just let me win

Papyrus barely gave a look to the monsters roaming around the open area and turns directly to his brother, tears strained in his attempt to hide his overwhelming joy.   “Sans... h-how are you here? How did you-?”  

The shorter skeleton with a red jacket and a red outlined soul carelessly hovering outside his chest, flinches, pulling back when Papyrus’ hand reaches out for him.  “Wait-! I don’t want you getting the wrong idea. I’m... I’m not your brother. I just... couldn’t let you die. I’m sorry....”  

Reconsidering his thoughts and losing the smile, Papyrus brings his arms back to his sides, uncomfortably gripping to the sides of his tabard.   “But... then the... the scary one...”    He points to the door behind them hesitantly.  

“No! No... He isn’t either .” Soul wanted to speak more to the truth... but it was proving to be very difficult. This wasn’t the same brother he’d lost. But he was still very similar.  

Papyrus takes a step back with concern. The truth was already fairly clear. And taking a look at the faces around them. People speaking joyfully, or relaxing. Pairs of brothers scattered through the crowds with attacking familiarity. Taking a few more steps away only created the illusion of escaping this reality. Papyrus could hardly keep his negative emotions buried.   “I get it... This... this is that... multi...-dimensions theory.. Sans mentioned once. Alternate worlds with.. little or even drastic differences.”  

There wasn’t much Soul could say. He knew this would hit Papyrus hard. Seems you can’t always hide your pain behind a smile. “T-try to take it easy Paps...”  

Papyrus shields his face with one hand as if it’d stop his golden tears from escaping.  “Sans is still.....” 

Soul steps closer, noticing the growing distance.  “Your friends should be close. We can go look for them-“  

At the mention of friends, Papyrus snaps his attention to Soul.   “Dogeressa- A-Asgore... I-I promised to save them too! I can’t stay here. I- Have to go!”  Papyrus grabs the handle of the door and quickly yanks it open, freezing in his tracks as he suddenly realizes... it wasn’t taking him anywhere. He saw more monsters, and even humans... walking around a beautiful open city. He shuts the door again and reopens it before trying the opposite side. How could he possibly get this thing to work?!  

“Papyrus.... It’s too late....”  

It’d never been easy for Papyrus to cry. And especially so in public. Surely he wouldn’t look his best right now, but at this point it felt as if he’d lost his ability to suppress his tears.   He feels his body strain from the constant stress it’d been under and he keeps himself upright only by holding tight to the door’s rim.  “Please... fix this door. I have to go back. I need Sans.. I need MY Sans. I can’t stay here!”  

Soul felt his chest tighten as if his heart still remained inside. Had he done the right thing? He must have... but why did it feel so horrible? It was easier to keep his own feelings back, as apathy had been strangling him so long already. “That... door... can only take you to your world, as long as your world still exists...”  

Papyrus was astonished, gripping even tighter as his knees threatened to buckle.  “Are you i-implying.. that my entire world no longer...”  

Soul could only look sorrowfully at the copy of his own brother. There was nothing more he could do.   “I’m sorry...”  

Papyrus lets himself drop to his knees, heaving as he tries to clear his racing thoughts.  “But that... makes me a liar. I-I.. can’t be a liar, Sans! I was doing everything I could to turn things around- and It can’t just be gone! I was so close!”  

People and Monsters alike were starting to stop and stare at the scene. Soul strips himself of his coat and drapes the wider ends over Papyrus’ head, hiding more of his face than the simple hood would be able to. He kneels beneath him, tucking Papyrus’ face against his shoulder.   “Easy there, Cool Guy... You’re too much a star to be seen like this in public, right? You’re not a liar. You’re a hero.... And no one is gonna treat you different.”  The long arms draping around him in a silent hug felt like a go ahead for him to keep talking. “I’m proud of you. For keeping everyone safe... and for staying alive. I don’t know anyone else with more ‘spine’.”  

The hands grip a little tighter to the shirt on Soul’s back.   “... Is your name actually Sans?”  

Soul had gotten a little nervous his pun didn’t land well.  “Oh- well... yeah....”  

“Then... shut up... Sans.” 

It landed perfectly. The shorter skeleton relaxes a bit with the start of a smile. He gently hugs Papyrus back, letting him take all the time he’d need to collect himself before he has to face his friends. 

“ Ơh, yo̕ur ̨odd l͠it͘t͡l͟ȩ ͝v̀er̨s̶io͏n̛ o̷f̢ that t͢a͞l̢ki̷ng flǫwer?́ I͏’ve͜ ̴got̛ it right̶ h͟ère̛.͜ ”   The mysterious intruder tosses a wad of foliage between him and the human. 

Asriel stares in shock at the wilted flower and it’s browning petals. The base of its stalk had been torn, with multiple places on it bruised and crushed. Glaring back at the stranger, Asriel waves off the death as a minor inconvenience.   “Are you suppose to be Sans? Coming back from the dead for some petty revenge?”  

“ R̊̇evȩ̾ͪ͗n̸͊͒gͨ̎ͩ̇eͩͨ̽ͪͫ?̈́͛͗̈́̇͒ N̢ò no.̸ I̸’m si̷m͠pl͡y̶ tr̸y͠i̧ng to c̢le͟a͢n͜ u͠p̢ a̢ ̀f̀ew ͡m̵e͏ss̶es̕. Y͏o͟u’r̛e̶ ͘j͞ust anothe̕r ͡s̀pe̷ck͜ ̵of͝ d̀u͠s̀t͢ ̕o̷n ͞th͝e ́r͞aili͡ng.”  The figure’s grin was off putting, making his motives appear dark despite the mocking kindness.  

Papyrus steps forward hesitantly, concerned for who MUST be his brother.  “Sans... what happened to you? We don’t need to fight the human. Wouldn’t you like to just come home with m-?“ 

Error snaps his attention toward the taller skeleton as he was getting within feet of him. With a upward jolt in motion with one hand, the ground just in front of Papyrus is pierced by bones, crumbling parts of the floor as they break through. “ K͠e̕ęṕ ̀҉ỳ̢͠o̴u҉͜ŕ̶̛ ͘͢͞ḑ̡͠i͜͡͏stá͟n̡c̨e͏ un̶̨͢le͏s̷̕͜s ̧yó̧́u ̕w̴̵a̶͟n̷͞t̶͠ ҉͏ţ̧o ͏͘m͜e̷ ̶͝t́o͏ ̧̧͞bl͏à̵s̶t̢ ̡̀y̵ó̕u҉́ ̶t҉́͘hr̕ơ̶͡u҉g̷̴h ̵a͝ ̴̀ẁ͘͢a̷l̵͜l̡ , g̛̗̯̲̹͇̱̙͟l҉̜̰͈͓ị̷̳̣͕̤̺͜͜t͈͠͠c̩̯͙h̡͚̖͜͠ .”

Startled, Papyrus stumbles backward, landing on his tailbone and wincing from the force of it until he could look back up in terror. Something was very wrong.

The dark skeleton spread his opposite hand, releasing lines of blue wires from his fingertips that just as quickly latch onto the human’s soul. With a fierce yank, the soul separates from the human’s body.   The soul, shrouded in a veil of white, is caught expertly by the awaiting hand. 

Papyrus made a promise to return everything to how it should be and the key to his victory was being stolen! He jumps to his feet quickly, bolting toward the intruder.  “Sans! You can’t take that! I have t-“  

“ D͞i̶dn҉’͢t͞ I t̶el̢l y̴ou͠...”  Blue wires zip from the opposite hand, wrapping tightly around Papyrus and lift him.  “- t̀o͜ k̴eep͟ y͢o̕uŕ d̵̸̀͏̶i̛͏̢s҉̢͟t҉̧͢͝à̵̢̕҉ņ̴c͘͞͏̀e̸̶?!”  

Papyrus couldn’t get a word in before he’s repelled toward the wall far behind him. At this speed, he couldn’t imagine surviving the hit.  Shutting his eyes tightly to brace for impact, he hadn’t noticed the blur of red flash behind him until covered arms protectively wrap around him.  

The new body softens the blow by landing their feet firmly against the wall and pushing off again. As they drop to the floor, the red clad skeleton summons a strange translucent axe with a bone grip and swiftly cuts the ties to the glitch across the way.  

With tears in his eye sockets, stemming from his brace for death, Papyrus now stared bewildered at another, slightly more accurate looking Sans.  In his confusion, he couldn’t speak, but he noticed this... small skeleton had not taken his eyes off the darker one. There was a strained nervousness behind the protective glare.  

Error tilts his head in interest.  “ Wh̛a̵t̡ ̶bl̕oo̸dy ͡ļi̡tt̷l͏e u͠n͘i̕verse͘ di̵d ̕you çra҉wl҉ ̸out ́o͠f?” 

Soul speaks up against the other’s actions.  “H-... His HP is low! You could’ve killed him!”  

“T͘c̷h.҉.. I s͡u͢pp̧ose ҉y͝òu wa̡n͢t ̕me ͘to͠ t̀h̷a̵n͘k y͏ou̵?”  Error narrows his eyes in frustration.  

“I just want you to leave...”  

Papyrus was startled by the demand and scrambles to his feet, rushing in Error’s direction.  “No! Not yet!”  

A wall of red bones were summon quickly in Papyrus’ path, and with a wall on either side there’d be no way around.  “Papyrus-! You can’t just-!”  

Papyrus tries to find a way through, but the wall was solid. He turns to the familiar face, conflicted by who he was seeing. Was this one his brother?  “S-Sans! We can’t let him take that soul!”  

Taking a step back, with either discomfort or doubt, if not both, Soul shakes his head.  “We don’t need it... just come with me, I’ve already gotten everyone else out. Please...”  A wooden door, not unlike his old front door appears behind him and he takes the handle, opening it slightly as he reaches his other hand out for his brother’s. 

Error had almost left on his own at the sight of the taller skeleton rushing for him again, but through the transparent wall he could see a door. And that wasn’t something he wanted to let get away so easily. Summoning a few miscolored blasters he fires directly at the created wall, cracking it. He grits his teeth. This magic was stronger than he’d anticipated, but it wouldn’t hold out long either way.  The blasters keep a steady fire of energy that widens as more power is sent through them.  

Soul could see his barrier would be broken easily and desperately calls to Papyrus.  “I can’t beat him! You have to trust me!”  

Papyrus flinches as he hears the loud cracking in the wall. He soon comes to his own terms and takes Soul’s hand, escaping through the doorway with him.  

The wall shatters and the attack immediately cuts off with Error jumping through the wreckage. The door he’d seen was gone, along with the two glitches. “G̵o͏d̕ ḑam͢m͟it..̡.̢ ̷Why’̢d͘ a Pa͕̹̲̲͚̩͟p̠̟͈̗y͏̱r̶u̦̤̪ś͇ h҉a̡v̷e ͞to ͟b҉e ̛w͜ith ͟ţhę ͝st̶u͞p̡i̧d hu̡ma͘n̴?̷!”  

He shouts back at the blasters accusingly. They give him no response.  “Use̷l̛e͜ss̷ ...” A wave of his hand dismisses his beasts and he kicks a rock at his feet. 

Papyrus felt cornered. He’d taken a nasty hit from the child and his HP was below half at this point. He was starting to get a bit worried about his safety. This human seemed to get more and more frustrated every time they fought. Would he really be killed?  

“SHOW ME YOUR SPECIAL ATTACK!”  Asriel lost his patience. He wanted to know the secrets kept by the skeleton. Why would he still refuse to show him?!  

“I-I shouldn’t- If I did... you would..”  Papyrus slowed down as his thoughts processed. “You wouldn’t be very... happy.”  

“You scared of being disposed of when I have no use for you?”  He cackles and straightens his posture knowingly.   “Do you care more about yourself or your friends? Because if you don’t give me what I want I will make sure to bring them to an end.”  

“Wait-! I... I’ll do it. I’ll show you...”  Planting his feet firmly, Papyrus tries his best to look a little more confident. 

------

 A pinging alarm was going off on Alphys’ computer as she typed furiously in an attempt to find the reason for it. Stress was starting to get a bit high within the group.   “I-I can’t find the source. This alarm must have been installed before I inherited the computer. Is there still no signal on that camera?” 

Undyne nods keeping an eye on the screen showing only static.  “No, it’s still all fuzz. I can’t get any picture of Snowdin.”  She flips through other cameras, halting at the view of the older village they had been reintroducing townsfolk to.  “Wait... No freakin’ way! The ruins are empty!” 

 Alphys immediately looks up from her software.  “Th-that’s impossible... have you tried other cameras in the area?”  

“Yes, I have been trying them all! I don’t see a soul!”  Gritting her teeth, Undyne steps away from the screen and retrieves her armor off the wall.  “I’m going!”  

“NO!”  Alphys couldn’t bare the thought of losing Undyne as well.  “Stay here! You could disappear too!”  

“I have to go! If there’s anyone left it’s my duty to protect them!”  She starts gearing up, growling in annoyance when a gloved hand grabs her shoulder lightly.  

“Darling, we may have to try and see what we’re up against before you go and bash your head on a wall.”  Mettaton was on Alphys’ side. Too many coincidences so suddenly. A lost camera. An alarm. Missing monsters.... this might be dangerous.  

“Hands of freak! You can’t stop me!”  Undyne shakes him off and pulls on her armor, picking up her helmet as she heads to the door.  “I’ll come back.”  

Alphys nearly hopped over her chair in her rush to get to Undyne. This couldn’t happen! She couldn’t lose her too!! 

The group of survivors stop in their tracks. There was a knock at the door. 

------   

“Are you ready for my Special Attack?” 

Asriel grins wide and gets in a more defensive stance, prepared for something strong.  “Don’t waste my time, bonehead.”  

Papyrus uncomfortably shifts in place, releasing the summoned staff of bone and letting it dissipate.  “Alright.... Here goes nothing.”  

Asriel’s smile vanishes the instant he recognizes the words.  

“That’s right... Nothing. That’s my attack.”  

“No...”  

“That way you cannot take your turn... to end my life... and I won’t hurt you....”  Papyrus seemed regretful for things to have come to this, but perhaps it would work in his favor?  

“IS THIS A JOKE?! YOU COPY SANS?! THATS IT?! Of all the stupid..”  

Papyrus felt a little hurt by the accusation as well as confused.  “Copy? I assure you Sans could never pull this off... Not like I can. I invented this move.”  

“Oh?! And why is that?! ENLIGHTEN ME, PAPYRUS!”  Asriel takes a step forward only to feel that crushing blue energy pull him to the ground. He couldn’t move.  

“Because.... Sans would eventually need rest. Perhaps, I should keep you here. Until you reset. I don’t mind how long it takes. I’m very patient. And I don’t sleep.”  Papyrus felt a little more bold and even straightened himself up a bit to emphasize how serious he was.

The crowned child glares intensely at Papyrus. If he had used this any other time, the game would be over. But this was Asriel’s world now.  “If I reset... I’ll be sure to kill you first.”  He grins again. “But I don’t need to reset... CHARA!!!”  

The vines decorating the walls twinge, seemingly coming to life.  

Papyrus releases Asriel without question. He would need to beg to survive at this point.  

The human grins wildly and gets to his feet.  “You’re so dead.”  He was sure of his backup until every vine around them flashed white before dissolving into thin air. Asriel grew hesitant at the meaning behind this.  “Chara...?” 

 Papyrus had expected to be grabbed, but the absence of the plant brought him some relief. Though it did seem odd...  

“CHARA!!”  Furious, Asriel rushes past Papyrus, grabbing the front of his tabard to drag him along as he rushes in the direction of Snowdin full speed. 

Papyrus struggled to keep up, as well as prevent himself from tripping. He nearly collapsed a few times on the way through Waterfall as he couldn’t see the path he was running along with the fabric of his uniform pulled tight.  

“You better do as I tell you! If you so much as hesitate I swear I’ll- Oof!!”  A twirling blue bone came out of nowhere, knocking the human off their feet before it dissipates. Asriel grits his teeth as he pushes himself up.   “You’ve made your last mistake!”  

Papyrus was released from the humans hold, and nervously steps backward at the sound of the threat.  “I-I didn’t-“ 

“H̵̅͒̾̚ą̿ͣ̀h̷ͫͩͥ̽ͮ̏͌aͭͦͩ̎҉͜h̴̍ͫ͛͗͝ả͒̓̈̔̒ͩ̓̚͏. S̡h̶̕o͘ul҉dn̕’̧̀t̸̛ ͞yoų ͢k̢n̷o̢͠w͠ ̵̧͠ b̵̧͘e̸̡͠͏҉t͏̷̴̨͡t̶̀͘͞è̸͡r̢͡ ̴̛͞b̡͢y͜͢ ̢̨ń̀͢o̸͟w̴͞͏,̢ h̭̣͔̫͍̖̦ù͏҉̠̟m͓͈͈͍͝a͔͕̫̪̰͖ͅn̷̛̳͖̲̺̮͇͉ ?̧ ̴́Blue ̷me̷͜an̷s҉́͘ S̴̵̵̸̢Ţ̛͜O̸͝͠P̧͞ ”  The distorted voice echos from the shadows in front of them, making the pair tense and uncomfortable.  

Asriel is quick to his feet, pulling a knife from behind and steadying themselves in preparation for a battle.  “Who's over there?! Show your King some respect!”  

“ W̭͖̰̙̮̯o͓̯̗̼͔ͅo͉͚͔̖͢o̶͚̩̠w͕̪̲̦̥̝̰͞ . D̨ó͜n’̕͟͠t̴ ý̡ou̶̢͠ ̸̡só̕͠u͞n̷̨͡d̴̸́ ͞a҉ll҉̴ h͑́̀iͯͦ̚͜g̛ͭ̍ͬ̍̉́h̢ͩ̈́̈́ͦ̉ ̨͊͛a̷ͮͫ̓ͨ̐ͨ̚n͒̈́ͯ̉̈́ͪ̈ď ́̋̉̚mͮ͑̾î̃̍̎͑̅̚gh̡ͭt̶̏ͭỹͣͧ̒̿̑͢. Y̕o̕ù’͢r͞e ńơ ̴k̡ing̷, l͏i̡tt͏l͘e͏ ̸Asri̡e̷l҉.́ ̕A̕nd ͝I’m ͡no̷t̛ h͞er̷e ̢t͜o̷ ̡mo͢c̕k y̨o̢u ...”  A darkened skeleton emerges from the shadows, blue streaks running from his eye sockets. Bits of him scattered in the air around him like a corrupted image.  “I’m here to kill you.” 

Papyrus’ Head felt at war with his eyes. The resemblance this character had to his brother was uncanny, but he did not look right. He did not sound right.... “S-...Sans?” He truly felt overwhelmed... but certainly not with joy. 

Sporting his new purple tabard as well as matching purple gloves and boot covers, he examines himself in the mirror he found at the end of the hall. His scarf came through the neckline just fine, but he left the back tucked under so it wouldn’t get in the way of the attached white hood he had pulled up to cover his biggest injury atop his head. He was unsure how to explain his reasoning for not wanting to heal it, but he felt a little better just covering it. Now none of the monsters would be staring.   

Toriel joins Papyrus by his side, giving him a kind and supportive smile.  “I supposed being able to use all your fingers instead of using the mittens you had would be more useful. Does it feel better?”  

With a nod, Papyrus lifted his hands to inspect the new gloves.  “It’s taking some getting used to, but I do like it.”  He smiles wide, seemingly doing well for himself.  

Toriel smiles a little more, only to slowly lose it while she dug through her thoughts.  “Papyrus... I’m sorry to bother you, but since we spoke of Sans, I’ve been a little perturbed be the... past tense you used with his name. Was that merely a slip of the tongue?”  

Papyrus locks eyes with her, baffled by her memory. Had he made a mistake?  “I... the flower...” This was no time to lose confidence!  “They took Sans. The flower and the Human... but I have a plan to get him back! I won’t fail.”  

The Queen had a look of concern and fear that she seemed to have been hiding before. She released a small breath of relief before acknowledging Papyrus’ resolve.   “I trust you. He told me how strong of a fighter you are. So I know that you can save him.”

It pained him to think he couldn’t have saved his brother sooner. For his brother to be attacked from behind and fall to dust only to stop the flower from crushing Papyrus’ head completely. It was his own fault... so he has to fix it. He wouldn’t let his words become lies.   “I will. For now, I have a child to entertain...”  

Toriel looks away, giving a somber expression to the hall behind her. That human... how could such cruelty exist? She turns back to Papyrus, keeping her posture dignified.  “Do not take this child lightly. He has already taken the life of a guard, just to make sure I did as I was asked. I never got to learn her name..” 

Taken back by the strike of reality, Papyrus’ shoulders drop. It was easy enough to connect the dots now.  “Dogeressa...”  

“Y-you knew her? I am so very sorry... I should have taken action. I shoul-“  

“No... you did what you needed to. She was strong. He probably had reason not to want her around...”  Taking a moment of silence, Papyrus slowly collects himself again. “I will fix this. Stay safe.”  He gives Toriel a sympathetic grin, as Undyne would for him, and he soon exits the small grey home.  

———  

“No!”  Mettaton enunciates very clearly, folding a leg over the other and leaning back on Alphys’ desk.  

“Absolutely not! You will not be making a mecha-anything for Blooky. They very clearly feel most comfortable as they are and you will not be coaxing my perfect cousin out of their comfort zone over your stupid little war!”   With Napstablook floating close by, Mettaton was able to gesture having an arm around them and pull them a little closer protectively.  

Napsta moves closer themself as he feels the arm of his cousin phasing through them slightly. They felt extremely out of place which wasn’t helped when they’re interrupted immediately after opening their mouth.  “I um......” 

Undyne was more than furious already simply lacking the freedom to go out for so long.  “WE NEED AN ARMY OF SOME SORT! HOW MUCH LONGER DO YOU WANT TO STAY COOPED UP IN HERE?! ITS ALREADY BEEN LIKE TWO MONTHS AND IF I DON’T GET INTO ACTION I’M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP MY COOL ANY LONGER!”  

“Darling, you haven’t been ‘cool’ in weeks. It’s really no surprise at this point.”  Complacent, Mettaton doesn’t bother to bat an eye in her direction.  

“I AM SO SICK OF THAT SMUG LOOK ON YOUR FACE! WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO TEAR IT OFF FOR YOU?!”   

Knowing very well her words would be ignored, Alphys walks to Undyne’s side and gently grabs her arm, keeping her face obscured.  “Undyne.”  

Undyne’s rays of fury split and her body language drops. She rubs the back of her head awkwardly and looks away with an air of shame.  “Sorry.. Alphys.... go on.”  

Alphys nods and looks to the scowling robot with firm attention.  “Mettaton, it was only a suggestion that I make Napstablook their own body. If they do not want it, I can respect that, but it is their decision to make. 

Mettaton scoffs lightly. As if he wouldn’t know his own cousin.  “Be honest with them, Blooky. Don’t let them pressure you. I have your back. No matter what.”  

If they had been speaking about this with Alphys on their own, the guilt would probably have overwhelmed them into agreeing, but with the support they had, Napsta would be able to really take it into consideration.  “I.... need to think about it..... I’m sorry.......”  

Alphys nods understandingly and walks back to her monitor.  “Take your time. I have other news, regarding the flower. They’ve been terrorizing the citizens and causing property damage in all areas. I think we need to start cracking down on evacuation. The ruins have been much less disturbed and the monsters we’ve taken there already, are doing well. I know this could get us found out, but at this point I’m willing to risk it if it means they’ll be safe. Are we all in agreement?” 

Undyne nods without question and Mettaton sighs lightly before he nods as well.  

Undyne walks closer to get a good look at the monitor.  “And how’s Papyrus...?”  

Alphys types away and brings up image of Judgment Hall. A mass of ruins itself now.  “The human is fighting him again....”  

 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....”