Choice A
You tell him it's nothing.
"I'm just tired," you add after that, strengthening your resolve by not letting the truth of the situation slip from your tongue.
Sans sounds reluctant and generally unconvinced by your response, though he doesn't push further from that. You ask how's work going for him to make up for it, yet the conversation falls short the second he gives you an answer. The last thing you say before hanging up is a quick goodbye, not knowing what other topic of conversation you could bring up that wouldn't involve anything personal.
It's at that moment that you realize that -- if it weren't for Faust -- you would have never met with Sans in the first place. Almost all of the time you had spent with the monster was when Faust was around. Now that he wasn't, it was harder for you to keep what you had with the tutor of your son.
You finish the remaining half of the water and toss the empty bottle in the recycling bin. Then, you lean on the counter again and huff. The time you had to spare now that you didn't have the responsibility of looking after Faust makes you wish you could find something else that could distract your mind.
A scoff in annoyance leaves your mouth the moment your phone rings once with a new notification. You look at it to see the one thing you were expecting: another text from your ex.
Remember to bring me Faust's grades and transcript as soon as they're out.
★
Choice B
You tell him the partial truth.
He stays silent all the way until your last word, and only speaks up when you're done.
"So you're gonna bring this to court, then?"
"Yeah," you reply, chewing on the inside of your lip, a custom that had grown on you ever since Faust went missing around the house. "I'll use the messages, the missed calls, the note, and a witness as evidence. Sunny, my co-worker, she. . . She accompanied me on the way back from work. I had to work overtime that day, so she saw when I entered the house and came back out to her with the note in hand. I. . . I just hope it's enough."
"If it ain't, something's wrong with the judge," Sans comments, chuckling. "You look like you're covered on that part, but you don't sound too good right now. If you're gonna go up there to the judge, you gotta be sure about it."
"I'm worried I'll lose Faust," you add, voice trembling at that sole sentence, the mere thought of not getting to see him again making your knees quake just as much as your words. "I don't want to think what would happen if I lost the case."
"You've said than ten times already, (Y/N)." Sans laughs again, though it isn't mocking. If anything, he sounds genuine from the other line. "I get that you're worried about him -- Hell, Papyrus's is all I got, so I get that feeling whenever he comes home late, or whenever there's an accident close to where he works. I know you don't wanna lose him, but you gotta stay calm first. It won't help you if you can't think clearly."
Breathing in and then out, you feel weight fall from your shoulders as you conclude your conversation with him. It's already been an hour by the time you're finished talking.
"Thank you -- I really can't stress this enough," you speak up, ready to say your goodbyes. "It was. . . It really helped having you listen." You pause, mind feeling lighter since picking up the call. "Talk to you later? I know you must be busy."
"Sure -- Sounds good," Sans replies. "Talk to you later, (Y/N). I miss having you and Faust around the school -- It's a real change without you two."
The call ends with that last sentence, one you weren't able to reciprocate fast enough before he got to hang up. Happy all the same, you look down at the call history with a smile. Then, you lock the phone and set it back down on the kitchen counter, only to have it ring again -- with the exception it was a text rather than a call.
Remember to bring me Faust's grades and transcript as soon as they're out.
It's a message from Jessie. What helps you not want to scowl or frown at that name is the talk you had with Sans.
★
Choice C
You ask how he's doing instead.
"I appreciate the sentiment and all, but I don't think it's me you should be worryin' about right now," he replies, his tone firm yet teasing all the same. "Did somethin' happen with Faust? I figured somethin' bad came up now that you're asking for that credit transcript."
"It's Jessie," you explain, sighing as you pinch the bridge of your nose with your fingers, and use your other hand to keep the phone pressed to your ear. "They want it asap, but I've. . . I've had a change of heart. I don't want to negotiate with them anymore."
It's quiet on the other line for a few seconds, until you hear him speak again. "I'm guessin' they ticked you off for the last time? It doesn't sound like you're doing this for no reason."
"Well, actually. . ." You trail off on your words, wording out your thoughts and doubts before getting to say them out loud. "I'm going to bring this to court very soon."
A smile forms on your face as you're finally able to be honest with yourself. You tell him all about the evidence, the witness, and the note you had found in your room. Once you're through with that, you can feel your thoughts weighing less on you, and you finally ask how things are going on his side.
"I'm doing good," he replies, a snicker being heard from the other line. "Better now that I know you're gonna try and bring the kid back home. It's a big difference without him and you around."
The call ends shortly after that, and you're left once more to the silence of your home, with the exclusion of the notification sound that makes your phone vibrate in your hold.
Remember to bring me Faust's grades and transcript as soon as they're out.
★
Choice D
You come up with a white lie.
He doesn't believe you for one second.
"Is that really the best you can come up with?" Sans teases. You can picture the bashful look on his skull in spite of not being able to see him. "I'm surprised you're such a bad liar, (Y/N) -- white lie through a telephone, where I can't even see your face and all."
"Stop laughing!" you exclaim, furrowing your gaze at nobody in particular besides the refrigerator next to you. "I was trying to be serious -- Not all of it's a lie, y'know?"
"That's why I called it a white lie," he defends, chuckling. "I figured you'd be better at this given what your specialization's about."
"My main job was to ticket people for passing red lights," you joke, giving in to his teasing and following with it. "I'm basically that bunny from Zootopia on that scene with the parking meters and stuff."
"I can picture that like daylight." He stops with his mischief, his tone changing for a more serious one. "But really, (Y/N), what's up? I doubt the sale you missed at the supermarket's what's making you sound so sad."
"You underestimate my dedication for affordable prices."
"Gonna get back at me for playin' around with ya, huh?"
You both burst into laughter at that final comment of his. The conversation carries on after that, and you manage to avoid telling him what was really bothering you. You don't feel too good about it when you hang up, though remembering the laughs you shared with him helps to some extent.
Letting out a small breath, you aim to place the phone down on the counter, but are stopped by the notification sound going off once. You pick it back up and scoff, the person you least wanted to think about showing on the screen.
Remember to bring me Faust's grades and transcript as soon as they're out.