[open] There's a word for that, what does it start with? A word for that, I'll sound so smart

[systematicsupport]

It's been quite the stressful week for most of the castle's inhabitants. S-4 wasn't any different. With losing Frisk, fighting with Sans-Serif not to take any souls, struggling with the overwhelming emotions the funeral brought up, and then trying to deal with his dear friend's return as well as attempting to take care of his siblings (even Sans, despite him holing himself up in some mysterious room in the castle with that weird human), S-4 was a bit exhausted. But he wasn't about to sleep without a bedtime story.

Sans was too busy, so S-4 didn't want to bother him by asking. Sans-Serif would have helped, but he was still learning to read, and S-4 didn't want to frustrate him. It would probably be fine to just read it to himself.

He takes one of the picture books to the lounge, and is slowly flipping through it, a fingerbone pressed to the page underneath the words so he can keep his place.

"Out... came... the baby... bird."

Sophie called him a baby. He knows what that is. And a bird are those singing, flying creatures up in the trees. But the one in this book talks. Maybe only little birds can do that?

"'Where... is my... mother?' he said..."

Now that's a word he doesn't know.

"Mother? Mother... like brother?"

They rhyme, so it must be similar. But what exactly is one? Does he have one?

He's frowning at the book until he realizes someone is watching him read. Usually, he'd have a moment to be embarrassed about being caught like this, but right now, his question is too serious to be ignored for shame.

"What's a mother?"

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[systematicsupport]

At first, S-4 almost tries to wrench his hands away from Sans, eyelights already flickering with the buildup of magic and emotion. It doesn't make sense that he should stay here. Here is where it's safe, and wherever the anomaly is is where it isn't. And if it isn't safe, he needs to make it safe so Sans-Serif will survive...

But that edge in Sans' voice is enough for him to at least listen for a split second, enough to hear the mention of Frisk. The human he had almost killed last time he was like this... With a gasp, he forces the magic away, tries to ignore the pounding in his skull that insists he's doing everything wrong.

"I don't want you to be hurt, I just..."

He winces at Sans' next words. He's right. If he goes out there, he more than likely will get hurt. And if he leaves Sans-Serif and Sans alone, he'll be failing at what he's meant to do. His ultimate goal is to protect his brothers. He has to do that, even if it means contradicting other things he should be doing.

He can't leave them. He knows how much it would hurt. He knows how much it did when Sans-Serif fell down. The magic in his eyes quickly starts escaping in the form of tears.

"I-I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking. I just... I just want you to be all right. I want you to see you aren't a mess. I think you're exactly what I deserve. I-I really want you around, and I want you to be happy. That's... that's all."

He's rambling, and still crying, and he finally pulls his hands away so he can scrub at his eyesockets.

[sansational]

The words, open and sincere as they are even around heartbroken sobs, get past all of Sans' defenses in a way that only Chara's knife had ever been able to manage before now. For a moment, they leave Sans feeling just as cut open...then he takes a deep, shuddering breath, and the world seems a little brighter. Even Sans, mired down in his own grief and fear, can't help but believe these words.

Tears gather thick and fast in his eyesockets as well, fueled by sympathy and exhaustion and too much emotion. But he manages to force out words that he knows now he should have said so much more often before this. "i am happy when i'm with you."

As long as S-4 is here, everything is at least just a little all right. And...and if Sans can believe that he's done even a bit of that good for the other skeleton...then he hasn't messed up irreparably yet, and smiles tentatively to realize it. There's even something like hope inhss one.

"there. there, you see? no more secrets. you...you know everything, bro." That was a terrifying thought, but as he looked up at this skeleton who was as much his brother as Papyrus was, Sans found that he couldn't regret the decision. Whether it was the freedom of flying or falling, he still felt freer. "and i'm glad you do. i'm glad i told you." Sans was babbling now, stumbling over his own words, and he was still crying as well. But he was also smiling, and it didn't look like it hurt. "now...now i can really start over. because of that. because of you. thank you, s-4." Two small words like that can't possibly begin to express the gratitude and love Sans feels for S-4, but he tries his best.

[systematicsupport]

They're hard words to hear, but they're nothing but genuine. S-4 cares about his brother, both versions of his brother, more than anything. It was strange, getting used to having two very different siblings, but now he could never choose one over the other. They're both so important. They both deserve so much love.

S-4 is happy that he can give them at least some of what they need, and Sans' words only confirm that believe. He feels so strong, just from those few words. Strong in a good way, in a way that won't hurt anyone. He knows now that no one should be hurt in the name of protecting his family.

He's still tearing up, but his smile is big and heartfelt.

"I'm happy to hear you say that. A-All of that. No more secrets, ever, okay? I-If you get a new one, you... you should tell me right away. Because I'll always be there for you, right?"

That's what he wants. He wants to stay by his brother's side, forever. He used to feel so unsure that he could really stand firmly by Sans, but now he feels like nothing could possibly make him move.

[sansational]

"right. i know you will. and...and same to you, s-4." He leans forward to press his forehead against the other skeleton's for a moment. "always." If anything else like this ever happens again, he will tell S-4, as soon as he can. Sans knows it would be hard to do so. But he also can't imagine it ever being harder than this. The fact that he survived this means that they can survive anything, together.

Whatever happens, he'll at least try as hard as he can to always be there for the two of them. They deserve no less, especially after the lives they've left. Especially when all the pain they suffered before coming here still hasn't stopped them from being good and kind. Sans is even more resolved, looking at his brother's beaming face, that nothing can be more important than helping S-4 or Sans-Serif smile like that.

Sans hugs his brother to him tightly, just for a moment. Then he pulls away to wipe at his eyesockets, though his smile doesn't falter.

"now c'mon. let's finish the book. i wanna make sure that little bird finds his mom okay, y'know?"

[systematicsupport]

"Okay... thank you. Thank you, Sans." For telling the truth... for being brave... for trusting S-4, and for allowing S-4 to trust him. He knows that as long as they're together, they should be fine. It's always been when they're separated that things go wrong.

So if they just... stay by each other's sides, no one will have to suffer anymore. He's confident in that much. And he believes in his brothers too, that they'll really be alright. As long as they keep trying, S-4 knows they can do anything.

He returns the hug, but at the mention of the book, he pulls away, nodding, fingerbones already fumbling to find his spot.

"Okay. D-Don't cry, okay? Otherwise, you won't see the pictures."

[sansational]

"heh. right. no crying. can't have that."

And indeed, though his eyesockets are still a little watery, Sans makes another attempt to wipe them clear, and he follows along easily enough. He tucks himself happily against S-4's side, under his arm so that his brother can keep reading, and stares down at the page alongside him.

As promised, he mostly lets S-4 take the lead with reading. But every time he stumbles over a word, Sans helps him sound it out. Every time he mispronounces something, Sans corrects him gently, usually preceded with a "you were really close..." or "yeah, that one's kind of tricky..."

But even those corrections will slowly start to come more slowly, as Sans' weight slowly starts to settle more firmly against S-4's side. Just a couple of pages from the end, Sans isn't quite successful in stifling a yawn. He wraps an arm around S-4's waist, turns his head a little more firmly against S-4's ribcage, and before the last page is turned he's fast asleep curled up against his brother's reassuringly familiar form.

That's okay, though. Sans is still confident that it all turns out okay in the end.

[systematicsupport]

When S-4 finishes and turns to see Sans is completely passed out, he doesn't even complain or try to poke him awake. After everything that has happened today, they both deserve the rest. And Sans trusting S-4 enough to let him read the bedtime story... it feels like a pretty big deal. S-4 can't help but feel a surge of pride as he puts the book down and slings an arm around his brother's shoulders.

Having him close like this, happy and healthy and safe, makes S-4's usual energy start to wane into sleepy affection. It isn't long until he's dozing next to his brother, enjoying the moment of peace as best he can.