The barrier was broken.

So many things had happened since Frisk fell underground, it was astounding. In just three days, Frisk single handedly freed all of monster kind from the underground.

And made Sans find his soulmate he didn't really want, but he can deal with it.

It had been sixteen days since the barrier was broken, and luckily Sans hadn't interacted with the King, or even spotted him, since then. It helped that his house was located in the town furthest away from the capital and castle, which was why Asgore never came out to Snowdin like he did other places. He probably was also busy with the whole human treaty and monster movement to the surface, already having an alliance settled out.

In barely over two weeks, he had managed to get a peace treaty settled out and empty villages already prepared to move monsters in from the underground. It was impressive, but one thing Sans realized was that Asgore had control to who moved into where. He was moving in higher prioritized monsters into houses first, which included him and Papyrus for whatever reason.

Which reminded Sans, the King had access to monster files. He knew where Sans lived, how old he was, what school he went to, and basically everything about him.

So that was great.

Asgore had probably already looked into his files, because Sans started receiving random things in the mail sent from the capitol. The first day, it was a rose, Sans threw it out the window. The second day, it was a box of small chocolates, which Sans gave to Papyrus to eat. Everyday, he received something new, and everyday he threw it away or gave it to Papyrus.

Papyrus didn't like this.

"SANS, HE'S SENDING IN ALL OF THESE GIFTS, YOU SHOULDN'T KEEP THROWING THEM OUT!" Papyrus would always say, "IT'S VERY SWEET! GIVE THE KING A CHANCE, HE'S NICE AND I THINK YOU WOULD LIKE HIM."

"He's just trying to trick me, no thanks," Sans would tell him.

But sixteen days after the barrier had broken, Papyrus had told Sans some news he didn't really expect to hear.

"Sans, darling, Papyrus and I have been dating for sometime," Mettaton had told Sans, "And I absolutely adore him. So we have decided to start a new life on the surface, together."

"I'M GOING TO MOVE IN WITH HIM, SANS!" Papyrus said.

Sans was only half paying attention, as he had found some good puns on his phone and was scrolling through them. But that statement made him snap his head up faster than he ever had before, teeth gaping open from surprise.

"We know you aren't exactly 'pro soulmate'," Mettaton said, "But your brother and I have both agreed that we are ready to move in together. We want to start a new life with each other on the surface, and I want to take care of Papyrus."

"WE WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS WITH YOU," Papyrus said, "IF YOU DON'T APPROVE, WE WON'T DO IT. BUT I FEEL READY, AS METTATON DOES, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE WITH US AS WELL."

"You know as long as you both are happy, I don't mind," Sans said, "I'm against myself having a soulmate, but if you two want to, then go ahead! Just be happy with one another, 'kay?"

"OF COURSE, SANS!" Papyrus said, hugging his brother, "WILL YOU BE FINE LIVING ON YOUR OWN?"

"I don't mind, you know I can take care of myself," Sans said, "Maybe I can finally get that house under the stars like I've always wanted."

"You could ask the King, I'm sure he'd find a house for you like that!" Mettaton offered, "Since he is the one organizing living arrangements to the surface."

"I'd rather eat my own legs, thanks though," Sans said, looking back down at his phone. "But I don't mind staying underground a bit longer while I try to find a good house."

He didn't want to ever ask the King for help, or even talk to him. It was just too awkward now, since Sans wasn't returning any of the King's attempts, and Papyrus had definitely explained to him by now with Alphys that Sans was anti-zing.

"You told him that I'm not about love, right?" Sans asked Papyrus, poking the new package on the table.

"Of course, we all had to explain why you suddenly ran," Mettaton said.

"HE'S VERY DETERMINED, KIND ASGORE SAID HE WOULDN'T GIVE UP ON YOU," Papyrus said, "HE HAS WENT ALL OF HIS LIFE WITHOUT A SOULMATE, WHY DON'T YOU JUST GIVE HIM A CHANCE? JUST ONE DATE?"

"No," Sans said.

"BUT-"

"Paps, I said no," Sans said, "I'm not really bright on the idea of going on a date with the King, or anyone."

"He's never gone on a date?" Mettaton asked Papyrus, "Like, not even the practice ones monsters do?"

"NOPE," Papyrus said, "HE'S ONLY DONE ONE NIGHT STANDS, HE LIKES TO GET OUT THERE AND NOT HAVE ANY STRINGS ATTACHED."

"Grillbs did me good and we don't have to stress about love or anything," Sans said, "I just got up and left, and I like it that way. I don't like the idea of being forced to love someone."

"Well, you're missing out," Mettaton said, "Because with my soulmate, I'm happy."

"Eh, I'm content where I am," Sans told the robot, "But as long as Paps makes you happy, go for it."

After that day, he helped the two fill in paper forms for a new house request before they took it to the King, Sans staying back as he usually did. Ever since it was revealed that he and the King were zing partners, his friends had been talking to the King more than usual.

He didn't like it.

The next day, two letters from the capital about relocation arrived at Sans' house. Sans was rather confused, since both of them should be included in one letter.

"Paps, you and Mettaton got letters from the capital," Sans said, "I guess they did it seperate. I thought we applied for you both together."

"WE DID!" Papyrus said, standing up from the couch and walking to Sans, "OH, THIS ONE IS MEANT FOR YOU."

"Me? I never applied," Sans said.

But Papyrus was right, the second letter was addressed to him. It was a formal letter about relocation to the surface, just as Papyrus's was, so it wasn't a personal love letter from the King or anything, thankfully. Sans quickly ripped open his own letter, finding a formal document saying that his new location would be ready to be moved into in a couple of days. They had all of his information correct, his current address and full name, so obviously someone must have applied him.

"Paps, did you apply me?" Sans asked, looking down at the information.

"I BELIEVE IT WAS THE KING, ACTUALLY," Papyrus said, "HE MOST LIKELY APPLIED YOU ALL ON HIS OWN!"

Sans sighed, looking up at Papyrus.

"You told him I needed a house to move into, didn't you?"

"WELL, THE KING SEEMS RATHER LONELY," Papyrus said, "AND HE HAS A CASTLE ON THE SURFACE THAT HAS A GREAT VIEW OF THE STARS!"

"Castle?" Sans asked, "Wait, wait, I'm moving into a castle? On the surface?"

"LIKE I SAID, ASGORE WON'T BE GIVING UP ON YOU," Papyrus said, "HE WANTED TO MOVE YOU INTO THE CASTLE WITH HIM."

"With him?" Sans asked, "Paps, why didn't you stop him?"

"HE'S THE KING, WHAT HE SAYS IS THE LAW, SANS! I DID TELL HIM YOU WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE HAPPY WITH THIS SO YOU'LL BE GETTING YOUR OWN ROOM."

"Oh my Toby Fox," Sans breathed, looking down at the notice.

So, apparently now he was being forced to move into a castle with his soulmate? The soulmate that he didn't want. In a castle he didn't ask for.

"I SHOULD PROBABLY MENTION ASGORE IS GOING TO HAVE THE SERVANTS TAKING CARE OF YOU TOO," Papyrus said.

"Okay," Sans breathed out as he turned around, "Just... just okay."

"Sans, where are you going?"

"To my special place."

"SANS, GET OUT OF THE TRASHCAN!"