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[When the feed clicks on, Mettaton is at the camera, perfectly poised and smiling wide.]

Hello, Wonderland! Sorry for that little hiccup earlier!

[He fluffs his hair a bit, which definitely looks disheveled; an unusual deviation from his usual picture perfect looks.]

I had a small incident with Wonderland's local dream demon BUT! There's no need to fear, darlings, because your strong, amazing hero Mettaton repelled the evil doer! Wonderland is safe and so are the rest of you!

[He smiles, though it falters for just a brief second before he continues.]

Now, let's put this silly incident behind us, shall we? There's no need to worry about any of these shenanigans or torment yourself with worry over me (unless you want to, of course! ♥). I'm sure you'll see my shining face on the network sometime in the future again (minus any and all unauthorized uses of my brand) so I shall let you all return to your daily lives. Bye, darlings~!

[He pauses for a moment, blinks, and then hurriedly gives a cutesy wave and wink to the camera, though it's clear his heart isn't in it. The feed ends there.]

((ooc: Mettaton may respond to network responses but it will probably be sporadic due to the fact that he's feeling really rough right now. For anyone wanting to personally come and check on him, the door will have many latches and locks and Mettaton will not be opening his door for anyone other than close CR, if that. But he's fine. Absolutely fine! Totally.))

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[An apology. Well. That's more than he expected, in all honestly.]

...Who is this "all" you speak of?

[He knows people were concerned. He knows they were looking for him. But the way Sans says it, it implies more people than he thought.]

Like nothing is wrong? Because nothing is wrong now. I fixed it.

[His words are steady but they ring a bit hollow.]

You really have nothing better to do?

[Is he really going to sit out there? Mettaton will call his bluff. He doesn't open the door.]

...uh. literally everyone here who cares about you? me, frisk, napsta, alphys, the pines-es...

[Why is this so hard? Why is this so goddamn hard.]

yeah. except you just got possessed by some asshole. i'm pretty sure that's a big deal.

[He sighs again. Turns and leans back against the door.]

nothing better to do. nothing i'd rather be doing.

[He sits against the door.]

[All of those people, huh? Doesn't matter. They don't matter.

Mettaton's soul flutters just a little bit.]

...Well. That is true.

[Just... stop, Sans. Please. Please.

He hears Sans settle against his door. Mettaton doesn't respond, going silent. He waits, letting the minutes pass by. 5...10...

At 15 he leans against the door on his side. He hasn't heard Sans move, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's still there. He could have teleported away and Mettaton would be none the wiser.

Quietly, he speaks through the door.]

...are you still there?

[He sits.]

[And waits.]

[And hates himself more the more time passes.]

[But finally Mettaton says something.]

yeah.

[All the fight's gone out of him at this point. He's just doing what he does best--being an obstacle. An immovable object. A nuisance.]

[He can already see what his mirror would be saying right now.

Hear that? He'll leave any minute now. Just sit back and let his own self-loathing do all the work.

And it would be that simple. So simple.

But... he's still there. Why is he still there? Isn't he lazy? This is so much effort. Why?]

You really have nothing better to do.

[Not a question. A statement. If he's willing to sit this long, well. He'll have to talk. Placate him and then kick him out.

He starts to undo the latches, the bolts, the locks. He doesn't know why he put these here when he knows people like Sans can just waltz in no matter what but it made him feel better. It made his mirror feel better, which was more important.

Mettaton opens the door slowly so that Sans isn't terribly unseated. He doesn't say a word, barely looks at Sans, but he keeps the door open. He moves out of the doorway. It's a silent invitation. It's also a silent choice.

You can still leave Sans. He isn't encouraging you to enter, nor to exit. Make your choice.]

[You underestimate him, Mettaton. You underestimate his ability to just sit somewhere without moving. There's no effort involved. It's just a matter of sitting down and then doing nothing else.]

[Patience is pretty similar to stubbornness.]

nope.

[He hears the click of bolts coming undone. There's a lot of them. Why does Mettaton need that many locks? Who does he think is going to come after him--caring friends?]

[The door opens, and Sans almost tumbles backward into Mettaton's room. He stays sitting. He can feel Mettaton standing behind him before he steps away to allow Sans entrance.]

[Sans doesn't get up right away. Nor does he look at Mettaton.]

...i get wanting to lock yourself away. a better friend would probably just give you space.

[Too bad for Mettaton that Sans is a terrible person.]

[He drags himself to his feet, bracing himself on the doorframe. Then he turns, steps into the room and looks up at Mettaton, searching for any signs of damage or distress.]

you beat him all on your own. pretty impressive.

[Mettaton didn't bother to fix up his face. Despite being made of metal, there are tear streaks down his cheeks and his hair is still as messed up as it was on the network video. There are a few scuffs here and there on his body but other than that he's whole.

Well. As whole as you can be after something like that.]

Hm.

[He doesn't say anything more; a good friend would understand that he can't have friends and would help to never reach out to him again.]

This is my body. It was designed for me. It started rejecting him from the moment he slipped in.

[From the moment Mettaton's dreams were interrupted with the beginning of a many-hour horror show. He's so grateful Mini didn't see. The little bot was charging and fast asleep when it did.]

[Oh god.]

[Sans doesn't think he's ever seen Mettaton like this. He's a mess. The thought isn't unkind, really, it's just--it's just shocking. No wonder he didn't want anyone to see him.]

[He remembers the feeling. Remembers avoiding everyone but Papyrus for awhile after he came back to life.]

[Sans stops looking at Mettaton, since he doubts Mettaton wants him staring. He looks around the room instead, ostensibly looking for Mini. When really he's looking for mirrors. There aren't any, but he didn't really expect there to be. Mettaton had almost twenty minutes to hide them, if they're here at all.]

i've...i gotta admit, i've never fully...understood how you work. but it doesn't matter. none of my business, anyway.

[He folds his arms.]

i'm glad you beat him. glad you're back.

[Sans looks at him, really drinks in his features, then looks away. Good. Maybe his looks will be another hint that Mettaton doesn't want to be doing this right now.

The skeleton looks around the room and Mettaton wonders what he's looking for. If he's looking for Mini he'll find them snoozing away in their charging port. They had not reacted well to their father being missing when they woke up and looking so messed up when he had finally returned. It had taken awhile to calm them down, soothing reassurances as Mini had cried and he had cried.

Now they rest. And Mettaton tries to put the pieces back together.]

You aren't a roboticist like Alphys. Of course you don't understand.

[Harsh and to the point. Take a hint, Sans.]

It's good to be back. Now, as you can see, I am fine. Is your curiosity sated? You're welcome to leave now.

[Goodness, does he wish he was talking to his mirror right now.]

[It's certainly a hint, and maybe Sans is...wrong. Maybe this has less to do with Mettaton pushing people away, and more to do with Mettaton being scared and embarrassed. Sans can't possibly know what possession is like, but he does know what it's like to have someone else in your head. That alone is...not much fun.]

[Must have been a thousand times worse for Mettaton.]

[His answer is blunt, and that's fine. Sans probably deserved it.]

yeah. fair.

[Your curiosity.]

[How much are you going to rip away from people until your curiosity is satisfied?]

[He grips his elbows.]

it wasn't just...it wasn't curiosity. i...that's really what you think?

[Is that what everyone thinks? Is everyone finally, at long last, realizing what Sans truly is?]

[No. No, this has nothing to do with Sans. Mettaton just went through a trauma, and he's--something is going on with his Mirror. This isn't about Sans. It's never about Sans. Mettaton is just upset and lashing out.]

sorry. it's not about me, i... i'm just sorry you had to go through all that. and...maybe you do need some alone time, but i just--i need you to understand that you're not alone. that i--we've got your back, and.

[Stupid. Shut up already, Sans. This isn't helping. You're just rambling, just giving meaningless platitudes.]

i just mean, maybe you shouldn't be alone right now. is all.

[He's quiet a moment.]

...and i'm sorry i called you childish. that was mean. just, uh. been agitated lately.

[Mettaton looks away from Sans. His words are harsh, but it's good, because that means he's doing the right thing. He's pushing him away.

And it's working because he sounds hurt, so hurt, that Mettaton said that. He tries to ignore the twist in his soul, a painful prod of guilt and shame and prepares to dig that hole just a bit deeper when Sans... pulls away from that. Pulls away from the self-pity.]

...I.

[you're not alone. we've got your back.

He's trembling, he thinks. He looks at his hands and sees them shaking. Yup. Definitely trembling.

He shouldn't. He shouldn't be... he shouldn't. He can't form a full coherent thought but he knows he just shouldn't.

Not alone. They've got his back. Sans has his back. His mirror is under the bed. And he's not alone. And it's him and Sans but his mirror is here too and he should be good for him, should try harder for him-]

I don't want to be alone.

[The words are slipping out and so are the tears and he wants to reach out and grab Sans and pull him into a hug but he's scared. Scared that if he does he'll hurt him somehow; no, that's not right. He's scared that if he pulls him in Mettaton will suddenly lose control of his body and Bill will be back again and he'll hurt him. He'll hurt Sans.

It feels like his metal plating is shifting and warping and he reaches out and takes Sans's hand. That's safe. It has to be. They've, they've held hands before so it should be safe please let it be safe

He's still standing up and he doesn't know how he's doing it. He can't look Sans in the eyes.]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't be doing this.

[Please don't let go.]

[He's expecting Mettaton to close down further, to tell him to get out again. And he'd be entitled. Sans is intruding here, like he always intrudes. He's said his piece, and there's nothing further he can really do, anyway. He's confirmed that Mettaton is alive and well, or at least well enough. It would make perfect sense for Mettaton to just kick him out now.]

[He sees Mettaton's body trembling and looks up, catching a glimpse of his expression. He looks...lost. Scared. Confused.]

[Sans takes a very cautious step forward, eyesockets widening just a little.]

you're not. you're really not alone. pretty...mushy-sounding, i guess, but we're all...

[He trails off as Mettaton reaches out and takes his hand, gently pulling it away from the grip on Sans's elbow. He blinks, surprised, but he doesn't pull back.]

[A moment later, he reaches up and covers the hand with his other one. Let Mettaton feel something solid.]

hey. hey, it's okay. i don't mind. no need to apologize.

[His grin widens just a tiny bit, into something more genuine.]

you're gonna be okay. don't, uh. don't worry about "should." i mean...i'm the one who's intruding.

[Mettaton's trembling slows to almost nothing when Sans's hand settles on top of his. He can feel this. It's real. He grabbed Sans's hand, he told his hand to reach out and take his and it did and there's nothing wrong, the magic feels right and Mettaton's eyes close in relief.

It's a brief respite but it's a welcome one.]

Even if you don't mind, this is still an improper presentation of myself.

[This doesn't put the brand in a good light at all; something his mirror will absolutely have words with him about later.]

You'll never be intruding as much as... he did.

[He shudders a little. Magic and energy share so many of the same characteristics, and to feel something so foreign and yet familiar flood his body and overtake his senses will not be easily forgotten.]

[Sans gives Mettaton's hand a bit of a squeeze, just to drive the point home. Yes, he's real. This is real. He's only rarely been someone's anchor before, and he really has no idea how to do it right, but...this seems to be helping. Maybe.]

[Maybe he's actually helping for once.]

nah. even pop stars have off days. but i won't tell anyone, don't worry. besides, this is...

[It's nice. It's nice just...being here, holding Mettaton's hand, feeling like he's actually possibly helping instead of ruining things like he always does.]

[His grin fades a little though.]

you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.

[Mettaton feels like he could start crying again when he feels the squeeze. Gracious, is he really this fragile?

He steps back a bit, not breaking contact but gently pulling them both deeper into the room. Despite the owner of the room looking disheveled, at least the room is more or less immaculate, with its rabbit enclosure and corner of the room that is clearly devoted to Mini, filled with toys and drawings and said small robot charging on their station.

It's a weak and watery smile he gives, but it's there.]

If you told someone, I'd have to sue you for slander.

[He looks at Sans. Does he want to say something? Anything?

It's strange. Before the answer would have been an immediate "no". And nothing would have changed that.

Then the flood happened. Then the lab happened. Valentine's day. The Citadel. And now here they are. Holding hands. The moment he heard from Mettaton, Sans was here. And it doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense anymore.

He opens his mouth. His eyes drift behind Sans and settle on one of the hiding places for his mirrors.

You're not allowed to speak to him.

...]

I want to. But I shouldn't. It's. Too much.

[Mettaton pulls Sans gently into the room a little, which is also something he's not expecting. But that's fine. That's good. This is a good sign, Mettaton letting Sans into his space and all.]

[And it gives Sans a chance to very subtly try and find any stray mirrors.]

heh. well, i hate to break it to you, but i never pay my bills.

[Not on time, at least.]

[He looks up at Mettaton's face again, trying to watch the changing expressions and figure out what they mean. Distance. Exhaustion. Fear. Mettaton glances past him and Sans resists the urge to turn and see where he's looking.]

hey, it's okay. it's up to you. i can take it, though. i'm a pretty okay listener. it's...not a matter of should or shouldn't, okay? you can do whatever you want.

[He goes quiet for a bit, eyelights drifting slightly to the side just for a moment as he thinks about something.]

would you...be more, uh, comfortable talking to me somewhere else, maybe? there's, uh, tea rooms...or my room i guess. not very glamorous, though.

Tsk tsk Sans, that's a terrible way to be.

[The banter is good. It's distracting. Mettaton can feel his shoulders relaxing. He still hasn't let go of Sans's hand. He doesn't think he has any intention to, really. If he doesn't say what he is doing out loud, his mirror won't know. And Mettaton won't tell him.

Because he's selfish. Because he's cruel. It's wrong to lie to his mirror but he'll apologize later. He'll deserve the tongue lashing.]

Whatever I want? Ha...

[He tries to think of something to say. Some quick-witted line, a joke, a flirt maybe, anything that is quintessentially Mettaton but he comes up blank. He's just so tired.

His attention, however, snaps to Sans instantly at his suggestion.]

No. I'm fine here.

[He will not leave his mirror. No. He knows he could follow but the last thing Mettaton needs is to be separated from him.]

i'm pretty terrible all around, so it suits me.

[He winks at Mettaton. This seems to be helping, seems to be relaxing him. It's normal. It's familiar. Just Sans being Sans, like nothing bad actually happened.]

yeah. you know, whatever.

[Even if it's just standing here for awhile holding hands like this. Sans just hopes that if that's the case, they get to sit down eventually.]

[Mettaton's answer is quick, and Sans is quiet for a moment. Then he reaches over to take Mettaton's free hand, giving them both another squeeze. He looks up at him and meets Mettaton's eyes, gaze firm and searching.]

are you sure?

[He's gotta be here. He's gotta be here, somewhere, listening. And Mettaton knows about it, unless he ignored Sans's warnings entirely. If Sans can get Mettaton out of here safely, he will--but he's not going to push.]

You're not terrible, Sans. You're rather sweet.

[Sweet to come here. Sweet to keep trying. Sweet to hold his hand and baby him like this.]

What if whatever was to ask you to run one hundred laps around my bedroom for my entertainment? Or asking you to stand on your head? That's a dangerous thing to suggest, Sans; there are so many possibilities.

[His heart isn't 100% in his teasing, but he's trying.

Sans takes his other hand and Mettaton feels a flutter of something in his soul as he takes a small step forward, surprised as he squeezes his fingers again. Mettaton grips him back, firm and sure.

Real. This is real. A lifeline. Bone against metal. It's painfully familiar.]

Yes, Sans. I don't want to leave my room. No place else feels as safe as here does.

[He smiles gently at that, unknowingly tipping his head sideways towards his bed. He hopes his mirror heard that. He makes him feel safe. Yes he is wasting his time with Sans but that doesn't make feeling like he could collapse right now and be fine any less important.

A portion of that feeling comes from Sans's presence. But the majority of it comes from knowing that one of the most important people in his life is only a few feet away from him, under the bed.]

i can be both. tooth rotting. i've been compared to a marshmallow before.

[He chuckles a little.]

aw, jeez. but you wouldn't do that to me. worst you'd do is try and make me dress up nice or something.

[Like back during that explosion of hoodies.]

[He keeps staring up at Mettaton for a few moments after he answers. It's a perfectly neutral and reasonable answer, giving nothing away. Nothing that Sans could glean about Mirrors or mirrors. Mettaton tilts his head toward his bed, and that makes sense too. The guy is probably incredibly tired.]

[So Sans nods, and doesn't let even a hint of the disappointment show on his face.]

alright. yeah, it's nice in here. real cozy. somethin' safe about your own personal space, yanno? heh, and mini's corner's just plain adorable.

[That makes Mettaton laugh, a good and healthy sound. Goodness, he shouldn't be so loud, so obvious about how he enjoys Sans's presence but... everything is so jumbled. He needs someone physically here because if he can't feel someone with him he thinks he might float right out of his body even though that's stupid this is his body and. And.

Oh. He just laughed and didn't say anything. That's not a normal thing, is it? Keep up Mettaton. Say something.]

A marshmallow in a suit. That's a cute image.

[Mettaton doesn't notice anything wrong or off with Sans. He has no idea that Sans suspects anything.]

Yes. Even if being in here wasn't enough to stop...

[His words and eyes trail off. His hands grip to Sans's just a little harder.

Mini. He mentioned Mini. Focus on that.]

It was a bit of an adjustment for me, turning a portion of my space into a space for them, but it really was the best call. I don't think it's safe for them to have their own room yet.

[Being a parent is a lot about sacrifice and making a space for the children in your life and Mettaton is doing his best.]

[Mettaton laughs, and it sounds genuine. He doesn't answer right away, but that's alright. He's clearly not all the way here. Who would be? Sometimes you just need to...go away, sort of.]

sounds like some kind of food mascot. selling other marshmallows. always thought that sorta thing was kinda morbid.

[Mettaton trails off and fades a bit, but he grips harder, anchoring himself. Good. This is good. He's talking about Mini, because that's a safe subject, and Mini is right here, and real.]

yeah. they're still pretty young. though wonderland might let you set up a door between you and them at some point. wonderland seems to be okay with connecting two adjoined rooms, so. one of the perks of this place, right?

[Your space is yours, and you can change it however you want on a whim.]

Really now? Because the food was sending its fellows to their mouthy graves?

[Putting it like that definitely sounds morbid.

He needs to let go of Sans's hands. He needs to because he needs to kick Sans out. But goodness, the idea of being alone hurts so much. The guilt and shame over his mirror not being enough threatens to eat him alive. Especially since he's cut off his ability to see him.

He'll worry. Mettaton doesn't want him to worry. So he compromises. He begins to pull Sans deeper into his room and when he's close to his bed he sits on the edge and slowly unwinds one hand from Sans's, using it to gesture to one of the chairs in his room.]

Feel free to sit, if you wish.

[He smiles. A room just for Mini, but still attached to his? That would be nice once they're older.]

That is certainly a great perk. So is the fact that the walls repair themselves even if you blast them open.

[Which had been a welcome relief after Mettaton had realized what he had done during the flooding event to get to Alphys.

He sits on the edge of his mattress, letting the back of his heels gently touch the mirror underneath. Right there. He's right there. And now he'll be able to hear them a bit better than before. He keeps his eyes on Sans, trying to keep himself steady.]

...I'm sorry for worrying you. I wanted to post to the network to let you all know I was alive, at least.

it's like that peanut guy who is trying to sell you other peanuts for you to eat. there's probably some kind of social commentary in there.

[Hell if he knows what it is, though, nor is he gonna think too hard about it.]

[Mettaton seems to make a decision. Sans follows him further into the room and hesitates for a moment when Mettaton gestures at the chair. He's not too sure that he should let go of Mettaton just yet, but the chair is too far away to grab it and bring it closer. Not without letting go.]

[He waits a moment longer, then...very carefully, very slowly lets go. He grabs the chair and pulls it closer, close enough that Mettaton can take his hand again if he wants to. Then he sits.]

yeah, uh. it's nice. makes remodeling pretty easy.

[Not that Sans would know anything about remodeling or it's general level of difficulty.]

[He shakes his head.]

nah, it's...it's okay. just figured i should check on you. i mean, this whole thing right on the heels of...

[He goes quiet again for a minute. God, if he pushes even a little it might be too much. Frisk said to be careful.]

i'm sorry if i...that uh, that whole conversation the other day. about...

[He's gotta be listening. Sans knows he is. Was he listening during that conversation as well? It was over the phone, so it's possible the Mirror didn't hear Sans's side of things.]

[He's never really had to try and talk around a subject before. Usually he just outright avoids things, or layers it all in puns and jokes.]

just...concerned, is all. 'bout you and all of it. yanno?

[Mettaton hms a little in response, a small quirk of a smile to his lips. Some kind of social commentary. What would it be? Survival of the fittest? ...Maybe it's better not to think about it.

It's a slow ordeal, the sliding of bone away from metal and Mettaton... didn't think that through, did he? He'd, ha, he'd have to let go to get the chair wouldn't he?

It's fine. He doesn't need to hold onto him. His fingers flex for a moment, an instinctual quirk to reach again when Sans fully pulls away. Sans sits himself close, close enough that Mettaton could easily reach over and take his hand again, grasp it quickly before he feels himself start to disconnect from his body.

It's close. He's close. He could reach... but there are hundreds of millions of miles between them and he's moving out of orbit. He forces his hands to stay still in his lap.]

Ah, yes. That conversation we had.

[Mirrors mirrors mirrors; everyone here is afraid of them. And rightfully so, in most cases! But his mirror... no. He has his quirks, his faults, but he, at least, is always trying his best for him.]

As it turns out, the danger wasn't my mirror "stalking" me, but my friendship with Bill Cipher leading him to possess me immediately upon being brought back to Wonderland.

[There's bitterness in his tone. It's his fault it happened. It's his fault he talked to him in the first place and his fault they kept talking. And here he is, having paid the price.]

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