[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?"

Comments

[dustless]

Frisk swings their legs, knocking their heels together. They don't know...if they care as much about Dr. Gaster's reaction. Which is probably mean of them. They're supposed to be nice. But they love S-4 and Sans-Serif a lot, and don't want them to have to deal with bad, dangerous stuff thanks to Gaster and other scientists.

"...yeah, but...that job was to fight me, wasn't it?" Or so Frisk assumes. They don't know how many SOULs the underground had at that point--not that it matters. They wouldn't want either of them to have to fight and kill a human. "The me in your timeline. And you...won't need to, if you're here."

[systematicsupport]

"I... I guess it was."

S-4 looks guilty then, avoiding Frisk's gaze. It is what they were both created for. It's what they've been constantly told they have to do, but it feels so wrong that they'd have to attack someone as kind as Frisk.

But if they don't, then how will everyone be free?

"I just don't know what to do... I don't want everyone to have to give up hope."

He wants them all to make it to the surface. He just... doesn't want to have to fight to do it. He sighs and rests his forehead against one hand. His skull hurts...

[dustless]

"...they won't. Things're gonna be okay. Might take a while, might be hard, but it will. That Frisk'll fix it."

They'd better.

Frisk can see how torn up he is about it, aim their eyes down at their lap instead. Quietly, quietly: "...hope you can stay here anyway."

[systematicsupport]

"You think so? If... if they're anything like you, I know they can. I-I should just believe in them!"

Frisk is very smart, after all. If they say they'll fix it, even if it seems impossible, they'll fix it.

At their next words, S-4 falls silent, looking down at his lap. It takes him a long time to answer, but finally, he mutters quietly.

"...I hope I can too."

[dustless]

Look out, S-4, there is suddenly a child slipping into your space. To very carefully wrap their arms around your ribs.

"...Love you," they inform him. He deserves to know as much as Sans. And they should probably tell Serif later. Especially if he--they do end up going back. Knowing that someone out there really cares about them...that a few someones out there really care about them, and love them, might help get them through whatever situation they're forced to suffer.

[systematicsupport]

S-4 doesn't really seem that surprised by the hug, but... Frisk's words are definitely enough to shock him. He freezes halfway through returning the hug, instead bringing his hands up to nervously fiddle with them.

"...Do you really?"

Love is something very important, from what he's seen, and something not easily given away. He can't remember anyone ever saying that to him. He's not even sure if Sans or Sans-Serif has said it out loud.

[dustless]

They stiffen a bit, too--they don't say it that easily, either, so they hope he isn't...upset. They don't know why he could be. But it's still enough to make them worry.

But Frisk keeps holding on. And S-4 will feel their answering nod against his chest. Really.

[systematicsupport]

Frisk barely starts to nod before S-4 flings his arms around them, pulling them closer to him and making a sound somewhat like a laugh and somewhat like a sob.

"I... Sans-Serif is the only one who's ever said that. I thought he was the only one who loved me like that..."

And it's strange to think Frisk would feel the same thing only his brother had... but he's not at all complaining. He's thrilled, even as he can feel magic build up in his eyesockets and start to fall in glowing tears.

[dustless]

The sudden movement and noise is enough for them to inhale sharply but--alright, that's not quite upset.

"Really?" They hold him a little more tightly. "'M glad he did. Sans should too, though. He loves you a lot, just like me and him." And they're going to talk to him. Later. For now, Frisk's just going to stay here and nuzzle their face against his ribs, if he doesn't mind.

[systematicsupport]

"Yeah. It... it was one of the first things he got to say to me. It was... so nice."

He squeezes them a little tighter.

"Do you... do you think so? I know I'm not... not really his brother, so I don't blame him if he doesn't."

Why would Sans want to love someone like him? He couldn't replace someone as cool as Papyrus.

[dustless]

That is incredibly touching.

"Wouldn't say it if I didn't think it at all. He loves you. You are brothers. He's called you that before. Even if he didn't--" Frisk's voice goes stubborn, and they repeat what they've already said once: "--Don't need to be related to be family."

[systematicsupport]

"I... I know. He is my brother, and I want him to be my brother. I just... Everyone here knows Papyrus, not me. I... I'm not like him. And... I don't know if I'll ever be like him..."

He's supposed to protect his brothers, but he's already failed so many times at doing that. When he gets back to the lab, they'll surely destroy him so they can make a new shield...

Maybe that's where Papyrus came from, he notes with a pang of guilt.

;^;

[dustless]

They move so they can bump their forehead against him. He needs lots of affection. "Sans-Serif loves you for you. And I love you for you. Even though you're different, Sans loves you for you, too."

(He'd better.)

"'M glad you're here, and my friend, an' don't forget it."

i hurt myself writing that why do i play this sadsack

[systematicsupport]

"O-Okay. You're right."

He shouldn't make people feel bad just because he's worried about something. Especially not someone as kind as Frisk.

"You're my friend too. I won't forget."

He nudges his forehead back against theirs, trying for a small smile.

;;~;; ch ild

[dustless]

They can tell there's something off about that. They smile back anyway. "Good."

Frisk shifts so they're snuggling against his side--that's becoming familiar, and they very much don't mind it--and turn their head to look at the abandoned book.

"...wanna keep reading? Heard you read for me when I was...dead and stuff, but I didn't get to hear most of it. Sorta was sleeping." There is a lot more guilt to saying that than they expected. It leaves an awkward pause as they shove the emotion away. "So I want to hear you for real now."

[systematicsupport]

S-4 looks at them with surprise, but within a few moments, he smiles brightly, grabbing the book with one hand while wrapping the other arm around Frisk.

"Yeah! I want to keep reading, if you'll listen. I-I could go find the book with the kite again, so you can hear it properly!" A story isn't good if you don't get to hear the whole thing, after all.

[dustless]

They give an excited nod, wiggling in his grip just to get a little more comfortable. "Yeah! This one. Then that one, if you still want to. Can read it later, too. When I'm going to sleep right?" they suggest.

[systematicsupport]

"Oh! Um, okay. This one first then. And the kite one when you're going to bed. As long as you promise you won't fall asleep before it's over!"

Especially since Frisk will get a surprise at the end of that specific story.

[dustless]

They solemnly draw an X across their heart. "Promise."

Frisk doesn't have much experience in being read to sleep, but how could they? Who wouldn't want to stay up to hear the ending?

[systematicsupport]

S-4 curiously copies the motion with his hand. He supposes he shouldn't need to do that, since it must be how you make a promise, but it's good to remember for the next time he does make a promise.

He flips back to the beginning of the story so Frisk can see, and reads along. His voice is a little steadier, now that he's read the book and knows the words, and he makes sure to tilt the book so Frisk can see the pictures.