Even when Toriel walked in, Sans just couldn't look at her. He felt so guilty for feeling like this, even if it had been the old goat's intent, and he felt even worse that his flush was still dusting his face in front of her. God he was lame. Surely Frisk would think so too. He was acting like a flustered little kid with a crush, but that was exactly how he felt.

When Tori finally made her way into the kitchen, Sans dared to peek up at Frisk. Bad decision.

When she spoke, he just nodded and all but bolted for the stairs. He didn't want to leave her behind, but he just needed a second to cool down. He needed to get his thoughts together before he could talk to her, better yet even look at her. He needed to cool off his unstable soul. 

But as he pushed through the doors to leave the ruins, not even the icy cold could calm him down. This wasn't like him. He shouldn't be acting like this. He was Sans, carefree, calm, never spooked or excited by anything except maybe being treated at Grillby's, or a large bottle of ketchup. And Frisk! God she must think he was a jerk. Leaving her behind like that.

Taking a deep breath, Sans finally managed to calm his erratic soul. He didn't move from the door, waiting for Frisk. He had to let her know everything was cool. He couldn't let that awkwardness creep back into their lives. God he needed a bite to eat.

He rummaged futilly in his jacket pockets, finding nothing but lint and a folded piece of paper with a few ketchup stains on it.

With a sigh, he put his hands in his pockets once more and stared at the snow. What if.... What if Frisk didn't want to be friends anymore after seeing him act like that? She was a patient and understanding kid, sure, but... People can only put up with so much of your bad side, right? And standing there, lost in his thoughts, Sans couldn't recall a single time he'd shown her his good side. Yeah he could make her laugh, take her places and show some really cool stuff, but... When had he ever really been good to her. He never expressed anything to her, never talked to her about the important thoughts weighing his mind down.

And yet, she was so good to him.

She was kind. She was patient. And... Sans really liked that about her. It was like everything he wasn't and couldn't express, she was and could. As cheesy as it sounded, it felt like she was what was missing in him.

But he'd run away. Wow, now he was really on a roll. He wished he could go back to just a few minutes earlier and make himself stay in that room with Frisk, but he didn't have control of the timeline.

What if Frisk decided to reset because of this?

His soul froze at the thought. All of those years she'd spent living with him and Papyrus would be nothing. And no one would remember any of it, no one except for him.

No, Frisk wouldn't do that. He had to stop thinking like that! She was a good kid, and she loved everyone in the Underground. She... She wouldn't end all of that just because of him. He was nothing special.

Finally calm and in his right mind, Sans turned to look back down the dark hallway. His cheekbones still held a blush, but he could just pass it off as a chill.

He watched carefully as Frisk came into view, giving her his usual smile before starting back home at the same lazy pace as they'd had on the trip here. Sans quietly took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Hey, sorry about back there. You really surprised me..... You look nice."

The last part was spoken softly, something just above a whisper, but he didn't wait for a response. In fact he'd be completely fine if she didn't give one, but it wouldn't be like her if she didn't.