[ Sans' POV ]

Papyrus was still feeling dejected after his childish behavior which created a fight between him and Undyne. I watched as Frisk tried to cheer up my brother after the little argument. She walked over to Papyrus, patted him gently on the back, whispered something in his ear, and put his red scarf back around him. 

She left his side with a smile. Papyrus looked at me, then back to her. I gave him a questioning look, wanting to know what the kid said and why I felt concerned in the first place. 

"REALLY? YOU THINK THAT WILL WORK? THEN I'LL GO HELP UNDYNE!" Papyrus skipped merrily into the kitchen, I could hear him apologizing and making jokes with Undyne.

I turned to Frisk who seemed to be satisfied with the turn out. "what'd ya say to him?" I asked, trying not to let too much emotion appear evident in my voice. Frisk gave me a mischievous grin, "Just some things." she giggled.

"come on kiddo, throw me a bone." I said, hoping a pun might get her to open up. she sighed softly then leaned over next to the hole where my ear should've been, "I told him to help Undyne... to stop making you look so worried."

I managed to catch a glimpse of her from the corner of my eye while she was still beside me. she looked serious, maybe even a hint of concern in her expression. Did I really give off that kind of emotion? Usually no one could figure me out, but I guess Frisk... is different.

As she parted from my side, I smelt the tiniest hint of buttercups resonating off of her. A golden flower that shined almost as bright as her. 

I nearly want to slap myself in the face, just hearing those words pass through my thoughts. Frisk had always been my 'little buddy', but ever since she'd gotten older, something's changed about her...

I felt another uncomfortable sensation travel through my bones. This seemed to affect me deeper than the previous one.

"Sans, are you-"

"DINNER'S READY!" both Papyrus and Undyne yelled in unison. I welcomed the sudden outburst created by the two, it meant i could avoid the confusion in my chest for just a second longer. Frisk and Undyne set the table while Papyrus and I served up the mediocre looking spaghetti. Despite its appearance, the two chefs looked overly please with the outcome.

"bone-appetite."

And with my extremely clever pun, we began to dig in. Surprisingly, it was better than i had prepared myself for. Both Papyrus and Undyne seemed please with my reaction. I smiled and gave my brother a thumbs-up to give him a slight ego boost and turned to the food again. I let my eye sockets wonder around to see Frisk who was just as eager as I was to dig in.

The sight of her attempting to maintain her manners while the overwhelming sense of hunger wanted nothing more than to gobble down the meal was adorable. Wait... what? adorable? I choke on my next forkful of spaghetti. Frisk turned to help, but was put to a sudden halt when we all heard ringing emit from her pocket.

I force down the spaghetti and pay attention. She pulls her phone out, checking the number, and answers quickly. I had expected it to be Toriel- giving some sort of 'mom lecture', but it was worse than I had expected. Everyone became quiet so we could eavesdrop on the call.

Frisk: Hello?

???: Ah, Frisk! It seems like it's been forever, huh.

Frisk: I know what you mean. Anyway, where are you? How've you been? Are you safe?

???: You're really starting to pick up the whole 'mom vibe' from Toriel, aren't you? I'm in Waterfall, heading towards Snowdin.

Frisk: Really? I'm at Papyrus and Sans's house, I'd love to see you again!

The line goes silent for a second, and I could tell Frisk was confused. Whoever was on the other end wasn't a fan of her current location.

???: I think I can work it into my schedule... How about I come pick you up? Judging from the weather, I don't know if you could make it back home by yourself.

Frisk: Thanks, big brother!

Asriel: Anything for you, Frisk.

- - - 

The line dropped and Frisk was left with an irremovable smile on her face.

I had never been a big fan of Asriel. He manipulated everyone every chance he got in the other timelines, and each time, all I could do was stand and watch, waiting for the inevitable. I watched her tear us all limb from limb because of that stupid flower.

I get that it wasn't this Asriel's fault. But as soon our current timeline came, and Flowey and Chara were nowhere to be seen, Frisk and Asriel had become closer than ever.

It didn't take an idiot to see that Asriel thought of Frisk as more than a little sister.

[ Normal POV ]

Sans tried to hide how annoyed he was at the whole situation. He shoved his hands in his pockets and stared blankly at his half-eaten spaghetti. The mood dwindled down, but Frisk knew that something was wrong with her skeletal friend. She also knew that at times like these, Papyrus said it was better to give him space; and as much as Frisk didn't like it, she thought it'd be wrong to pry. 

Just as she had resolved her worries and went back to the spaghetti, Undyne stood up and slammed her hands on the table, startling all of them.

"Hate to say it," Undyne started, as if announcing an extremely important message, "but I should start heading home. The weather doesn't seem to be getting any better, and Alphys-" She gasped, knowing she had let out more than she planned. She threw on her jacket and bolted out the door. "Later guys!"

Frisk waves and smiles as she watched her fish friend excitedly run through the snow and towards Hotland.  

Knowing that Asriel is on his way to pick you up fills you with determination.