Sans knows a lot about secrets; he hides many.
But when old burdens emerge from the darkness, secrets, new and old, put his brother in danger; and what else can a good big-bro do but begin a double life?
This decision haunts him, even years after hi...
He tries to just focus on Zero, on what's in front of him.
But all he can smell is cigarette smoke, and at the edge of it- mint.
His heart aches, and for the life of him, he cannot remember why.
"Just at the beginning of the Great War, both my parents were drafted," Zero explains solemnly. Asgore looks around, watches as the other take it in, it's a story that Asgore already knows, of course; but one he will listen to anyway. If only to ground his aching soul.
"This was during the first few waves, where humans were at their strongest..." Zero's voice, a low rumble, trails off.
A chill rolls through the room.
Yes, Asgore already knows, and yet he can still feel it. The knowledge that dawns like the sun to a blood red sky.
After all, even someone basic knowledge of Monster History would know what it meant.
The first waves of the war, Monsters had yet to figure out how to effectively fight back, and without enough time to properly train the recruits for what they were up against... Were the most deadly.
"So, probably not that shockingly; I was orphaned." Zero folds his arms, as if he could physically block the empathy and sadness that grew from those around him. Distance himself from any emotion; even his own.
"After a few years, and a lot of running from overflowing orphanage, to overfilled civilian encampments... I met the royal scientist."
"Dr. Alphys's predecessor," he says.
Zero shifts again, he looks down.
"He... The royal scientist at the time... helped me. He trained me." Zero flexes his hand. A tingle rolls up Asgore's spine.
"He gave me new purpose," Zero continues, he looks up, toward Undyne.
"Being in the guard gave me something to push toward, it gave me a way to have an income, a roof over my head. Gave me Hope."
Undyne nods; she understands the feeling. But it's obvious she's still taking everything in, still processing.
"And being friends with the Royal scientist and his team, with King Asgore... gave me a family."
Asgore smiles, the warmth in his chest offsets his headache a bit.
"I don't get it," Undyne says bluntly, "how does that explain why Sans was there with you at the Core?"
It's vaguely obvious that she does understand, she just can't believe it. Refuses too, maybe.
People will do a lot to retain their world-view, to retain what they think of people.
People will do a lot to stay sane.
Zero doesn't speak, just letting out a low sigh...
"Sans-" Alphys speaks up, and suddenly all eyes are on her.
She swallows tightly. "S-Sans was..." Alphys swallows tightly, she looks at Zero.
Zero nods.
Undyne still looks unsure, shifting.
And Asgore really can't blame her. Sans has put up quite the front.
If he hadn't been already in the know, it would seem like quite the leap in logic for the apathetic jokester of Snowdin town, had once been...
"The first royal scientist," Alphys completes.
—Zero doesn't nod, he doesn't move. He doesn't agree with her, and therefore, he isn't the one lying.
He can feel a shadow leaning over his shoulder, watching, waiting. Knowing the lie, but knowing just as well it's necessity.
...Right?—
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So ik it was kinda melancholy, but the scene with Gaster and Baby Asriel was just SO CUTE so i had to draw it :)
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(Full un-cropped version on my Tumblr, @ Ninathenope)
