Three days later, Sans was out of his stripes once more. At 18 years old, Papyrus had completed his task as Sans Caretaker. That didn't mean he left Sans on his own, though. He was there whenever Sans needed him, and he was there when Sans didn't. Sans didn't seem to care. In fact, he seemed to downright appreciate Papyrus being there. He seemed more willing to help around the house than when he was when he was the older brother. Papyrus liked to think it was because he was there to take care of him this time rather than the other way around... but who knew what all went into what had made Sans how he was? Papyrus wasn't going to ask. He would keep doing his best! Today, they went in for another checkup. The lizard monster was happy to see the serum was working just as she'd intended it to. "L-looks like y-you're almost back t-to normal! G-great!" Sans gave her a relaxed smile. "yeah, no thanks to you, al. we really appreciate it." Papyrus nodded in agreement. "Yes, Thank You So Much, Dr. Alphys!" Alphys seemed a little bashful and happy to be of help. "Y-you're welcome, a-anytime..!"

🥼🥼🥼

Sans wanted to go through Waterfall on the way back. Papyrus was a little skeptical with the building bad blood between him and Undyne, but he was torn seeing as it was such an unlazy decision- In the end, Sans was an adult though, and followed his little big brother. "so, how was raising me? was i a bad kid?" Sans asked as he looked up at the 'stars'. "Nyeh? Of Course Not! I Actually Really Enjoyed Taking Care Of You!" Papyrus insisted, and it was the absolute truth. He'd loved raising Sans once he got the hang of it. He loved feeling like he was helping for once, after all the things Sans had done for him. "really now? welp, that's good. i'm glad i didn't cause you any stress, bro." Papyrus got the feeling that Sans was building up to something. "There Is No Raising A Child Without A Little Stress, I'm Sure You Know This Well, Brother!" Sans laughed a little, looking back at Papyrus. "yeah, i guess that's true. so... uh, i guess you know a little bit about dr. gaster now, huh?"

🥼🥼🥼

Papyrus was a bit thrown off, but he should have known it would come up eventually. Sans had worked hard to keep it a secret from him, after all. "Is That The Name Of The Monster Who... Hurt You?" Sans expression went from relaxed to grim. "us... he hurt us..." he replied softly. Papyrus couldn't begin to imagine what he himself had been through. "I Do Not Remember..." Sans snorted softly. "how could you? you were just a baby..." Papyrus placed a hand on his brother's back. "Regardless, That Is All Over Now. This Time, It Was Different, And I Know That Doesn't Erase The Trauma You'd Been Through, But I Hope I Helped Ease It, Somehow..." Sans shrugged. "you helped. you... helped make things less scary when i was a kid. alphys- her job specifically, it is less... intimidating." Sans tried to explain. "I Noticed You Are Less Tense Than Before." Papyrus was smiling, and that made Sans smile. "yeah, i was... you did really good, bro." Papyrus puffed up proudly at the praise. "Thank You! I Really Tried!" Sans knew it, he'd seen it himself. "if you ever wanna... talk about things... i will try to be more open." Papyrus held back a gasp and nodded, taking this very seriously. After all, this was a huge step.

3 chapters left