After a firm knock on the door to the throne room, the doors open. The Child, sitting on the arm of his throne, breaking off a conversation with Flora. 

The royal guards he’d seen the last time remained in place, but with a different aura about them. They look much more helpless. Dogeressa was gone. But... so was the Queen. 

“Hm?”  Sounding more condescending, The New King eyes the skeleton. “You came alone?”  He looks back to the flower with a giggle.  “I guess we both lose, Chara~” 

Papyrus tries to stay focused as he steps forward.  “I... I’m here to accept your offer.” 

Both the child and flower begin to laugh loudly, making everyone else in the room uncomfortable. Asriel wipes a tear from his eye before looking back to Papyrus.  “And here I thought you came to try to fight us on your own. Chara thought you’d bring Undyne and try to take us on again.” 

Glancing to the flower for a moment, Papyrus questions it’s second name silently. He redirects his attention back to his king, kneeling before him.  “I... want to ask for Undyne, and everyone’s safety.” 

Asriel slides off the arm of the throne, stepping onto the bed of flowers and walking ominously close to Papyrus. 

Papyrus watches until the child was only a couple feet away and he stares down at the ground beneath him, feeling his soul beat nervously when the human has stopped only a foot in front of him.  

“You do as I say, and your pals get left alone?”  The mocking tone quickly shifts to mischievous giggling.  “Well, then. Let’s go see if your uniform is ready!” Asriel extends a hand, offering help for the skeleton to get on his feet. 

Hesitantly, Papyrus accepts the help and stands, quickly being tugged out the entrance he’d come in. If he wasn’t feeling pressured by the flower alone, he could easily rip his hand from the child’s grip, but as it was, he felt he should just... play along.  “Right...”  

It isn’t long before they get to the little grey house. Every possible entrance and exit was barred up with an impossible amount of vines, which only retracted as they approach the door. Asriel walks in with a large, twisted smile.   “Mom, I’m home!” 

The Queen.... She found herself the best she could in her situation. A large worn, but comfy looking chair in the living room, and she was stitching away at some purple fabric as she was slightly curled into herself, unable to calm her nerves. She doesn’t let her eyes linger on the child long and instead looks to Papyrus.  

Asriel pushes Papyrus forward, almost causing him to tumble over.  “Give him his new uniform.”  

The woman was worried Papyrus would hit the ground but averts her eyes entirely back to her project when addressed.  “I’m not finished with it.”   There was something stern about her tone, but there was a hidden fear.  

Asriel’s smile dissipates and he folds his arms.  “Fine. I want my battle though. Stay here until it is finished and once you’re done, you will meet me outside. You’re going to show me your special attack.” The boy smirks once more before exiting the home, leaving the two to question their situation. 

Papyrus felt a shake, anxiety sitting in his throat. His special attack? It was not practiced enough.. when had he ever mentioned...? Unless he just hadn’t had the chance this time around. 

Setting down her things, Toriel leaves her chair and walks to Papyrus.  “You are... Papyrus, are you not?”  

Faintly startled by her approach from behind, Papyrus turns to face her, rather than the door.  “Eh-? oh. Yes.”   He extends a hand out to meet with hers, showing a kind smile on his face.  “It is wonderful to meet you, Your Majesty.” 

“Toriel. If you will.”  She smiles sympathetically in return, greeting him with a gentle handshake.  “I’ve heard a lot about you from your brother.”  

Papyrus felt the world slow around him for a short minute. He’d never met this monster in his life, let alone heard of her, but....  “You... know Sans?” 

Her smile grew more as she reminisced.  “Yes I do. I never got to see his face, but he makes me smile. He speaks very fondly of you.”  

Grief stuck through Papyrus’ core, he strained to hide it as heat rose painfully through to his face.  “He... He would do that. He always... made me smile too...” He grins widely as fluid formed at the base of his eye sockets. He’d assumed he could bury that feeling, but it overwhelmed him. He turns his back to the Queen to clear his face and calm his breathing. 

“Oh, dear... Papyrus? Are you alright?”  Toriel came to his side, gently grabbing his arm as support and rubbing his back gently.  

Papyrus stood up straight, cautiously waving off her help.  “M-my, how embarrassing for me to act this way. It’s been... a very strenuous day. I haven’t had much of a chance to sit down...”  He found it difficult to make eye contact, knowing he didn’t have much strength for masking his emotions right now.  

“Oh, please do have a seat. Would you like something to eat?”  Toriel pulls one of the larger chairs, from the dining table, in front of her sofa chair.  

“I very much appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I can eat quite yet. Thank you.”  Papyrus manages to smile lightly to her before taking the offered seat. At least Sans had a good sense of character when he chose his friends.  

Toriel nods in return, but inspects Papyrus a little more thoroughly.  “Is it perhaps the injury you have on your head? Would you like me to heal it for you?”  

“No-! I.. Sorry. No... Thank you though....” 

She hesitates, but solemnly nods, letting it go at that. She didn’t know what Papyrus had been through, but from what she had seen, it was much more than anyone could handle. Perhaps he’d come around later.  “My offer will remain if you change your mind. Now, let me patch that suit up for you.”  Toriel gathers some new supplies for stitching and kneels by Papyrus.  

“This.. this one? Aren’t I suppose to change?”  

Toriel smiles reassuringly.  “Sans mentioned you wore a battle body he helped you make. It’s important to you, right?”  

“Yes...”  Papyrus was in disbelief. 

She winks subtly, showing her consideration for him as she began to stitch one of the tears on his sleeve.  “The uniform is a simple one you can wear over it. Does that sound good?”  It hurt her to know there wasn’t much choice in the matter, but she was able to choose the design at the very least.  

For the first time today, Papyrus felt a familiar twinge of happiness in his soul. Ironically, he almost burst into tears in front of her yet again and had to bury his face into his hand to avoid looking like a complete mess.  “Thank you....”