Chapter Text
After the fourth time his machine refused to work as intended and instead summoned an alternate pair of himself and his brother, Sans was rather confident about what he'd find in the basement lab. The alarm he’d installed for such an occasion was working as intended and he’d let out a sigh already dreading what kind of universe this next pair had come from, despite the differences between the other pairs of brothers, it’s the similarities that he finds the most disconcerting.
He makes sure to text Papyrus what’s going on, his brother’s already shown an aptitude for helping the alternates get along, if this new pair is anything like Edge or Black or even Axe a fight might break out. He doesn't hear any shouting coming from behind the door, that’s a positive sign at least.
…or maybe not.
Not wanting to leave any strangers alone in his Lab for too long Sans finally opens the door and makes the descent. At the bottom of the staircase he stands with his hands in his pockets and surveils the room, where he expects to see two skeletons; he instead sees his lab just as he last left it.
Could it have been a false alarm? He meanders over to the machine, careful of any traps lying in wait, he can tell straight away that it’s been recently activated, something came through whatever wormhole in space and time this thing keeps tapping into.
Something is down here with him.
Sans was already on guard, but now he focuses on his monster senses to help him locate the intruder, his nose isn't as strong as someone like Axe or Mutt (Paps would say it’s because the smell of his room has ruined his sense of smell), but he picks up a faint smell, if he had to place it he would say it’s the smell of fear.
It’s coming from a table against the wall with a cloth covering it, someone could easily hide underneath, Sans crept carefully over to it and as he did the smell intensified. He kneels in front of the table and grabs the cloth, he lifts it slowly, his reflexes are good enough to dodge if he’s attacked, but he’d rather this not get any more complicated.
That idea goes out the window however when he sees the shaking human hiding underneath the table, frightened (e/c) eyes well up in tears at the sight of him, he knows some humans are freaked out at the sight of him, but the fear on this human's face is something else.
“Hey kid, calm down, I aint gonna hurt you.” He speaks softly trying to calm the panicking human down, but she continues to shake and whimper.
Sans takes in her appearance, her clothes are tattered, bandages cover her wrists, ankles and throat, she has dark circles under her eyes and various bruises litter her skin.
It’s clear that wherever she came from, it was a bad place to be.
Seeing the state she’s in tugs at Sans soul, he feels a burst of raw anger directed at whoever did this to her, but he quickly calms himself, the last thing the human needs right now is an angry skeleton.
Sans really wishes his brother was here.
Moving the cloth so it no longer covers the humans hiding spot, Sans stands and moves to the other side of the room, hopefully some space will coax her out. The skeleton sits against the wall and crosses his legs, fortunately patience is something Sans isn't lacking for.
“Listen kid, I don’t know what you've been through, but trust me when I say nobodies gonna hurt you here.” He tries to give a reassuring smile, not all humans are as good at reading facial expressions as he is.
The human’s still shaking, but it’s possible they’re just cold. The lab is kept rather cool, plus the human’s clothes barely cover her and there’s nothing covering her feet.
“What’s your name? I’m Sans, Sans the skeleton.” He grins, watching the human closely, she’s curled up ready to protect herself, but in her eyes he can see the fear begin to be replaced with confusion. She doesn't answer still and he once again takes notice of her bandaged throat. “Can you talk?”
She’s still for a few moments, but then she gives a small nod. He’s making progress, nonverbal communication is still communication.
“Got it, it’s fine if you're not up to talking right now, can’t imagine I'd be too chatty in your position. I don’t mean to ‘rib’ ya, but I do have a ‘skele-ton’ of questions for ya.” He winks and seeing the completely baffled look on the human's face Sans can’t help but laugh. “What, you don’t find my jokes ‘humerus’, they don't tickle your funny bone?”
“...pft.” It was a small noise, a tiny laugh that was quickly smothered by the human hiding her face in her knees, but Sans could see her shoulders shake. It felt like the tension in the room had been cut, Sans grin became a bit more genuine in response. He waits for her to peek up at him again, he wants to see if she’ll be more open to talking so he continues to relax on the floor, it isn't comfortable in any way, a deterrent against his laziness, the Lab is one of the places he tries to focus on things he had given up on.
“...(Y/n).” Sans blinks, unsure he had heard her speak, her voice was so quiet, but he quickly catches on to what she said.
“Huh, so your names (Y/n)?” He double checks to make sure he heard correctly, when she nods his grin grows. It’s just a name, but for some reason a warmth spreads through his soul at hearing her speak, whatever's going on with him will have to be a problem he deals with later though.
“W-Where am I?” It’s a reasonable question, one he’s had to deal with a few times, but explaining being on the surface to a human isn't something he’d expected, where does he start…
“Well, you're in my basement.” He tries to joke, hoping she’ll reveal more information first.
“T-That’s not what I meant… Is… Is this the surface?” The tentative hope in her voice confirms where she came from. It’s not something he’s spent a lot of time thinking about, but the existence of a world where humans were the ones sealed underground isn’t impossible to imagine, but with how used to seeing his own alternate universe counterparts it’s still a shock seeing a human end up here and not another version of himself.
“Yeah, it’s the surface, but not the one from your world.”
“My world?” Her face shifts between confusion and relief.
“This explanation will be easier if you’re familiar with the idea of multiple universes.” He looks for recognition on her face and sees her brows cross as she concentrates.
“...I think a scientist talked about something like that, um, so I’m not in my universe anymore?”
“That’s right, things are probably a lot different compared to where you're from, here monsters were the ones living underground, but the barrier is broken now and we’re all living together like pals.” She doesn't need a lesson on Human-Monster politics right now, so Sans tries to sum up the important parts.
“Wow…” Her eyes are gleaming with unshed tears, but she still seems in shock at the revelation, the other versions of himself were much the same, especially when their world's people were still underground. “So, you're really a monster?”
“Heh, did you think I was just a regular talking skeleton?” He wasn't expecting the question, but then again monsters weren't that familiar with humans before the barrier broke.
“Y-You just don’t look like a monster.” Now that’s really throwing him off.
“What’s a monster supposed to look like? We’re a pretty diverse bunch y’know.”
“Really? I-I was taught that monsters all can blend in with shadows, their teeth and claws are covered with poison and that they smell like blood and death!” It sounds like a childish horror story, it’s natural that humans would develop differently underground, but he’s never even heard anything like that from the surface humans.
“I’ve never met a monster like that, sounds like it would be troublesome having poison on your teeth though.” The human hesitantly nods in agreement, Sans curiosity has certainly been piqued, he’s rung every bit of knowledge out of his alternates hoping it could contribute to his work and while together they’ve made some breakthroughs, it’s not the results he wanted.
Sans is interrupted from his next question by the basement door opening and the sound of his brother's voice calling out into the basement.
“SANS? ARE YOU DOWN THERE?” The loud voice makes the human tense up again, eyes darting between Sans and the stairs.
“Yeah Paps I’m here, you can come down, just be slow alright, don’t want to scare our new guest.” As his brother begins his descent, Sans tries to give the human a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about him, my bro wouldn't hurt a fly.”
She still seems nervous and her jaw drops at the sight of the tall skeleton, Papyrus was also quite shocked to see a human and gasps loudly, his hands taking hold of his face.
“OH MY STARS! A HUMAN! THIS IS MOST UNEXPECTED!” Looking to his brother in hopes his eyes weren't playing tricks on him, Sans gives him a subtle look that makes Papyrus refocus his attention on the human’s appearance. The shaking, the bandages, the bruises, the younger skeleton brother quickly updates himself on the situation and lowers his hands to his sides.
“Bro, this is (Y/n). Kid, this is my little brother Papyrus.” Sans knows his brother won’t have any problems with the human, having him here helps him relax.
“IT IS A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU MISS (Y/N), I’M SORRY YOU'VE ENDED UP IN MY BROTHERS FREEZING LAB, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UPSTAIRS? AS A NEW ARRIVAL HERE I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOU SOME OF MY SPECIAL SPAGHETTI!”
“Freezing huh? I didn't even notice, guess the cold goes right through me.”
“UGH! I ALSO APOLOGISE FOR ANY PUNS MY BROTHER HAS INFLICTED UPON YOU!”
“Aw bro, I thought you liked my puns.”
“THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE!”
“Heh, I think you're telling a little ‘fib-ular’ bro.”
“UGH!!!”
“Pftt…haha…hahaha!” The human couldn't contain her giggles anymore, the back and forth between the brothers had spurred her to laughter, seeing two skeletons, two monsters, acting out what looks like a comedy routine had likely been something unthought of to her.
Sans continues to grin as the human giggles, Papyrus was even smiling at the development, when the human calmed down the younger skeleton reiterated his offer.
“SO HUMAN, WHAT DO YOU SAY?”
“Um, I-I would like that very much, please.”
“EXCELLENT! COME ALONG THAN!” He waits as the human shifts nervously before climbing out from under the table and stands on wobbly legs, hands nervously clutched together in front of her chest. Papyrus frowns worriedly, she looks like she can barely stand, he looks to his brother as the smaller skeleton stands up beside him.
“You need Paps to carry you?” The human flusters at the question.
“N-No, I-I’m okay, thank you…” She takes a few steps to prove it and once the brothers were satisfied she wasn't going to fall over they made the journey up the stairs with Papyrus in front and Sans following behind just in case.
They got her out of the basement, that’s progress.