***** warning childhood trauma****

chapter 6- Dust. to Dust

Flowey stared up at Papyrus's window in deep thought. He knew she was in there. He had snuck into the house after leaving Undyne to check.

“What am I doing?... This is so infuriating. What is it about her? Why do I care so much? Why does she seem so familiar? UGHHHH-.” Flowey quickly smothered his annoyed yell. His gaze darted around in all directions. He had to keep the noise down. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to the skeleton household after dark; especially since the smiley trash bag was now so drunk he was barely able to teleport home and had passed out immediately on entering the living room. Flowey knew, despite everything, Papyrus would still rather defend than fight back.

That's not why Flowey was here. No. he wasn't here to defend the skeletons should any unscrupulous individuals decide to attack the household. Nope not even a little bit. He was just there because he was annoyed and being there helped him think... somehow.

Flowey relaxed with a sigh. Thankfully no one had noticed.

'Still, perhaps it's better that I don't know.' he thought to himself. 'It will make this more interesting. But I don't like how she brings out feeling in me. It throws me off, makes me unpredictable. I could have gotten myself killed back there.'

His thoughts went back to when Sans had upset the tiny skeleton and she had been crying on the couch. ' If he hurts her again. I'll tear him limb from limb'.

*

Screams filled the air. The sound of tiny footsteps running. It was so dark. He couldn't see; Why couldn't he see? Something was wrapped tightly around him, dragging him round a corner and into a tiny space behind the stairs. He was so scared. He could feel the dust from above blowing down the steps and onto him as he sat huddled behind them. Tears streamed down his face and he tried his best not to rattle, to not be heard, but it was no use. Loud footsteps echoed through the basement as whoever it was descended the staircase. Their boots clanking heavily on the cobbles as they reached the bottom. The monster turned to him. Their bright red eyes bore into his and he gasped. They had seen him. Flashes of green, yellow, spikes, red and dust filled his vision. He screamed.

Papyrus woke with a start, shooting up from the bed. His grip around the baby bones tightened as he raced to try and calm himself. He hadn't realized his brother's words last night had affected him that much.

He turned to look at the clock. 8:45 AM.

“This is why I don't sleep for long.” he whispered to himself breathlessly.

The little skeleton stirred in his arms. Grumbling in annoyance as she raised her bright orange and blue eyes to the very loud skeleton, A deep frown on her face.

“GOOD MORNING LITTLE ONE.” Papyrus said chirpily with a big grin, trying his best to hide his distress. He didn't want to frighten her. “WELL THEN. LETS START THE DAY SHALL WE?” Papyrus jumped out of bed and looked down at the baby bones expectantly. With a grumble they shook their head and snuggled deeper into his chest. Attempting to pull his pajama top over their eyes. Papyrus chuckled. If only Sans could see them now, he was sure Sans would find it amusing. Gently he placed her on the floor, holding her tightly until she was steady on her feet. He turned her round slowly, brushed her hair and put it up in a messy ponytail. “COME ON. WE SHOULDN'T WASTE THE DAY. AN EARLY START WILL ALWAYS MAKE A DAY MORE PRODUCTIVE. NOW THEN, WHAT AM I GOING TO DRESS YOU IN? YOU CAN'T KEEP WEARING SANS'S OLD PAJAMAS.” He moved the furniture from the bedroom door and unlocked it, slowly opening it and peaking round the corner to check the coast was clear.

Down the hall he could hear muffled and angry conversation coming from Sans's room. Occasionally shouts would be followed by loud banging and the sound of things smashing on the bedroom wall. Outside Sans's room was littered with ketchup and beer bottles. The carpets were torn and the banister demolished in places.

Papyrus couldn't deny his brothers recent behavior was worrying to say the least. But no matter how many times Papyrus brought it up to him, Sans adamantly refused help. Saying it was no big deal. That other monsters were going through worse, or he wasn't that bad and it would get better on its own. Papyrus wasn't so sure. He had seen first hand the horrors loss of hope could bring. The madness, the screaming, the dust. He didn't want that to happen to Sans. His soul sank, an awful sickening feeling filling it. What could he do to help him if Sans was refusing all help?

Another loud crash shook Papyrus from his trail of thought. He quietly closed the bedroom door and turned to the baby bones behind him. Her face was filled with fright, she had both hands clamped over her ears and was trying hard not to make noise as she sobbed. He picked her up and hugged her tight, shushing her and rocking her gently. He couldn't take her outside alone. Snowdin was safer than other parts of the underground yes, but they would still be easy targets should a mad monster choose them as their next victims; and while Papyrus knew he could defend himself, he couldn't shake the thought of making one wrong move and his baby bones getting hurt in the crossfire. As much as he hated the idea, perhaps leaving her here was the best solution. Sans was still in the home after all. If anyone did try anything, Sans could deal with it, and maybe in his drunken state he would forget the baby bones was even there.

Papyrus took a deep and shaky breath, walking over to the closet door. He opened it slowly as to not make the hinges squeak. Pushing his clothes aside he placed the baby bones on a pile of blankets in the back corner wrapping one around her snugly. He gave her a small reassuring smile. “Now listen carefully.” He whispered. “I need you to stay here and be very, very quiet, OK? I need to go out and get some things but it's not safe for you. I promise I'll be back as soon as I can. I wont be long.”

They looked up to him with worry and tear filled eyes but nodded in understanding. Papyrus gave them a quick kiss on the forehead and stood, pushing the clothes back in place to better hide her, closing the door behind him as he left the closet.

*

The baby bones sat silently, not daring to move for a few moments. Outside the closet she could hear the bedroom door slowly open and close and the sound of the front door locking. The noises from the next room continued and grew in intensity not long after the taller skeleton left. Her bones rattled as she shook with fear. She was terrified to say the least, But something in her was compelling her to move. To go toward the source of the noise. Whoever was causing it sounded in distress. They needed help and at that moment there was nothing more she wanted than to give it. Shakily she gained her feet and opened the closet door. She knew Papyrus had told her to stay there but she couldn't leave someone like that. Maybe if they were scared too they could hide in the closet together and wait for Papyrus. Things would be better if they were together, right?

She cautiously made her way across the short, torn up landing and to Sans's room. A faint red light poured through the small gap at the bottom of the door. On the other side she could hear faint mumbling.

“What have I done?... What have I done?... How could I?... He'll never forgive me.”

With a shaky hand she hesitantly turned the handle and pushed the door open, slowly taking a step inside. The door slammed shut behind her. She spun in terror to find Sans looming over her, but he didn't look the same as the day before. A look of despair and pain was on his face; his usual grin pulled down, his once white eyes now red and pleading; Like whatever thoughts were going through his mind he wanted no part of. Even with his grey hood pulled over his face it was obvious he'd been crying. Grey snow clung to his hoodie in clumps. Small flakes of it falling onto her as he took a step closer.

They both stood silent waiting for the other to make the first move.

Realization came over Sans and the once pained expression was quickly replaced by rage.

“YOU!!!” He shouted furiously.

The baby bones screamed.