I don't know the whole story, T, but I like to think I know you a little bit.
[It's hard to keep himself from elaborating just how dark he believes the seed of Chara's hate to be, but that's not something Toriel should be burdened with. At least, not now.]
There's no way you didn't do as much as you could.
[Toriel finally looks at Sans, her hands still at work. His belief in her makes her give a thin smile. A smile fake enough it looks like it's something she stole from Sans himself.]
It will never feel like enough. Never. [She takes a slow breath.] I'm a fool, to think they would forgive me for being so... useless then.
[His tone is faintly argumentative, but there's a deep exhaustion there undercutting it. The death of the prince and the adopted fallen human is a classic tale he's plenty familiar with, but knowing his closest friend is the queen of that tragic tale brings a personal component to the old story.]
It's not your fault. Just because they don't get that doesn't mean they're right. And it doesn't justify trying to hurt you, either.
[His exhaustion is what makes her hands settle in her lap. Guilt is a familiar feeling. A sharp reminder she shouldn't share. All this grief brings everyone else down with her. Sans... Sans deserves better as far as Toriel is concerned.]
I just don't know what to think today or right now. I thought I had said goodbye to them.
[Out of his depth and making a mess of things, Sans looks unsure of how to proceed for a few moments.]
I thought I said goodbye to a few people too, until they showed up here. I'm not sure Chara's the hill to die on, but... well, that's a bad choice of words, but maybe it's a second chance, y'know?
[It's naive, he thinks, to assume that a mother's love could cure whatever in Chara made them so broken. Still, they were monsters. Love is more powerful than humans could ever understand.]
[His bone burns where she touches it, and Sans is quick to duck down deeper into his hoodie in response. His chuckle is uneven, but warm all the same. This is still... weird, having her here in the flesh.
But as far as weird went, Sans is pretty sure this counts as "good-weird."]
Something like that. [Without allowing himself to put too much thought into it, Sans tipped his body until his shoulder was pressed flush up against the meat of her arm. It was soft and comfortable.] M'glad you're here, Tori.
[The physical contact makes her relax, she shifts to properly hold Sans with one arm. It easily shifts into a hug. The chill of his bones against her is grounding, helps her feel solid.] I'm glad you're here too, Sans.
I'm not sure what I do if I did not have you here.
[Still, he can't help feeling a little lose to look at her. So tall, so very nostalgic just to listen to, and then there's him -- relatively powerless to help her.
It occurs to him that he could tell her, now, exactly what his experience with Chara was aboard this ship and beyond it, back home.
He could tell her.
He doesn't.]
Can I walk you back to your room? Y'never know what might jump out at night around here. [He winks.] I've heard there are skeletons on this ship.
[She laughs openly at his words and the wink, the sound louder than intended. That is a sure enough sign she's feeling better.] Skeletons you say? Goodness.
I would appreciate the company. I mean, who knows what else lurks on a ship such as this?
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[It's hard to keep himself from elaborating just how dark he believes the seed of Chara's hate to be, but that's not something Toriel should be burdened with. At least, not now.]
There's no way you didn't do as much as you could.
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It will never feel like enough. Never. [She takes a slow breath.] I'm a fool, to think they would forgive me for being so... useless then.
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[His tone is faintly argumentative, but there's a deep exhaustion there undercutting it. The death of the prince and the adopted fallen human is a classic tale he's plenty familiar with, but knowing his closest friend is the queen of that tragic tale brings a personal component to the old story.]
It's not your fault. Just because they don't get that doesn't mean they're right. And it doesn't justify trying to hurt you, either.
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I just don't know what to think today or right now. I thought I had said goodbye to them.
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I thought I said goodbye to a few people too, until they showed up here. I'm not sure Chara's the hill to die on, but... well, that's a bad choice of words, but maybe it's a second chance, y'know?
[It's naive, he thinks, to assume that a mother's love could cure whatever in Chara made them so broken. Still, they were monsters. Love is more powerful than humans could ever understand.]
N' you've got me and Pap in the meantime, y'know?
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This is a place for second chances. A place to change things. [She will let herself hope, let the flame burn brightly.]
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But as far as weird went, Sans is pretty sure this counts as "good-weird."]
Something like that. [Without allowing himself to put too much thought into it, Sans tipped his body until his shoulder was pressed flush up against the meat of her arm. It was soft and comfortable.] M'glad you're here, Tori.
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I'm not sure what I do if I did not have you here.
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[Still, he can't help feeling a little lose to look at her. So tall, so very nostalgic just to listen to, and then there's him -- relatively powerless to help her.
It occurs to him that he could tell her, now, exactly what his experience with Chara was aboard this ship and beyond it, back home.
He could tell her.
He doesn't.]
Can I walk you back to your room? Y'never know what might jump out at night around here. [He winks.] I've heard there are skeletons on this ship.
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I would appreciate the company. I mean, who knows what else lurks on a ship such as this?
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[Sans winks, nodding for her to follow him along. Without really thinking about it, he turns left instead of right. The long way.
Something tells him the time was going to pass too quickly anyway.]