Chapter 10: tea with the king

That same Monday, over again

It was the Monday after the sleepover, and Mettaton was still on a high from that night. Though they were not officially in a relationship quite yet, Mettaton still felt very confident that they could pull off being 'couple of the year', though that might be hard, seeing as the queen and Sans have been dubbed couple of the year for the last three years. He had some competition, it seemed.

Mettaton had been spacing out all day. He had to redo his lines more than he normally did while recording his sit-com. He was too busy thinking about his and papy's next date. What would they do? Where would they go? There weren't many places in the underground to go, unfortunately. They already went to his restaurant for their first date, and had a sleepover for their second date. Wait, Could the sleepover be considered the second date? What were the requirements for a date? He thought long and hard about this as he was getting his makeup done. Honestly, anything could be considered a date, right? You don't have to even leave your house. He decided to use the internet to figure this out.

Google search: what is considered a date?

The results came through, and he clicked on one of the top answers that looked legit. Reading the replies, most of them said, 'it is considered a date if both people agreed to it being a date.' "hmmm…." he audibly considered this as he bit his lip. This made sense. If they both agreed that the sleepover was their second date, then the third one was right around the corner, and they could be considering themselves boyfriends in no time! (it is a monster tradition to go on three dates before becoming partners. Though, this tradition is old and not really used as often anymore, Mettaton likes to do things the traditional way. He finds it more romantic. …. minus the no sex before marriage tradition. He finds that dumb.) Mettaton closed out his internet app and opened the phone app, dialing papyrus eagerly.

phone call from Mettaton to Papy dear~ 3

Start 4:18 PM

Papyrus answered almost immediately with an enthusiastic voice, which made Mettaton even more excited. "Mettaton! Good afternoon! Ah, I am so very sorry, but I am in the middle of fertilizing the king's garden. M-may I call you ba-" A deep voice was heard muffled over the receiver. "oh, King Asgore, I very much appreciate you giving me permission to take my phone call!" the sound of shuffling is heard before Papyrus continued to talk. "never mind, the king is giving me a break."

Mettaton's smile increased as he began to speak. "oh, wonderful! This will only take a minute, as I am needed on set in five. Papy, dear, would you consider the sleepover at Undyne's place our second date?"

"nyeh!?" Papyrus was taken back by this question, blushing slightly as he looked around the room at the rest of the gardeners and the king. "ah, w-w-well, I am not really sure what is required for a date! M-maybe I should consult my handbook- "he started to shuffle around in his overall's pockets before he was cut off.

"no, no need to bring out your little book. I already looked online, and it says that something is a date when both people consider it to be. So, would you consider it a date or not?"

"o-oh, right! If it is online, it must be true! In that case, yes, I would consider the sleepover to be our second date!" he said, a bit too loud, as everyone in the room turned to look at him. He lowered his voice, becoming embarrassed slightly. "would…. would you consider it a date?"

Mettaton nodded, as if Papyrus could see his head shaking. "of course! Wonderful, then it is settled. We will be going on our third date tonight. Pick out a nice outfit, sweetie, and meet me in the capitol square."

"n-nyeh!? O-okay, but what time-!?"

phone call from Metta to the great papyrus

End 4:21 PM

before he could finish, Mettaton hung up. He never gave him a time, so he had no idea if he had time to go back home and get ready! He was stuck staring at his phone until a dark, large shadow loomed over his head.

"Mr. Gaster, are you alright? You look distraught. Would you like some tea to help calm your nerves?" the same deep voice from earlier spoke. Attached to it was a large, worried goat king.

Papyrus immediately dropped his phone in the flowers as he turned to straighten up and salute the king before him. "ah, Mr. Dreemurr, sir! That is very kind of you! I would like to take you up on that offer, sir!" he spoke like a drill Sargent and Asgore couldn't help but laugh.

"you do not have to shout, I am right here." He laughed as he walked past Papyrus, toward the door. "come along, then. I will escort you to my kitchen."

Papyrus loosened up a bit as he followed the king, forgetting his phone in the flower bed where it had landed.

"chamomile, Earl Grey, Peach, or golden flower? Those are the teas I have." He scratched his head in embarrassment as he pulled out the tea bags and the electric kettle. "I know it's not much…. Haven't been able to shop for a while, heh."

Papyrus just smiled at the king from his place at the dining room table, watching him through the small door way. "golden flower is good for me. thank you, sir…. but…. would-would you like me to make it? It…. feels bad having the king fix my tea for me…."

Asgore let out a roaring laugh, which sort of startled Papyrus. "oh, Mr. Gaster, there is no need! I can handle myself. Besides, I am making myself some tea as well."

Papyrus scratched his head. He didn't like being called Mr. Gaster. It felt too formal, and it left a stinging in his heart every time he heard it. He couldn't really place why. Maybe it was because he associated that title with his late father, and although he barely knew him, it still hurt to be reminded that his father was gone. He decided to speak up after consideration. "…. Sir…. if…. if it isn't any trouble…. could you just call me Papyrus? You-you see, the title 'Mr. Gaster' holds a stinging feeling, and- "

Asgore gasped, almost dropping the cup he was carrying. He hadn't thought of that. Wingdings Gaster was his father. Of course the title Mr. Gaster would hurt to hear, let alone to be referred to. "oh! Papyrus, I am sorry! I should not be so insensitive as to refer to you with your late father's title!" he turned to walk out into the dining room with two mugs and a sad expression. Papyrus immediately dismissed this, waving his arms frantically.

"no, no, sir, it-it is alright!" Asgore's worry faded as Papyrus flailed. He let out a relieved chuckled and sat down across from the skeleton after handing him his tea.

"be careful with it. It is very hot."

"no worries, sir! Us skeletons cannot feel temperature, after all." Papayrus exclaimed, emphasizing this by taking the mug in his hands and taking a large swig of the burning substance. The room was silent now, and growing a bit awkward. Asgore watched Papyrus as the skeleton looked around the room and shifting in his chair nervously every so often. he decided it was time to speak up.

after taking a swig of his cooled down tea, he broke the silence with a clear of his throat. "so, Papyrus…. It seems that phone call made you unnerved. Would you like to explain what is going on?"

papyrus shifted a little, his cheeks flushing orange as he averted his eyes. "ah, well, you see…" he sighed, closing his eyes. "it…is my date. Mettaton, he- he wants to go on the third date tonight, and…. I am very nervous about it. Third dates…. third dates are what determines if the two parties will become lovers. What if…. well, what if I mess up? He is famous, after all, what if he decides I am too boring to be boyfriends with?"

Asgore just nodded and listened to Papyrus, allowing him to finish. Once he was done talking, the goat monster broke out into a smile. "now where is this negativity coming from, young man? I know you to be the monster with the utmost confidence in himself, yet you sit here, doubting your ability to please your partner."

Papyrus face fell. He was right. Why was he being so negative? This was not like him at all. Before he could say anything, a large paw was placed on top of Papyrus' head, rubbing the bare cranium. "you are an amazing monster, and I know you will do wonderful on your date! You are the great papyrus, right?" the king was right yet again! He was the great papyrus! He stood up quickly from his chair, almost knocking it over. "you are correct, sir! Nyeh heheh, how could I be so blinded!? Thank you, sir, for reminding me of how great I am! And thank you for the tea, it is very lovely." He calmly took the mug, chugging the rest of the tea. "nyeh, I should get back to work! Those flowers will not fertilize themselves!" Papyrus marched himself confidently back downstairs. The king watched him leave, letting out a large sigh as papyrus disappeared below the stair well. His ability to go from 0 to 100 was impressive, though He had confidence that the skeletal man would do very well on his date.