The night was still, the kind of quiet that only settled once every child had finally gone to sleep. The fire cracked softly in the hearth, casting orange light across the floor. The scent of herbal tea lingered in the air.
Zenith walked in wrapped in a knit shawl, hair loose for the night, and saw Sans sitting cross-legged by the fire. He was in his skeleton form, hoodie off, a blanket lazily tossed over his lap like he was pretending to be cozy.
She smiled and sat down near him without a word. For a while, they just listened to the fire.
"You're not sleeping?" she asked eventually.
"eh. maybe later," Sans muttered. "bones get cold easy. ironic, huh?"
She gave a soft laugh. "You were amazing today."
Sans waved a hand. "please. i only dodged like... three disasters. four, if you count the magical diaper fire."
"I definitely count that," Zenith said. "But that's not what I mean."
She turned to face him fully now, her eyes soft. Motherly.
"You were calm. You knew exactly how to talk to them. To comfort them. It was like... watching someone who's done this before."
He went still for a moment.
" ...that a compliment or are you implying i've been hiding a secret family?"
Zenith gave him a look. He grinned, but didn't press the joke.
"I just mean...." She hesitated, then gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "You've always felt like an old soul. But today? Today, I saw something else. You have a kindness that runs deep. A steady hand. Even when things go wrong, you find a way to make it feel safe."
He was quiet. The soul light behind his eyes flickered faintly, low and calm.
Zenith leaned back, sipping her tea. "I don't say it enough, but... I'm proud of you, Sans. I really am. You've grown so much."
Sans looked down at his lap.
" ... you ever think about the weirdness of it all?" he said. "like... me bein' born like this. magic weird. bones weird. soul weird."
Zenith didn't answer right away. Then:
"Sometimes," she said. "But never in a bad way. I just think... the world gave us something rare. And I'm grateful for it."
Sans blinked slowly. His voice dropped to a quiet murmur.
"you ever wonder what i'll be like... when i'm older?"
She smiled.
"Only that you'll be someone the world's lucky to have. Kind. Brave. Maybe even..." she paused, then added with a glimmer in her eye, " ...a good father."
He froze.
" ...wait what."
Zenith chuckled. "You heard me."
"you.... you mean like, me? changing diapers and givin' bedtime speeches?"
"You did both of those today."
"not on purpose!"
"You didn't run from it either."
He looked away, flustered in the way only Sans could be. The usual sarcasm was thin, his voice suddenly a little small.
" ...no one's ever said that to me before."
Zenith tilted her head. "Well, someone should have. You've got a good heart, Sans. That's what matters most."
For a moment, he didn't say anything.
Then, softly:
"dang, mom... you're gonna make me leak soul light."
She laughed and reached over to ruffle the top of his skull.
"Get some sleep, bonehead."
"no promises. the couch and i still have beef."
...
The Next Morning
The backyard echoed with the clack of wooden swords.
Paul and Rudeus were mid-spar, both breathing hard as sweat rolled down their foreheads. Paul adjusted Rudy's grip, nodding with approval.
"You're improving" Paul said, stepping back. "Starting to look like a real man."
Rudeus, panting, tried to smile. "Still got a long way to go..."
Lilia stood a short distance away, wiping down the veranda and occasionally glancing over at them. Her expression was calm, but her ears twitched a little when Paul continued.
"Still, there's more to being a man than just swordsmanship," Paul said with that familiar smugness. "There's....uhhhh.....romance, taking responsibility, understanding women..."
"Understanding women?" Rudy echoed, face already twisting into confusion. "You mean like ...talking to them?"
Paul scratched his cheek, looking thoughtful. "Talking, yeah. But also reading the room. Noticing things. Like when a woman's upset, or-"
"soooo... not like you then."
They both turned.
Standing in the doorway was Sans.
Norn was climbing up his back like a mountain goat, fists full of his hoodie. Aisha was riding on top of a floating Gaster Blaster like it was a royal chariot, squealing with joy and waving a sock like a scepter.
Sans, completely deadpan, said "heard you two were tryin' to figure out how to be men. thought i'd come supervise before it turned into a tragedy."
Paul blinked. " ...How are you still babysitting?"
"it's not babysitting" Sans muttered as Norn blew a spit bubble into his hood. "it's a long-term hostage situation."
Aisha shouted, "Go, Skelly Dragon, gooo!!"
The Gaster Blaster zipped forward a few inches. Paul flinched. Rudeus stared, halfway between awe and envy.
Lilia, watching this madness unfold, smiled. Genuinely. Quietly. She held a hand over her mouth, the edges of her eyes softening. It was rare to see her like this, but the sight of Sans, casually holding chaos together like it was nothing, warmed something deep in her.
"i'll leave you to your man class" Sans said, turning to head back inside. "we're off to conduct important operations. like snack time. and maybe destroying the couch again."
"Again?!" Paul called.
But Sans was already gone.
Later - Inside the House
The kids were finally settled: Aisha in a pile of pillows and Norn chewing on a plushie. The house had quieted.
Sans sat at the table, hoodie half-on, fiddling with a tiny bone he was balancing on one finger.
Lilia came in holding a small tray. A bowl of warm soup, a buttered roll, and a perfectly folded napkin. She set it down in front of him.
Sans blinked. "uh... did i died and no one told me? this looks like afterlife catering."
"It's just a thank you" Lilia said gently. "For everything you did yesterday. And every day."
He stared at her.
"...you're acting weird" he said.
She didn't deny it. Instead, she stepped forward and, very carefully, patted his head.
Sans went completely still.
Like, soul-paused still.
Then, slowly, she leaned down and hugged him from behind. Not tight. Just enough to press her cheek to the top of his skull.
" ...you're a good big brother" she murmured. "And a good son~"
He didn't say anything.
Didn't move.
His soul flickered quietly beneath his ribs, glowing a little brighter.
She let go just as gently as she'd come, then returned to her chores like it was nothing. Like she hadn't just completely wrecked whatever remained of his emotional defenses.
Sans stared at the soup.
Then slowly took a bite.
" ...tastes like emotional confusion," he mumbled. " ...but in a good way."
Afternoon Light - Back Garden
The sun had started dipping toward the horizon, painting the sky in slow orange. A soft breeze rustled the leaves as Rudeus practiced his chantless casting, sending little sparks into the air.
Sylphy sat a few feet away, hugging her knees and watching quietly. She kept stealing glances toward the other side of the yard—where Sans was lounging under a tree, arms behind his skull, Norn sprawled over his chest and Aisha chewing on one of his floating bones like it was a teether.
Sylphy hesitated.
Then stood.
And walked over.
Sans cracked an eye open when she approached.
"sup, mint hair."
Sylphy fidgeted. "...Hi."
"lemme guess," he said lazily. "you're here to recruit me for your elite adventurer squad. or maybe steal one of my bones for science. don't worry, i won't stop you. i got spares."
Sylphy giggled, covering her mouth. "No, I just.... wanted to talk."
Sans shifted slightly to sit up, lifting Norn a bit so she slid comfortably into his lap like a sleepy cat. He conjured a bone-chair and patted it.
Sylphy blinked, then shyly climbed up into the seat.
" ...You're really strong, aren't you?" she asked after a moment.
"eh." Sans shrugged. "strong enough to survive these two."
Aisha giggled from her bone-ride and started throwing socks into the air.
Sylphy smiled but looked thoughtful. "You're... different from everyone else. Even from Rudy. But you don't act like you're better."
Sans squinted. "what, you want me to start wearin' a crown and bossin' people around?"
"No!" she said quickly, blushing. "I just meant... you're nice. You're funny, and you help with the babies, and Rudy looks up to you."
Sans leaned back against the tree, skull tilted toward the leaves.
"he doesn't say that."
"He doesn't have to," Sylphy said with surprising certainty. "I see the way he watches you when you're not looking. He really wants to be like you."
Sans was quiet for a second.
Then:
"poor kid. imagine wantin' to be me. gotta warn him about the back pain."
Sylphy giggled again, then more softly:
"I kinda wanna be like you too."
Sans tilted his head. "really?"
She nodded. "You're not scared to be weird. Or gentle. Or funny. I like that."
He looked at her, the soft blue glow behind his eye sockets flickering slightly.
"you're alright, sylph. y'know that?"
She blushed again.
Then, on impulse, leaned over and hugged him. Not tight. Just quick and shy, arms around his side.
Sans froze for half a second—then gently patted her head with his free hand, still balancing Norn with the other.
"dang," he muttered. "i'm collectin' hugs like quest rewards today."
Sylphy giggled into his hoodie.
...
A Few Days Later - Greyrat House, Early Morning
The house was buzzing.
Paul leaned on the kitchen table, smirking, as Rudeus packed up his things with a focused, almost nervous energy.
"So, this is it," Paul said. "Your first big job. A paying one. Think you can handle it?"
"I'll do my best," Rudy replied, tightening the strap on his satchel. "It's for Sylphy, after all."
At that, Sans, leaning half-asleep against the doorway, let out a dry snrk.
"kid's on a quest for love. cue the sappy music."
Paul raised an eyebrow. "You sure you don't want to stay here, Sans?"
"trust me," Sans grumbled, pulling his hood further over his head, "i tried sayin no. but someone told the client i was 'part of the package.'"
He looked directly at Paul.
Paul shrugged. "They asked if we had anyone with combat experience. I may have... mentioned your glowing eye thing."
Sans stared.
"...i'm tellin' the babies."
Rudeus grinned nervously. "Come on, Sans. It'll be fun. And it's only for a year or more."
"one year...." Sans muttered. "three sixty-five days. twelve months of babysitting you and some rich kid."
"Hey!"
Paul cleared his throat. "You'll be going to Roa, capital of the Fittoa region. Big place. Fancy people. They'll need someone to tutor their heir. Rudy, you'll teach magic. Sans.... just be yourself."
"dangerous advice" Sans deadpanned. "hope they got insurance."
Later - On the Road to Roa
The carriage rocked gently as the road passed beneath the wheels. Rudeus had already fallen into lecture mode, pulling out a book and muttering spells under his breath.
Sans, meanwhile, sat cross-legged on the roof of the carriage, floating a small blue soul flame in his palm.
Every now and then he glanced at the horizon, like he was sensing something further off.
The world out here felt bigger. More open. But also... less predictable.
"...hope they got snacks," he muttered to himself.
Three Days Later - Roa
They arrived at the mansion.
And there, waiting for them, was Ghislaine.
Rudeus gawked. Sans raised an eye socket.
"whoa" he muttered. "someone's been eatin' their strength stat for breakfast."
She glanced at them, her yellow eyes sharp and appraising. "These the ones?"
The butler nodded. "Rudeus Greyrat, the tutor. And... his 'guardian,' Sans."
Sans tilted his head. "guardian? wow. sounds so official. you guys gonna give me a badge or somethin'?"
Ghislaine narrowed her eyes. "You talk a lot."
"you slash a lot. guess we're both specialists."
There was a pause.
Then she chuckled.
Paul's letter had warned her about these two, and she could already tell, this was going to be interesting.