How Does Sans X Papyrus Fanfiction Portray Their Brotherly Bond Turning Romantic In AUs?

Exploring Sans and Papyrus’s brotherly bond turning romantic in AUs is fascinating because it often hinges on emotional depth rather than just physical attraction. Many fics I’ve read frame their relationship as a slow burn, where years of shared trauma and reliance blur the lines between familial and romantic love. Writers dig into Sans’s protective nature, reimagining it as possessiveness or quiet devotion, while Papyrus’s innocence evolves into a deeper understanding of love. Some stories set in dystopian AUs force them to rely solely on each other, creating intimacy through survival. Others use magic or soul-bonding as metaphors for irreversible emotional connections. The best ones balance humor with melancholy—Sans cracking jokes to deflect his feelings, Papyrus yearning for something he can’t name. I’ve seen stunning AUs where Papyrus becomes a royal guard and Sans struggles with jealousy, or where they’re reincarnated as humans and gravitate back together. What sticks with me is how writers preserve their core personalities while threading in romance organically. Check out ‘Bone Appétit,’ a cooking-themed AU where culinary teamwork mirrors their emotional growth.

Another angle I adore is role reversal—Papyrus as the older sibling guiding Sans, which adds layers to their dynamic. Post-pacifist route fics often explore unresolved tension, like Sans noticing Papyrus’s lingering touches or their shared bed becoming a plot device. Crossovers with ‘Undertale Green’ or ‘Underfell’ remix their chemistry beautifully, contrasting Papyrus’s optimism with darker Sans variants. The romance rarely feels forced; instead, it’s built on small moments—Sans fixing Papyrus’s scarf, Papyrus memorizing Sans’s favorite shortcuts. Some fics even delve into societal taboos, with monsters questioning their bond, adding external conflict. What makes these stories compelling is how they honor the original characters while daring to reimagine their connection.

I’ve noticed Sans/Papyrus romance fics often use humor as a gateway to vulnerability. One standout AU had them running a comedy club where their nightly routines—Sans’s puns, Papyrus’s theatrics—masked deeper affection. The story gradually revealed Sans sneaking backstage to adjust Papyrus’s mic, or Papyrus saving front-row seats for Sans despite his ‘lazy’ reputation. Another fic reimagined them as space explorers, with Papyrus’s cheerful logs contrasting Sans’s private journal entries full of longing. The brotherly foundation makes the romance bittersweet; Sans knows every inch of Papyrus’s personality, which terrifies him when feelings shift. Writers cleverly exploit their contrasts—Sans’s sharp wit versus Papyrus’s earnestness—to create tension. I’m partial to AUs where Papyrus trains Sans in combat, their sparring sessions charged with unspoken desire. Some fics incorporate Gaster’s experiments as a catalyst, like fractured timelines forcing them to confront misplaced emotions. The best portrayals keep Papyrus’s purity intact, making his eventual realization feel earned rather than rushed. A noir-style AU painted them as detective partners, with Sans’s cynicism melting under Papyrus’s relentless faith in love. These stories thrive on subtlety, like shared spaghetti meals becoming romantic rituals.

Time-loop AUs handle Sans/Papyrus romance uniquely. One gripping fic trapped them in repeating days until Sans admitted his feelings, with Papyrus breaking the cycle by reciprocating. The repetitive structure mirrored Sans’s avoidance, while Papyrus’s persistence became endearing. Another had them as gladiators in a monster arena, where their survival depended on synchronized attacks—physical closeness blurring emotional boundaries. Writers often highlight Papyrus’s growth, like him initiating affection first, shocking Sans into vulnerability. I’ve seen fics where Sans’s shortcuts accidentally teleport them into intimate scenarios, forcing awkward confessions. Post-apocalyptic settings work well too; scarce resources mean sharing everything, from blankets to soul energy. A steampunk AU reimagined their bond through machinery, with Papyrus maintaining Sans’s clockwork heart. The romance feels inevitable in these worlds—two fractured pieces clicking together. What stands out is how Sans’s laziness transforms into devotion; he’ll nap anywhere except when Papyrus needs him. Some fics use ‘what if’ scenarios: What if Papyrus remembered resets? What if Sans never held back? The answers are heartbreakingly tender.

Coffee shop AUs surprisingly nail Sans/Papyrus romance. Sans as a barista who memorizes Papyrus’s complicated orders—extra foam, cinnamon shaped like bones—shows his hidden attentiveness. Papyrus, a regular, brings homemade pasta that Sans pretends to dislike but hoards under the counter. Their dynamic thrives in mundane settings; Sans ‘forgetting’ his apron so Papyrus ties it for him, lingering fingers brushing his ribs. Library AUs work similarly, with Sans reshelving books just to bump into Papyrus in the fantasy section. Fluff-heavy fics excel at small gestures: Papyrus knitting Sans a whoopee cushion-shaped pillow, Sans gifting him a whoopee cushion-shaped pillow. Even zombie AUs twist their bond romantically—Sans protecting Papyrus not out of duty, but desire. The charm lies in how ordinary moments become extraordinary when they’re together.