Almost instantly, the secret whistle was returned through the other side of the door, causing Sans’ smile to spread briefly…before faltering.

“Heya, Frisk.”

Sans tried to put on a more cheerful sounding voice, but could already tell he wasn’t doing a very good job.

“How are you doing, Sans?”

Frisk’s voice came through the door, and Sans could tell she had caught on to his tone. Of course she would. 

Sans let out a soft sigh, and opted to try a little harder. He moved to situate himself in his usual spot outside the door, sitting on the ground and leaning his back against the stoney surface of one of the door’s pillars, crossing his arms.

“How’s it goin’ in there?”

“Same as it ever is.” Frisk replied, letting out a small and obviously forced laugh. “I…I brought my mom’s joke book. She’s written some new ones that I thought you might like to hear.”

Sans’ brow furrowed slightly. He glanced back towards the door, a small aching feeling in his chest. Frisk’s voice was so laced with concern…so apprehensive…he could practically feel the tension in the air. But it was obvious that she was trying to hide it, trying to push it aside to help him. Since it was clear that he was the reason she was acting this way at all. Was he being that obvious? Worrying her that much? He really had to be better. Especially if this was going to be the last day they would spend together…

Sans pushed back all his emotions as much as he could, trying to let only the good ones come to surface. He took a deep, silent breath.

“I’d love to.”

As Frisk told jokes, the evening slowly seemed to improve. Joke after joke, it felt like more of their old selves were starting to come back. Frisk’s worried demeanor started to relax and she was laughing again, and Sans seemed to forget about the horrible day he had planned for tomorrow - if only for a moment. Things felt like they used to for once, back before everything started to change. The cruel reality of their current situation - able to fade away entirely for just a couple hours, all thanks to a little joke book.

But like all good things, it had to come to an end. Even over the sound of their laughter, Sans heard it.

SNAP

He jerked his head suddenly around to look at the forest to the left of him, his smile slowly vanishing. His eyes flickered around the trees that surrounded him as he slowly lowered his arms to the ground. What the hell…was that…? He was used to the sound of the wind…the branches blowing and rustling…maybe the sounds of small animals running around…but that? That was not normal.

“...Sans…?”

Frisk’s voice suddenly caught Sans’ attention, he hadn’t even realized she was talking or had tried telling him another joke.

“Huh? Oh - sorry, Frisk. Yeah I’m…I’m still here.”

Sans’ eyes snapped back at the door suddenly, before looking back out towards the forest.

“What uh…what was the joke?”

He kept his eyes locked onto the forest, his senses focused intently on any more sounds while also trying to pay attention to Frisk.

“U-Um…A mushroom that likes to party…”

Frisk was starting to sound a little disheartened, but Sans couldn’t risk just letting that sound of a snapping twig slide…could someone be out there?

“Hmm…what is it?”

Sans was only really giving Frisk half his attention, if even that.

“...A fungi…heh.”

Frisk desperately tried to bring back the good mood, but Sans simply couldn’t force himself to even pretend like he was happy right now - because he was extremely concerned at the moment.

The only thing he could manage was a very insincere laugh, but that only made Frisk worry more. There was a brief silence, then Frisk finally spoke - deciding to address her concerns and deal with the elephant in the room.

“Sans…is…are you…”

She paused, seeming like she wasn’t sure how exactly to even bring it up, but she clearly really wanted to.

“E-Ever since…you found out that I was human…you’ve seemed…different…”

There was another pause, and while Sans was still only giving Frisk half his attention, he was still listening to her. His heart sank a bit. So she has noticed…He glanced back towards the door, wondering if maybe…he should just tell her today. Maybe he should explain his Royal Guard situation…tell her his concerns for her safety, how he thinks they shouldn’t be meeting up anymore. He opened his mouth to speak, until -

Movement. There was the sound of sudden movement within the forest. And it wasn’t a small animal. In fact…Sans was pretty sure he heard the sound of a cloak flapping in the wind, and footsteps running away. His head jerked back towards the trees, his eyes wide with panic. He stood up suddenly - he could vaguely hear Frisk talking, saying something else - but he didn’t hear what it was. He had completely tuned her out, his focus now shifted entirely to whatever - or rather, WHOever - was just here. His heart was racing, he took a step forward.

“I gotta go, Frisk.”

Sans said suddenly, cutting Frisk off, already starting to take another few steps towards the forest.

“Wh-huh? Sans??”

Frisk was, of course, confused. She sounded almost hurt.

“I-I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said anything I-”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

Sans cut her off again. He felt extremely bad for doing so, but he really just did not have time to explain right now. There was possibly a much, much bigger threat than Frisk being upset at him for not listening to her and leaving suddenly.

Before Frisk could say anything else, he didn’t waste another second. He dashed forward, faster than he had ever cared to run in his entire life, towards the spot where he heard the noises. He didn’t look back, keeping his focus locked onto the trees, the snow, anything and everything in front of him. It wasn’t long before he spotted something. A broken twig - and some footprints. Footprints that were most definitely not his. His heart picked up pace. Someone was here. Who was it? And most importantly…how much had they heard?

He looked ahead, the footprints left a trail. They were running. Running back towards Snowdin Town. His breath hitched, and he immediately took off again to follow the tracks. He was trained to be a hunter, after all. He was damn well gonna use it.

He could tell, though, that whoever was running was fast. He started narrowing down the possible culprits. Diz crossed his mind first. Damn stalker, that one…but would she be running away from him like this? Also how would she even find him way out here? No…whoever this was…was a tracker. A dog. It lined up with the speed. And sure enough, as he followed the trail he saw it - the tracks had turned quadrupedal. They knew Sans was chasing them.

Sans cursed under his breath, he started to panic even more, but his suspicions were also confirmed. The additional tracks looked like the size of dog paws. Whoever the culprit was, it was one of the dogs. Sans thought as he continued his chase, thinking of all the dogs it could be. Doggo had the best sense of smell…likely the best tracker…but would he be the one to do this? No…it had to be a Guardsmen. He heard a cape. And Doggo doesn’t wear gloves and shoes. These tracks are clearly Guardsmen tracks. Sans knew he could eliminate Doggo from the list. That left Lesser Dog…Greater Dog…Dogamy and Dogaressa…

Sans stopped suddenly, cursing again. The tracks veered off into the thick trees and ended. He looked up. They had taken to the treetops. He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to punch something. Okay…that narrowed it down even more. Greater dog was way too bulky and heavy to start jumping through the trees…and Lesser dog was not smart enough to think of something so clever…which…

“Shit!”

Sans grabbed his head, closing his eyes. This was bad. REALLY bad. 

That meant the only dog the culprit could be…was either Dogamy or Dogaressa. And if one of them knew…both of them would know in a matter of minutes. One person, Sans felt he could handle. Figure something out. He could teleport ahead…get to Papyrus or Undyne before them. Surely they’d believe the word of a Commander over someone lower ranking? But TWO? He was only one monster. The second the other dog knew, it was over. Word would spread like wildfire. He’d be marked as a traitor. He wouldn’t be able to stop them or know who they’re targeting to report to first. As soon as they tell anyone about the existence of a human in the Ruins…they’ll raid it no matter what Sans says, even if it’s just to check.

Sans was beginning to have a full blown panic attack. His worst fears, everything he had been so worried about - the EXACT reason he wanted to stop going to the Ruins!...It was all happening RIGHT NOW. His breathing was becoming unsteady as he gripped his head, then slowly, shakily, he extended his arm outwards and pinged his own soul - turning it a calming blue. He took a few deep breaths, trying to ground himself. Think clearly. He had to think.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Okay. He knew it was Dogamy or Dogaressa that had found him. They would be working together. At this point, they probably were already together. If they’re going to team up to try and prosecute Sans…then he’ll just have to fight fire with fire. As much as he doesn’t want to drag his brother into it…he doesn’t really have a choice here. It’s either that, or everyone’s against him. He’ll be marked as a traitor. The Ruins will be raided. Frisk will be captured. He had no other option. He just…had to hope he could get Papyrus on his side. He didn’t know exactly how possible that would be, but…it was the only hope he had at this point.

Now he just had to hope he could make it to his brother before one of the dogs did. He let out a long breath and looked up, releasing his soul, then teleported away.