SAD UNDERTALE AU HEADCANONS?
SAD UNDERTALE AU HEADCANON STARRING ALONE TOGETHER Because I’m terrible
As two halves of a whole, there’s still a residual connection between them that’s more internal than external; the first is the faint hum of their thoughts echoing to each other, which Papyrus has learned to use by their pitch, tones, and frequencies to determine when Sans is excited, or upset, or overworking himself being one of them. Sans hears it as well, though he’s more amused by his “brother’s” frustration with puzzles, as he can practically feel him coming to one dead end after another and so obviously missing the answer it’s right there but he refuses to be told the answer, nooooooo, he’s the Great Papyrus! He can figure it out himself (and if he can’t, Sans is happily willing to lend his bro a hand)
The second is an unspoken separation anxiety. Sure, they can go without being in the same area for a time, but Papyrus, putting up the act of being a Royal Guard watching out for the people, always insists on knowing where Sans is going and for how long. This is why the locals in Snowdin tell you Papyrus often comes in to pick up Sans after he’s been there for just a few minutes; Sans didn’t tell him, and he freaked out and started looking. Sans does get nervous when Papyrus is away for too long as well, but his teleportation capabilities means he can find him faster; that, and Papyrus is more predictable than he is. Sans has either been working past this constant need to check in on his brother, or he’s got a really unorthodox method of watching him, which explains why he doesn’t pursue Papyrus in the Pacifist Ending when he runs off to greet humans.
Thirdly, and lastly, Sans looks very highly upon his brother, and Papyrus very low, because of Gaster’s own perceived high expectations of himself before splitting. When you’re a royal scientist, THE royal scientist, you provide nothing less than the best work in your whole world, yes? Well, Sans, the more logical half, sees that Papyrus is constantly at work, constantly giving nothing less than 100%, and eager to do even more. Witnessing someone working like that in their (self-employed) profession is nothing if not admirable, right? But Papyrus, the emotional half, sees Sans in a more disappointing light; he’s always tired, and lazy, and never takes anything seriously, but he knows that Sans cares very much, all he needs is encouragement! Motivation! Drive! The need to succeed! He just doesn’t realize he already has, in a way. I mean, who the heck’s paying for the house, right? Sans doesn’t correct him on this matter because that’d mean he may slack on the encouraging words, which the guy needs.
That’s why when Frisk kills Papyrus in a genocide run, Sans just… disappears. That gentle hum is gone, the sound of racing joy and concern and a need to make a friend suddenly cutting short. He runs to check on his brother and prays he’s wrong but only finds a dusty costume, his last words to his brother echoing through his skull, “I don’t need to waste this puzzle on them! I only need to appreciate the friends I already have!”
He had friends once, and now they’re either dead or gone. Deafening silence in an empty town, all alone with no one to back you up? I’d take a while to gather the strength to avenge them too.
You go sit in the corner and tHINK ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE DONE!!!!!!