Gaster decides they need to move and does his best to be a dad. Sans is suspicious and Echo is just happy their 'doggy' is here.

((Co-author:Firehedgehog))

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Gaster took a deep breath as he listened to Echo sleep, that cute little purring sound he made sometimes when he reached the dreaming stage. He turned away from the closed door, heading back to the main cabin area.

He had to clean up the main area, and see about creating more safe guards so Echo couldn't get up there again.

There was also there... guest, Sans. If he was still there that is, but he couldn't stay outside his adopted child's door and avoid it forever. No matter how much he wished he could.

His fault, he was a total screw up as a father after all.

The house was too quiet as he walked back. He walked past Sans and began to clean up the items knocked down and the items and toys Echo had been playing with.

"If you're going to stay, sit down I'm not running away," he said not turning to look at Sans, after all when he became Echos parent he made a vow on his magic to do it right.

There was a scoff from the agitated skeleton, for a moment there was nothing more than he heard something drop onto the love seat. He winced at the force, but telling him to be gentle on the furniture wouldn't help here.

Sans didn't move his gaze away from Gasters back, watching every little thing they did with unnerving intensity.

He had just found the monster , so there was no way he was letting them out of his sight so easily, especially with a kid in the house even if he was slightly terrified of the power the child held .

"I didn't take you one for playing house. How long are you going to keep this up?"

He didn't hide the derision in his tone, scoffing when he noticed children's toys scattered the floor. They must really be in it for the long haul, Gaster never having bothered to get them anything while he was growing up his soul ached in jealousy but he smothered it quickly enough .

"I'm not playing house Sans, everyone has to grow up sooner or later. I just took longer than was healthy," Gaster sighed, he placed Echo's toy in their toy box and turned to look at Sans.

"After a good deal of LOVE I see. Perfectly normal indeed."

Sans said dryly with a scathing look in his eyes, unmoved by the wince they gave in response. He wasn't an idiot , feeling they had definitely been up to something else once they collapsed their AU.

Gaster rubbed his face agitated, he could deal with this.

"Please keep your voice down, Echo needs his sleep for his recovery and he reacts to emotions," Gaster said quietly "And I bet you of course talked to everyone in town making our issues known, meaning poor Echo won't be able to go into town due to the emotions flying about."

Sans refused to feel guilty about, the disappointed look directed at him that was weirdly parental was also ignored, putting his feet on the coffee table in response.

"Maybe if you weren't so socially inept and a major psycho, then that would be needed in the first place dad ."

Even saying the word made him feel gross but the way Gaster flinched after was absolutely beautiful .

"Don't forget you caused these issues in the first place. Don't pretend to be a saint all of a sudden, when you have more dust on your hands then the rest of us"

It's not like he was wrong to react with suspicion and distrust, not having the best experiences with Gaster in the first place.

"I'm not pretending to be a saint Sans, I'm trying to be better. It won't write away my sins" Gaster said as he finally fixed the rest of the falling items. "Echo doesn't deserve that"

" Right and i'm the tooth fairy. So how long is this little game going to last? It would be kinder to not string the kid along. That is if you actually care about them"

Sans said mockingly, his smile a jagged thing as he ruthlessly struck every one of Gasters soft spots just like he was 'taught' .

He doubted Gaster even had the capacity to care for anything with the LOVE they had, their stone cold soul was probably pure black by now.

"Just leave Sans, live your own life," Gaster said pouring himself some coffee, he usually stuck with tea as Echo liked trying whatever he drank. "Be strangers, that's what you said last we came across one another after all.. you don't know me I don't know you"

Sans laughed, a mirthless thing filled with derision and scorn.

Who knew Gaster was such an idiot , wiping an imaginary tear away as if truly amused.

"How cute . I know this may be a wild concept to you but I'm not just a mindless attack dog that can be ordered away. I'm still a Judge, no matter what your little temper tantrum did to our AU. I'm not so monstrous to leave an innocent with you "

He smiled with little kindness, leaning back into his seat to show he wasn't moving.

Gaster stared at him then walked away rolling his eyes, heading outside as their little garden had some veggies that needed to be picked ready and he could make soup for Echo and himself tonight.

Uninvited guests could get their own food.

The hours passed in strained silence, Sans obnoxiously making sure his presence wasn't forgotten by Gaster but surprisingly doing little else, seeming content to keep the silence going.

Gaster supposed he should be grateful for not having to deal with any damage to his new home but having eyes constantly on the back of his head, was starting to grate on his nerves.

He tried to focus on his soup as he knew it wouldn't be long before the babybones woke from their impromptu nap, carefully adding some carrots when he saw it start to boil

"'Aster!" Echo cried happily leaving his room, wiping sleep from his face.

Gaster swept him up, and Echo giggled and curled close to him.

"We're going to have to put more bone cream on your skull soon," Gaster mused looking over the cracks on the child's skull, it was definitely helping as it no longer looked like a wrong touch would turn into a crater.

"No..." Echo whined.

"I know it stings when it's put on Echo, but its helping your skull heal," he reminded, the child pouted.

"Ball?" Echo asked after he had to have the weird cream put on his skull, pleased he at least got to wear his pretty blue hat after.

"Food first, little flower. Then you can go play." Gaster said with a small smile at their cheer, amused at just how much energy the babybones had.

Sans resisted the urge to grit his teeth, the uncomfortable feeling in his stomach the jealousy .

It Burned.

Gaster was content to keep the odd status quo between him and Sans, keeping to the routine he kept with Echo for the past few months.

He fed the babybones their soup, having the usual struggle to keep them clean due to the sheer enthusiasm they had when eating, before he let them go play again.

He had kept a wary eye on Sans the whole time and apart from a few surges of magic, they seemed to be actually behaving. He would have questioned it, if he felt he would get any answers, knowing just how stubborn Sans could be.

"Cloud, play" Echo said, holding up his ball to Sans.

Sans froze and looked down at the tiny babybones as if he was suddenly facing the hounds of hell themselves.

"Uhh, i don't th-"

"Play!" Echo insisted, smiling brightly when Cloud finally took the ball. He giggled in delight when they bounced it towards him, having a great time.

Sans was barely keeping it together, gritting his teeth when he noticed Gaster blatantly taking pictures by the door, not even trying to hide their amusement with the situation.

He knew they were just as sadistic as before, shoulders tensing when he heard another click of the camera

Gaster was thrilled, Echo was just as adorable as always and Sans looked so sweet playing with his adopted baby brother.

Sans eventually realised he wasnt escaping this anytime soon, so resigned himself to his new role. He crouched down to make it easier on Echo, who while trying their best just couldn't throw the ball high enough to him, smirking how thrilled the kid looked at his new position.

Echo played for quite awhile before finally tiring, looking at the sky he saw it was getting late.

Which meant, Gaster had likely let him stay up late to play. He stopped tossing the ball, and walked to Cloud.

"Nite nite" he said hugging them, then smiling rushing to Gaster for his bed and bedtime story.

Sans mouthed the word 'bedtime story' with honest bafflement, feeling he was looking at an alien when Gaster honest to god smiled like they meant it.

He had to give it to them, they were a much better liar than he ever gave them credit for, almost believing they might care when they read the Fluffy Bunny to Echo.

He was usually derided for wanting to read it, having to do it in secret when Gaster nearly burned the book.

Gaster blinked realising Sans was still there as it was he was mentally exhausted and planned for bed himself rather early.

Sighing he went to a closet' and pulled out some blankets and a few pillows.

"The couch is free," he said, shoving them into Sans arms, then headed to his own room to sleep.

Now Sans was many things but an idiot wasn't one of them, deciding it wouldn't be wise to push his luck further today. He might enjoy pushing people's buttons but Gaster was on a whole other level, not stupid enough to elicit their ire right now.

He did not question his stroke of good luck and set things up on the couch, surprised at the lack of violence so far but expected it would only be time until things went back to what he was used to.

He would be there when they would, ready to act.

He hoped he wasn't needed for the babybones sake but when did things ever go his way.

Gaster listened to Sans finally fall asleep as snoring filled the air, his eye lights staring at the ceiling blankly.

It wasn't untrue what Sans had told the villagers, at least it had been true in the past. He dripped with his sins.

Yet... it would make it awfully hard for them to live here now, as the villagers would always treat himself and Echo differently because of it. Echo did not deserve that.

He would have to look for a new place for them wouldn't he?

Stars darn it... he had liked this place.

But it was no longer safe for Echo due to Sans.

He'd start a hunt tomorrow.

Gaster finally fell asleep

------

Echo liked Cloud. He made so many funny faces but he played with him and he finally got to touch the fluff thing around their neck!

He decided they were actually a good doggy, even if they were a bit naughty when they first met.

He shared his thoughts with Gaster who made a funny wheezing sound but nodded in agreement and even gave him a new hat!

He was truly having the best time, Cloud being a great new playmate.

He hoped they stayed with him and Gaster, he would miss his doggy otherwise.

"Flower," Gaster said, kneeling down after they ate lunch the day after Cloud arrived.

"'Aster," Echo chirped happily.

"How would you like to move to another place? I know a location with an even bigger play area, and this time you'll be able to help me plant the gardens," Gaster said.

"Flawers!" Echo said happily, still mispronouncing flowers. It was super adorable, but Gaster knew Echo would sooner or later get it right, as his speaking got better as his skull healed.

"That's right. Plenty more flowers for you to see." Gaster said softly, eyelights glowing at the happiness his child was exuding.

He was hopeful their new location might even have a few children Echo would be able to interact with, as from the books he read he discovered that social interactions was actually quite important.

He kept realising how much he failed with his last children, determined to never repeat the same mistakes.

Sans wanted to sneer at the excitement of Echo, it wasn't their fault they didn't realise Gaster would likely stab them in the back.

Gaster spent the rest of the day trying to pack, with an excited babybones darting around the house and having a dark shadow follow his every move.

He was dearly hoping that Sans wouldn't follow them, not wanting to have to move so soon again but going by the dark glower on Sans face, he didn't see that being likely.

He quietly sighed, realising he should really have some backups for when things inevitably went sour, trying to remember any other AU's that would suit Echo's needs.

"Alright, we're first going to stop at a multiverse that has a markettale Echo, we need to get more things before we set up. I spotted some raised garden beds there last I was there, we can plant your flowers in those," Gaster said picking up Echo, the house looked so bare, everything in their item pocket.

A feeling of sadness filled him, he had rather liked it here.

"Flawers Flawers Flawers!" Echo chanted.

Gaster smiled and opened a portal and walked through, shielding Echo from the blast of noise on the other side.

Echos eyelights grew at the sudden barrage of noise and people, holding tightly onto Gaster as he looked around the new area.

He wasn't sure if he liked it, pulling his hat lower down when he saw monsters staring and trying to hide in his guardians arms.

"'Aster.."

"It's ok, little flower. We are almost there." Gaster said softly, flaring his eyelights in clear threat whenever he was glanced at, his sharper than average teeth helping to deter the rest of the gawkers.

Being from an UnderFell AU did give him a rather useful reputation, even if his purple magic was an oddity so many experiments he deeply regretted but it was far too late to change the past .

He walked through the streets till he found the stores he wanted, quickly getting everything wanting to leave as fast as possible.

Poor Echo was still hiding in his shirt, Hat hiding his face.

"Your going to like this place," Gaster said, entering the final store.

It was filled with children's play sets, including a large one that included a swing.

"I think I need an expert opinion, little flower. Would you mind helping me?" He said extremely softly, patiently encouraging Echo to look up to see all the swing sets.

He was unsurprised when they soon asked to be put down, relieved this store was relatively empty, giving his child a chance to calm down. He would have to work on that, for now happy to see them coo excitedly at the pretty coloured structures and gain some of their liveliness back.

"'Aster!" Echo suddenly cried happily, pointing at the playset that was designed to look like a living tree.

"You like this one?" Gaster said as he walked closer to inspect the likely favourite, impressed at the realistic nature of the playset.

The price was a bit steep but it's not like he didn't have plenty of money and the way Echo was staring starry eyed at the thing, only cemented his decision.

"Why.. a tree?" Sans asked bewildered, he ignored the burning jealousy.

"Tweee!" Echo cried happily.

"Can you say no to that face," Gaster pointed out, Sans grumbled but stopped asking about it.

Echo was in love!

His new tree was great and when he spotted his doggy he made sure to show it off to them as well, preening when they said they liked it.

His new tree was great it wouldnt hurt him like the last on - and Gaster even showed him all the cool toys that could go with it.

He liked the toadstool seat but he really liked the pretty flowers on his new tree, not noticing how loud his purr was as he kept his gaze on the cool playset.

Sans was a bit bewildered why Gaster had not tried to kick him away yet, to allow him to choose children's toys.

Just what scheme were they trying now?

Gaster.. well Gaster, there was no scheme.

Not unless it was to take the most adorable pictures ever.

Gaster now had a slew of pictures he could gush over, unable to resist buying the whole set for the tree playset for Echo and a few extras to take home with them.

It was a good thing he picked a home with a large garden, unsure if they would have been able to fit everything in otherwise.

Sans confusion only grew at Gasters odd reactions, watching in disbelief as Gaster happily set everything up, even whistling at points!

He thought his dads philosophy of 'only the strong prevail' meant they would find all this stuff useless, unable to think of why Gaster was bothering with any of this.

They were definitely up to something and he was determined to find out what.

"Twee big! Up 'Aster!"

Especially for the babybones sake, not wanting another being to go through what he did.

"In a moment Echo, why don't Sans and yourself explore our new home." Gaster said, looking over from where he was setting up a piece.

He was in a slightly comical looking position, making Gaster wonder if the playset had been created by Lamia monsters.

"Cloud! Up!" Echo said eagerly.

Sans gave a stink eye to Gaster but reluctantly picked up the kid, trying to remember how you were supposed to hold children.

He didn't bother to say anything when he was called a 'good doggy', having grown rather used to the being referred to as that a part of him flattered at the trust he was given , nodding along as Echo pointed out different parts of the house they wanted to explore.

"Cloud! Squirrel Squirrel!" Echo cried happily pointing out a window, where a deer was grazing.

"..that's a deer," Sans corrected, rather shocked at the rather stern disapproving gaze he was treated to in response.

"Squirrel!"

"That is definitely a deer"

"Squirrel!"

He didn't know so much disappointment and was that pity in their eyes?! could be put in a single word but he was learning many new things being around the babybones.

"Alright! It's a Squirrel, are you happy now, squirt?" He sighed at their cheer, unsure how he was losing to a kid and felt he would have been a laughing stock in his old AU.

"You won't win, everything is squirrel. It's their favourite game" Gaster said amused, coming in.

"I'm surprised you allow it to continue. Don't think I've ever seen you like this before." Sans said bitterly, this new patient side of Gaster rather unsettling to witness.

"Trust me, Echos stubborn on it" Gaster snorted.

"Squirrel! Good Cloud." Echo beamed when Cloud realised they were wrong, patting their arm in praise.

You had to make sure to tell doggy's they were good, looking over at Gaster in confusion when they laughed.

"Congratulations, you've been adopted" Gaster said, mouth twitching amused.

"Doggy!" Echo screeched happily, nuzzling into their fluffy thing around their neck.

Sans sighed, guessing he was never going to be rid of that title now.

"Welcome Cloud, pick a room" Gaster chortled walking away to unpack the kitchen, he had to start dinner.

Echo lit up and got to work to make his doggy happy, excitedly pointing out rooms Cloud could stay in.

He couldn't say all the words out loud yet but he felt he got his point across, clapping happily when Cloud picked the room next to his.

He was going to have so much fun with his doggy!

"Echo, did you choose a room?" Gaster asked walking over, the tiny child wiggled and got put down.

"Mine!" Echo said gleefully, pointing to his own room.

"Very nice" Gaster said peeking in, he'd move their bedroom furniture in soon. "Then we need to put this up"

Moments later, he had a name plate on the door with it looking like an echo flower with a top hat.

"Hat!" Echo cooed with utter delight, patting the name plate from Clouds arms, before getting an idea.

"'Aster make Cloud!"

Gaster was so proud at Echo for stringing words together, ignoring Sans' protest and making another name plate for Sans in the shape of a cloud, unable to resist adding dog ears and a tail to it.

"There you go Echo, I'll set up your room now but the playsets are set up" Gaster said "I'm sure Cloud can set up his own room"

Sans distractedly let the wiggling babybones down, his gaze stuck to his nameplate with a lost expression.

"..you are letting me stay?" He said, this not lining up with what he knew of Gaster at all.

He was expecting to be kicked out any day now, feeling totally lost on what Gasters entire plan even was.

"Not that you'd leave, and technically your a tween to the rest of reality even if..." Gaster sighed, even if back home Sans had been considered an adult as soon as he was nine.

"Either way, your choice..."

He walked into Echos room, intent on pulling things from item space and unpacking.

Sans scowled at the reminder of his 'technically' young age, going into his 'room' to try and figure out what to put in it.

He was finding other AU's so annoying to deal with and had been close to dusting a monster when they asked where his parent was, having taken great glee when he said they were dead they might as well be in his opinion .

Gaster once he was alone rubbed his face stressed, Sans would never forgive him.

He understood, Gaster was an abomination to his eldest. Sure it had been a kill or be killed AU, but... level madness had gotten to him.

His fault, always his fault.

Asgore, snarled gleefully. Threatening to kill his children if he didn't proceed .

Yes.. it was level madness, he'd just... calmed down over the years.

He... didn't know why Sans was still technically a child, it had been years.

What had Asgore done to Sans when he had him, was Papyrus also this way?

No focus, on the here and now.. Echo depended on him.

~~~~~

*At Markettale*

Gaster: *Trying to sound stern* Now remember, little flower. We are just getting a few things

Also Gaster: *Buying nearly anything Echo glances out*

Sans: *Watching Gaster in disbelief and deep pity* You have grown weak, old man
-
*Sans easily bending to Echo and now wearing the title of 'doggy' proudly*

Gaster: *Looking at Sans smugly at how quickly they gave in* You were saying?