Sans gaze finally levels on Papyrus face, and the lights of his pupils seem to focus for a moment - enough to take in what's actually happening. Papyrus's words are the only thing that clue him into what's actually happening, what he's actually beginning to do... it catches him off guard, and he pulls his cracking hand away from his brother's arm, clutching it close to his chest.

He's never done this by accident before. The idea only panics him further, with memories of what had happened before. The idea of taking on that form and losing his mind are too closely wound, and he can't separate them. It terrifies him.

"Sorry," he manages, back to shivering. "I didn't... meant to. She..."

His shoulders shake with a sudden sob, and it arrives so suddenly. He hates what he's feeling as much as he'd hated those iron chains.

"She's dead," he reminds himself. "She's dead."