Protect One Another - US!Papyrus x Reader

Chapter 15/24 -- Enemies Don't Give Days Off

Roots run deep. All the damage you have done will be remembered. But the horror you have committed is not who you are anymore.

Flowey however...

He's a different story.

Written: 4/13-14 /2021

Edited: 4/14/2021

Words: 1549

***

Y/n took a deep breath when she opened the door of the skeleton brother's house. Work seemed to zip by that day, and she was very reluctant to leave now that she was home.

Papyrus was at Muffet's, Sans was asleep, and the world seemed to be slow and dark once again. She exhaled shakily and walked through Snowdin to the end of town, to Waterfall. Her body seemed to be moving on its own as her mind raced with panic and fear.

She couldn't keep doing this. Not another month. Not another week. I can't keep pretending I'm not doing this. I can't keep lying to Papyrus, to Sans. I can't hide this forever. I can't keep just saying I'm fine. One of these days I'm going to snap. One day...I-I'll just panic and break down and I won't be able to stop...All my paranoia will come crashing down I know it. But...what if they don't believe me? What if I did tell them and they thought I was crazy? Heh, "Oh, hey Pap, guess what? This giant flower has been giving me battle training for the past few months, but I couldn't tell you because then he would kill me!" Yeah, real convincing...

Y/n jumped as she heard a CRACK behind her. She whipped around and saw it was only a branch she had stepped on. I could've sworn that was a vine...or the sound of bones breaking...or something... She shook her head and continued to walk in the direction of the hidden valley she and Flowey had used for her train for the past few months. God I can't keep doing this. I just get more and more jumpy and paranoid every day.

She arrived at the clearing and waited. Soon enough, Flowey appeared out of the ground, twisted around, spotted her, then disappeared again. "Howdy friend!" he exclaimed happily, sprouting suddenly from beside her. Y/n jumped out of surprise and stepped back. "Gee, don't look so scared! It's not like I'm gonna hurt you!"

"Sorry," she murmured. Ok, now's the time. I have to tell him; I have to ask him now. Now or never, I can do this! "H-hey, uh Flowey, c-could I ask you something?"

"Sure friend, anything at all," Flowey replied, his smile faltering for a split second. The girl took a deep breath and avoided eye contact, instead focusing on the hem her clothes.

"You probably already know this, but, u-uh I hurt myself the other day...and it's kinda, really bad. I won't be able to fight with my injury...so I was wondering...if maybe...you could give me the day off?" He remained silent for a moment. Then, he started to chuckle. His chuckling turning into laughter.

"A day off?! Are you kidding me?!" he wheezed. Y/n looked to her shoes. "Y/n! Oh silly, naïve Y/n... An enemy wouldn't give you a day off if you were injured. They'd take it to their advantage!"

"But you're not-"

"This training is for your benefit friend," he continued, ignoring her interruption. "Ya gotta learn how to defend yourself and attack. Even in the worst circumstances, and especially if you have an injury."

"Why?"

He stopped laughing. His face fell, his look becoming darker. "What?" he said slowly.

"Why are we doing this? Why are you forcing me to fight you? To hurt you?" Y/n asked, her voice strained, as if she was forcing herself to speak. "I don't want to fight anymore Flowey! I have friends now who can protect me, and I can protect them. Your training has helped me to get stronger, but I think if I keep it up... I-if I keep it up, I could hurt someone! Just the other day Alphys fought me, and I almost hurt her! I couldn't stop myself! I don't want to do this anymore, so please just let me go. Just let me leave, please. I don't w-want to hurt anyone I just want...want I- I just want t-to..."