"What's this?" I spoke in a low voice, a piece of paper falling from the book Gaster had given to me earlier. Looking over it, the whole message was written in wingdings. Great. Not only can I not understand him when he talks (and I know he can make sense of everything I say), but he has to up the difficulty.
"-nd remember, if you see a human in your area, please report to your local Royal Guard and find immediate shelter."
"That's enough T.V. for today." I reached for the remote, turning the television off as I began to translate the message.
"B-BUT IT WAS JUST GETTING TO THE GOOD PART!" Papyrus practically shouted, the corners on my lips beginning to turn downward.
"Papyrus?" I grit my teeth for a short moment before looking at the clock, "It's time for us to go to bed, anyways." I stood up, closing the book and shoving my pen into my jacket pocket, maying way for my own room.
"Are you not going to read me a story?" His voice sounded defeated, forcing my form to deflate.
"You're a big kid, right?" I questioned the skeleton, who began to look at his feet sheepishly.
"Master's usually home by now." His voice was the quietest I've ever heard from him, "He never forgot to read me a story, even when we were little."
I let out a sigh, slowly tapping my foot, "Alright. I'll read to ya tonight, but I can't guarantee another time."
His face lit up as he stood, quickly making way for his bedroom.
I better not regret this.
I sauntered to his bedroom, shutting the door behind me as soon as I was inside, "Alright, Bucko. What'll it be?"
"How about this!" He handed me a colorful book before plopping down into his race-car bed, tucking himself under the sheets and blankets.
"Goodnight Moon?" I chuckled, leaning my back against the wall closest to him, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, please!" He nodded his head eagerly to me.
My mittened fingers stroked the cover of the strangely well-kept book. My mother used to read me this as a very young child.
"In the great green room, there was a telephone And a red balloon," I started, a faint smile against my face as I watched the pictures of the book, "and a picture of the cow jumping over the moon. And there were three little bears sitting on chairs And two little kittens. And a pair of mittens. And a little toy house. And a young mouse." I bit my lower lip for a moment, my smile diminishing, "And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush And a quiet old lady who was whispering 'hush.'" Tears began to brim my eyes as I thought of my family, which I had ran away from what felt like generations ago, "Goodnight room. Goodnight moon. Goodnight cow jumping over the moon. Goodnight light." The words became more strained and I proceeded to force them out, "a-and the red balloon. Goodnight bears. G-goodnight chairs. Goodnight kittens and goodnight mittens." I felt the tears begin to stream down my face as my body fell to the ground.
"Sans?" Papyrus just watched my crumbling form.
"Sorry." I laughed, my trembling hands holding my head by my mask, "This is pathetic, isn't it?"
He let out a sigh, crawling out of his bed and sitting next to me, wrapping his arms around me in a platonic embrace, "Sometimes, it's alright to cry." He spoke those words as if he had heard it millions of times before, "Sometimes even the strongest could fall in the clutches of emotion."
I gave him a gross-sounding sniffle, the thoughts of my memories swirling in my mind.
"I can understand you not wanting to talk about it," He pulled me closer into his embrace, "but whenever you want to talk about it, I would be glad to listen."
"Pa-" I choked up for a moment, turning my head upward to the tall skeleton as I waited for my composure to return to me, "Y-you don't even know me all that well. F-f-for all you know, I could be a murderer."
"Well are you?"
"No, but-"
"You are my brother, and I would do anything for us to be happy together." He gave me a emotional-suppressive smile, helping my crying calm.
"Th-thanks." I croaked as I wiped my eyes. He began to pull away, but I managed to stop him as I held onto his hand, "C-could we just sit here like this for a little while longer? Please?"
He nodded his head, returning to his original position next to me. There was something about him that was soothing. Was it loyalty? Compassion? No. This warm feeling was something that the lonely give to the alone, in hopes that the alone don't suffer like the lonely. This was love, kindness, and sincerity, all mixed into its own concoction. It's a feeling that is able to make the receiver feel overjoyed in a short amount of time, without the necessity of exchanging words.
It's kinda funny, actually. I always wanted a brother.
Okay, yes I know this feels like a short chapter, but I kinda needed a chapter to start building up on their brotherly relationship. They are supposed to care about each other, after all.