(Au in where Pappy and Mettaton meet in college theater. Idk if I'll get back to this but I love the version I the ship where Mettaton has anxiety and impostor syndrome and Papyrus is his rock and positivity. Think of this as a pilot)
It was a beautiful day at Embassy University. Students from all around were taking the opportunity to take a walk or get some fresh air, anything to get out of the stuffy dorm rooms. It was the beginning of Autumn technically, but the Midwest heat didn't seem to catch the drift. Even if it was slightly hotter than comfortable, it didn't stop the two Skell brothers from enjoying themselves. Well, enjoying might not quite be the right word...
"I told you already, bro, I'm fine just chillin'," the oldest Skell brother shrugged, the hood of his overcoat covering his ears as he did so.
The taller of the tanned boys huffed indignantly. "But Sans! Joining a club is the best way to make friends! And gain new skills! How do you think I rapidly became one of the- no! The best cook in the state?!" A triumphant hand was placed on his chest as he struck a pose.
Another shrug. "Eh, I've been here three years, Pap. Don't really feel the need to make any new friends. I got a nice career lined up for me and everything." He winked and pointed a finger gun at his younger brother.
Papyrus groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The two came to a stop at a picnic table right outside the library building. "Please don't tell me you mean that hot dog card right off campus?"
A huge grin spread across Sans' cheeks. "The one and only. Free hotdogs for life, or as long as I decide to work there. Not a bad deal if you ask me." The truth was, he did have an actual career lined up. He just… wasn't ready to let Paps know yet.. "'sides, if I had more friends, I wouldn't be able to chill with my little bro as much."
Papyrus ran a hand over his closely shaven head. "That is true… At least accompany me as I try out a few more clubs today! Maybe we could be in one together!"
Sans frowned. "Aren't you already in that cooking club of yours? Why do you need to join even more?"
Stepping away from the table, the younger placed his boot on the bench before cackling proudly. "Because-" he flashed his biggest, toothiest grin. "I, the Great Papyrus Skell, will one day be the best at everything!" His award winning smile suddenly dropped a little, as did his whole posture. "Well, or at least show the academy that I've got a lot of other credentials to fall back on." He tried to bring his smile back but it wasn't quite there. "I'm sure they'll be interested in me next time!"
Sans felt his heart drop for his younger brother. Only a few weeks ago had Papyrus been rejected from the police academy. Even after he had trained for months to get in. Sans had only just managed to scramble around and pull some strings to get Papyrus into Embassy. He'd won a rather large scholarship himself a few years back based on a theoretical timeline theory he'd written. He may not be popular with the students, but the professors at Embassy certainly recognized Sans's talents. He wasn't nearly as dumb as most thought him to be. He'd been able to sweet talk and maybe bribe a few people to help his brother get into college. Where he could keep him safe himself.
If Sans was being honest, he hadn't expected his brother to get into the academy. Nor really wanted him to. He'd supported him because once Papyrus's mind was set on something there was no turning back. But the academy? He was just too… soft. He didn't know what the world was really like and it would have beat him to a pulp before he even knew what hit him. Papyrus just had too much faith in the world to be an effective cop. But Sans would never tell him any of this.
So instead, he just placed a tanned hand on Papyrus's shoulder. "I'm sure they will bud. Hey, let's go check out some clubs."
That really did bring back the smile to his brother's face.
…
Sans was exhausted. He normally worked behind a desk all day, pouring over papers and analyzing theories for class. Being dragged around by Papyrus from one club to another all day was starting to take it out on him. Actuall, it was out of him within twenty minutes. Why did the first club have to be the track and field club?
"Welp!" Papyrus placed his fists in his hips and gazed up at the theater building. It was one of the largest buildings on campus and it was quite impressive with glass surrounding the whole front side, wrapping around it almost like a bubble. "This is the last club for the day, the acting club!" He scratched his chin. "They call themselves the 'Badazzalers,' which sounds more like crafts to me, but they are an acting club!"
Sans had to hold back a sigh. He normally didn't mind people, but his social, mental and physical batteries were all drained at this point. All he wanted to do was curl up in his coat on his nice warm bed.
Papyrus on the other hand seemed to get more eager as the day went on. He was practically jumping as he grinned up at the building. "Let's go in!" He yoinked Sans' hand and dragged his shorter brother into the theater with little to no effort.
Inside, bright pink flyers led them to a small auditorium. Or at least small for the building. It was still pretty damn big, sitting at least two hundred people. Right now, the only people in the room however were a group of about fifteen people. There was a short blond woman with round glasses, looking like she absolutely did not want to be there as she practiced a scene with someone else. He seemed to be… very into the scene to say the least as he flung himself down on the ground. Another girl with black hair draped over her eyes sung a quiet but serene melody at the front of the stage. In the front row seats were many other people, their backs turned to the Skell brothers.
As soon as the door shut behind them, a large boom sounded throughout the room. All noise stopped from the stage and all heads turned to the two boys standing at the entrance.
The dramatic actor was the first to pipe up. He flashed a dazzling grin at the two of them (or maybe there was just glitter on his teeth…) as they slowly made their way down the aisle. "Welcome, darlings!" He jumped off the stage with grace, somehow managing not to wobble at all as he landed on his giant black platforms. He was wearing a pink crop top that read "I am bitches" in large font. "What can I do for you two lovelies on this fine and fabulous day?" He looked up and down the two of them, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I don't believe we called any models here today."
Sans's blue eyes flashed dangerously at the man's eyes roaming along Pappy. "We're here to check out your club."
"Yes!" Papyrus held a hand to his chest. "I am here to learn anything and everything about this theater group as this is the most popular one on all of campus. The only place the Great Papyrus is fit to be!"
The man giggled, placing a hand to his mouth. "I can see that. Well, you certainly have the attitude of a performer, darling." Taking a step back, he took a deep bow. "I am the director of the Bedazzlers." He rose dramatically, throwing his hand into the air with a flourish. "But you can call me Mettaton."
Sans snorted. "Is that really your name?" He couldn't help but raise a brow in disbelief.
"Stage name, love." Mettaton narrowed his purple eyes at the curly haired punk. "It's all about appearances. Something you clearly don't understand." He smirked as he took in the older Skell's outfit. He was wearing a faded blue hoodie, cargo shorts and pink sneakers. His brown hair was a mess at the moment (all the time, he never really cared enough to do anything with it) and the bags under his eyes just completed the "i'm-so-done-with-life" look.
"Hey, at least I don't look like I just walked out of a clearance sale at Kids GAP," Sans shrugged, not caring what the performer thought of his look.
"No Sans, he clearly did get them at a children's store." Papyrus frowned and pointed to Mettaton's top. "There's a bad word on it! They would never sell that to kids," he mused
wisely.
Mettaton opened his mouth to say something before clenching his jaw instead. These people were here to join the acting troupe, or at least look into it. He needed to keep his composure. "Moving on… would you like to learn a little more about what we do here?"
"Oh! Yes! I would absolutely love to learn!" Papyrus clapped his hands together.
"Wonderful, darling. Is it both of you who's interested or was it just you?" He glanced down at Sans. "I don't want to bore anyone. Not that that would be possible for anyone who saw even one of our performances."
"YES! Both of us are interested!" Papyrus grabbed his brother's hand and dragged him to the front of the theater. "Everyone! This is my brother, Sans, and I am Papyrus! We are interested in joining your troupe!"
Sans held up a finger. "Actually Paps, I'm not so sure this is the one for me-"
"Wonderful, darlings!" Mettaton strutted over to Papyrus again, walking his fingers up his chest before flicking his chin, causing the boy to squeak in surprise. "I look forward to getting to know you~"
A fire went off in Sans. Oh no. Not under his watch. "On second thought!" He shoved himself between Papyrus and Metttaton. "I would love to join." He grinned but there was no humor in his eyes. "When do we audition?"
