Secrets Are Ba(n)d

Chapter 12: with LOVE, Papyrus!

"I heard you got in a fight with that deer monster," the reminder leaving a bad taste in Papyrus' mouth. 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.
"but that's not true, is it? You're the only one who's still bruised." The underlying tone soured as he assessed every bit of damage visible, he had a way of remembering these things, though it did leave Papyrus with heat in his cheek bones while he was being so thoroughly examined. "I-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. "I was there when she did that 'surprise snowball fight'" he gestured quotations with his leaves. "That's no friend." 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 friends left. "So why are you covering for her?" The flower stayed eye level with the slouching skeleton, the curiosity in his voice tainted with a devilish worry, something almost protective that Papyrus would swoon over later. "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 monster knows where" His face was a mix of 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-I'm sure she has" his uppercase way of talking became small, just as his always large frame colapsed in on itself. "I'm sure she's gone to the dogs, to Undyne, to Sans," the names made his chest hurt as his brothers disappointed face flashed into his memory, his arms wrapping around himseld 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 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 back to the cold forest. "Ghost.. 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 out of the kindness of their soul?" The sarcasm was strong enough to punch Papyrus in the non-existant gut. "He's not a scaredy cat you bully," Papyrus teased, "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. "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.
"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 (ba-dum-ch). "It's not a big deal! I promise, when the time is right I'll tell you." He avoided eye contact, 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" He said with a humph, to emphasize his displeasure.

Even with everything, Papyrus basked in the familiarity the flower brought him. "Yes yes, I know," he smiled, then startled feeling 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. "Fine fine, abandon this poor flower in the forest" he whined, wiggling his leaves dramatically. "Glad you understand! I'll make it up to you, promise" Papyrus stood, dusting off snow before practically prancing away.

"Dumb skeleton.."

863 words
(Wowie another chapter done! I thought I'd update Flowey on the situation, though he always has his ways of knowing these things, wink)