Papyrus had fully recovered from his illness and, after one long day of learning how to write long sentences, which proved to be successful and, in turn, filled him with energy, he decided he was ready to go outside and get everything for his room. Sans was happy; it was a big step for his brother. Grillby, for his part, was relieved. He hadn't known if the kid would ever want to go out, with all the trauma and what he'd been through, but Papyrus was proving to be a persistent and determined little boy. Besides, he was curious about almost everything he discovered; this was just one more step into finding out everything the world had to offer. Or, rather, the underground. Still, it was a big place for a monster who had spent all his life trapped in a room.
Since Grillby couldn't go with them because he had to go to the bar Sans was left to take care of Papyrus for all the time they would be outside. And, to Papyrus annoyance, he decided that Papyrus couldn't go out if he wasn't wearing at least two jumpers and one big coat, not to mention two pants and three pairs of sockets.
When he was done dressing him, Papyrus looked like he couldn't even move his limbs. Sans seemed satisfied. He put a little knit hat on him to complete the outfit.
"This is uncomfortable"-the little one complained, trying to get used to all the weight on him. He moved his arms a bit, testing how much he could move them. Not nearly as much as he wanted.
"You'll thank me later, kiddo. Are you ready?"-he winked at him trying to get Papyrus's excitement back up again. He only got a nod that got lost in between the coat he was wearing, but Sans accepted it anyway and took his brother's hand.
They stepped outside together, the wind hitting them with full force all at once. Startled and a bit scared, Papyrus squeezed Sans' hand, receiving another squeeze in return. He looked up and saw his older brother looking at him with a carefree smile; that was enough to make him feel better, and so he was the one who took the first step into the snow. His boots sank a little, which made him stumble slightly before he settled again and took another tentative step.
Sans hesitated, not knowing what the best course of action was. Should he start walking as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening? Should he encourage Papyrus? Did Papyrus need encouragement?
Papyrus decided for him. Once he had taken the first few steps, never letting go of his brothers' hand, he started tugging at it, and turned to him with an impatient look.
"Come on Sans! Don't keep standing there!"
Sans grinned, amused. This kid was certainly something. To be his first time outside he was certainly still acting like he always did.
"Ok, bucko. You lead the way"-he shrugged, and had to stiffen a laugh when Papyrus started walking with his arms extended, since he wasn't able to bend them.
They didn't have to walk much before they encountered the first monster. It was a rabbit lady, who seemed to be walking her…rabbit?
"Hello, Sans"-she greeted him, waving her hand.
Almost everyone knew about him now; people spread all kinds of rumors about him after Gaster died. Grillby tried to make sure people were respectful, but still, some of the rumors he was aware of. Of course, all of this didn't mean he knew everyone.
"Hey"-he replied politely.
He looked at Papyrus, who was staring, not at the lady, but at her little companion. She noticed him staring and, to Sans' relief, instead of asking questions she got closer to them and spoke kindly to the youngest skeleton.
"This is my brother. He's too little to walk by himself yet"
Papyrus' eye sockets widened.
"This is your brother!?"-he cried in surprise as he crouched to look at the little creature better. Sans started feeling nervous. His brother wasn't very much aware of social conventions, and he was afraid he could say something that offended people without him meaning to.
"Yes. He's very young"-she repeated, still smiling.
Papyrus kept looking at the little rabbit for a few seconds.
"He's cute"-he concluded, standing up again after realizing he wouldn't be able to pet him if he couldn't move his arms.
"Thank you…"-she paused for a bit, waiting. Papyrus just stared at her-"What's your name?"
"Papyrus!"-he answered excitedly. He tugged at San's hand again-"And this is my brother Sans!"
The lady looked at them both and smiled, noticing Sans proud expression.
"Oh, so you have a brother too"
"Yes! Do you think he's cute?"
Sans started coughing, choking on his own saliva. The lady laughed, but placed her hand on her mouth to make it less noticeable for the child, who remained oblivious to his brother's embarrassment.
"Yes, he's cute too"-she agreed.
"Ok, Pap"-Sans cleared his throat-"We should keep going, it's gonna get late"-he turned to the lady and nodded, still blushing-"See you later. And…thanks"-he mouthed the last part, smiling apologetically.
The lady shook her head and chuckled.
"No problem, boys. Nice to meet you, Papyrus"
"You too, miss!"-he waved at her excitedly, although she was right in front of him. She laughed again and waved back before resuming her walking.
Sans sighed, throwing his head back. That was the most awkward he had felt in ages. But he didn't have much time to dwell on it because Papyrus had already started walking again, so he took a deep breath and walked with him.
They saw a few monsters on their way but Papyrus was so eager to get to the shop that he didn't pay attention to almost anyone, except those who took the time to say hi to Sans. Or at least that's what he figured. Maybe Papyrus still felt a little uneasy around other monsters, but he couldn't be sure with the kid.
It didn't take them too long before they found a big furniture shop. It was the only one in the underground, so it had almost everything a room needed.
Papyrus quickly understood they had reached their destination and picked up the pace. Sans was sure he would be running in the clothes didn't weigh too much, but he was glad it did. He didn't want him wondering off, not yet at least. Maybe when he was older. He walked beside him, his normal pace matching Papyrus' quick one.
Once they were inside he took off Papyrus' coat. Finally free, Papyrus rushed from one closet to the other, from one library to the other, from…
He stopped dead in his tracks when at the sight of one of the beds. Sans watched him look at itfor a long time before he started fiddling with his fingers. He knew then that that was the one. Papyrus only got nervous asking things when he really wanted them, for some reason. He wondered if it was because if he was denied those things the disappointment would be bigger.
"You like this one?"-he asked approaching him.
"Yeah. It's…cool"-the boy replied quietly, still admiring the car-shaped bed.
"Really cool"-Sans agreed-"If you're sure, then it's yours"-he placed his hand on Papyrus' back.
Papyrus was silent for a little bit before he nodded and turned to hug Sans by the waist.
"Thanks Sans"-he mumbled, his voice getting lost in Sans' shirt.
"No prob, Pap. We're here to get your stuff, after all. C'm on, you still need to pick up a lot of stuff"
They spent around two hours in the shop. It seemed that Papyrus only knew for sure he liked that bed. All the other stuff, well…he took his time to decide. In fact Sans dozed off a couple of times while he waited. But in the end they got everything Pap needed.
Sans was glad Grillby knew the king; he convinced him that Gaster's money should belong to Sans, or, well, him and Papyrus now, since they were Gaster's sons, in a way. Grillby said the king didn't need much convincing but he was thankful anyway. Before meeting Papyrus he thought he would end up spending it all in food at Grillby's; he was glad he found another use to it.
While Sans talked to the shop owner about when they'd get all the stuff, Papyrus kept walking around the shop, bored. He wanted to jump on the beds, but Sans had told him it wasn't allowed. That was boring. What did the employees do all day then?
He wondered to the door and looked outside. Snowflakes were sticking to the glass of the door, not allowing him to see much. He banged his head on it slightly a couple of times, still bored.
He stopped when he heard tapping on the glass. He opened his eyes, confused, and looked down, from where he heard the tapping.
A little yellow flower was smiling at him, waving at him with its tiny leave.