Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Fuzzy. That's how regression is often described. 

But, honestly? That's never really fit Lust's perception of it. More like, lighter. Being regressed made him feel lighter, like all those worries were just a little less important right now...

So he stopped doing it, he didn't have time for something like that, okay? Between going to therapy, holding a job, having actual friends to hang out with, helping the human advocate for Monster rights in his own AU, he didn't have time to not worry about things.

Plus, he's been helping Alphys research a cure for the vaccine...

But, from what he's read on the internet, pushing away your regression only makes it hit harder... So why, in all of the universes, did he just... think he'd be immune to that!?

Short answer, he wasn't.

He was at Blue's house, a rather close friend of his. The two were on the couch, with Lust resting his head on Blue's lap, they were watching Napstablook, the Mettaton of this AU. And, one of his dear friend's favourite show, so, it was rather nice.

But... being able to be physically affectionate to someone, without the expectation of it being romantic? It felt nicer. 

And just watching a game show, one Naps' was hosting with humans, about cooking, and it was just so normal. In Blue's AU, he'd been on the surface for awhile now, humans were fully adjusted to monsters, it must've been nice.

And all this relaxing, and hearing the gently 'Mwehehe!' That came from the other here and there? That light feeling started coming back, he felt so protected with Blue being right there.

Anything could ruin this, though. That was in the back of his mind, that at any moment, everything would be ruined, disrupted...

And, then..

"Hm?" Lust looked up, Blue probably hadn't even realized he did it—But as an exciting part, to him atleast, came on? The one with a bandana wrapped both his arms around Lust, kinda like holding a baby. He was gently hugging him, telling him about what the challenge was—How the suspenseful atmosphere was just eating at him!

But the words felt distant, as the warm embrace just... Oh, Lust just sank into it, softly rubbing his head on Blue, he didn't say anything, just listened half heartily as everything went peaceful. 

Finally Blue looked down, giving a confused smile as Lust was gently nudging him. The skeleton looked proudly at him, "Ah, I see you're comfortable? Magnificent!" He exclaimed. 

Lust startled, looking flustered as, what was he, a cat? Surely. That was unacceptable...

But Blue didn't pull away, so awkwardly, the one in purple laid back down, and finally replied with an, "Uh huh... comfy..." 

His tone was softer, it just made Blue's smile turn from confused to happy, as he leaned back, allowing more space for the younger...

Violet. That was another name people tended to call Lust... he liked it better, right now anyways. 

Luckily, Blue always calls him that... like the pretty flower. Violet smelled like flowers, often. He liked using a different perfume everyday, and today's just happened to be violet and lavender. 

Blue stroked Violet's head, enjoying the show, everything had slowed down, but in a good way. Until a commercial had come on. He yipped, and suddenly stood up, causing V to be put in a surprise face down position. He blinked, looking at Blue as he announced something. 

"I'll be back in a moment, friend! I gotta check on the oven!" He said before walking away, from his back, Vio frowned and made a small reach towards him, tiny grabby hands. But, alas, he didn't see. 

This just, propelled him deeper into his regressed state, as now? He was upset! He was perfectly comfortable, and there was no reason for Blue to have been so eagar to jump up like that! 

So he crossed his arms, sat criss cross apple sauce, and awaited those dreaded two minutes for the others return. 

And when he finally waltzed back in, and sat down as the show turned on again? Violet turned his head to the wall, giving him the cold shoulder. 

—Which, he didn't notice at first. Only when he adjusted himself, he realized there was no skeleton resting on his lap anymore. 

"Uh, mweh? Violet... what are you looking at?" The skeleton finally turned to him, having a puzzled expression. 

"Nothin.'" He sourly said in response, still arms crossed. 

"Oh, uhm... may I ask why?" He said with a light tone, a genuine interest in the sudden change of behaviour. 

"Hmph!" Was all V had to offer. Blue fiddled with his gloves, one hand then reaching to turn the TV volume down as he spoke again.

"Erm, are you upset?' 

"Yes!" 

"Oh! What happened?" Blue immediately scoots closer, ready to listen, and comfort. And it's so hard to be mad at someone like that, plus he's not even sure why he's mad! So, that just makes him more mad!

"No!" Violet rejected his offer, backing into the couch arm, Blue flinched at the response, having a frown worn.

"Hey now, that was loud..." He said firmly, before sighing. "D-Did I upset you? I didn't mean to, if I did?" 

Violet finally looked at him, kinda wishing he had something soft to throw. "..yuh huh!.."

"No, I really didn't mean to! I'm not even sure what the magnificent Sans has done to hurt your feelings... But, intentional or not, you're still hurt, right? I promise, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry, friend." 

The skeleton in purple sniffled suddenly at the apologize, "'M not sure why I'm mad either..." He admitted. "Y-You left." He said, as he brought his knees to his chest.

Blue stared for just a second, before realizing it. "Oh!" He yelped. "I'm sorry, really! I didn't know how good of a pillow I make, I would've set you down gently!" He said. 

He came a bit closer, again, but slower. "Can I ask why that upset you?" 

Violet shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "...Sorry." 

Blue tsked. "Ah up up up, while you're forgiven for whatever you think you did wrong—I'm trying to do the apologizing right now." The noise he made, it was kinda funny to Vio, getting a small giggle from him.

Blue gave a grin, "I might have startled you, huh?... next time, I, the magnificent Sans, will put more effort into be magnificent at being gentle!" He exclaimed with a hand pointing up, chest puffed out proudly. 

Violet snickered, smiling. Before suddenly flopping down onto Blue, who held his pose, but looked down.

"Hello there!" He said jokingly, Vio giggled more, shifting to be more comfortable.

"'M comfy..." He said, in a distant tone. Blue offered a comforting hum in response.

The skeleton in Blue reached for the remote, turning up the TV—Sadly, he'd missed the ending.

"Ah, awe... I'm sure I'll see a re-run! What else could you show you?" He looked down at Violet expectingly, and it took him a bit to conjure up an acceptable idea.

"Oh! Hello Kitty!" 

"Hm?" Blue didn't remember that one, "Is that the shows name?"

"Yes!" Violet squealed in response, taking the remote, he went to home and to the search bar. Squinting at the letters, it was fortunately an easy spelling.

"Oh, sure! That looks fun!" Blue replied once Vio hit enter, so he took the remote again, and put it on. 

"Hehe, thank you." The skeleton in purple remembered to sat, and Blue nodded. 

As the theme song came on, Violet hummed along, head gently rocking to it. 

Around five minutes in, it clicked for Blue.

Violet regressed. 

That, was, ADORABLE. 

Gazing at the little, Blue found himself warmly smiling, wanting to protect his young friend... He wrapped his arms around him again, gently cuddling him.

"Perhaps, after this episode, would you like me to read you a story?" Blue offered, and Violet made a happy squeak.

"Really?.." The lightened load of everything was just amazing, every second he spent with Blue right now, was lightening his mental load. 

"Really!" Blue, being completely unsure of how old Violet was, or what he liked to do while regressed, was pleasantly surprised by the reaction. 

"Uhm... okay, yay!" Violet hummed, his eyes closed as he smiled back. Before laying back down, giving the tiniest little yawn. 

Yup, poor thing would be ready for a nap soon after this, so story time would be an essential...

Pink and Paps got back from Muffets, to find nobody home...?

"Bro, we're back. Pink's ready to take off—hm?" As they walked in, the house was... a bit of a disaster. 

There was a messy dish on the table, along with paper and crayons? One of Blue's stuffed animals was down here, had he regressed while they were gone?

"Oh, what's all this?" Pink curiously asked, and the one in orange shrugged. "Bro," He called put again, heading towards the stairs. 

His hand glided up the rail, as he noticed Blue's door was agap, just a hair. "Sans?" He said a bit quieter, going towards it, he peaked in.

Oh.

Oh wow that, was wholesome. 

Blue gently cradled Violet on his bed, reading him a book—The bunny one. And V was wrapped in a blanket, basically swaddled. 

"What is it!?" Pink whispered, Paps chuckled, and closed the door. 

"My brother asleep, don't bother him... yours is just playing on his phone, keepin' an eye out." He said with a chuckle. 

Pink sighed in relief, smiling. "Good, honestly your brother looked like he needed it, I'm glad my brother is relaxing." 

Paps gives a thumbs up, "welp, I'm heading down stairs, why don't you stay for a bit?" 

Pink nods, and together, the two head down. 

A white lie never hurt anyone, after all. 

Chapter Text

"No!" Violet pouted, turning his nose—or the bone shaped as such away from what Blue held, a simple plate of chicken nuggets. 

The caregiver sighed, "Violet, you need to eat something, it's good for your body!" He tried to reason, for whatever reason, Vivi (A nickname he'd taken to using) had a record for being... difficult to feed when regressed, he learned this the hard way.

"Nu uh, I don't want 'em!" He scooted backwards, his higher pitched voice made taking him seriously... a task. 

"Then what do you want? I'll make you something different?" The one in blue offered with tiredness in his voice, pulling the plate back. 

"No!" He said again, and Blue crouched down to his level. "Veivi, I cannot help you if I don't know what's wrong, I need you to tell me what you want. Please?" 

Violet blew a raspberry at him, and it was pretty much official at this point that the little wouldn't be cooperating with him any time soon. Huffing, Blue placed his free hand on his hip. "Fine, I'll simply put it in the fridge, but I think you need a nap." He said, turning and walking into the kitchen, he heard a tiny huff behind him.

He loved caring for Violet when he felt younger, Blue knows more than anyone that regression can be scary alone. But, he has yet to figure out what triggers his sour moods, when the little is normally very sweet? 

He put the plate down, reaching out for some ceramic wrap to put onto it, when he heard the tiniest sniffles. He hummed with concern, turning around to look out the doorway.

"Violet?" He asked, putting the plate down. He peaked out, seeing a silently crying Violet who'd pushed himself into the corner. It broke the caregivers heart, and immediately he went to comfort his little.

"Vivi! What's wrong?" He asked, sitting down on the floor with him. The younger shrugged, not looking him in the eyes.

"Vi...?" 

"I d-didn' mean to make you mad... I don't wanna nap..." Oh. 

"Huh? Oh, Vivi, sweetheart I'm not mad at you..." He said softly, coming closer and holding his arms out, if Violet wanted a hug. 

When the younger leaned forward, Blue scooped him up with ease. "I said that because you looked like you were having a hard time telling me what you needed, and I thought you laying down for a bit might help, huh?" The caregiver paused. "The magnificent Sans will never be upset at you for needing something." He explained, rocking the little back and fourth. 

Violet grabbed onto his Blue bandana, shrugging. "I can't tells you..." 

Blue looked confused, "Tell me what?" 

The younger shrugged again, "You'd make it weird..." 

"I'll be here to listen to whatever you want, okay? I promise, the magnificent Sans will not make things awkward!" But Vivi still shook his head, "Weird in the bad way..."

"Bad way?..." Blue, nearly instantly knew exactly what he was talking about. He frowned, holding Violet closer, "No, I won't. I wouldn't ever take what you say like that, especially if you're little." He says. 

"...You promise?" Violet looked up at Blue, who nodded. "I promise, I'll never ever do something like that." 

Violet looked away, chewing on his shirt for a moment. Before Blue gently pulled it out, and the little spope again. 

"...can I, uhm... I don't do good chewin'... can I just... bottle?" He shrunk in on himself the more he spoke, looking near fearful at Blue, the caregiver could feel the little shaking—And all he could think about was, who made him feel so... scared? O-Or ashamed of a basic necessity!?

But when his silence was noticed by Vio, he quickly filled it. "Is that why you didn't want the chicken?" He asked softly with a grin, glad to have context. 

Vio pushed his face into Blue's bandana, nodding. 

"Awe, of course you can have a bottle! I'll go make you one, mwehe!" He said before he stood with ease, like Violet wasn't just casually being cradled by him. 

The little hummed in surprise, as Blue adjusted him to rest on the caregivers hip, Vivi wrapped his legs around the skeleton in blue, hands gripping his shirt. 

The caregiver went into a cabinet, using magic to bring down a mix of formula, while he himself went into the fridge to gather milk. The bigger part of Violet wonder why he knew how to do this, why he had formula—But the tiniest side of him just wanted to rest his head on Blue's shoulder. 

As Blue brought out a well, Blue bottle from the dishwasher, clean and ready, he put it into the counter. Putting two scoops of the formula in it, before adding half milk, then moving to the sink to fill the rest with water. He screwed on the cap, shaking it skillfully as he started twirling it like a baton, tossing it in the air and spinning it, all for about a minute.

Once it was throughly mixed, he popped it in the microwave for about fifteen seconds, all with a little clinging to him. 

Right before the microwave beeped, Blue stopped it and too out the now warmed bottle, he gave it a good shake, before holding out his forearm amd putting a drop onto it.

"Mwehehe! The magnificent Sans has crafted yet another perfect bottle!" He quickly cheered,  though tone still soft. Before he walked over to the stairs. Violet gazed at him curiously as they went up to his room, and Blue let the two in. 

He climbed into his racecar bed, it was blue and modeled after a sports car. He put the bottle down for a moment, and then layed Vivi onto the blanket, before scooping him up again, wrapped up like a little cozy cat. 

"Are you comfortable?" Blue asked, and Vio nodded, as his caregiver draped him across his lap, before picking up the bottle one more.

Using one arm to prop up the little, Blue offered him the bottle, waiting for him to choose when he wanted it. 

Leaning forward, the little took it, and started drinking—It was, surprisingly, really good! Had a vanilla undertone, and didn't taste like watered down milk! 

Blue made a soft chuckle, as Vio ended up slipping a bit more. "I do know how to make the best bottles, huh?" 

Of course, the little didn't respond, too busy finishing his drink. He slipped younger, he didn't notice it was even empty, before his caregiver had to pull it away, getting a little whine from the younger.

"Ah, hold on just a moment... Mweh!" He pulled out the draw next to him, there was an unopened pacifier in it. He took it our, summoning a tiny bone to cut it open, before grabbing a wet wipe to clean it, and handing it to the little. 

Vio at first looked unsure, but after giving it a test suckle, he decided it was adequate, and leaned back again. 

Blue smiled, hugging the little carefully. "And, I want you to know, that I'll never make you do anything you don't want to when you're little, or big. That's a promise, from the magnificent Sans!" He said, rubbing Vi's back gently. 

The younger gave a shy smile, "okay.." He spoke, nuzzling to the older. 

Yeah, he'd admit. Blue was safe.

He was his safe person.