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Sans is a third wheel to you and Papyrus. And he's, y'know, fine with that. Mostly.
He's not bitter, or at least he's forcing himself not to be. Man, look. He's not a jerk. He just gets a little low when he thinks about how cool it would be to be as close to you as his brother is.
He's always had this glass wall between him and other people, something that turns conversation into a chore and turns connection into a game of pretend. That glass wall shuts him off from a lot of things, actually, and he really doesn't want that wall to form between him and you. You're supposed to be different -- that's why he likes hanging out with you so much, or at least, it's in the top ten reasons.
He likes it when you lean on each other on the couch. He likes your snorts of laughter at his godawful taste in movies. He likes watching you smirk with a straw in your mouth and seeing you stomp snow from your shoes. He likes it when you wake him up and he likes it when you let him fall asleep on you.
He wants more of you. The parts you hesitate about, the things you don't say. He wants to hear what you haven't dared to say to him yet and he can't wait to feel your heartbeat, your kisses...
Eh, Sans is a hedonist. He always wants what he doesn't have.
Maybe it's better if he keeps his distance, since he doesn't wanna get between you and Paps. Tibia-honest, Papyrus is the happiest he's ever been -- having someone around who appreciates him as much as Sans does is good for all of them. Papyrus smiles so much more than he did before, and having someone to share all his passions with is keeping him at peak Papyrus. Where were you all these years? Papyrus is doing great, nearly all the time.
And it's mutual. There's no one who can put a smile on your face like Papyrus can. You get up early just to go to breakfast with the guy. You can't get enough of his bone-a fide puzzles, and you've never told him he's weird or loud.
Sans likes watching the two of you scamper around like squirrels on caffeine. He pelts you with jokes that make you both groan, and sweeps you off to Grillby's when you're hungry. But it's not like Sans has the energy that Papyrus has or even the same zest for life he somehow manages to maintain. If you had to pick...
Sometimes he takes you to Grillby's or for a walk or something, just you and him, no glass wall and no Papyrus. You like him, he thinks. You would maybe go on a real date with him if he asked... maybe. But how would he explain that to Papyrus, who Sans was certain was catching some kinda feelings about you? The last thing Sans wanted was to drive you and Papyrus apart.
It's a good thing that you and Papyrus get along like a house on fire, and Sans is being a numbskull about his feelings. If he tries to be anything but the punny third wheel he'll just get in the way.
So he hangs back. It's better this way.
Papyrus has always been a third wheel, especially when his brother is involved. Sans has more friends than Papyrus has acquaintances. Seriously, Sans gets more people sending him seasonal cards than Papyrus can even name. It's only natural that you and Sans got so close so fast. And once again, the awkward brother (Papyrus) is being the reverse-wallflower: loud, outgoing, attention-grabbing, but not the one with the popularity, not even a bit.
He invites you to do puzzles, to cook with him, to come jogging, and sometimes you come but sometimes you'd rather stay at home with Sans.
Usually he tries not to let the lack of attention get to him, but with you it hurts. He wants you to look at him more, not just look but watch. Not just laugh but share jokes. Not just know each other but...
Now hang tight a minute, he's being silly. You spend plenty of time with him, he doesn't have to worry about anything. You two are good chums. And yeah, if someone asked you point blank "Which one's your favourite, Sans or the other one?" Then you're gonna say Sans. And that would hurt. It would hurt like a punch to the basketballs.
But he should consider himself lucky that you notice him at all! He's happy to know you -- in fact, hanging out with you at all is radical. And he's grateful!
But... it would be nice to be someone's favourite person. It would be amazing to be yours -- he'd even settle for joint first place with Sans in a non-existant heartbeat. Eh... a skeleton can dream.
But he doesn't wanna push it. What if he becomes too much and drives you away? He doesn't want you to think of him as some clown, he wants you to think of him as... you know... a bonefriend...?
But if anyone's your bonefriend, it's Sans. He makes you laugh and takes you out to eat. He knows all the best (or rather worst) TV shows to watch with you and likes all the snacks you love. He's perfect chill date material! Meanwhile Papyrus can barely stay in one spot for an entire movie.
And what you do to Sans is unfathomable. Sans is just so... ALIVE around you! Papyrus can hardly believe how much better he's gotten at getting dressed and looking excited about things. How could Papyrus ever bear to take that away from him? That's just selfish and Papyrus is not a selfish brother.
So he hangs back. It's better this way.
You are such a third wheel down here.
It's super obvious.
Papyrus and Sans are the closest pair of brothers you've ever seen -- closest adult brothers, anyway -- and they go together like PB and J. You can watch them bounce off each other for hours, delighted by their mutual jokes and puns and japes. You couldn't imagine one without the other.
It's honestly heartwarming how much they care for each other, too. Sans works long hours to support them both while Papyrus follows his dreams. And Papyrus keeps the house from falling into slobbish disrepair, keeps everyone full of spaghetti, and keeps everyone on track to be the best they can be.
And what do you do? Orbit them while they hang out with each other? Play guest to their tumultuous-in-a-fun-way family dynamic? They like you, sure. Both of them do, and it's so obvious it's almost painful. But you're keeping yourself on the outside like a jigsaw piece that doesn't have a perfect spot to snap into, too sheepish and self-aware to force yourself any further into the picture.
Geez. You really don't know how to work this one out. Maybe if you keep it cool, and don't make an ass of yourself, then they'll eventually adopt you into their buddy relationship as a sort of mascot. Maybe.
It makes your heart beat a little faster to think of yourself as fitting into their happy little family. You want to take it further with these guys. Isn't it worth a try? Or are you gonna be a third wheel forever?
You don't want to ruin what you've got. What if bringing up dating or moving in is way too weird? What if they get jealous or grossed out because you can't pick just one? What if they make you choose?
You like what you have with them now too much to lose them, and you don't want to drive a wedge between them either.
So you hang back. It's better this way.