Papyrus sat up in bed, instantly awake. And for a long time, he just sat there, eyesockets wide, staring into darkness.

Sans had just-

Sans had just killed the human. Without batting an eye, Sans had just killed the human.

Why, why had he killed them? Why had he- had he committed violence like that? That-...

Why had he killed them? That wasn't okay. Killing-...

It should have been a last resort. And even then, it was awful.

Granted, the human was killing people- Papyrus had even been killed by the human, multiple times- but that didn't make killing them okay. Because killing wasn't okay, no matter when or what, even if things kept repeating, even if the killed person was alive again next cycle.

That was why Papyrus knew that he was still going to end up in Snowdin, knowing full well he could die again. He had to try to stop them from killing again.

But still! Sans! Killed the human! Without a second thought! That wasn't okay! Why... why would he do that?

And then another thought occurred to Papyrus. Sans had killed the human so easily. So why had he died before? What made that cycle different?

Was it because he had gone to get Undyne faster? Was it one of those weird things where the very fact that he actually brought Undyne in time meant that she wasn't needed there?

Thinking about it kind of made Papyrus's head hurt. He went back to wondering why Sans would do that.

Eventually, with a sigh, he rose, deciding he should go check on Sans. Knowing his brother, he was probably amid another nightmare again, and needing Papyrus's help. Because even if Sans did kill the human last time, he was still always, always Papyrus's brother, and Papyrus still loved him more than anything.

When he walked into Sans' room, he found Sans lying on his side on his mattress, gazing blankly ahead with tired eyes. So he had already woken himself up, then- not surprising, considering how long Papyrus had sat thinking, but still. Papyrus wished he had been there in Sans' time of need. Quietly, he vowed to himself that from now on, the instant he woke each cycle, he would immediately come to Sans.

Now, though, he could still work to comfort Sans. So Papyrus walked over to sit beside his brother. "Did you have another nightmare?" He asked quietly.

Sans just grunted, seemingly too tired to offer a more in depth response.

Papyrus sighed and reached out a hand to rub Sans' back. In just a few seconds, Sans had cuddled up against Papyrus. Papyrus hugged Sans.

"You should try to go back to sleep," he said quietly. Sans nodded into his chest, but still said nothing. So Papyrus hugged him a little tighter.

As conversation didn't exactly seem to be an option at the moment, Papyrus closes his eyes and leaned back against the wall to think.

This time, he didn't want to die, and he didn't want Sans to die, and he didn't want Sans to kill the human. So... how could he get Undyne there even faster, so that none of that had to happen?

What if... I call her before the human comes, and then I stall them while she comes to help capture them?

That...

That sounded like an excellent idea! An idea worthy of the Great Papyrus! For once since he realized the cycle, Papyrus was beginning to feel like his old, confident self.

Smiling widely, he settled down to wait until he could put his plan into action.

~o0o~

Smiling to himself, Papyrus slipped his phone back into his inventory. That was that, then. Undyne was on her way!

"hey, papyrus."

Papyrus looked up, smiling, as Sans approached. This time, this time will work better. Then he remembered he was still supposed to be pretending, so that Sans didn't know about the cycle. So he narrowed his eyes. "Sans! Aren't you supposed to be... loafing off at your sentry station or something?"

Sans just shrugged nonchalantly, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. "jus' thought i'd check in on the coolest monster around."

Papyrus couldn't help the small smile at the familiar reply, the same reply Sans had given every time, and responded in turn. "Well! I appreciate the compliment, but really, Sans! The human is going to be this way soon! I have to capture them!"

Sans didn't move, just as Papyrus knew he wouldn't, instead looking up at Papyrus, his brow furrowing thoughtfully. "yeah, you know, i was thinking about that. shouldn't you, y'know, go get undyne or something?"

Papyrus grinned at his brother. "She's already on her way!" Yes, this time, this would work. Then Papyrus realized Sans was giving him a very confused look, and he needed an explanation. So, setting a hand proudly against his chest, Papyrus explained. "You see, Sans, when Undyne sees me capture the human, she will be so impressed that she will give me her title right then and there. Soon, Sans, you'll be looking at the Great Papyrus, captain of the Royal Guard! Nyeh-heh-heh!"

Papyrus didn't quite understand why Sans was so astonished by his reasoning; that had originally been Sans' suggestion, so he had definitely already thought of it in this cycle.

Maybe that was why he looked surprised. He hadn't expected Papyrus to come to the same conclusion as him so quickly. Yeah, that had to be it.

"You shouldn't look so surprised, Sans! I am, after all, the Great Papyrus, and I am going to be the greatest Royal Guardsman ever! And the captain is the highest ranking in the Royal Guard! So of course I would want the title!"

Sans blinked a little, then shrugged. "heh, i guess you're right about that. so, how long 'til undyne gets here?"

"She shouldn't be long at all!" Papyrus had tried to stress the importance of her hasty arrival, the human was dangerous, and he didn't want anyone getting hurt. "Which is why you should get out of the way, Sans! The human will be here even sooner, and I don't want you to get hurt!"

Sans' brow furrowed. "r-right. of course. i'll just... watch from over there." Then he smiled up at Papyrus. "gotta be here for the big moment, after all, when you finally get that title."

Papyrus fidgeted a little. He really didn't want Sans here, in case something went wrong. "Right..."

Sans noticed his fidgeting. "hey, there's no reason to be nervous just 'cus i'm watching! no matter what happens, i'll always know you're the greatest."

Papyrus tried to stuff down his nervousness. If this didn't work, there was always next cycle to try, right?

So he put on a smile for his brother. "Of course! I am!Nyeh-heh-heh!"

Sans just chuckled, and walked over to the entrance of Waterfall, where he said he'd be watching from. And Papyrus stood and waited.

And then, there was a human-shaped silhouette in front of him.

"Human!" He began.

But before he could go any farther, there was a loud NNNNNYYYAAAAAAAAGH!! and Undyne was lunging around him, spear in hand, aimed for the human.

"Undyne!" Papyrus shouted. He couldn't have her immediately attacking the human! He had to try to convince them to stop-

But Undyne was having none of it. She went full offensive, Green Magic pinning the human down, spears flying in every direction.

"Undyne, stop!" Papyrus tried to grab her arm, hold her back. "We at least have to give them a chance!"

Undyne didn't respond, didn't even seem to notice him.

Papyrus looked at the human. They were defending for all they were worth, and they were pretty good at it, too. But they were, bit by bit, losing HP, and it would only be a few more hits before—

"No!" Papyrus leaped forward to block one of Undyne's spears from going straight through the human's Soul. It did six HP of damage to him, but that was nothing, if it stopped Undyne from killing.

And then Undyne was screaming at him, and Sans was too, and Papyrus turned, and the human—

They were still under the effects of Undyne's Green Magic, so they couldn't move from their spot, but that didn't matter because Papyrus was within their arm's reach, within reach of that swinging knife—

And then Sans was there. Between Papyrus and the knife, staring up at Papyrus, wide eyed as the human raked the knife across his back, from left shoulder blade to right hip.

And then there was stillness. For a single moment, there was stillness, as Papyrus stared in horror at his brother, and Sans stared back, his expression-...

His expression had changed. It was that expression. That total lack of fear or surprise or pain.

Just that calm resignation.

Then he was falling forward, and Papyrus dropped to his knees just in time to slip his hands under Sans' arms, so Sans fell against his chest, his skull landing on Papyrus's shoulder, and Papyrus wrapped him in a hug, staring over his shoulder but not really seeing, only just hearing Sans voice, sorry, pap, and so Papyrus yelled, screamed at him, no, NO, Sans, you're okay, hold on, you're okay I've got you, just hold on, you're okay, but Sans wasn't, he was collapsing, falling, falling, Falling Down—

it's alright, bro.

And then Sans was gone, and Papyrus was just holding his jacket, just his jacket, staring blankly at it, he had just been holding Sans, and the human—...

...

. . .

.  .  .

Papyrus sat up in bed, instantly awake.

§

A/N

Yay, lookit Sans, keeping his promise to protect Papyrus! You go, Sans!

Also, when I went to type "faster," I reflexively typed "Gaster" instead, and felt bad when I had to change it. Sorry, Doctor, you've got no place in this story but for vague references and some of Sans' misleading comments.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it! Comments and votes are my Favorite Things and biggest motivators, and every notification I get makes my day!