Papyrus and Toriel took advantage of the now sleeping monster to re-bandage his ribs, since Sans had loosened them during his thrashing. Together, they each took turns repositioning the splints, and then rewrapping the tender, broken bones to ensure they wouldn’t heal crooked, as Asgore, Alphys and Undyne had left to make their plans and discuss further whether it was safe to move the camp or not, not wanting to disturb the wounded monster further.

Afterwards, Paps carefully moved and carried his sleeping brother into their own tent and finally took his rest, to recover from his overuse of Magic, actually even sleeping throughout the whole night for the first time in his whole life. 

The next morning as Paps was helping Sans dress, and getting some food back for him and his brother, he received news that they will indeed continue moving onward to somewhere else to be more accepted by humans. 

Gerson, Asgore and Toriel also agreed they should give Sans a bit more time to get stronger and heal a bit more. At least a day and a half of rest as he still looked to be in great pain, and they did not wish to stress out the smaller anymore than he was already. (Much to Papyrus’s great relief.) Since none of the Boss Monsters could heal Sans bones entirely, leaving him to heal on his own and only being able to get him past the critical levels mark due to the Surface Illness. Plus the fact that Sans SOUL was cracked, extra precautions needed to be taken to ensure Sans would even survive the journey.

The small skeleton was terribly weak still, but gradually after a full 2 days and nights of complete rest, his stuttering became less, and he only flinched a little now whenever he was touched. Although he did still seem to panic whenever he felt hair or a breeze hit the inside of his skull, imagining that the flower was still inside his bones about to control him. And he especially had a really bad episode one time, when Alphys and Tori had asked Sans to attempt to walk around, to check if his femurs and leg bones were healing,  he happened to catch himself in a mirror and saw the true extent of his injuries to his bones.

His soul also still bothered him a good deal, from what Papyrus could see, and had informed the King and Undyne. He often sat, pillows and blankets holding him upright, with a hand clutched to his chest, pressed firmly and bunching up his shirt directly over the spot Paps knew his soul to reside, whimpering in pain when he thought that no one was looking. Sans also still ate very little, and slept a lot. More than usual that Papyrus was used to.

It was obvious by this point Sans wasn’t going to get much better, especially not still being so close to the mountain, the obvious threat of that demon being so close and hanging over everyone's heads, that Asgore decided they needed to get going now, so that Sans could get better. Dogamy and Dogaressa returned to camp, informing the monsters of an approaching army of humans later that night and, once all the monsters had eaten their next morning rations, and recovered their magic reserves and had gotten their things packed, it was time to get moving.

Undyne did as she promised and once Papyrus had gotten both his own, and Sans stuff packed, she helped in carrying around half the things along with her own. Taking the pack belonging to Sans, as Paps carried his own things. Alphys had come over and finished doing her usual scans to Sans’ stats and SOUL to make sure he’d be alright.

Sans HP was now at the 0.35 marker, compared to the day before yesterday when he was only at 0.20, immediately after the Boss Monsters had brought him back from the verge of death.

Sans sat on the floor, his back resting against the walls of the tent. He still didn’t quite have enough strength to stand nor sit up on his own without falling over and raised his arms as Paps got to one knee and as carefully as he could, pulled Sans into his arms, before standing back up, balancing him against his hip. 

This close, he can feel how badly Sans was shaking, though Sans insisted it was simply because he was anxious to get moving. Although Paps wondered if in actuality that was just simply a part of him now; that he'll forever be a stumbling, trembling monster due to the enormous crack to his soul. Added to the fact as well that his bones were still quite shattered, only splints and bandages holding him together as he was left to heal on his own mostly.

Sans automatically latched his arms over her shoulder and chest, skull resting against Paps neck as his brother gently carried him outside of the tent to join the other Monsters.

Toriel had a firm hand on Frisk's own, Flowey stuffed into a side pocket sewn into her own backpack by Tori Paps assumed, and Frisk gently waved to the two skeletons.

“Hi guys!” Frisk greeted happily.

Paps waved back, before gently jostling Sans a little.

“nn…?” 

“Sans, Frisk And Lady Toriel Are Here.” Papyrus told him gently.

“hn...h-hey.. t. frisk” Sans told them, slightly turning his head to greet them before leaning again against Paps chest, sleepily.

“Poor Sans.” Frisk pouts, gently reaching up to pat Sans lower back affectionately and in a comforting manner. Flowey was frowning, staying silent so not to freak out the skeleton in respect for Frisk.

“How is he doing?” Toriel asked Papyrus.

“He’s Doing As Well As He Can Be. I Don’t Think He’ll Get Any Better Than This I’m Afraid However, Until We Get Somewhere Safer.” Papyrus informed, gently rubbing Sans back when he felt him trembling against him.

“Yes... Poor thing. This journey will be hard on him. And all of us.” 

“i’ll… b-be alright…” Sans said, still shaking slightly, “don’ w-wan’ t-to slow us d-down.”

“Oh! That reminds me, here Papyrus. For Sans.” Toriel said, handing Papyrus some Monster Candies. “Have him eat those to keep his energy up. It’ll ease his SOUL especially and help heal his bones.”

“Got It. Thank You Lady Toriel!” Papyrus accepted the candies happily, stuffing them into his pants pockets for easy reach while he’s carrying Sans. 

Up ahead, they heard Asgore calling everyone and soon after several Mercenaries helped in packing the tents they began to get moving. 

Undyne went around making sure none were being left behind, children gathered near the center of the group and soon spotted Papyrus, and the others. “Ah! Perfect! Paps. I know I officially made you a Royal Guard but you and Sans are always going to the center of the group. Along with Toriel and Frisk, instead of being together with me somewhere near the back with the other Guards. You’ll be closer to the Boss Monsters that way who’ll be able to keep you safer due to...you know.”

“Oh, I...Suppose… That Makes Sense.” Paps said, fully understanding.

Undyne nodded, noticing Sans had fallen asleep again, and he still looked to be in a bit of pain. Sans hand had moved from Paps chest to his shirt, clutching his shirt where his SOUL was. “He’s still not lookin’ so hot huh?” She asked, referring to the smaller skeleton in her best friend’s arms. “Tsk, what a mess… Sometimes I still wanna go back down there and give that as- punk a piece of my mind.” 

Undyne frowned, as she inspected Sans seeing that the fissure to the side of Sans skull, where he’d smacked his temple against the Halls pillar was healing nicely, now only a light line was visible where new bone was growing to seal the wound. The one around his right eye socket however still looked absolutely terrible below the bandages wrapped there. Obviously there were still even some missing cracked bones around the socket through the bandages. “At least he’s healing slowly. King Fluffybuns and you too Tori, did a great job taking care of him.”

“Yes. I Feel The Same Way Too, Undyne.” Papyrus nodded, rubbing Sans’s back gently. “But I Am Also Grateful We’re Leaving This Place. I Never Want To See My Dear Brother In So Much Danger Ever Again.”

“Thank you dear.” Toriel said, thankful. “And he won’t be Papyrus. We’re gonna make sure of it. And to do so, that’s why we need to leave. As well as to protect Frisk of course.”

Undyne nodded as she then motioned them to go to Asgore and to their proper spots as the Monsters began to head away and leave their small, temporary camp and continue making their way around the mountain. 

The group walked for several hours, the kids surrounding Papyrus continuously looking at the taller Skeleton over at Sans worriedly.

“Is Uncle Sans going to be okay?” Monster kid asked the taller skeleton, since Sans was sound asleep, his breathing calm, and hand still over his chest. Protective as he slept.

“Yes, For Now. He’s Still Hurting Inside But With Lots Of Care And Love Hopefully He Will Be Somewhat Back To His Former Self Again!” Papyrus reassured the child, his hand incessantly rubbing the spine of his older brother, trying to mask his worry, but also as a means of calming himself as well.

“I hope so. I want Sans to be okay.” replied MK, glancing over at Sans sleeping form every so often as they continued to walk.  “I want to hear Sans puns again, he was always nice to us kids, not like Jerry and Snowdrake and them.”

“Yeah!” agreed the little Mouse monster who was also a fellow resident of Snowdin and knew Sans quite well, along with MK.

Frisk stayed ahead of the group, listening quietly. She was also worried about Sans and couldn’t quite help glancing over her shoulder at the two skeletons, guilt in her SOUL that he was still hurting because of her. Because he had chosen to get hurt for her, to protect her, and she wished she had been stronger to keep Sans safe. 

Flowey, who had been quietly mulling about inside of Frisks backpack, having nothing much to do either but watch the children and skeletons, and had also been oddly silent since the day before yesterday when Sans freaked out noticing the flower mumbled something just under his breath.

“What’s up Flowey?” Frisk asked, her hands moving to the straps on her shoulders and lifting the pack up, slightly jostling the yellow flower in his pot, in the pocket sewed in.

“I… said… I’m sorry... “ Flowey said, a little louder, but only loud enough for Frisk to hear. Being sure Toriel could not, who was right next to the child. “Th...This is all my fault… why he got hurt. I...I only wanted to be able to feel again. And, and to keep feeling and not to hurt anyone anymore. And, and then I just had to go and make another stupid life choice and...a-and-” Flowey shut it’s eyes, tears pooling a little in the corner of his eyes. 

Frisk’s face fell the slightest amount, her hands trembling a little as she continued holding the straps to her backpack as Flowey continued, “If… If I hadn’t made that deal, none of this would’ve happened… Er, I’m such an idiot!! I’m sorry everything had just went so wrong and- and so fast. And..and for being unable to stop it. I-I...I’m sorry…”

“It wasn’t your fault….” Frisk mumbled looking over her shoulder again.

“Y-Yes it was! I-I allowed that d-demon to take control and-and...it was my vines that pierced his SOUL, and broke all his bones!” Flowey argued, tearing more at this point.

“No it wasn’t… I’ve hurt him too… we both made mistakes, but, you’re not that demon anymore. You’re still Flowey. And you’re my friend. He’s going to make it through this… Besides, he knew what would happen… we were all given a… a really terrible choice. I believe in Sans…” Frisk said simply, turning away from the flower and looking forward. “We’re getting away from Mt. Ebott, hopefully, that thing won’t try and track us or anything…”

“...” Flowey frowned, staying silent once more, he still couldn’t get rid of the ghost of a guilty feeling inside as he glanced back at the skeletons and kept his gaze onto Sans again, wishing he could make it up to the small skeleton and his brother as well.

Papyrus seemed to notice Flowey had been staring, after a minute of walking as he gently looked at the small flower. “Flowey… I… I Forgive You For What You Did. I-I Know, Er, Now I Mean, That That Wasn’t Really You That Did That To Him. My Brother, It Will Take Him Much Longer, But I’m Sure Over Time He Will Learn To Forgive You Too.” Papyrus said, his sockets moving to his side when Sans shuddering had increased the slightest amount, when Paps said the flowers name and Sans buried his face more into his collar bone. “Shhh Shh Brother, It’s Okay.... You’re Okay.” Papyrus cooed against him. 

“...s...sorry…” A soft, hitching little word. Like he didn't have any energy for anything else.