and mornings were painful enough for him, but the afternoon always seemed to be so calm and quiet. Those were the times he would mostly visit, he knew it made Sans sad and uncomfortable for him to be around when he was weak or in pain. He couldn't help but question the doctors as well and what they were doing. The medicine they gave Sans only seemed to make him sicker. Why would they make him sick? He's sure they're helping, Medic promised he would help after all, but at the same time, it doesn't seem like their doing enough. It's all a confusing mix of emotions, why did Sans have to get sick? He was already weak from the start...no, he was strong, his HP just didn't reflect that strength, if he were weak, he would be dead already, right...? Yeah, Sans is going to be okay, just like he promised, besides he has Outer, Blue, Red, Ink, and sometimes Error to help! Sans will be okay, but Papyrus can't help but get a feeling of sadness from the other Au's when they heard of Sans' sickness. Was it because if he dies, they die too? But Sans is going to be okay! So, they shouldn't worry! A hand on Papyrus' arm stopped his train of thought, the taller skeleton slowly looked up at the owner of the hand on his arm. He didn't even notice that his grip on Sans' hand had tightened and his gaze as drifted to the floor. He smiled seeing his brother looking up at him, tried and weak, but happy and that's all that matters. "Hey bro..." his brother croaked out, Sans sounds so bad, his smile faltered but only for a second, he smiled at his brother. 

"Hello, Sans," Papyrus spoke softly, he's been doing that more often lately, speaking softly around his brother just in case he awoke with a headache, or felt bad from the medicine. In which often he did.

Sans sighed and laid his head back into the pillow, "How are you, bro..?" Sans mumbled his joints ached again, he could tell by how tense he was, but at the same time, he seemed to be forcing himself to try and relax. Papyrus ran his thumb over his brother's hand, he just wishes he wouldn't hurt anymore.

"I am okay brother; I see your sleeping as always." Papyrus chuckled smiling at his small joke, it was subtle, but his brother seemed to notice. A small smile was quickly etched into Sans' face. 

"Yeah, I seem to be doing that a lot lately, but I do stay up quite late into the night. Thankfully I have Outer to keep me company, and sometimes Blue and Red, which is nice." Sans chuckled and let out a content sigh at the memories. A small relaxed smile replaced the tense lipped smile Sans had given his brother. Papyrus' smile grew he loved making his brother smile or just seeing a smile on his face. It was such a rare sight nowadays, Papyrus looked at the door hearing it slide open. Medic walked in holding a clipboard he seemed glum it seemed most days that look was etched into his face. That look seemed to enter the room every time Medic walked into the room. 

Papyrus spoke first seeing his brothers worry, "Hello, Medic! Is everything alright?" Papyrus asked in a soft voice, worry laced into his tone. Medic sighed and grabbed a chair, he sat next to Papyrus and looked up at Sans.

"I'm so sorry guys, I tried everything I could, but I just couldn't keep up with the payments for your treatment...I can't keep paying them. I really did try! I-I- It's just... I'm in debt as is...I'm so sorry! I tried really hard for you...I-" Medic began to panic tears threatening to fall from his eyes. 

Medic was quieted by Sans, "It's okay, we're all just trying to make it through the day right? There's no need to be sorry, I understand. Thank you for helping so far, it means the world to me. We'll figure it out." Sans spoke in a faint but raspy voice, he seemed to be straining himself to talk. Medic smiled a little, this must be a normal day for them then. Medic coming with bad news and Sans acting like it didn't hurt to hear it. Papyrus just couldn't help but feel bad for the way Sans sounds, feels, and acts now. He should've noticed, the signs were all there. How could he miss them?! No, he can't do this now, he has to be there for Sans, he has to toughen up! He has to be strong for his brother and help him through this. They can beat this, they'll beat this. He just knows it, 

Medic's small smile turned into a sad and forced one, he seemed so tired as well. "Thank you Classic...thank you, I'll try to make this up to you. I'll do everything in my power to help you clear your financial burden." 

Sans just shook his head, "No, that's okay, thank you for being my doctor, and with that being said, just that act of being my doctor is enough for me," Sans whispered and closed his eyes relaxing. Medic nodded before he realized that Sans couldn't see him with his eyes closed. He opened his mouth to speak but the smile on Sans' face said it all. 

He closed his mouth and smiled softly, "Thank you Classic, don't worry, as your doctor I'll do everything I can to help you. You'll be better before you know it. I'll get to work right now!" Medic spoke softly but there was a hint of confidence lanced in his hushed words. Medic slowly got up and smiled at the two before leaving, waving to Papyrus as he left the room. Papyrus waved back smiling at Medic energetic as always.  

Sans let out a heavy sigh that he had been holding in all this time, light blue tears now visible in his empty eye sockets. Papyrus looked back at his brother in concern, he had never seen that look on Sans' face before, he looked so lost and depressed. Papyrus reached out to his brother and grabbed his hand gripping onto his gently. "It'll be okay brother, we'll figure this out, we always do, and this time is no exception," he whispered his words were soft and heartfelt. The smile on his face seemed to calm and ground his brother slightly. Sans sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth trying to stop the flow of tears. He just seemed to cry more; he had bottled up so much during this last month alone. He couldn't stop the that stained his cheeks so effortlessly, he just covered his face as he sobbed. Papyrus sighed and stood up from his seat he hugged his brother tightly. He gets it, he's stressed too, the treatments, the tests, the medicine, everything it was all hurting Sans too. But now it's his turn to take care of Sans, to make sure his brother can make it through every day happy and healthy. It might take him a while but he'll do just that. He'll be there for him, just like Sans was there for him when he was a kid. Papyrus smiled, he knows just what to do, and he'll make sure Sans doesn't have to worry ever again, not like this. He hates seeing him like this, he just wants to see him smile again, even if it's that same lazy smile he has every morning.

...

They stayed like that for a while hugging in the silence both trying to make the other feel better. But soon Papyrus had to go back to work and Sans was left alone once more. Sans laid his head on his pillow sighing and stuck in his head, how was he going to do this? This was all so sudden, and he doesn't know if he can take it all. It was all so much for him. He closed his eyes he refuses to cry again, he's been doing that too much as of late, he took a deep shaky breath in an attempt to calm himself. He'll get through this, he can do it, just as Papyrus had said. Everything will be okay, right? Sans shook his head, this isn't a time for doubtful thoughts. He opened his eyes again at the sound of a knock on the door, he smiled when Ink walked in with his kid and supposed husband. "Hey, guys.." Sans muttered and grinned as a small black boned child ran up to him. 

"Hello, Mr!" The small child cheered, his tone, however, was soft and quiet. Ink must have warned him about his condition, he gave him a small smile. 

"Hey, kiddo." Sans looked up at Error and Ink, Ink moved to stand next to his child, while Error inched his way to a chair in the corner. The small child smiled at Error and quickly ran over to him climbing into his lap. Error didn't seem to mind, Ink laughed softly and sat in the chair Papyrus had previously sat in. Sans gave him a lazy wave in a sorry attempt to greet him. 

"Hey, you look...terrible." Ink stated bluntly but looked worried despite his blunt attitude. 

"Yeah can't lie I'm not feeling too hot," Sans muttered, Ink nodded looking at all the medical equipment next to his bed, almost all of it was hooked up to Sans in one way or another. 

"Wow, they're not playing around when it comes to this kind of thing." Ink muttered in awe, Sans glanced at the equipment then back at Ink. 

"Yeah, it's super complicated and I'm too lazy to get into it." He grumbled tiredly, Sans looked at the roof, the popcorn effect on the roof seemed to become all too real. Then it set in, this was...real Sans could die here at any time. Sans felt terror lodge itself into his soul. This was it, he wasn't going to get better, and he would be the reason the multiverse dies. He can't even pay his own hospital bills. Papyrus probably lied to the human just to keep them busy, or from asking too many questions about Sans. He gripped on the rough fabric of the blanket, he took a deep shaky breath. Sans gasped as he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. 

"O-oh Ink. Sorry, pal must've zoned out there. Guess you could say I'm a real numbskull." He chuckled at his self deprecating pun, Ink laughed softly as well. 

Error grumbled, "ThAT wAs thE lAziEsT pUn yOu'VE EvEr mAdE." the black boned skeleton rolled his eyes as if seeing right into Sans' soul. Sans sighed, he wasn't wrong even his puns are getting worse, this is all his fault if only he hadn't gotten cancer. Everything would've been fine! He looked back at the roof and closed his eyes. 

"Classic." Ink serious tone caught Sans off guard, he opened his eyes and looked at Ink in confusion. 

"Yes..?" Sans muttered, 

"This was NOT your fault," Ink spoke clearly his tone sharp and serious, tightening his grip on Sans' shoulder. Sans' eyes widened slightly, he gave Ink a look of shock. "It's written all over your face. I may not be the creator of all things, but I am the protector. I've seen a lot and your pain is no exception. You can't hide behind that mask with me around." Ink muttered, Sans felt a chill go down his spine, he can't even hide what he feels anymore. Ink suddenly pulled Sans into a hug shocking the skeleton. He shuttered trying to stop tears from falling down his cheeks, he can't keep crying like this. He'll run out of tears at this point, but with Ink petting his head so mother like Sans couldn't help but let a few tears slide down his cheeks. He sighed shakily and hugged Ink back for a moment before readjusting himself on his bed pulling away from Ink. Sans quickly wiped away his tears and gave a weak, lazy smile. Ink smiled back and stood up slowly, he walked over to the small black boned child sat on Error's lap. "Hey PJ, sweetie, why don't you show Mr. Classic the drawing you made for him?" Ink smiled as his child's eyes lit up, PJ hopped off Error lap and quickly fished a drawing out of his pocket. It was neatly folded and only seemed slightly crumbled from its trip in the child's pocket. PJ trotted up to Sans and handed him a folded piece of paper. 

Sans smiled at the child and gently took the paper from him, "Thank you." Sans spoke in a soft tone. He slowly unfolded the paper and smiled at the drawing, it was a picture of him holding the world on his shoulders. The stars were scattered around the picture, the childish scribbles of crayon filled the page, PJ waited excitedly for Sans' thought on his drawing. It was sweet but serial for him, in a way, he really was holding the fate of this world on his shoulders. Everyone needed him to get better so that they could keep living. Sans looked down at the excited baby bones. "Thank you PJ, this is the best drawing I've ever seen." Sans cheered setting the crinkled page on his lap. PJ jumped in excitement at the praise, the child would be smiling ear to ear if he had any. 

"Thank you Mr. Classic!" PJ thanked in an enthusiastic tone, his childish nature and energy cheered the once sad skeleton up. He patted PJ and on the head and the child was off to his father excitedly telling him what happened even though he was only just across the room. It was surprising to see the former destroyer of worlds smile at the child and listen intently to every word the kid had to share. It was bittersweet, it reminded Sans of how he was with his brother when he was just a baby bones. 

Ink laughed at PJ's excitement, "I hope he didn't startle you with his sudden outburst, guess he just couldn't hold in his excitement anymore." 

Sans quickly shook his head chuckling, "No that's alright, it was a nice change. Such excitement is a sight for sore eyes." he hummed and Ink nodded. 

"He's always a joy to be around." Ink spoke in a soft motherly tone Sans had never heard. Sans couldn't help but smile at the admiration Ink held for his child as well as motherly love Sans couldn't quite place. He looked back at Error and PJ, it seems PJ has calmed down and moved on to playing with the string Error had summoned. Sans' small smile turned into a grin, he looked up at the roof once more the feeling of dread in his soul seemed to die down for a second, he closed his eyes relaxing. He hummed softly in content, just getting through the day didn't seem to be so bad anymore. He had friends, he wasn't alone, even if sometimes he feels like the loneliest skeleton in the whole multiverse. The room felt calm once again and his soul didn't feel as heavy for once, no one is demanding him to get better right now. He just needs to take his time and get better, and when things get rough, he has friends there that can help him. Everything just might be okay.