Two Worlds, Two Souls

Chapter 31: Who's Caving?

Angel's Point of View:

"I don't know if I should be surprised or eager for a few moments of quiet."

Sans chuckled beside me as we glanced over at the pillow fort in the midst of his living room where Frisk and Papyrus were taking an early morning nap. Apparently the two had stayed up late into the night playing downstairs with nothing going on for the last few days. Frisk's studies had been put on hold for a bit until after the holidays were over (much like a winter break for her) and Papyrus was off work until the new year.

It was strange to see Papyrus sleeping in so late, though if he stayed up as late as I estimated with Frisk, they must not have gone to bed much before the hour of four in the morning, and it was only nine when we discovered them. He was running on only five hours of sleep. Frisk wouldn't be up until noon, but I imagined Papyrus would probably get up in the next hour or so.

The two of them looked so adorable under the covers together. They had grabbed the couch cushions to make a makeshift bed on the floor with sheets and pillows they grabbed from all over the house. The TV was on and still playing the soft melody of the games Sans had made for Papyrus that they had played all night. Papyrus and my sister were curled into each other for warmth near the fireplace while all the windows were blocked with the blinds to keep out the early morning lights of the crystals or the fair.

They slept comfortably. Sans and I weren't about to ruin such an adorable sight.

"Let's take advantage of it then." Sans yawned next to me, stretching and popping a few bones before walking toward the kitchen. A quiet morning without anything to rush and do actually did sound nice. Sans and I made our morning drinks and got bundled up before he teleported the two of us to sit up on the balcony off of their father's room that Frisk and I used.

"Oh that fresh breeze feels wonderful…" I took a small sip of my tea before setting it on the table between us.

Sans quickly took the other chair, coffee in his hands while we watched the lights of the fair glitter off in the distance. "Yeah… one more day and this'll be over until next year…"

"It's so strange to think about it when we've seen the set up and the lights for so long…"

"Yeah, well… Pap'll want to keep up the decorations for probably a month or two. The tree we'll take down in a couple weeks, use it as fire wood like the previous years."

"Sounds like you have it all planned out."

"I guess." My roommate shrugged from his seat, phalanges dancing around the top of the cup itself. "Ya really are somethin', ya know that?"

I stilled as I went to take another sip of my tea. "How so?"

"Ya haven't given in, most people woulda given in ta Robert's demands and worked for him a long time ago." Sans looked over at me with a more intense set of eye lights. "Ya kept yer promise. Ya haven't given him what he wants. I haven't… met anyone like that in a long time, not since… my parents…"

"Well thank you, but don't celebrate just yet. I still have two more days to hold out, or two more days for Robert to finally give in." I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the very notion of it, and I saw Sans do the same thing, understanding the feeling completely. "Granted, he really only has today to let me know by. If he doesn't, I'll have no time to bake anything, so this would be the final countdown."

Sans snickered at me. "You wanna have me start singin' that song too?"

"Oh hush!" I tried my best to ignore the blush in my cheek as Sans laughed at my misfortune.

Papyrus had been begging Sans for the longest time to help him put on a performance for the talent show Scarlet was putting on at the fair. Papyrus was all signed up and managed to convince Sans to do it, so long as Papyrus got him a special sized, homemade ketchup, crafted only by Sara and Grillby. And he had to tell Sans a pun on Christmas morning.

I remembered how much Papyrus sulked over it before the younger skeleton finally caved and agreed, just to get Sans to help him out. Since then, Sans and Papyrus worked day in and day out to make the song perfect for Christmas. One of my favorite Christmas songs was "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by the singer Mariah Carey. Turning it into a duet that focused mostly on Papyrus was the difficult part and trying to combine his high pitched voice with his brother's low one. After breakfast we would begin again to put the final touches on the performance that would go on tomorrow, and Papyrus hardly could wait.

He was really hoping that a lot of people loved the show and he could earn a lot of money for those in need. Papyrus was really working hard for it…

"Awe, calm down Precious." Sans continued to chuckle at my expense. "Don't give me a band time."

"Oh you-!"

Sans was laughing so hard. He stood as I tried to take a swipe at him over the table. Though I couldn't suppress the blush that came to my face as I sat with him. He always knew what buttons to push to make me feel so… different compared to all other times.

God, this relationship I had with him could be so messy at times.

And yet I couldn't get enough of him…

Sans' laughter suddenly stopped and that was reason enough to hold my attention. I saw that his gaze was held by a lone figure that were walking away from the fair and be-lining strait for our house. My eyes widened and I looked over the rail of our balcony to see it was actually Robert heading toward us. I couldn't hide the audible gasp that escaped me that the male had actually come.

Who would have thought?

I raced around the balcony and grabbed onto Sans just as I saw the features of his face change and the skeleton teleported down to the first floor. We both landed down there and I held onto Sans' arm to keep from stumbling as I tried to shake off the dizziness from being teleported.

Sans however, didn't give me those few seconds I needed. With an arm wrapped around me to keep me from falling, he dragged us both out to the front yard, threw his jacket over my head to hide me from any on lookers, and halted us at the front of his porch before Robert could proceed any closer.

Robert stopped only five feet away from us. The bear was huffing as it seemed he'd run all the way here from his stall on the other side of the square. Sans' sockets appeared empty when I looked at him. Robert irritated him that much that our happy moments with one another changed over so quickly.

"The hell ya want?"

"Look, you're right, okay?" Robert struggled to hold back the snarl in his voice as he talked to us. "I'm here to a… a-apologize to your brother. I was an ass to him. I was an ass to all of you. I need those baked goods that only you can make, Angel."

With myself steadier than I had been moments prior, I released my hold on Sans to step between the two men. If I had to guess, Sans would have wished that Robert had never come. However, he had, and with just a day to spare before the fair would be over and I would be unable to help. I had to follow through with my promise and at least allow Robert a chance to apologize to Papyrus. I knew just how much Papyrus wanted to help out in the fair, but couldn't or wouldn't without me.

"Okay."

Sans struggled to hold back the snarl in his voice when he turned away, obviously not pleased with the turn of events. Robert I could see also tried to hold back his own grin as he'd won, but not without sacrifices.

Such as his pride…

"I'll fetch Papyrus, please wait here."

After waiting a moment to make sure Sans wouldn't try to give Robert a real bad time, I hurried into the home where we'd left the little ones before. Still sound asleep were they on the ground, though Papyrus seemed to be rousing as I approached. I saw him glance up at me, his lights in his sockets quickly forming from the black abysses that were his eyes.

"Miss Angel?" He rose from his spot, though he seemed he wanted to curl back down with my sister. "What time is it?"

"Only about nine in the morning Papy. However, there's someone at the door for you. Could you perhaps come with me for a moment?"

"Oh goodness! A person to see me?" Papyrus quickly bounced up from bed, though seemed careful of my sister who still slept. A wise decision on his part, especially so early in the morning for them. "The Great Papyrus shall greet them then! Ah- but… will I have a moment to change?"

"I'm not sure Papy, this person is pretty eager…"

And you would be too if you knew who was out there. You've been hoping he would change his mind since nearly a month ago!

"Well… alright then."

Only a few strides led us back outside to where the two men stood. Sans and Robert hadn't moved from their spots, which I was very proud of. Granted I'm sure that if either of them even looked at each other the wrong way that they would end up cussing and screaming at one another, if it didn't turn into an all-out brawl…
"Oh Robert! I-erm, wasn't expecting you…" Papyrus nervously watched the older male who had yelled at him a time or two. Papyrus actually somewhat cowered behind me as we stood out on the yard, most likely wishing he was smaller to actually be able to hide.

"Papyrus… I'm sorry." Robert's words were careful and slow. I could only guess as he tried to talk to Papyrus himself, he was trying to be as careful as possible. If what Maria told us about the fair being practically a birth right to Robert, he'd do anything to be able to save it. From what we had seen over the last few days, ever section seemed to thrive other than the baked goods.

I'm sure that any section that failed would have been a blow to his pride regardless…

"I insulted you and your family. I never even gave you a chance… so… I'm sorry. Could… could you and Angel help out with the fair-"

"Oh, Robert you did it!" Papyrus cut him off and rushed forward to hug the bear, startling us all before Papyrus looked back gleefully. "Sans! Miss Angel! He apologized! Does that mean we can help bake for the fair now? Please? Please? Please?"

I sighed, but a smile did reach my lips. At long last, this stupid prideful war was over between us.

Papyrus looked so thrilled as he turned to face me, knowing that this was mostly my promise rather than his brother's. He was always looking forward to this so much so that now that we could do it. Even his brother couldn't stop him now. He was too excited.

I briefly glanced at Sans who didn't quite look all that pleased with what happened. However, he threw away his face of doubt and put on a smile for Papyrus. The promise we'd made had been kept, even if I knew he secretly wished Robert had never approached us and had given in.

I nodded to the males surrounding me. "A promise is a promise after all, he held up his end of the bargain, now we have to fulfill ours."

"Yes!" Papyrus quickly cheered. "What shall we do first, Miss Angel?"

"First off, Robert. I'll need your assistance." The older bear glanced over at me wearily. "I'll need you to get together as many ingredients as you can to assist us in preparations for this. We'll try to get out as much as we can today for you, but most of the baked goods I'll make will probably be for tomorrow due to how little time I have to prepare. I'll make a list and I'll need yourself or someone else to fetch as much as you can while we work. I have enough to at least get started on some pies while Frisk sleeps a bit longer, and then can put her and Sans to work decorating cookies once I bake them."

"…yes ma'am." Robert bowed his head, hesitant to say anything with the fact that we were finally helping out.

"And also let your wife know that I'll be selling paintings at the stand she gave me tomorrow, if she'd be willing to get that ready." I waved the younger skeleton. "Come on Papyrus, we have too much to do, so let's go! I need you to start on crust for me while I start making the filling."

"Coming Miss Angel!"

With little time to focus or plan, we rushed into the kitchen. Fully knowing that Robert would be off to gather what I would need once I gave him the list, I focused on that first while Papyrus eagerly pulled out as many bowls as he could. Quickly did he wash his hands before yanking out the ingredients he needed and started in a record pace, though still slowing down enough to avoid making any mistakes. The town was counting on him and I for our baked goods and with little time to do it, what we could get out had to be as perfect as possible.

With the list done, I quickly pulled the paper off the pad it was attached to and raced around only to nearly smack into Sans who appeared behind me, blue glow still lingering off his form.

I hadn't even noticed him come back in…

"Here Precious, I'll give it ta him." Sans outstretched his hand and I quickly passed him the note, no time to think about much else in those moments.

He was gone right after that, lost in a flash of magic while I sped on my heels to grab the bowls Papyrus had laid out.

"I'll do a quadruple batch to get four in the oven. We have enough of those disposable pie pans in the cupboard to start out with until Robert brings us more. I'll make the next batch of crust after you fill these up and you can make the next filling Papy."

"Of course!" Papyrus was hard at work mixing his butter and flour, eager to show off his skills that he'd learned and do the town proud.

"What's going on…?"

Both Papyrus and I lifted our heads to see my sister standing in the doorway, a blanket was wrapped around her while she yawned tiredly. Not even thinking of the consequences, I hurried to grab a block under the counter and rushed up to my sister and shoved it in her mouth.

"The hell-!" the angry strew of hisses that came out of her were quickly cut off when my sister tasted what was in her mouth. There sat a half-opened bar of chocolate that she quickly began to eat. "Chocolate?!"

"Eat that for breakfast Frisk-"

"WHAT?!"

"-don't have time to explain-"

"But-?!"

"Robert apologized-"

"HE DID?!"

"-need your help getting things together-"

"Alright, Angel," I lifted my head long enough to Frisk and Sans standing together. "Tell us where ya need us."

A quick nod I gave them before turning back to zest a few lemons. "Start cooking down some wax and chocolate in a pot Sans, I'll need that for needhums. Frisk, start by making sure all of our tinfoil pie tins are clean and set them next to Papy. Then I'll have you get out everything I need to make needhams. You and Sans can work on that while Papy and I tackle pies."

"Got it!" Both of them rushed to work. I could see the chocolate already working for Frisk as she dived in with more energy than she normally would have at this time in the morning. She would need a nap later, but I would deal with that situation when I had a moment to breathe.

At the moment, there was too much to do.

Later That Afternoon:

When the hour of three rolled around was I finally starting to feel the hunger get at me from having nothing by my sweets as food for the last five hours of baking.

My team had held in much longer than I had been guessing as we finished many kinds of sweets for the fair. After making multiple batches of needhams, a dozen or so pies, and at least three types of cookies; we'd sent over the first batch of food for the others to start selling. We then began making a final batch for the night to be sold, but we would continue baking into the night in order to make as much as possible for the rest of the festival.

Granted, we still tried to have fun with it as the time went on with playful banter and apparently pretending I was a drill sergeant that was working these poor fools into the ground.

With a click of my tongue, several people laughed in the house as I pretended to stand at attention. "Report soldiers!"

"Yes ma'am!" Papyrus, the eager to please rookie, took the stand first. In his hands was the pastry bag in order to cover the cupcakes. "The banana breads are cooking in the oven while pumpkin bread cools! Cupcakes are being decorated as we speak!"

"Good, proceed!" His signature cackle escaped him before he jumped back to work. I turned to the giggling of my sister who squealed from her corner. "Private Frisk! Report!"

"Y-yes ma'am!" Frisk dropped the dishtowel she held as she saluted me. "All most recent dishes are washed and dried, ready for use again! Also, I've packed all the cookies Sans decorated along with the breads and small cakes! Robert was gathering them just a minute ago when I brought out more on the table outside!"

"Good!" I quickly whipped around my head to face the final of our group. "Sargent Sans! Repo-"

I quickly cut myself off as I saw the poor skeleton had slumped over in his seat, utterly exhausted. His hands still held the pastry bag he was using to decorate the cookies while his head was threatening to fall into the platter he had nearly finished with.

"Frisk, Papy." I motioned them toward me, pulling out the try from below Sans and handing it over to them. I then carefully pulled the frosting from Sans' hand, passing that along as well, before trying to rouse him. "Sans? Sans?"

"…no…" he tried to bat my hand away and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Alright then, I guess it's time for a break." Shaking my head, I turned to the younger two. "Frisk, Papy, can you two finish what you're working on and call in an order of food to Grillby or Sara? It's past time for us to take a break and get some food into us besides all the sweets."

Papyrus set down the tray on the counter before approaching to see his brother asleep. "Do you wish for me to take my brother to his bedroom?"

"It's okay Papy, I got it." I summoned a few chains with my magic then to assist with pulling out the chair and lifting Sans up into the air. He didn't stir as I carefully moved him about the air and led him up into his room. Using my magic, I lifted myself up onto the second level and brought Sans with me, quickly opened his door and set him inside on his bed.

He'd been working hard since nine in the morning… he certainly could use a nap, and we all a break…

Once Sans was settled, I returned to the first floor just as I saw Papyrus rush out the door to fetch our food and my sister plant herself on the couch. Now that we weren't running around at a ridiculous pace, she was shattered from the lack of sleep from the night before.

"Time for a nap Frisky?"

"…yeah…"

"Come on, I'll take you up to bed." She groaned as I moved her, picking her up into my arms and using my chains to hold her more tightly.

I felt her tug on my sleeve. "But… the sweets…"

Carefully I set her down on our bed, covering her with the blankets and she quickly settled down. "Papy and I will be okay for a bit while you and Sans get some sleep. I'll wake you both in a couple hours, okay?"

"…kay…"

I didn't hear another word out of her while I went ahead and closed the door. With my sister and Sans resting, everyone officially went quiet in the house other than the few goods that were cooking. The breads we were making would still be another half an hour before I could use the oven again. I tried to use my time wisely and decorate a few more cookies in the period that the others were resting and Papyrus was gathering food for us.

I'd only managed to get through about two when a knock sounded at the door. I hurried to the door, figuring it was Robert or some of the locals he'd convinced to assist him in transporting the goods down the street to the fair. To my surprise, it was Maria instead with her two youngest at her heels.

"Maria?!" I struggled to suppress the gasp that came out at seeing her there. "I thought you were busy selling our items at the fair."

I quickly allowed the three of them into my home. I could tell from the warm look on Maria's face that she had been crying just a short while ago. Happy tears as she quickly hugged me before pulling back to pull off her jacket and assist her children as well.

"Yes, well, after my husband finally mustered up the courage to settle that promise with you all, I left him and Will with a few of Bernie and Vicky's kids that were helping with the sales and getting your stall ready for you. I figured my time could be better used to give you some help. I may not be the best baker around, but I certainly can decorate or wash dishes for you."

I hesitated for only a moment. I didn't want to take advantage of my friend's kindness… but there was still so much to do with so little time… And I was in desperate need of a break…

"Well… if you're sure… I could use a small break while the breads finish cooking and there are some cookies to decorate before Papyrus and I eat lunch and start in again…"

Maria placed a hand to my shoulder. "Then we will get right to work, if you wouldn't mind showing us what you were doing?"

"Of course!" I hurried over to where Sans had been making them before his nap. "Nothing to intricate, we were simply using the colored frosting to give the shapes more character. We were doing small faces on them and using as many colors as we could, especially of red, green and white. Oh! And there's no dishes yet to wash, Frisk had finished them up before you got here before she and Sans needed a nap. The two of them had been working incredibly hard since nine when your husband approached us."

"I see… Milly? MK? Why don't you two start in and I'll help you in a moment. And remember!" She held up a finger at the kids whose mouths water at the sight of all the sweets. "This is for the fair, so no eating it unless you have Angel's permission!"

"Awe…" Both kids groaned, but quickly got to work. With a knife in his mouth, MK covered the cookie with a colored frosting while Milly drew little eyes and smiles on them.

With the kids working hard, Maria quickly leads me out into our living room. I blink at her behavior for only a moment before she raced to hug me tightly, nearly crushing me to her body.

"Oh Angel… thank you so much for what you've done!"

"You're thanking me?" I was stunned as the bear refused to release me. "But I caused so much trouble for you and your husband, and caused so many fighters between you by just not agreeing in the first place. Why are you thanking me for that?"

"Because he's realized just how right you were." Maria finally pulled back so I could see the warm honey color of her eyes that matched Milly's so much. "He was being unjust and expecting things to go his way because of how he was taught. His father was always the harsh one, once being in the royal guard. People listened to Robert's father, they jumped at his words and that's what Robert was taught. To yell, shout and scream and demand people do things for him. What Robert didn't realize until he went through looking at his parents' things a short while ago, was that his father was respected for all that he had done. Protecting the underground and most of those people he used to yell at? His old friends and lower members of the guard. He wasn't just some shouting older man who wanted respect. Harold demanded respect and had earned it, and others jumped at his command because he was right. Apparently, that was what Robert never understood until he finally came around to talk to me and found his mother's old family album and his father's pictures of his old crew."

Who knew Robert had such a deep connection to the royal guard in the past? Damn, am I glad his old man wasn't still here or else I would have been much more screwed…

"You didn't respect him; you didn't listen to his shouting. And when he saw how it affected the fair, his beloved mother's fair, he took a step back to look at his actions. And it finally hit him!"

"Well, it's about time." I couldn't resist the roll of my eyes and crossing my arms, but Maria was good natured about it and laughed.

"Yes, you're right." She quickly guided me to the couch and pulled the coffee table before me. "Now I have work to do and when Papyrus gets back, you two deserve a well-deserved break to eat and rest while we at least do these cookies and pack them up for the sale tomorrow. And if you feel okay with it, I'd love a few moments after you eat to show me which paintings of yours should go to the stall in the morning to be sold. Bernie has volunteered two of her children, Remy and Theo to help you."

"Then I'll get those ready," I went to stand, but the slightly irritated gaze of Maria's that so quickly changed above me had me sitting back down. "After I eat, of course."

I guess that neither of us could still hope to stand up to the only woman who could put up with Robert's bullshit.

Witch's Note:

Oh, my goodness! Was anyone expecting that? Robert finally gave in and Angel plus the crew is working over time to make all they can for the fair! And how in the world can our cinnamon roll of a skeleton be so nice after all that's happened? Shouldn't he be madder?

But as we all know, that's not the way of the Great Papyrus.

Oh, how I know so many of you are steamed that nothing happened to Robert. Mystic Girl and a few others I know are screaming somewhere in the void. But I must tell you all that this is not the first time that we use Robert in this story! He and Maria, along with their family and other families in Snowdin will be tied in plenty in the future! I hope you all look forward to it!

(Mystic Girl shakes me the second she gets a chance.) Why didn't you hurt him!

Mystic Girl calm down! Don't you remember?

Remember? (She pauses in her shaking me wildly.) Remember what?

There are things planned for Robert and a few others. It will be a while, but its coming. Remember?

(It takes her a few moments, but she screams in rage.) But then you-

Shh! (I covered her mouth.) No secret spilling! That stuff isn't supposed to happen for another forty chapters! Hold it in!

And before any things that should NOT be said into the air, let's move onto reviews!

RoseCentury: Well jeeze, I'm sorry your not feeling so well, but glad the story is helping! Always love hearing your comments on the chapters!

ShunGod: Okay, we need to put a hold on that. (Reaches over to grab the flamethrower to hold off the assault.) I promise my good friend that more will happen with Robert in the future. I hope that you will hold back that rage for now. Please?

Alright! So, another chapter is done and with this feud over with, now we can get ready for Christmas and perhaps meeting some new characters! Who's excited to meet our favorite fish lady next time? Because I can and will admit that she will be making a lovely first appearance next chapter!

Love you all and see you next week! Don't forget to send in reviews!

Halloween Witch