[No, it wasn't too unusual for Mikasa to avert her gaze. But hustling on off to the meditent at the prompting of her Bondmate felt intentional to Mettaton.

Or he's reading into it. He can do that.

The Puca follows her at this much slower pace and kneels down to her when she sits, for their height difference is steep enough to warrant that. He sets some of the supplies he'd gathered next to her leg upon the crate so she could see what he'd helpfully procured.

His ears lower somewhat. She has a way of talking that, despite being short-spoken, reaches his heart.]

I see. I'm sorry, that he's returned so suddenly like that... [Mettaton was sure that were Tendou not gone, he'd be happy at the festival, then. But everyone here was put at risk. Still, even Mikasa was fine; surely Tendou would be, too.] Well... Did he have big dreams to return home to? I remember you telling me he had some culinary pursuits.

[He thinks it's nicer to imagine that someone went home to something they loved, even if it's hard. But that was the sort of ambition he's sure Tendou could have also pursued here.

People don't return to the mirrors on their own accord, as he understands it. He remembers hearing Sans was here; he wouldn't have left Papyrus for this long, he's sure.]