Secrets Are Ba(n)d

Chapter 8: Phantom Friend

Papyrus took a sip of the soda offered to him, the drink cold against his teeth, but soothing on his still drained magic.

As his stamina returned, and he took in his surroundings, he couldn't help being relieved to be anywhere but home. Explaining his predicament to Sans, trying to maintain routine through it, it would've been too much for him in this state.

The room was on the smaller side, with a computer on one side and a fridge on the other. Three books were lined up against one of the orange walls. Minimalism was never really his thing, but from what he knew about the ghost monster it was fitting for their personality.

"It's just.. frustrating!" The skeleton ranted semi-quietly, waving his arms carefully, the ghost nodding every now and then.

"I'm supposed to take care of my brother, train for the guard, which I doubt is even going to happen at this rate," his tone bittered, "and find an entire band? It's exhausting! And now I have a target on my head, I'm sure."

The explosion of emotion started as a half-hearted explanation to his state, but soon turned into a full on vent. In a way, it was freeing, talking without a filter.

"I'm sorry to rant, you've dealt with more than enough of me, I'm sure," he sighed, shifting to get up with a wince following across his skull.

"No.. wait," napstablook hesitated, barely above a whisper.

"It's ok.. you don't have to leave.." they objected, trying to sound slightly more confident, the shake in their voice only slightly giving them away.

"I.. understand how you feel. It can be.. difficult dealing with family.. and friends.." His ghostly eyes seemed to wet a tad, Papyrus instinctively wanting to comfort the small monster.

"We're sort of alike, then?" Papyrus held his knees, careful of the bruises.

"It's... nice to know I'm not alone," he smiled. He could have sworn he saw the ghost smile too, just slightly.

"You said.. you needed a band? Do.. Do you like music? That's a stupid question.." The ghost shrunk, fading a tad. It seemed a lot of things were touchy with the small ghost, and as much as ghosts gave him an eerie feeling, Papyrus couldn't let anyone talk about themselves like that.

"Hey, it's not stupid!" His energy returned, energy he hadn't felt in a long time by then. It seemed the ghost's energy got stronger too, wide eyes looking less transparent after the statement.

"I do like music! Though.. it's kind of a secret," he scratched the back of his skull out of nervous habit.

"I.. like music too.. I make my own."

"Really!" Papyrus accidentally shouted, the two both wincing at the sudden volume.

"I make my own too!" He added, both their demeanors lightening as the conversation went on.

"What.. kind of music do you make?" "mostly emotional things, though I'm a bit stuck at the moment"
"On.. what?"

Papyrus thought for a second, before making a decision with a smile.

"Can I use your computer?"

The two stood, not saying a word as the recording played.

"That was.. you?" The ghost almost had a sparkle in their eyes, while Papyrus stood fiddling with the torn portion of his scarf.

"I'm sure it's not nearly as good as your work, but it's what I could do at the time," he anxiously blurted. Being in front of someone with actual experience was almost as bad as being on stage.

"It's.. really good," the ghost said in awe, looking from the computer and back.
"Did you.. make the costume too?"

"'Make' is a strong word, it's mostly old things from the closet, I'm usually much more fashionable when given the choice!" He said, half posing to show off his scuffed battle body.

"The lights are fantastic.. you're one of the top contestants!" they congratulated with a bounce, quickly returning to their timid stature.

"I..I am?" The skeletons jaw hung in disbelief, fixing it quickly when he remembered his manners.

"yeah.. it was really original compared to the others.. are you going to the second show?"

"Of course! If.. if I still have time, that is," His voice shrunk, a pit of anxiety forming in his ribs.

"you.. don't have a song?"

"I was half way through one, I've barely got the lyrics!" He moped, flopping to the ground dramatically. He started to dislike how much he was complaining, but he hardly got the chance to properly do so.

"I.. I could help. only if you want me to, though," the ghost whispered, almost like they didn't want him to hear it.

"You mean it?" Papyrus lifted himself from his pity party, a matching sparkle in his eye-sockets.

"My songs aren't as good as yours.. but I'll do what I can.."
"Oh thank you, Napstablook!! You're an absolute soul saver," he half-shouted, flailing his arms in excitement. The ghost smiled slightly, bouncing in time with the skeleton.

"Th..thank you.. I'll do my best"

After some chatter and excitement, Papyrus was finally able to walk without getting dizzy, and therefore decided to go home.

Not without a lot of dread and worrying, mind you.

'What will Sans think about my state? Has he even noticed I'm gone?' His head rushed as he said his final goodbye, promising to return and continue their planning when he got the chance.

The walk home was generally peaceful, minus the many times he had to ask for directions, and the awkward stare at the damage left by his 'battle,' he got through it with little problem. And, once he trudged through the piles of snow, the hard part began.

The door creaked like usual, the familiarity comforting even for just a moment, until two pricks of light shone from the dimly lit living room.

"You know that scares me, Sans," he half-jokingly scolded, pulling at straws for any chance to lift the mood.

"yeah, yknow what scares me?"

"..What?"

"when my brother starts attacking monsters,

disappears out of nowhere,

and did i mention all the scars yet? because the scars are fucking scary too."

1069 words
(Hee hee, another one down! I'm excited to write more Blooky, I feel like they're underrated in fics, but they're so cool! I do switch between he/they pronouns for Napstablook, in case that confuses anyone. Anywho, happy reading folks!)