"The Great Papyrus would never let such a thing put him in a foul mood!" Papyrus said into his phone, his voice a little louder than usual to mask his disappointment. Mettaton had to cancel their date. Again.
"I'm so sorry Pappy. You know I hate doing this, but there was an issue at the Glamburger stand that I have to sort out before my awful employee finally gets the guts to quit. As much as he bothers me, training another would be even more bothersome."
"I understand, dear Mettaton. I do hope everything works out with Burgerpants! Call me when you are free, okay?"
"But of course darling! I wouldn't want to call anyone else!" Mettaton made a kissy noise into the phone and hung up, leaving Papyrus alone in his room, dressed in his best date clothes and no place to go. He sighed and sat on his racecar bed, trying to keep the tears from overflowing.
It had been getting harder and harder to keep his happy persona up. He only let it down around Mettaton and Sans. Papyrus tried to stay positive for everyone, especially the human, who frequently seemed on the edge of tears.
Papyrus decided sitting around in his date clothes, waiting for Mettaton to be free was a bad idea, so he went into his closet to find something more comfortable. He skipped over his battle body, because why would he dress up if he wasn't going to leave the house?
He looked through various shirts and jackets and pants, when something grabbed his attention. He hadn't worn this sweatshirt in years, and Papyrus vaguely remembered how comfortable it was. He slipped the orange hoodie from the hanger and changed, leaving his date clothes on the bed. It was instant, the comfort he felt after slipping the jacket on.
Papyrus felt something in his pocket and reached in, curious and slightly confused. He knew it had been a while, but he didn't remember leaving anything in the pocket. He pulled out a small rectangular box. Papyrus grimaced before grinning fondly at the cigarettes.
"Papyrus!" You just got home, and you really hoped you made it back before he left for his date. You had a story to tell him from school that day. Toriel made sure to educate you for several years after breaking the barrier, but insisted on sending you to public high school. She said you needed to interact with your own kind. It was finally your senior year, finally done with public school.
Papyrus quickly shoved the box back into his pocket and smiled wide before opening his door and running down the stairs to meet you. He scooped you up and spun you around.
"Welcome home dearest Human! How was school today?" He hugged you tight, not acknowledging that you were fully grown and no longer the size or weight of a child. He was surprisingly strong for being literal bones.
"You'll never guess what happened!" You were finally put down and you pulled him into the kitchen. He laughed at your enthusiasm and followed, sitting on the counter while you sat on the table. That was one of the only things you did that actually annoyed Sans.
"Do not leave me hanging! What happened?"
"So do you remember Susan?" You started. Papyrus nodded, remembering the girl from the last party you held at the house. "Well, Susan's had a crush on Brad for months, but she was always too shy to ask him out! So we were in the lunch room, and Susan usually sits by the window with Taylor but today she walked right over to Brad and his friends! Charlotte was sitting with him again – she never got the hint that Brad didn't like her – but Brad completely ignored her when Susan walked up.
"Anyway, Susan went over to Brad and said 'I challenge you to a puzzle!' and handed him a piece of paper. By that point, the whole lunch room was watching them. Poor girl was shaking, but she looked so determined. She gave him a junior jumble that she made herself! It was so amazing! After he solved it, like, it was the kind of thing where certain letters are circled and after you solve it you put the circle letter on the line.
"The sentence at the end was 'will you go out with me' and… BRAD SAID YES!" You squeal with joy. This had been the talk of the school. Half of everyone knew Susan liked Brad, and the other half of everybody knew Brad like Susan.
"NYEH HEH HEH of course the Junior Jumble was the best course of action!" Papyrus' smile wasn't quite as forced as before. He had been following Susan's crush for months now, and really was happy that everything had worked out.
"Anyway, I'm going over Susan's house to help her pick out an outfit. Ever since Mettaton started giving me fashion advice, everyone wants help for their dates! Oh, speaking of dates… I thought you had one today?" You finally noticed his outfit. Papyrus gave a faint chuckle.
"Yes, but dear Mettaton had to… reschedule for another day, so I am spending the day relaxing!"
"About time! You never seen to take a break!" You hop off the table and hug Papyrus. "But be careful! You don't want to end up like Sans."
You both laugh at the comparison, because even though Sans does have a job, when he has time off he literally does not move from the couch. You waved goodbye and jogged out the door. As the door clicked shut behind you, Papyrus felt his smile slip again. He had managed to put the cancelled date out of his head for a little while, but he suddenly felt it a thousand times worse.
He tried not to be a clingy skeleton. He tried to be forgiving and kind, but sometimes it was just too much. Holding a smile and making sure everyone else came first… it really took its toll on the poor monster. He gave a singular sad chuckle and hopped off the counter.
Checking the clock, he saw that his brother wouldn't be home for about an hour and a half. Papyrus rummaged through the fridge and found one of the bottles Undyne stashed in the back after a game night a week or two ago.
Now, while monsters cannot get drunk the way humans can, the ethanol certainly gives them a nice buzz. It always amused the group how particular their tastes were at the beginning, but as soon as they got going it didn't matter what they drank. Sans was always for shots, but Undyne – surprisingly –preferred the fruity wine coolers over anything hard.
Papyrus smiled at the strawberry whatever in his hand and popped the cap off. Moving to the living room, Papyrus plopped down on the couch and flicked on the television. He would normally watch Mettaton's show, but as soon as he saw the robot, he felt a twinge in his chest. He was never a bitter monster, but he was always a lonely monster.
He changed the channel until he found some cheesy comedy to watch. He sipped the cold drink and instantly felt a little better. The clock chimed, marking the hour. Sans would be back in half an hour, which was plenty of time to finish this and hide it so his brother didn't worry about him.
After ten minutes Papyrus remembered why he didn't drink often. It made him very sleepy and if he drank enough it made him boarder line depressed. He sipped the last few drops of the sweet drink and sighed, his eyes drooping.
Next thing he knew, the front door was opening and closing with a sight slam. Papyrus opened his eyes and blinked wearily. Sans was standing in front of him, looking concerned. He realized he was still in his lazy sweatshirt, with the empty bottle in his hand.
"Feelin that way again, huh Bro…" It wasn't a question. Papyrus nodded and Sans sat down next to him. The brothers sat in silence for a few minutes, both trying to gather their thoughts.
"I am sorry brother. I will go make you some lunch. I am sure you are quite hungry." Papyrus stood and went into the kitchen. He tossed the empty bottle into the trash can and rummaged through the fridge again, puling out some things to make a late lunch for the two of them. Sans entered the kitchen and sat at the table, yawning slightly.
"Was it Mettaton?" Sans really didn't need an answer, he knew already, but Papyrus nodded anyway. "You know bro, I'm here for you now. I'm not going to be locked in a lab anymore…"
"Brother, you and I both know Alphys practically begged you to join her in her studies as soon as we made it to the surface. And we both know you want to take her offer, but won't. Why you won't, though… that's what I don't know." Papyrus got to work, making something both of the skeletons could enjoy.
"Eh, it really wasn't too appealing to me."
"And working at a gas station does appeal to you?"
"Ah you've seen right through me Pap. You're so smart."
"You were always the smarter one, that's why I'm confused. Why did you not become a scientist again?" Papyrus just wanted his brother to be happy.
"Don't you remember last time I worked in a lab?" Sans stood and cracked his back, stretching before heading to the fridge and getting a water bottle. "You were left alone for weeks on end… the dangerous experiments. And besides… I'm too lazy to care about science anymore."
"You are avoiding what you love because of me?" Papyrus was horrified, but didn't let it show.
"...well when you put it that way it makes me sound like the bad guy." Sans gave a deep chuckle.
"Brother…" Papyrus placed a plate in front of Sans, his frown even deeper.
"Ya know, a frown really doesn't suit you bro." Sans picked up his fork and started eating, but still watched Papyrus out of the corner of his eye. The taller skeleton gave a weak smile and sat down with his own plate and began to eat as well.
"Brother, you should go to sleep." The skeletons sat on the couch together, watching some cartoon. The shorter was yawning bigger and bigger through the program.
"Hehe you're always looking out for me bro. How am I supposed to be the older one if you're the responsible one?" Sans laughed and stood, stretching again and headed upstairs. As he reached the top of the stairs, you answered his question.
"I've learned from the best." Papyrus' grin was a little more natural. Sans gave him a strange smile back and headed to his room. As soon the door closed, Papyrus sighed and leaned back on the couch.
Usually when he felt this way, it only lasted a little while. In his experience, it was easy to relax when he was alone. He could leave his optimism at the door and recharge, but sometimes it all gets too much for the poor monster, and he goes into a slump.
He knew the saying "Fake it till you make it", so he plastered his favorite smile on his face and tried to keep it in place. After a minute, the smile faded and he sighed. Just one won't hurt, he thought to himself.
Standing, he walked outside and stood between the house and the shed. Papyrus pulled the box from his pocket and slipped a stick from its packaging. Using his own magic, he lit the tip and took a long drag. Despite not having real, corporeal lungs, the smoke made him feel a little better.
Before he knew it, he went through half the box. He flicked the one between his fingers to knock the embers from the top and took another drag. All of a sudden, the cigarette was gone.
Mettaton was standing next to him, finishing it off. Papyrus was shocked and intrigued as the smoke floated up over his bangs.
"You know, this wasn't what I expected when I came to surprise you darling." Mettaton flicked the butt into the snow along with all the others.
"O-oh Mettaton! I am so sorry! I did not know you were going to come visit! Oh dear, if I had known I would have put on something a little nicer." Papyrus picked at the hem of his sweatshirt and blushed, but Mettaton didn't laugh like expected. He made a scoffing sound and made the skeleton look at him.
"Darling… why didn't you tell me you were feeling this way again?"
"It is fine. I just needed some time to get these feelings under control." Papyrus smiled wide at Mettaton, but the robot wasn't convinced. Mettaton pulled Papyrus in close and held him tight.
"I know dear… but I could have helped you. You only ever smoke when it gets bad. Does… does the human know?"
"No, they are at a friend's house helping them prepare for a d-date." Papyrus' words jumped on the last word, betraying his real feelings. Mettaton's face dropped.
"Oh darling… is this because of me?" His voice jittered out with worry. Papyrus looked at his boyfriend with shame and embarrassment.
"W-what? Of course not! As if the Great Papyrus is not one to be swayed by something as simple as a rescheduling of a date!" He was getting nervous. Mettaton smiled sadly and placed a metallic hand on Papyrus' cheek.
"I'm so sorry darling. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"You do not have to make anything up, dearest Mettaton. Just you being here now is enough for the Great Papyrus." Papyrus grinned, the smile not at all fake.
"I'm glad to see you're feeling a little better… is there anything else that could make you happy?" Mettaton moved to hold both of Papyrus' hands. The skeleton thought for a second and placed a kiss on Mettaton's cheek.
"Why don't we just go inside? We can make something for the human when they get back from their friend's house." It was the perfect plan. Papyrus could already feel his mood picking up again. He held Mettaton's hand tightly as they walked into the house. As he got the ingredients ready, he began babbling. "You'll never guess what happened between Susan and Brad today…"
Mettaton smiled as he watched his boyfriend chatted adamantly. He felt awful about ditching, and felt even worse when he realized he was the reason for Papyrus' mood, but seeing the skeleton so happy again washed away all those feelings.
He walked over to Papyrus and wrapped his arms around his waist. Papyrus almost threw the bowl in the air in shock but smiled when he realized what was happening.
"M-mettaton what is wrong?"
"Papyrus, if you ever feel bad again, I beg you to come to me. I know I may not be the most available but I really do care about you."
"Dearest Mettaton, I care about you greatly as well." Papyrus turned around and hugged Mettaton back.
"Just don't pull the hood over my eyes." Mettaton's hand reached up and tugged on the hood of Papyrus' sweatshirt. Papyrus was silent for a moment before groaning loudly.
"Mettaton! That wasn't even funny! The Great Papyrus only laughs at the highest quality jokes!" He continued to rant, but Mettaton was smiling the whole time.
Not like my normal chapters, but I needed to show some love to Papyrus as well. Someone suggested a chapter like this, because they were right. When you act happy all the time, it's hard to keep it up sometimes.
Yes, I mixed in Underswap because I love that AU so much… oh well. I'm sorry if it seems a little rushed or choppy, but that's just how it all worked out.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm afraid requests are closed, at least for a little while. I have 46 suggestions lines up already and it's a little more than overwhelming, but I do adore the love everyone's showing this story!
Until next time!
~Starlight