Secrets Are Ba(n)d

Chapter 12: With LOVE, Papyrus!

"I heard you got in a fight with that deer monster?"

The reminder left a bad taste in Papyrus' mouth, but he was wiser than to say much about it.

Flowey's face held a porcelain smile as he expertly read the skeletons' reaction. The two sat in a snowy clearing, the trees surrounding them like walls, and not a soul for maybe miles. A more and more usual place for them to meet, though never under the best circumstances as of late.

"That's not true, is it? After all, you're the only one who's still bruised," he corrected, the underlying tone in his voice souring as he assessed every bit of damage visible, eyes squinting with what Papyrus assumed was focus.

He had a way of figuring out these things, though it did leave Papyrus with heat in his cheek bones while he was being so thoroughly examined.

"I'm fine Flowey, really!" He smiled, "It was just a spar between friends that got out of hand."

That was the excuse he decided on. He knew Flowey would have seen right through anything he said, but he had no reason not to try it.

"I was there when she did that surprise snowball fight," he gestured quotations with his leaves.

"That's no friend."

As comforting as the worry was, every time the word left his mouth it felt like a slice to the neck.

No, she wasn't a friend, as far as Papyrus knew he didn't have many friends left after the ordeal.

"So, why are you covering for her?" The flower monster questioned, staying eye level with the slouching skeleton. The curiosity in his voice remained tainted with a devilish worry, something almost protective that Papyrus would totally not swoon over later. It was probably him looking too far into it, but a skeleton could dream.

"I've caused her enough trouble, haven't I?" He kept his appearance up, hoping Floweys keen supernatural sense would believe him this once, to no avail.

"She's ruined your reputation, hasn't she? I mean, you did disappear to heaven knows where," His face twisted with concern, "I wouldn't be surprised if she caused a great fuss."

The thought of his friends, the people he knew being so afraid, disappointed, almost forced Papyrus to tears, his words threatening to tip him over the edge.

"I'm.. sure she has," his uppercase way of talking became small, just as his always large frame collapsed in on itself.

"I'm sure she's gone to the dogs, to Undyne, to Sans," the names made his chest hurt as his brother's disappointed face flashed into his memory, his arms wrapping around himself not providing much comfort.

"And I'm sure they all believed her."

A drop rolled down his cheek and onto his scarf, quickly being wiped away by one of his gloves.

"Papyrus.." he was almost surprised by the amount of emotion in those words, looking up and seeing a face full of an unfamiliar confusion and anger.

"Don't you just.. want to get revenge? Really show her what you can do if you aren't on the defense, give monsters a reason to respect you!" His excitement grew with the makeshift pep talk, but only in vain.

"I don't want respect, Flowey, I just want.. friends," the skeleton let out in a shaky sigh.

He always disliked when his emotions got the best of him like this. Besides, he had his own outlet now, though it wasn't like he could tell Flowey that.

The answer left Flowey frustrated, changing the topic.

"Speaking of.. who's the ghost?"

Papyrus snapped from his thoughts and back to the cold forest, almost giving himself whiplash at the interrogation.

"Oh, Napstablook! They're letting me stay for the moment, with the whole.. 'wanted criminal' thing," Papyrus expertly left out the details, though his Flower was smarter than that.

"You mean, the scaredy cat of the underground let in a potentially dangerous stranger, just out of the kindness of his soul?"

The sarcasm was strong enough to punch Papyrus in the non-existent gut, furrowing his brow bone in a scolding manner.

"He's not a scaredy cat, you bully," Papyrus corrected.

"They're actually quite nice, and.. I'm helping them with something."

"something?"

The silence became uncomfortable, the knowing stare Flowey gave not helping the tension. He could practically get anything out of the skeleton with that look, but not everything.

"Its.. A surprise that I can't tell you about because it's secret!"  He blurted as his face turned a shade of orange, his hands quickly hitting his teeth before they could betray him any further.

"I-" The golden flower drooped, hardly enough for any other monster to tell.

"You, Papyrus, are keeping a secret from me?" The baffled plant monster stared in disbelief, genuine shock painting his golden features.

"It's not a big deal! When the time is right, I'll tell you everything!" He avoided eye contact while promising. though both lacked eyes, the effect was there.

Flowey's expression lacked something, lost in his thoughts for a second, before returning to his stubborn disposition.

"Well, you better. You know I hate secrets Papyrus! You really have changed," He said with a humph, to emphasize his displeasure with the entire ordeal.

Even with everything, the reminder of his life as it was now, Papyrus basked in the familiarity the flower brought him.

"Yes, yes, I know," he smiled, startled as he  felt his phone shake in his scarf.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Flowey, I forgot I have to- help Blook, with the secret," he trailed off, avoiding Floweys narrowing glare by typing in a quick response to them.

"Fine, fine! abandon this poor flower in the cold, icy forest," he whined, wiggling his leaves dramatically.

"So glad you understand! I'll make it up to you, promise!" Papyrus stood, dusting off snow before practically prancing away, waving with his good arm until he couldn't see the golden flower when he turned back.

"Dumb skeleton."

1040 words
(Wowie, another chapter done! Flowey's got some interesting opinions on the situation, though he always has a way of knowing these things. Wink. Of course, he doesn't know everything, you can probably guess what he's a little oblivious to.
Enough of the spoiling, happy reading, folks!)