You meet the living embodiment of a marshmellow
"SANS!"
A tall skeleton monster was running up to you both but when he sees you he stops on a dime. Quite impressive actually, you were surprised he didn't slip in the snow from such an abrupt change.
"SANS! IS THAT A HUMAN!?"
"yup"
"HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO CAPTURE A HUMAN BEFORE THE GREAT PAPYRUS!?" While he was visibly upset you could feel that he couldn't help but be a bit proud. Before Sans could think of a response Papyrus continued. "GASP!" Wait... did he seriously just say the word gasp instead of actually gasping. That was so dorkily adorable. "DOES THIS MEAN YOU'LL GET IN THE ROYAL GUARD!?"
"heh, nah i wouldn't want that. after all im just a..."
"NO! CEASE THIS AT ONCE!"
"...lazybones." Sans finished undeterred. Papyrus screamed and stopped his foot into the snow. You break into raucous laughter startling the siblings. Their interaction was just too great. Papyrus looks upset that you found the pun so entertaining while Sans' grin just gets wider.
"no need to be so sternum bro. tibia honest i didn't have the heart to capture the human. i ulna wanted them to meet my cool little bro."
"NO STOP! LISTEN HUMAN THIS IS WHY YOU DO NOT INDULGE HIS JOKES WITH LAUGHTER! YOU ONLY DOOM YOURSELF TO A STREAM OF INCESSANT PUNNERY!"
After you control your chuckles you put on a serious face and give him a nod. "Thankyou, mighty Papyrus, I shall take your lesson to heart."
Papyrus was much easier to read compared to his brother. He's the naive and pure hearted type. Responds well to flattery. Judging from the conversation he desires to enter the royal guard. You can't see any maliciousness in his behavior and conclude his goal is more for respect and popularity. You almost frown at the realization that you plan to manipulate these traits to make him like you but retain your easy smile. 'it's fine' you tell yourself 'I'm not doing it to hurt him in any way. he'll probably be happy about it all.'
Just as you suspect the flattery had the desired effect. His eyes lit up, and he struck a pose. "NYEHEHE, I AM ALWAYS HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT SANS! I AM AN EXPERT IN THE SUBJECT AFTER ALL!" he freezes a moment before his eye..bones? raise in alarm. "WAIT! YOU SAY THIS HUMAN HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY CAPTURED BROTHER!?"
"nope." He paused and considered his words carefully. Normally with Frisk they'd befriend Papyrus after completing several puzzles. Still, this time is different. He'd like to keep it that way. "actually were pals. when i told them about how cool you were they really wanted to meet you."
Sans lies with a practiced ease, and your plan gets a whole lot easier with his, shall we say, endorsement. It's simple for you to adapt to the story he just made up. "Yea, when Sans told me how awesome you are I just had to meet you. I really think we could be great friends, if you'd give me that chance?"
You look up at him with a fake nervous expression. Papyrus just eats it up. "Y-YOU WANT TO BE MY FRIEND!?"
"Yea, but I guess if I'm human you might not want that huh." you frown and look to the ground putting on a show. "If you take me to Asgores I'll have to leave and we'd never be able hang out..."
"Do Not Worry Human," Papyrus says softly placing a mittened hand on your shoulder. "I The Great And Mighty Papyrus Would Never Turn Down A New Friend!"
This time when you smile at him it's genuine. "Geeze, you really ARE as cool as Sans said you are."
He takes his hand back and poses once again a breeze tugging on his scarf. "NYEHEHEHE! COME HUMAN FRIEND! AS NEW FRIENDS WE MUST COMMENCE THE 'HANG-OUT' AT ONCE! NEVER FEAR I AM AN EXPERT AT HANGING OUT! I READ THE MANUAL 10 TIMES!"
Then to your shock he lifts you and slings you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He turns the way he came from and takes off at a mile eating lope. When you manage to lift your head enough to see Sans he's giving you a down right evil glare. Papyrus jumps over something causing you to curl up on him to stay on, and by the time you look up once more Sans is no where in sight. Looks like someone back there didn't appreciate your act...
You have since come to the conclusion that you absolutely adore Papyrus and swear to yourself that you shall forever protect that innocence. The hang-out manual is hilarious. He wanted to follow it step by step and consulted the book the whole time. Even though he told you he has it memorized.
He rather tearfully confessed at the end of the hang out that he doesn't actually have that many friends. You were honestly shocked about that. Sure he's a bit abrasive but you've never met anyone so sweet. Seriously, the amount of sweetness could give you cavities. You had told him quite clearly that it isn't the number of friends that matter, it's the quality of them.
He then proceeded to tell you about his cool friend/trainer, Undyne, Captain of the Royal Guard. He almost called her to join the 'hang out' but you managed to stop him by reminding him that as Captain she is duty bound to capture you. If she discovered you were staying in Snowdin you would have to leave. He swore to protect your friendship, and keep you secret, making it so Undyne wouldn't have to take you away.
He wouldn't believe that she would be rather eager to capture you. Instead choosing to believe that it'd hurt her to have to turn you in. You didn't even try to tell him otherwise. You've seen far too much corruption and you refuse to taint this pure souls view of the world.
"So, Papyrus." You begin. The three of you are sitting on the couch eating spaghetti and watching tv. A robot that's basically a calculator with a wheel is apparently the one and only star in the whole Underground is gesturing flamboyantly on screen. You had lost interest in the movie not even a half hour in. Truly a ham actor.
Papyrus pauses the movie and turns to you. "Yes, Human?"
"Do you know if there's any job openings around here? Or maybe just a vacant house I can rent?"
"What Is This, 'Rent'?"
You shake your head ruefully. The culture barrier is a struggle to get past. "Just a human term. Im looking to move in somewhere in Snowdin."
"SO WE'LL BE NEIGHBORS!?"
"Yea, bud, we'll be neighbors. Still, I need a job or something if I'm going to live here."
"You Can Stay With Us! Isn't That Right Sans?"
Sans opens one eye socket. You thought he was asleep but apparently not. "I don't think that's a good idea paps. i'm sure the human wants their own space right?" He gives you a glare you totally don't deserve as if he's daring you to correct him. You'll have to talk to him soon. He's been rather pissy since you met Papyrus.
"Right. I just moved out of my friends house in the Ruins because I don't want to be relying on anyone."
"Well I Don't Know Of Any Vacancies Here In Snowdin, But I Can Help You Find A Place If You'd Like?"
"Yea, that'd be awesome."
"What Are Your Plans Meanwhile Human?"
"I saw an Inn when we were coming in. I think I have enough gold for a couple nights. More if I can get a job soon."
"If You Are Trying To Find You're Own Place You'll Need To Save Your Gold. So," Papyrus stands up and poses dramatically. "I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WILL LET YOU STAY HERE TILL YOU FIND A NEW HOME!"
You go to object but his eye sockets show and unrestrained joy at this idea. "Thank's Paps. You're the best."
"A NICKNAME!? THEN THAT MEANS...WE HAVE ENTERED 'BEST FRIEND' TERRITORY!" Papyrus is practically vibrating with excitement. "DON'T WORRY BEST FRIEND! SOON I WILL THINK OF THE MOST EXCELLENT NICKNAME FOR YOU TOO!"
"hey kid." sans says as we watch Papyrus pacing the living room mumbling to himself. "you hurt my brother you'll regret it."
"What? I could NEVER do that. He's the most genuine and innocent person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting."
Sans watches you closely looking for any signs of deceit. Apparently, he's satisfied but still he says. "good. we wouldn't want you to have a bad time now would we?" At those words a weird chill goes down your spine. You now it is not an empty threat. There's no doubt in your mind that he can back it up.
"We won't." You say with conviction.
He nods and walks over to his still pacing brother. "hey bro. how about you choose the human's nickname tomorrow. it's already bedtime."
"OH NO! I DIDN'T NOTICE HOW LATE IT WAS GETTING! HUMAN! YOU ARE WELCOME TO THE COUCH. I WILL BRING YOU SOME COVERS AND A PILLOW. WILL YOU BE REQUIRING A BEDTIME STORY?"
You chuckle. "Nah, I'm good. Night Paps."
"Good Night Friend!"
Yea, I was not expecting this to take so long to come out. Been struggling with depression something awful and I just couldn't write. Still pretty fucked up but I thought maybe getting out of my dark and depressing spiral of thoughts could help. It did a bit, and getting this posted make me rather happy. I know I have quite a few people who were looking forward to it. Which is awesome btw. Anyway Ill try not to delay the next chapter too long this time. No promises though.
