Protect One Another - US!Papyrus x Reader

self-esteem issues

(Note at the end)

Written: 4/22-26/2021

Edited: 4/26/2021

--

Y/n reached for the flour jar with all her might, though to little success. She glanced around quickly, making sure no one was near, then pulled herself onto the counter. However, before she could grab anything, she felt a heavy weight enclose her soul picking her up, and gently returning her to the floor.

"Not on my watch, honey," Papyrus said causing Y/n to sigh heavily. "I don't want you putting too much strain on your arm. It'll never heal if ya keep doin' that."

"I almost had it Pap!" Y/n exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Uh-huh, sure. Please ask for help next time mk?" he said, reaching for the high shelf and grabbing the jar of flour for her. He held it out for her to take it. She looked at the jar with irritation pulling at her features.

"Never mind, I'm going to take a nap," she stated, her tone flat as she pushed his hand aside and walked away. She was halfway up the stairs when Papyrus teleported in front of her.

"Wow, wow, wow, calm down, what's wrong?" he asked, holding his hands out so she couldn't pass him. "You seem off today. Is everything alright? Did I do something wrong?"

"Yep, I'm fine. Now let me through," Y/n replied stiffly. Papyrus didn't move, instead giving her a look of concern and reaching for her shoulder. She shrugged off his hand. "Pap please, just leave me alone."

"Not until you've had a decent breakfast," he replied with a smile. He held her shoulder again and teleported them to the kitchen.

"Pap I already had breakfast."

"Really?" he asked raising a brow as he opened the fridge. "Then why were you getting flour?" Y/n didn't reply, instead sitting in a chair and leaning on her good hand.

"...I was gonna make myself a pancake until you so rudely took away my one victory," she mumbled. Papyrus gave her a look.

"What do you mean victory? Grabbing the flour?"

"Geez you're slow," she mumbled. "YES, Papyrus. Grabbing the flour all by myself. But then Mr. Prince Charming came in and saved the day. I was gonna finally be able to move freely until you came in. I was gonna finely be able to do something myself!" Papyrus remained quiet as he mixed everything together in a bowl. He thought on her words then turned to her, leaning against the stove.

"Oh... I get it but...It hasn't been that long since you got hurt, hon," he said. Y/n glared at him. "I was just trying to help; I don't want you to hurt yourself anymore. Although... I'm sorry if I upset you. Do you want to help make the pancakes...?"

Y/n stopped glaring at him and nodded slowly, giving in completely to his offer. She got up from her chair and walked over to the stove. She helped pour in the batter into the pan. Papyrus watched her fondly as she filled the pan one pancake at a time. Her attention was diverted to his gaze several times throughout her pouring duty, giving him questioning looks every time.

Once she was finished, she cleaned her hands on the towel that hung on the oven handle. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?" she asked curiously, a blush and grin coming to her lips despite her internal protests.

"Because you're beautiful, darling," he replied calmly. "And beautiful things brighten up my day." Y/n snorted unintentionally at his statement and snickered. Papyrus gave her a questioning look. "Why are you laughing? Was it something... I said?"

"Yeah, it was," she said, her laughter quieting down.

"What?"

"'I'm beautiful'. That's hilarious. I'm not beautiful. I'm a couch potato that has zero physical attractiveness. If you were looking to flatter me, it's not working and never will," she said. "You're only saying that to make me feel better. You don't actually mean it." Papyrus looked taken aback by her response.

"I'm only voicing what I see, I'm not trying to flatter you," he said, taking a step towards her and reaching for her hand. "And maybe trying to boost your confidence while I'm stating the facts I guess."

"Well, I wish you wouldn't try. It's not gonna help anyway..." Papyrus stopped his advance. He looked shocked, all he had tried to do was give her a compliment and she responds with spiteful denial.

Y/n regretted her words as soon as they had left her mouth. She fiddled with the hem of her shirt and avoided eye contact, not sure what to do. An awkward silence filled the room, wrapping itself around her and pulling her down. I shouldn't have said that. He doesn't need to deal with me like this first thing in the morning.

"Pap I'm sorry for blowing up..." she said quietly, taking his hand in hers and stepping towards him. "I shouldn't've said that. I was being selfish...I know you were just saying that to be sweet and you meant it. I'm just...I'm not good at taking compliments and th-then it just kinda crumbles and... I just don't know how to respond a-and..."

"No, I get it. I do, sorry to make you uncomfortable," he interrupted, pulling her towards him and wrapping her in an embrace, resting his chin on her head. "If you don't want me to voice my opinion, I'll have to do it through actions to get it in your head that you're beautiful...and that you matter. Especially to me."

"Pap no it's fine you don't have to..." she trailed off as she hugged him back, melting into his arms as he ran his fingers up and down her spine. She decided to give in, he was stubborn, and it'd be impossible to change his mind. She hummed contentedly and breathed in his scent: honey, the vague smell of smoke, and winter.

I guess I gotta learn to accept this kinda affection and encouragement. Otherwise, he's gonna kill me with hugs and kindness.

+++

I'm so sorry for not posting as frequently as I was... I've been busy with school and trying to find the time to do other things and...uh....yeah...Ok I'll stop with the excuses XD

But, there is something I wanted to portray in this chapter and I wanted to talk a bit about it. (If you don't want to read my rant, feel free to leave now. Your choice).  Mostly because...I may or may not have put a little bit of myself into Y/n and how she acted this chapter...so uh heh *nervous laughter*

I read an excessive amount of x reader fanfics (if ya didn't know already). And something I've always noticed about them is whenever the guy/girl in question is complimenting the reader, people in the comments blow up in denial. They're compliment them and the comment people will say things along the lines of "I'm ugly" or "Pff yeah right" or "get your glasses checked pal," or something like that. And while I want to say I agree with them (which I do about myself ngl) I don't comment it. Because...that's not something an author wants to read. But more importantly, it's not true. And it's pretty disheartening to see so many people be open about their low-self esteem.

I know I sound super cheesy right now, but I need to say it because it's literally what this short one shot is about:

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL JUST THE WAY YOU ARE. YOU ARE ATTRACTIVE TO SOMEONE, YOU MATTER, SOMEONE OUT THERE CARES ABOUT YOU, INCLUDING ME. SO STOP SAYING "i'm dumb." STOP SAYING "i'm ugly." Because you're wrong! You're so, so, wrong. Everyone has their positive qualities, some are harder to find or see, but they're there. I totally understand doubting yourself, I do it all the time and it's just human nature because we live in a fallen world! Life sucks! It just does! And it sucks even more when people judge us based on what we look or sound or talk or seem like. But that's their problem for not liking you. Because deep down, even if you say you're a bad person or something like that, you're wrong. You were made beautiful in your own way.

Besides, everyone is beautiful to someone else. That one person. No matter what you say, they will think you're the most amazing person to them in the world.

So in conclusion...

"Take care of yourself kid. 'Cause someone really cares about you."