“CANCER…?” Papyrus’ voice boomed within the living room, the worry in his voice was obvious to anyone. Sans couldn’t bear to lift his head and look at his brother. He didn't want to see the upset and confused look on his face. He didn't want to look his brother in the eye and let the reality of this set in just yet. He knew what was coming, pain, tears, and sorrow, he didn't want to see his brother like that. Tears started to fill his eye sockets again, why did this have to happen to him? He recoiled feeling a warm pair of arms wrap around him.

“It’s okay Sans... We’ll figure it out.” Papyrus’ voice was quite a rarity, to say the least. This shocked the shorter skeleton out of his depressed trance. His head shot up to look at his brother for the first time since he got home. He couldn’t help but cry more at his brother's gentle and caring smile. While Papyrus seemed sad, he just smiled at him, he was keeping it together just for him... Sans slowly wrapped his arms around his brother and began to cry into his chest. He didn't know what to do and for the first time, Papyrus had to support him instead of the other way around. They didn’t move, Papyrus stayed there kneeled, hugging his brother’s shaking frame close. A few tear-filled moments passed, and soon enough Sans was calm enough to pull away from Papyrus.

Sans wiped his tears away with his jacket sleeve pushing his feelings away, pushing the tears away just for now. “The doctor...he said there were treatment plans we could try if we wanted to,” Sans muttered his voice was soft and raspy from crying as much as he did.

 Papyrus nodded and stood up slowly, “Would you like to try them?” Papyrus’ voice was once again soft and caring it resounded in Sans’ head. Would he even like to try? According to Medic, the treatment wouldn’t be exactly sunshine and rainbows. It was going to suck and take a tremendous toll on him, the treatment may even make him sicker for some time. He also informed Sans he had stage two Cancer...It wouldn’t be easy but looking at his brother...he couldn’t just give up. His brother didn't deserve to just watch him roll over and die. That wasn't fair to him or his friends he had to at least give it a shot.

Sans sighed and nodded slowly, “Yeah, I want to try…” he murmured looking down at the carpet. He could feel Papyrus smile that same excited smile he always seemed to have plastered onto his face.

“GREAT! LET’S GO TO MEDIC TOMORROW AS YOU HAD EXPLAINED! WE’LL START THE TREATMENT RIGHT AWAY!” Papyrus’ excited and happy voice boomed through the room. Sans couldn’t help but smile at his happiness, his brother always seemed to cheer him up.

Sans looked up at his brother, “I... yeah, alright, let's go tomorrow then Paps.” Sans chuckled at Papyrus' widened smile; he must be ecstatic that about going somewhere new.

“NYEH HEH HEH! ALTHOUGH I WILL HAVE TO GET USED TO THIS…’AU’ STUFF!” Papyrus hesitated when he said AU, looking at Sans to make sure he said the right thing.

Sans grinned and nodded, “Don’t worry Paps you’ll fit right in.” that seemed to make Papyrus smile as he nodded quickly. His brother's exuberance was always infectious and lightened the room no matter how depressing it got. 

Papyrus threw a hand to his puffed-up chest, “ALRIGHT! LET’S GET SOME REST AND WE CAN HEAD OUT TOMORROW! AFTER ALL, YOU SEEM VERY TIRED! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ ME ‘FLUFFY BUNNY' TONIGHT BROTHER! JUST GET SOME REST!” Papyrus' voice boomed once again as he headed up the stairs to his room. He quickly closed the door behind him before Sans could protest like he knew he would. Sans sighed and traveled upstairs as well, taking a moment to pause every now again for his aching bones. It took him at least ten minutes to finally make it up the stairs, he looked at Papyrus’ door knowing him if he tried to read to him now, he’d get mad. He shook his head smiling at the thought of him stomping around while trying to listen to him read. Sans continued his trek to his room, walking hurt a memorable amount, just walking in general caused him more pain than it was worth. He sighed and opened his bedroom door. He closed it behind him and walked to his bed flopping on it.

He let out a content sigh and curled up slightly, “Bone cancer huh…?” Sans muttered to himself, how in the world was he going to get through this one? Sans groaned and rolled to the side looking over his messy room. The purple and blue zigzag patterned carpet was cluttered with trash and clothes. A random treadmill with a note taped to it stood in the corner of the room. He didn't use the treadmill, but it was a nice gift nonetheless. Though Sans could never remember why someone would give it to him. He could also never remember why in the world he put his lamp on top of his dresser in the other corner of the room. The red velvet painted walls gave the messy room a toned down, more relaxing feeling among all the clutter. Sans let out another sigh, thinking about it there didn't seem to be many options treatment wise. Then again, he’s not a doctor so what does he know? He slowly closed his eyes with that final thought and forced himself to drift off into a restless sleep.

…

Sans was once again woken up like normal, with his brother knocking on the door and calling for him to get up. Sans groaned and slowly sat up, maybe it was all a dream? Like a nightmare, Sans looked down to his leg and sighed seeing a small lump there, the reality of what was happening finally set in and he hated it. He rubbed his face trying to stop himself from crying again. Why couldn't all of this be a nightmare of some kind? He slowly stood up and looked at his bedroom door, opening the door Papyrus stood there with a beaming smile on his face, “ARE YOU READY TO GO, DEAR BROTHER!” Papyrus boomed making Sans chuckle at his brother’s energetic demeanor. He felt sluggish and tried but put a smile on his face just for his brother.

“Yep, let’s go, bro,” Sans spoke lazily as he slumped and followed Papyrus down the stairs, he didn't need to change because he didn't bother changing into pj's last night. Not that it mattered all his clothes look the same anyways. He ignored the throb in his leg telling him to stop and take a break. The ache in his bones almost compelled him to have his brother carry him. It took him longer to get down the stairs than it did Papyrus, He stopped at the door when Papyrus paused for a moment. “What’s up, bro?” Sans asked worriedly looking at his bro in concern, Papyrus looked down at Sans in curiosity.

“How will we get there?” realization hit Sans like a ton of bricks, he forgot to ask Ink if he could drop them off in MedicTale. He facepalmed and pulled out his phone, he didn’t have any paint or ink laying around so this would have to do for now.

“I’ll text a friend to pick us up.” Sans hummed and put his phone away when he was done texting, not even a few moments passed before a glitchy portal opened. A dark bone skeleton walked out of the portal followed by an artistic looking skeleton, a smaller skeleton, that looked around the age of five sat on the dark boned skeletons shoulders

“WhAT dO yOu WAnT?” the voice of the rather tall skeleton glitched, Ink nudged him in the ribs earning a glare from the skeleton. Ink by no means looked impressed with his attitude which didn't surprise him, Ink desisted any form of sass.

“What my husband means, is how can we help!” Ink cheered; his usual smile now plastered back onto his face.

“Husband? - You know what tell me later, can you drop me and Paps off in MedicTale?” Sans asked softly, shoving his hands into his pockets as he glanced at Ink's supposed husband. He didn't look like he was in the mood to do anything and just standing here annoyed him. The child that sat on his shoulders was looking around energetically bouncing around.

Ink hummed for a moment, “Yea of course! You wouldn’t mind right Error?” Ink gave ‘Error’ a strained smile, his deadly mother like attitude was leaking through his smile.

Error sighed and nodded, “FiNe.” he grumbled and stepped aside closing the portal he made before opening another one. Sans smiled in thanks to Error, the darker skeleton only grunted in acknowledgment. Papyrus followed Sans through the portal having looked at the three skeletons in sudden interest. The portal closed behind them when they fully entered through the portal. Sans sighed and started walking to the elevator, he’ll just talk to Medic he’ll be his doctor, after all, right, well that's what he hopes for. He boarded the elevator with his brother and hit the third button again. Papyrus looked around seeming very interested in everything going on.

“WHERE ARE WE GOING, BROTHER?” Papyrus asked in his normally loud tone, Sans glanced at his brother for a moment,

“To talk to Medic about treatment plans.” Sans hummed smiling at his brother. The elevator took a few moments to get to its destination before jerking to a stop. The elevator door shot open and Sans slowly got off followed by Papyrus. He walked down the familiar hall and to Medic’s office, the glass door standing open once again. Sans glanced inside and saw Medic at his desk typing away on his computer, Sans knocked on the door softly startling Medic. He quickly looked at the door and calmed down seeing who it was.

“Sorry I didn’t see you there Sans, come in, take a seat! Ink told me you were coming!” Medic spoke in a cheery voice, but the look in his eye told Sans a different story. It was pity, Medic pitied Sans, he quickly brushed it off he didn’t want anyone's pity. He sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk again. Papyrus sat next to him; Medic seemed to perk up at this. “This is your brother, right? Nice to meet you!” Medic held his hand out for Papyrus to shake.

Papyrus smiled at this and enthusiastically took his hand and shook it. “NICE TO MEET YOU TO DOCTOR! I AM THE GREAT PAPYRUS!” Papyrus pulled his hand back a bright smile on his face, Sans smiled at the interaction he always found a way to brighten the mood.

Medic chuckled, “Nice to meet you too Papyrus! You can call me Medic!” He smiled at Papyrus before turning his attention to Sans. “Alright, let’s get down to business. I assume you’d like to go with a treatment plan correct?” He asked in a soft but serious tone, Sans only nodded in response. Medic sighed but nodded anyway, “Alright, well, we’d have to check you into the hospital, we’ll get you started on a treatment plan, get you some medicine that'll hopefully help you beat some of the cancer back, we'll send you home with Zoledronic. So, you don't have to stay in the hospital for too long. Well, at least that's the plan, but there are other tests we have to run before that.” Sans nodded as Medic spoke listening to every word, he’ll do anything if it means getting better. “Now normally this treatment is rather expensive--” Medic looked up to see Sans' face drop, they didn’t have the money for that, they could barely afford rent every day! And that was with Sans working several jobs at a time. Medic adjusted his glasses and quickly continued. “--But! I’ll foot the bill for you!” Sans looked at Medic in bewilderment, why would he do that for someone he just met?! There has to be some sort of catch!

“What’s the catch?” Sans asked rather quickly Medic only smiled and shook his head.

“The catch? Just work on getting better.” Medic spoke softly, Sans could feel a large weight lifted off his soul, such kindness was rare. No normal person would do this, but he wouldn’t dare question this. He smiled at Medic, he would have to pay the bill by himself at some point, but he'd gladly take the help for now.

“Thank you so much,” he muttered much to Medic’s surprise,

Papyrus quickly thanked Medic as well, “YES, THANK YOU MEDIC!” Papyrus spoke quickly, Medic smiled brightly a small blush covering his cheeks.

“You're very welcome you two! Now, let's get you checked into the hospital.” Sans nodded and slowly stood up from his spot on the chair. He followed Medic down to the front desk and watched the quick interaction with the nurse. He's glad he chose this rather rolling over to die.

…

Sans sat in a hospital bed, and much to his consternation he had to wear a hospital gown. His clothes were being held in the patient item area. He sighed and looked around his hospital room. He got a room to himself thanks to the courtesy of Medic. The walls were painted a light blue, to his right was a large window looking out into the hospital hall, the blinds were drawn and closed. To his left was a smaller window out looking the city of this AU. Sans was given a room on the sixth floor; he wasn't a huge fan of heights,  but this didn't bother him as much. He smiled softly and looked ahead of him, there was a bathroom attached to the room off to the left near the larger window. Papyrus was sat in a chair in front of the window out looking the hall. Two more chairs resided next to him along with a few monitors and HIV stands. Sans looked at Medic watching the process of hooking him up to said monitors. Medic hummed softly as he attached some HIV’S to his soul and one to his left hand. A soul monitor was clipped to his finger on his right hand. The screen to his right came to life beeping softly, he could see his plus, vital levels as well as magic levels. The sound beeping filled the room now and again, the sound was toned down and quite giving it an almost peaceful feeling, reminding him that he was alive and kicking. Medic smiled at Sans, “You magic levels seem a bit low but other than that your soul is in perfect health!” Medic comforted; Sans couldn’t help but smile at his friend's cheery demeanor.

“Thanks, Medic.” The Skeleton nodded and stepped away from the bed. Medic would probably leave him to settle in now, seeing as it was getting quite late, it took them awhile to check him in and get him a room.

“Of course! I’ll leave you to get some rest for now! We’ll run some tests tomorrow!” Medic hummed and left the room quickly closing the glass door softly behind him. Papyrus smiled and pulled his chair forward, so it was closer to his bedside.

“SO, WE’LL BE HERE FOR A WHILE THEN?” Papyrus asked his worry and concern apparent in his loud voice. Sans patted Papyrus’ head. He gave him a warm comforting smile in hopes of making him feel better.

“Yea, but don’t worry bro. Everything will be okay. Promise, I’ll get better in no time!” Sans attempted to console his little brother, and much to his relief it worked.

Papyrus smiled at Sans, “YOUR RIGHT! THIS JUST LIKE A COLD! IT’LL BE GONE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!” Sans’ smile faltered for a moment at that, this isn’t a cold, it’s much worse than that. But he couldn’t tell Paps that...it’d break his soul.

Sans sighed and smiled at Papyrus he nodded, “Yep! Just like a cold bro... just like a cold.” Sans repeated the last part over again, maybe this is just like a cold. Maybe he'll get better quickly, and he’ll be home again. Sleeping in his messy room and eating waffles for breakfast again. It’ll all be over soon; he just has to keep up hope and he'll be home before he knows it.