A:N
Finally, a chapter with no warning tags. Maybe a brief mention of complete justified homicidal-intentions, but other than that, it's actually quite the light-hearted chapter. I think you and me both needed this after the heaviness of the last two. As always, let me know what you think by a comment. And if you need someone to lend an ear for you, don't hesitate to shoot me a pm, I'm more than happy to listen.
So this chapter is, admittedly, fluffy in its weird sort of way. That's as close as I can get to describing it, I hope you enjoy!
Papyrus listened to Sans talk, his brother was detached as he spoke. It was almost as if he had disappeared into another point in time, and the Sans in front of him was not his own. As soon as the thought came, he berated himself, as horrible as this sounded, he was absolutely sure that there was no way Sans would be able to talk and not revisit everything that had happened. What had to be the worse feeling in the world was knowing how helpless he was to stop it, there was no way to undo the damage. His sibling would forever be burdened by this.
He could only watch now as his brother fell into pieces in front of him. That actually wasn't quite true though, Sans had always been broken, since he could remember. Seemingly unimportant actions and behaviors took on a whole other perspective. Sans had always used his humor defensively, not to mention the catatonic way he went through life, and how he never seemed lingered anywhere. Always drifting from place to place. The signs had been there, Papyrus, ever so Great, failed at looking out for his sibling, and instead of seeing the truth for what it was, he chalked it up to laziness. Selfishly overlooked the cues so he might continue living life in a bubble of synthetic joviality.
The revulsion he felt knowing how all-to-eager Sans had been to protect his unjustifiable logic.
Now, there was a shift to his core's paradigm, feelings aligning into something that rarely dwelled in him, but markedly recognizable. Anger. His soul valued above all else bravery. Every soul usually coexisted peacefully in the Underground for monsters themselves were pretty amiable. This putrid excuse of parenting his brother experienced, however, wasn't the act of a monster following their value, this was an act of cowardice. Corruption. Papyrus felt his soul flare, bravery calling for rectification.
He had went through life, indifferent towards the lack of a paternal figure. Now he craved for nothing but his presence, so that he might ultimately pay for his crimes.
"Sans, he's not still around, is he?" He kept his voice light and familiar, masking the anger that boiled underneath.
His brother's eyes widened for a moment, before relaxing as he chuckled morbidly, "no, he died long ago. some experiment gone wrong, it was a real messy cleanup."
Papyrus nodded, the knowledge did nothing to calm his heart's fury, "And no one ever knew, did they? Sans, I'm so sorry, you've had to shoulder this by yourself for so long." Papyrus reclined against the wall near his brother, hovering a hand over the others lap- a silent plea. Sans nodded and Papyrus gently rested a hand on his knee and squeezed. By now, he understand that physical expression wasn't the best way to comfort his brother, no, this contact was entirely selfish of him.
Both of them ignored the blue glow that started to take form, the reaction, as he had come to know, was entirely involuntary. A conditioned response instead of one brought on by any mutual interest. Still, it took some self control to ignore the way his brother squirmed. Sans tucked his jacket tighter around his body, which afforded him some modesty.
"Brother, would you, perhaps, be interested in joining me in town tomorrow. Our little ambassador would be thrilled to see you. They've so much to talk about, I could narrow get a word in on the phone the other day!"
"heh," Sans hid a shy smile, "yeah bro, sound's fun."
Papyrus cheerfully drove through the city streets. It was too easy to slip into his usual nature that he had come to detest, but at least it made Sans loosen up. The heaviness of the conversation plagued both their minds, but for now, it rested behind them.
The world above had adjusted surprisingly quickly to the return of Monsters. Sadly, many humans were still troubled by their presence, but the youth had rallied quick to support them. It seemed as though, in recent times, humans had learned the error of their ways. Monsters were granted freedom and recognized as creatures capable of independent thought, but, outside their communities, they had yet to obtain any real political power. Instead, cities erupted, out of nowhere, and were repurposed for monster kin. In these cities, they were allowed to establish their own system. It wasn't long before most of these new cities were cohabited, all humans who lived there agreed to abide by Monster law, some humans were recently even permitted to join Monster juries.
Frisk, true to their word, had become a diplomat of peace. They directed the relations between monsters and humans, not without help of course. At the Overworld capital, they resided with the Dreemurr family. Asgore's and Toriel's relationship had yet to be amended, but for the sake of their future, they agreed to put aside their differences. It was known that Frisk would need the guidance from both monarchs. Of course, learning that their son still lived, even if it was in a husk of a flower, made it easier to get along.
"hey bro, you think anyone's actually gonna be there yet?"
"Nyeheh~, of course not brother!" Papyrus said matter-of-factly, " but they will be soon, it's Toriel with the tiny human today, not the King and his boondoggling."
Sans gasped in mock horror, "Pappy, common, that's no word to use when referring to our King."
"Sans, I understand your point, but he was over four hours late! I was worried that something had happened, but no, Mr. Fluffybuns was simply distracted by that Homes and Gardens show."
"funny you should say that, i heard he was really rooted to the ground there. i was surprised to here he didn't botany thing."
"Sans."
"wow, you sound upset, maybe i should leaf you alone?"
"SANS WHY!?"
Papyrus cruised into the parking lot of the Olive Cuisine, after finding a spot, he quickly pulled in. Sans followed behind, always amused to see him get like this. Wasting not a single moment, Sans's brother dove through the doors and strode up to the front counter. Quietly in his head he sent a prepology to, what was soon-to-be, a room full of startled customers.
"I, the Great Papyrus, have arrived. Checking in for the Dreemurr reservation!"
His brother was so cool.
Maybe the nearby booths had been stunned into silence by Papyrus's boisterous behavior, but the restaurant workers loved it. In fact, there was a small gathering forming, calling and hedging bets as the check-in desk girl scanned the book.
"I'm sorry, Pap, but Toriel has-"
"-I've already checked us in. In a few moments, we can take our seats." The Queen spoke.
Papyrus spun comically around, before bowing his head in defeat. The crowd of crew members that had gathered remained respectively quiet as they gathered their money from those who had lost the gamble.
"Is that so." Papyrus grimaced before raising his head from its position.
Toriel couldn't help but chuckle at his candid disappointment, clasped in her protective arms, the little ambassador was giggling too. Frisk struggled in her arms and was hesitantly set down. Wasting not a second, the child darted towards Papyrus and caught his legs in a vice grip. Papyrus chuckled and picked them up.
"Such a brash and formidable move from the tiny human, but the Great Papyrus swiftly retaliates."
Sans chuckled, watching, not far behind, as his brother and Frisk got into a wrestling match. He subconsciously slipped his hands into his pocket when he noticed an inquisitive gaze on him; briefly, he looks away from the pair to meets Toriel's eyes. Their faces slips into impassivity as they access eachother. Shrugging off the concern, and probably loosing the staring match, he returns his attention towards his brother. By now, Papyrus is failing miserably against possibly the world's most emotive and hyperactive child.
Naturally, he knows that nothing gets past Toriel's watchful eye, it's an absolute that she'll talk to him soon. For now though, she moves to rescue Papyrus from his tormenter.
"Frisk, now that's enough," the child pauses before releasing the poor skeleton from their headlock. Reaching forward, Toriel tugs her child the rest of the way of Papyrus, who for a monster that had no need to breath, was panting quite heavily from exertion.
"It is nice to see you again, and it seems we've much to talk about," Sans nods, he sees the subtle hint in there, but is surprised when out of the corner of his eye, he picks up on Papyrus. His brother also catching the hidden message.
"For now though, I believe it is time we take our seat."
