The house was very quiet, well quieter than the normally noisy skeleton bros tended to be in the morning. Especially with Sans home again, most of those that lived around them would think they'd be louder. Sans, however, was still tucked into his bed, passed out, hugging his pillow close to his head. Last night had been a long night for him. He wasn't used to the pain without his morphine drip anymore and it took him forever to get to sleep. He ended up having to take codeine just to get to sleep. Sans groaned softly, the quiet sound of his brother knocking on his thick wooden door and calling his name woke him up from his peaceful slumber. He was dead tired and being awake was not on his list of things he wanted to be. It was nice to be home and all but thought he’d be able to sleep more than an hour give or take. He rolled onto his back and sighed heavily running a hand over his tired face. The ache in his bones quickly returned smacking him the face like a ton of bricks. He lazily covered his eye sockets by slinging his jacket covered arm over his face. He already doesn’t want to be awake not that he wanted to be in the first place, to begin with. He thought that he would be excited, this being his first real day home and all, but he's not oddly enough. He groaned and slowly pushed himself up. He lazily responded to his brother's oddly soft calls in a low grumble.

“I’m up bro, I’m up,” He muttered less than happy with this horrible aching. Sans looked at the door as it slowly creaked open and Papyrus’ head popped into the room. A smile was plastered to his brother's face.

“Good morning brother! I made you breakfast and brought you some medicine.” The door gently swung open with those words and Papyrus stepped in with a glass of water and some medicine in the other gloved palm. Two dark purple round-shaped pills just waiting gulped down by Sans. At least it would stop his pain for a while, that's all he really cared about at the current moment. Papyrus gently handed his brother the glass of water and codeine.

Sans glanced at the pills in his hand and shifted them around for a moment. “Thank bro, I owe you one,” He muttered and glanced at Papyrus for a moment, he quickly threw the pills back and chugging down the glass of water.  He sighed and took a deep breath, hopefully, they'd kick in soon.

“Of course, brother! I'm glad that I can be of assistance!” Papyrus cheered happily; Sans smiled his brother seemed so much happier now. He was glad that Papyrus was feeling better at least, he hates to see his bro so down in the dumps. Although he can’t say much has changed for him, besides him being sick and Papyrus finally taking off his battle body. Which was a shock for him at first, but Papyrus insisted that it would be easier to take of Sans without it, which was the only real reason he was okay with taking it off. Papyrus had traded his battle body for an orange, long-sleeved sweater. His signature red gloves and slightly torn scarf stayed; however, his bottoms and black tights were switched with jeans tucked into his normal red boots. It didn't look to bad at the very least, it actually suited his brother quite well.

Sans' train of thought was broken when Papyrus trotted off downstairs, most likely making his way back to the kitchen. Sans got up from his bed and followed but stopped at the top of the stairs. His legs still ached pretty bad, was breakfast really worth it? Was it worth the pain just to get some food, maybe he could just stay up here? Sans glanced back his bedroom and back at the stairs, sure he could just teleport but he's using his magic to heal and that's more important. Sans took a deep breath and spun on his heel walking back to his room. He has an idea that might get him down the stairs, without any casualties hopefully. This idea, however, may or may not make Papyrus extremely upset.

...

Papyrus fixed up some plates in the kitchen humming softly as he did so. He placed the plates on the table and waited for Sans, and waited, and waited. Papyrus tapped his foot impatiently against the tiled floor making a soft tapping sound. Worry began to form in the pit of his nonexistent stomach, what if Sans was struggling to get down the stairs? What if Sans got hurt and needed help!? With that final thought, Papyrus quickly walked into the living room and froze at the sight of Sans sitting at the top of the stairs on a cardboard box.

“San- SANS!” Papyrus shouted in distress as he watched Sans use the cardboard box as a sled to ride down the stairs. Papyrus just stood there and watched Sans crash into the couch. He had no words... well, actually he had too many words. “SANS WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT!? YOU HAVE LEGS! YOU COULD’VE WALKED DOWN THE STAIRS! DO YOU KNOW HOW UNSAFE THAT WAS!” Papyrus yelled rambling on about how he could’ve gotten hurt or worse.

Sans laughed softly and scratched the back of his neck with a nervous smile. “Sorry, bro.” He switched to his signature lazy smile and stood up slowly brushing off his pants as he did. Papyrus placed a hand over his chest as he took deep breaths as if he were having a heart attack. Sans chuckled smiling at his little brother, well, he's not so little now, but he was younger than him. Sans sighed and rubbed his arm, the aches in bones finally subsiding for now. Which is good for him because that must mean the medicine is finally kicking in. Sans blinked a look of shock crossed his face when he was suddenly picked up by his brother.

“Come on Brother! I have made food just for you! Your food will get cold if you don't eat it soon!” Papyrus spoke quickly with an unexpected tone of happiness in his voice. Sans chuckled and nodded, letting his brother carry him to the kitchen. While he enjoyed his brother's quiet voice and how gentle he was now, he can’t help but feel bad. He changed just for him, just because he got sick, all for this stupid sickness and his stupid headaches. Papyrus smiled down at his brother and set him in a chair, a plate of hot pancakes right in front of him. Papyrus' smile slowly faded as the frown on Sans’ face slowly grew. “Uhm...brother…?” Papyrus’ soft voice seemed to quickly snap Sans out of his thoughts.

“Oh, sorry bro, guess I spaced out there.” Sans chuckled giving Papyrus a lazy smile. Papyrus sighed, he wished Sans would just TALK to him! He wished his brother would just tell him what was going on instead of hiding it from him!

He sat down at the table and smiled at Sans, “That’s okay brother!” Papyrus spoke in a cheery tone, his words betraying his emotions. Papyrus began to eat slowly he truly believes if Sans just told him what was wrong, he'd feel so much better! He's not a kid anymore, but it seems Sans can’t let go of that image of him as a child, or maybe he just doesn't want to let it go.

Sans glanced at Papyrus and quickly looked away shoving the homemade pancakes into his mouth. Papyrus shouldn’t have to put up with him like this, he shouldn’t have to take care of him, he’s the older brother! He wishes he could tell Papyrus more he really does; he just doesn't want to worry him anymore. Sans sighed before he jolted slightly, the sudden knock on the door scaring him.

Papyrus perked up, “They’re here!” Papyrus chirped and got up quickly and ran to the door, swinging it open to reveal; Frisk, Toriel, Asgore, Undyen, Alphys, and Mettaton. Mettaton, of course, pushed himself to the front and hugged Papyrus.

“Oh, Pappy dear! It’s so good to see you again hun! How are you and your brother?” Mettaton questioned and pulled away from the hug, his hand promptly placed on his hip. A smile playing at Mettatons lips, that robot has too much sass this early in the morning, or was it the afternoon? Well if it was the afternoon, he would be eating breakfast, so it has to be early in the morning. Either way that robot has too much sass for his own good.

Sans grinned seeing a blush grow of his little brother's face, “Oh! I am quite alright Mettaton! Sans is doing much better now as well! We’re glad that you could make it!” Papyrus spoke quickly his blush slowly fading as he talked. His smile, however, was notably larger than it had been a moment ago.

Toriel smiled tilting her head around Mettaton so she could be seen while she spoke. “Of course, Papyrus, we’re happy to help in any way that we can!” Toriel hummed in that sweet, motherly voice of hers.

Sans smiled and got up slowly, lazily walking to the door. “Sup guys!” Sans greeted smiling at the group. Frisk waved at Sans, though they seemed guilty about something, Sans just kept his grin he figured this would happen. He knew Frisk would probably end up feeling about this, but it wasn't their fault, it wasn't anyone's fault.

Frisk let out a quiet sigh, they feel horrible about this, what if this happened as a result of all the resets they made? Asgore patted Frisk’s head giving them a comforting smile. But Frisk knew Asgore didn't know the real reason for their sadness, he was just trying his best to comfort them. “You look much better Sans; we are all glad to see your doing well.” Asgore’s gruff voice boomed soothing the small fallen child slowly. Sans nodded and stepped aside along with Papyrus who invited the group into the house.  

...

The door closed quickly as everyone filed into the house, Toriel left to the kitchen with Papyrus to make a pie, Mettaton stuck to the living room chatting around, Asgore stood next to Undyen and chatted with her and Alphys, while Frisk stuck next to the door looking meekly about the room. Sans glanced at Frisk and sighed, he shuffled over to them and spoke quietly. 

“Listen, buddy, this isn’t your fault.” Frisk quickly shook their head and began to sign, almost to fast for Sans to keep up.

‘But what if it is! It could be from all the resets! What if you die, Sans?’ Frisk panicked, Sans’ gaze softened and patted Frisk's head.

“I’m not gonna die, Frisk. I can’t make any promises, but if I do die. Promise me, you won’t reset.” Sans gave Frisk a stern but soft look holding out his hand for Frisk to shake. Frisk took a step back, fear lining their face as the looked at Sans’ hand. A world without Sans in it? But Sans is their Duncle they can't just let him die! They can't do that to everyone, not when they can fix it or stop it!

Sans sighed softly, “Come on Frisk, there’s no guarantee I’ll die. I just need you to do this one thing for me... Please?” Sans whispered Frisk, glanced up at Sans taking this all in for a moment. This wasn't an easy decision to make, letting a very important person to you die, simply because they asked you to. Frisk took a deep breath before they slowly grabbed Sans’ hand, shaking it, trying to quiet their fears and bury them with this handshake. Sans would make it, so they had nothing to fear! Sans is going to be okay, there’s no way Sans would die! As Frisk slowly shook Sans’ hand, a shaky smile made its way onto Frisk’s face. They were determined to make Sans better, no matter what it took!

Sans chuckled and grinned, “See kid, it’ll be okay.” Sans pulled his hand away and shoved it into his pocket.

Frisk nodded slowly; they just hope they didn't make the wrong promise. ‘We really missed you Sans’ welcome back.’ Frisk signed quickly,

Sans chuckled and ruffled Frisk’s hair, “Heh, thanks kiddo. I missed you guys too.” Sans smiled, he can’t believe that even for a second he took this for granted, he wanted to be back home so bad and now he is! He looked around at his friends, everyone he loved and missed so much. How could he possibly take this for granted? He smiled, the smell of pie filling the house slowly, interrupting Sans' thoughts. Yeah, he missed this, he missed this more than anything in the world. He’d hate to go back to that cold and quiet hospital; it was much better here with his family. He’s glad to be back, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.