#ask-errorhabit

Soon, the morning came when Habit had recovered from his wounds to finally start walking around without discomfort. To celebrate, Error had decided to take Habit to a place he hadn't been to in a long while. It was a quiet, dark morning as always in the Underground as they stepped out into the snow, hand in hand. They were soon stopped as a young Papyrus dressed up in his snow clothes came out to join them. “Wait for me, I wanna come out to play too!”

Science laughed, smiling as the little Papyrus hooked himself over their held hands, letting them carry him as they kept walking.

“You don't like Grillby's, Papyrus,” Science said with a chuckle, knowing that he only wanted to come along because of how cool he thought Habit was. “Even so! I, the Great Papyrus, need to accompany our new friend so he can make new friends!”

As Science laughed at his little brother, Habit watched with a light smile. Though, inside, he was anything but calm. They won't want you near the precious skeleton brothers. Just kill them. They can't bother you then. N-No. Oh? Why not? They're just scared.

The voices faded at the brothers' joys as they kept talking.

“All right, and to compromise, how about we get you a milkshake there too?” Science said and Papyrus  let out a giddy giggle. “Nyeheheh, okay!”

“How about a deluxe?” Habit suggested to the kid as they entered Grillby's.

At the end of a long day, Science smiled as he sat back on the edge of the bridge outside of Snowdin, overlooking the Underground. His hand rested on Papyrus protectively as Papyrus napped inside Science' coat, his head poking out and resting on his big brother's chest. Habit glanced at the two and smiled softly, turning his gaze to overlook the Underground. The place...looked quite nice under the glowing light.

“Been a while since I'd ever gone down there,” Science said, snapping Habit out of his thoughts. “Place is great for sledding. We should go sometime.”

The two laughed contently at the idea.

“Sledding eh? That sounds like it would be fun.” Habit spoke up, faint memories of him and his own brother sledding coming to his mind. He sighed fondly. “Yeah...Yeah it does.”

“...You know, Habit...” Science muttered softly before turning his head to look at Habit. “Back then, I used to think the multiverse was some kind of weird, recurring dream I had every night. I almost didn't think you were real. Then you came here. So...I gotta ask. Just what IS the multiverse? Is it really real?”

Habit looked back to Science, seeing Science's head tilted slightly in curiosity. Habit pondered the question and the best way to answer it. “Define real...If you mean...a vast expansion of codes, doors and pathways to different AUs, then...Yes, it's real...”

Science's bone brows perked up at the answer. “Codes?”

Habit let a coding board manifest, a transparent black screen covered in green and white binary numbers that slowly scrolled along. “Codes...We are...all made of coding...”

Science scooted closer to Habit to look into the coding board, careful not to disturb Papyrus as he stared at the numbers. “This...No, you got to be pulling a fast one on me. If we're all made of coding, that means we're all...”

“Say it...I assure you now, there is no trick to this bit.”

“...We're all just...some kind of programming.”

“Hmn...In a sort, yes, but a living programming...”

“But that means we were created...Like a computer program...” Science shook his head. “That's not possible. I mean, who can create us, this?”

Science gestured out to the Underground. “Not just this. Multiple versions of this, different and similar in so many ways.”

Habit gave a small hum in thought. “That part...I never could figure out...”

“...Is that how you can destroy AUs? You...delete their code?” Science asked hesitantly, not wanting to upset Habit. He knew he'd been trying to change that part of him. Habit was quiet for a moment before answering, “As I've stated...they never truly disappear. But...yes. Delete the code, destroy the AU...”

“...What if they never disappear because there's a sorta...recycle bin that never gets dumped. Something that restores them?” Science theorized. Habit simply smiled. “As I've also stated...It's the determination of the residents of the AU that keep it alive. Even I can't delete determination. I can stall it, store it, throw it out and block it...But it comes back. Always comes back...”

Science grew quiet as he seemed to think on this, wondering if Habit was telling the truth. And if he was, the possibilities of his power...

Habit noticed the silence and assumed he'd scared Science. Should've figured. But Science finally spoke up with a thoughtful tone in his voice. “Theoretically, could you rearrange the code as well...?”

Habit was still worried he'd frighted Error but nodded. “You could...”

“How much do you think could be changed?” Science asked. He didn't seem scared. If anything, he was fascinated, as Habit began to notice. “With time and practice...One could change another's coding entirely...Although, it's not recommended, as you most likely will...end up...with an almagamation...The coding change is often too much if you change it completely.”

“...What if it was just enough to make monsters compatible to use DETERMINATION?”

“Hm...It could be possible. Never tried it, personally, but...could be possible.”

“...I want to experiment on this.” Science said. Habit was noticeably hesitant at this. “Sci...The consequences...could be deadly...Don't...Don't try something that...that reckless.”

Science seem to realize Habit wouldn't support this. But...he could be able to do something for the kingdom besides making weapons for humans that have never appeared in the Underground since Chara's death. He had to do something. But so he wouldn't worry Habit, he quickly corrected himself, “I won't, I just...I didn't mean to say experiment, so much as to examine the possibility.”

“Even still...It could be dangerous,” Habit warned. Science frowned softly before he looked back to the coding board. He couldn't make heads or tails of these numbers. “Can't you at least teach me binary?”

Habit smiled softly at how much Science wanted to learn from him since they met. To be expected, he was the same way at his age. “If you really want me to...”

Science smiled brightly and leaned closer, closing his eyes as he brought Habit into a loving kiss. Habit purred softly at the kiss, pulling Science closer. Science chuckled softly with the kiss, moving an arm around Habit's waist when suddenly, a young voice could be heard between them, muttering, “Ewww...”

They quickly broke the kiss as they realized Papyrus had woken up from his nap. Habit flushed a light red at the comment and smiled playfully at the little tyke. “Oh, ya think that's gross, do ya?”

Papyrus rubbed his eyes, yawning from his nap. “Mhm...”

Science chuckled softly at his younger brother, his own cheeks still warm.  Habit chuckled mischievously at the tease from Papyrus before he leaned closer to peck a small skele-kiss on the bridge above Papyrus' nosegap. “Silly Paps...”

Papyrus giggled at the affection, rubbing his face. “Nyeheheh!”

Science laughed and nuzzled Papyrus softly. “We should go back. It's nearing your bedtime.”

“Aww, but I'm not sleepy anymore!” Papyrus whined with a cute pout before he couldn't help but to giggle as Habit booped where he'd kissed Papyrus. “If we go home and get you to bed now, I'll help you with your magic in the morning.”

Papyrus widened his eyes, eagerly squirming in Science's coat. “Really?!”

“You sure he should be learning magic this young?” Science asked, unsure. Habit just winked confidently to Science. “What's the worst that could happen?”

“Ask my dad when I was learning my magic,” Science laughed at the memory. Though, at a young age, he was only such a problem because of the exceptional amount of magic he had. It was almost lucky Papyrus hadn't shown this capability himself yet. Habit seemed to know what he was talking about and chuckled, standing up, helping Science stand as well. Science smiled as they made their way back.

Though, while Science seemed calmed and content, his mind was racing. If they wee like a computer program...They could be edited, couldn't they? Reprogrammed? He considered the possibility...He could reprogram the barrier to drop, couldn't he? But with something so powerful, it'd probably be really complex.