Walking through the quaint little town of Snowdin, Papyrus greeted all those he passed. The early risers, the small business owners who where opening shop and the occasional kid or two who where heading off to school. He prides himself on knowing all those that live in the small town. Even more on lending a hand to those who need it. Even if he wasn't part of the Royal Guards, he still shows dedication on keeping the town safe. Especially against humans.
He has never met a human, all he does know is that if he encounters one, he had to take them to Undyne. But more then anything, he felt as if he had to protect his brother from them. He couldn't understand as to why he felt this way. Only that, the mere thought of his brother meeting a human...terrifies him. He's glad that his brother is taking his job seriously, but not so glad that it has put him in alot of strain. Just as he feels wary of humans, he feels as if his brother is keeping something from him.
Shaking away his worry, he made his way towards Sans' Snowdin post. Just to make sure that he took his advice about resting till lunch time. But as he made his way there, he found a peculiar set of footprints. Peculiar for the reason that there weren't many monsters who wore shoes. Following the prints, he heard clapping along with soft laughter. Picking up his pace, he ran into a Snowdrake who was smiling as he walked by.
HMM...HOW STRANGE. I REALLY BELIEVED THAT SOUNDS CAME FROM....
Hearing the sound of snow crunching in the distance, he went off in pursuit. Getting closer towards his first puzzle, he slowly came to a stop. For there was somone standing there with their back turned to him. Cautiously, he cleared his non existent throat.
"I SEE YOU ARE GAZING AT MY CAREFULLY CRAFTED INVISIBLE ELECTRICITY MAZE!" His grandeur voice must of scared the stranger for she stiffened before turning around to face him. She let out a small smile before signing back.
'Yes, it's quiet amazing. I'm surprised anyone could craft something so complex.' No one has ever complemented him so greatly before that he found himself blushing.
"WELL, OF COURSE IT IS! NOTHING TOO COMPLEX FOR SOMONE AS GREAT AS I."
'The Great Papyrus, is someone worthy of praise.'
"YOU KNOW MY NAME!?!!"
'Its hard not to know somone as great as you.'
"I AM FLATTERED, THANK YOU. ARE YOU NEW? FOR I HAVE YET TO SEE YOU AROUND SNOWDIN BEFORE?" You looked conflicted for abit, as if you were unsure on what you should say.
'I just got here actually. Just enjoying the sights when I came upon this puzzle.'
"A VISITOR! WELCOME TO SNOWDIN, HOME OF THE GREAT PAPYRUS. WELL...THE FOREST OF SNOWDIN." You let out a laugh which caused him to scratch the back of his skull nervously.
'Well, Papyrus, the forest so far is very beautiful
"ACTUALLY, THE TOWN ISN'T THAT FAR OFF. IF YOU WOULD LIKE, I COULD GIVE YOU THE GRAND TOUR!" You fidget at his offer, not quite wanting to go to the town just yet.
'Maybe another time. Instead...' You ran towards the puzzle and knocked against the invisible walls. 'Why don't you show me how this works.' Papyrus smiled wide at the thought of someone actually asking him this. He never had anyone so interested in his puzzles. The whole idea of explaining his work to someone new, filled him with great joy.
"OF COURSE, NEWCOMER! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS WILL EXPLAIN YOU THE COMPLEXITY OF MY PUZZLING SKILLS, WHILE I CALIBRATE IT." You smiled at him so happily, that Papyrus found his face heating up.
Through out the morning, you and Papyrus went through all his puzzles as he explain in great detail on how he created them. You two even found out how some of them failed to work. For there seemed to have been some strange remote device attached to them. But by removing the one attached to the color title maze, it caused the strange rectangular box that layed nearby to rocket off.
'Papyrus? What was that?'
"NOT QUITE SURE, BUT FOR SOME REASON IT REMINDS ME OF A CERTAIN SEXY RECTANGLE." After staring at it for awhile, you two went back to the puzzles. While he worked, Papyrus talked about all the wonderful things that would await for him once he had successfully captured a human. But everytime he talked about humans, you would flinch. Thinking to himself he thought you might also felt weary of them. Not wanting to upset you any longer, he changed the subject towards his love of spaghetti, which you seemed to enjoy quite alot. Nearing the end of the bridge that led to town, Papyrus phone started to ring. Taking out his phone he saw that it was already time for lunch. "SORRY NEWCOMER, BUT I MUST HEAD HOME. I HAVE TO PREPARE LUNCH FOR MY BROTHER." You nodded before turning your back towards him to head back to the forest. Seeing you start to leave, Papyrus quickly grabbed onto your arm. "WAIT!" Turning around, you saw him rubbing his gloves. "I MEAN, I HAVE YET TO KNOW YOUR NAME."
'My...name..' You looked down for a bit, before looking at him again. 'It's Frisk.' Putting your finger to your lips, 'but...as a friend, can you keep it a secret,?'
"FRIEND!?" Nodding your head, Papyrus lifted you off the ground in a huge hug. He was so happy to know that he had made a new friend. Spinning you around, you couldn't contain yourself, that you started to laugh. Hearing your laughter, he too joined in before letting you go. Papyrus was confused on why you didn't want him to tell anyone about your name. But he accepted your request without question. "AS MY NEW FRIEND, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU OVER TO LUNCH. WHAT BETTER WAY TO STRENGTHEN OUR BOND OF FRIENDSHIP THEN BY SHARING A DELICIOUS PLATE OF SPAGHETTI!"
'Maybe another time. I...I have some things I need to attend to. Sorry...' He was sad that you declined his offer, but seeing you deflate before him he straightened his back and put on the best smile he had.
"DO NOT WORRY, WE CAN ENJOY MY CULINARY ART, ANOTHER DAY!" He said as he petted your head. You smiled before leaving again. Seeing you leave, gave him a foreboding feeling in his soul. That he found himself calling out your name. You turned around with a puzzled look. "WILL...WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?" You laughed before giving him a thumbs up. Happy with your response, Papyrus ran back to town.
••••••
Sans' skull felt tight as he tried to pry his eyesockets open. Falling off his bed with a loud groan, his body and soul ached as the memories of yesterday came back to him. Sitting against his bed, he rested his skull on his knees. With a heavy sigh, he waited for it to pass.
maybe I'll be lucky and the time would reset...
Sans was shocked to have even considered doing a reset for something as petty as a heartbreak, that he found himself laughing out loud. He laughed and laughed until he started to cry, soon he found himself sobbing on the floor. Even if it was insignificant compared to other things, it still didn't mean that it didn't hurt. But he stopped his little pity party when he heard the front door close. Whiping away his tears, he stumbled his way up. Grabbing his jacket as he left his room, he waited to hear his brother's complaints and worries.
"sup, bro." He greeted as he entered the kitchen. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he waited to hear his brother but he was to busy humming. "pap?" His brother seemed so happy, happier then he did in a long while that he was getting curious. When his brother finally turned around, he let out a loud scream, dropping the plates of spaghetti.
"BROTHER! WHEN DID YOU GET HERE!?"
"i've been calling out to you for awhile now."
"Y-YOU HAVE?"
"ya seem pretty cheerful there, bro. did something good happen?" Papyrus picked the remains off the floor and dumped them to a nearby trashcan.
"YES SANS! TODAY I MEET MY NEW FRIEND BY THE NAME OF FR-...I...I...I..." Sans raised a brow bone, wondering why his brother sounded like a scratched recorded player.
"you ok there?" Papyrus snapping out on whatever trance he was in, grabbed another serving of spaghetti and handed it to him.
"OF COURSE SANS! I AM ALWAYS IN TIP TOP SHAPE!" Grinning widely, Papyrus sat down and started eating. Sans rested his skull on his perched hand, staring at his cheerful brother.
"so, who's this friend?" Papyrus mouth went wide open, threatening the food to spill out.
"UH...FRIEND?"
"you jus' said ya found a new friend?"
"YES! A FRIEND. A NEW FRIEND."
"okay...does this friend have a name?" Papyrus was acting weird, he looked ...jittery as he avoided looking at him. "pap?" Looking back at him, Papyrus picked up his plate and started cleaning.
"OF COURSE THEY HAVE A NAME! AND A BEAUTIFUL ONE AT THAT!"
"beautiful huh..." Papyrus dropped the plate he was cleaning, causing it break in the sink.
"I-I MEAN...UH..I...SANS! IT'S GETTING LATE, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE IN HOTLANDS!" Papyrus picked him up in one fell swoop before marching towards the front door.
"but i didn't even..."
"SANS THERE IS NO TIME, YOU CAN PICK SOMETHING UP FROM GRILLBY'S LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO. NOW OFF YOU GO!" Placing him down onto the snowy ground, Papyrus shut the door at him. Sans wasn't quite sure what to make out of what had happened. Scratching the back of his skull, he shortcuted his way to his Hotland post at the end of Waterfall.
Enjoying the warmth the lava gave off, Sans rested his skull in his folded arms. Wondering who this new friend was. Everything in this new timeline was new, that he didn't know what to do. Not only was it new to him, but it was running longer then usual. You haven't even left the Ruins yet. If he was lucky, the time line would stay like that. But he didn't believe in luck. Letting out a loud groan, he rubbed his skull. If he wasn't sulking about his stupid mistake on telling Toriel about the reset, then he was thinking about you. Everything about you was diffrent. Even down to you're soul. Which he couldn't understand.
The hours passed extremely slow as he waited at his post. Waiting for the day to end just so that he could take another chance at reaching out towards that door. He really shouldn't take things for granted, the small piece of calm he had. But the whole thing was putting him on edge. He knew that Toriel would probably never visit that door again especially since she really liked holding onto grudges. But he had to try...right? But then there was the thought of seeing you there as well. He didn't want to face you again just to go through the same thing as he did the other night. Except, he couldn't just let you walk out of the Ruins without him there to watch over you. Resting his eyesockets, he let out a long sigh. He was so tired of the whole thing.
•••••••••
After befriending all the royal guards in Snowdin, you stood before the small town. The town where Sans lived. If he saw you, would he kill you? You let out a dry laugh, knowing that he probably would. If you wish to make any progress, you decided that it would be a wise idea to try and avoid him for the time being. Hearing your stomach growl, you went into your pocket to see how much gold you managed to pick up. Seeing how you where roaming around the forest to pass the time, you had quite a bit of spare gold. Even though you knew that going into the town where your killer lived was a bad choice, you also knew you couldn't survive on only nice creams. Not only that, but camping out in a snowy forest was not ideal for a human body. (Even if you barely noticed the cold.) Walking into the Shop, the shopkeeper greeted you warmly.
"Hiya, Welcome to Snowdin!"
'Thank you. It's a nice little town you have here."
"Yes, it's quiet peaceful down here. Ya know, I can't remember the last time I saw a fresh face around here. Where did you come from? The capital?" You nodded your head. "You don't look like a tourist. Are you here by yourself?"
'Just me.' The shopkeeper smiled at you kindly.
"Cheer up sweetie, things might be a little...claustrophobic. But if you keep believing that freedom is coming and grit your teeth then we can face the small struggles. That's just how life is, ain't it?" You smiled at her as you nodded yes. After buying a couple of cinnamon bunnies and a few bisicles, you asked if there was any room at the Inn. "The one next door? There should still be a room available. Yah know, my sister owns it and if you are really in need of a place to crash in, she won't charge you for it. But I must warn you, those rooms don't stay unoccupied for to long. The captain of the royal guard herself enjoys crashing there from time to time.Planning to stay awhile?"
'Maybe.'
"Well enjoy your stay." Waving her goodbye you walked out of the store. Happily waving hello to the towns people, you made your way to the Inn all while making sure you didn't see any signs of Sans. Before entering, you heard a soft noise near by. Curious, you walked around the building into a small ally.
"What are you doing?" Looking down, you saw that it was Flowey. Squatting down, you petted his petals. "I thought you where trying to fix things? Not finding a place to live!"
'Flowey, I was smaller when I first tried. It's easier to make friends when you look young. But now...I look older and things are diffrent now. I can't rush it or I'll end up messing things up again. Trust me on this, okay?' Flowey glared at the ground as you continue to pet him. Mumbling the word fine, he sunk down into the ground.
{You know, the little flower is right. Do you really think you should be taking things so slow? If I was you, I would have already made it past Hotland by now}
If you were me, you would still be fighting Sans. While I'm determined to fix things to how things were, you are only determined to leave this place. Which makes you impatient and-
{Yes yes...I get it. I go all genocide on their asses, who cares...}
I do! Because of what you did, you caused me the chance to deserve their friendship. If I can even get it back.
Walking back into the Inn, Chara scuffed before leaving you alone. The innkeeper greeted you before offering you a room to stay. Relieved that there was still a room available, you paid for the day. Crashing onto the soft bed, you closed your eyes. If you where planning on staying for awhile, you knew that you had to find a way on getting more money. And you can't keep confronting monsters in the forest without wearing out.
{Why don't you get a job?} Chara said in a mocking voice.
Maybe I will.
{I was joking!!}
Curling yourself into a tight ball, your eyes closed to the sound of snoring from next door. A smiled itched it's way across your face as your mind was filled with the laughter of a very tall skeleton. Lighthearted with the idea of waking early the next day to meet with him once more. Even without your soul, you found something else that caused your heart to thump.
••••••••
It would be a lie to say that Papyrus wasn't excited for the day to end. That he was ready to go to bed even before Sans even got home from his MTT job. But, being a good brother, he waited for him. As soon as he heard the front door open and close, he rushed over to his brother. Startling Sans, Papyrus lifted him over his shoulder and ran straight to his room.
"woah! where's the fire paps?" Papyrus tossed his brother in bed. Grabbing Sans blanket, he wrapped him tight onto the bed, tucking the ends to either side.
"GOOD NIGHT BROTHER!" Having said that he closed the door behind him before rushing off to sleep.
Waking up bright and early, he stayed staring at his bedroom door, with his gloved hand on the doorknob. His gloves looked so warn out, that he found himself putting them away and slipping on new ones that he have yet to try out. All ready to go, he went to check in on his brother. He smiled to himself when he saw that Sans was still in bed...just like he left him. The blanket strapped tightly on his body covering most of his face with one of his arm hanging stiffly up. Closing the door softly behind him, he ran out of the house.
He might be feeling a little to excited about meeting his new friend again but...something in his soul made him feel as if they where old friends. Which was strange since he practically just meet you. But the other reason why he was so eager to see you was that his soul also made him feel as if you could dissappear very quickly from him. Slowing down, he saw you standing before him with your back turned. Seeing you chased his fear away.
"FRISK! HOW NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Hearing his voice, you turned around.
'Morning Papyrus. I told you, you'll see me again. So what's on today's agenda?' Papyrus rubbed his gloves together, for he hadn't thought that far ahead. Seeing him conflicted, you rested a hand ontop of his. 'Why don't we calibrate your puzzles again, then we can see what we can do when we finish.'
"GREAT IDEA, DEAR NEW FRIEND!"
'Are these new gloves?'
"I SEE THAT YOU ARE VERY OBSERVANT. FOR THESE ARE QUITE NEW. SOMONE AS GREAT AS I SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON THEIR BEST!" He said with a pose. You smiled at him as you thumbed the fabric of his new gloves.
'They're nice.' You signed before walking on ahead. Papyrus stared at you with his jaw opened, trying to say something...but nothing came out. Papyrus wasn't used to feeling so lost. Throughout the early morning, he just kept fumbling around you. It was all very strange to him. Something about you made him feel as if he had found something he had lost long ago. Standing once more on the bridge that held the gauntlet of deadly terror. You leaned over the bridge, admiring the scene below. Papyrus noticing this, he too looked over the scene.
"THE BRIDGE LOOKS DANGEROUS, DOESN'T IT?"
'Yes.'
"BUT IT IS QUITE STABLE ACTUALLY." Holding onto the rope railing, Papyrus swung the bridge back and forth with his weight. You held on tight, laughing at his daring feat. "IN FACT, IT'S JUST A ROCK FORMATION I PAINTED OVER. I THINK IT LOOKS MORE DRAMATIC THAT WAY. I EVEN ADDED THIS ROPE." You stopped and stared back at the scene below you.
'You...painting this?' Papyrus smiled as he nodded. 'This is beautiful Papyrus! I didn't know you could draw. Let alone paint something as amazing as this!' Papyrus eyesockets grew wide as he watched your face in amusement as you continued to praise him for it. That he found himself hiding his face in his scarf. 'Why are you hiding your face? You should be proud!'
"OF COURSE I AM PROUD! I AM TRULY THE GREATEST! NYEHEHEHE!!"
'Yes...yes you are.' You both sat down on the bridge, enjoying each others company. Sitting with your legs hanging outside of the bridge, you could almost feel the painted rock beneath the souls of your shoes. When you were ready, both of you decided to go for a stroll through the forest.
Papyrus enjoyed walking along beside you. Even when he ran out of things to say, you didn't pull away from him. But after awhile, his lack of speech caused you to worry.
'Papyrus? Are you ok?' Seeing the concern on your face, he gathered snow in his hand before launching it towards you.
"OF COURSE I AM! BUT IT WOULD SEEM THAT YOU ARE IN A BIT OF A DAZE, NYEHEHE!" Shaking off the snow off of you, you both began staring at each other with an evil glint in your eyes. At the sound of snow falling off from one of the branches, you two ran far apart from each other to take cover. Papyrus stood behind a tree, with a snowball ready in hand. Taking a peek to his side, he noticed your blue sweater peeking out from a large snow puff. "OH GOOD DAY RANDOM MONSTER!" He shouted which got you to stick your head out to see who he was talking to. Taking his chance, he threw another snowball at you. Seeing how you where tricked, you jumped out of your hiding spot and went to a frontal assult.
Back and forth the small snow war continued. Papyrus was obviously winning. For you kept slipping and sliding around the small patches of ice. But even so, you kept smiling and laughing along with him. Papyrus not wanting the game to be one sided, he decided to let you win the next round. Standing out in the wide open area, he pretended to look around for you.
"NEW FRIEND!! OH WHERE MIGHT YOU BE? YOU CAN NOT HIDE FROM THE GREAT PAPYRUS!!" His smile grew when he heard your shoes walking slowly behind him. Scratching the bottom of his jaw, he continued calling out your name. Until you launched yourself at him causing you both to roll down onto the snow in a fit of laughter.
When the laughter died down, Papyrus stared at you happily as you loomed over him. Your arms where at the side of him as you had them hold your body up and your hair framing down at the sides of your face. Seeing the position the two of you where in, you both started to laugh. This day was starting to be the most fun he has ever had in a long time. To just enjoy the day with a good friend. Until he heard your laughter die off to a strange gurgle and felt something dripping onto his skull. Opening his eyesockets wide, he stared at your face as it twisted into a state of pain and shock.
"F...FRISK?!"