Secrets Are Ba(n)d

part 21: risky business

(So sorry for the late update, but this chapter was really fun to write so hope you enjoy!)

Papyrus' hurried footsteps slowed as he finally reached the edge of the snowy forest he knew so well, Snowdin town just in sight. The snow fell like bullets, most monsters cuddled safely away in their warm homes, all except for two skeletons stumbling in the blaring cold. Papyrus only narrowly avoided being seen by the swaying shorter monster, lucky his dark coat blended in with the dark tree trunks. He could have easily ran, even walked back to Napstablook without being seen, but something called him towards the old place he called home.

Sans shuffled his feet through the snow, 'undoubtedly muddying his slippers' Papyrus cringed, until he finally stumbled into the door. Making one last look around for stray monsters, Papyrus glided through the trees until his shed was in sight, calculating every step carefully as he circled to the front of the building. His would-be stomach turned as he reached for the doorknob, the door opening with a quiet creak that made him freeze.

Seconds passed, no reaction. Swallowing his fear, papyrus stepped in.

The place was a pigsty by his standards, dishes piled atop all surfaces, wet snow on the carpet, and clothes all over the couch, on top of which layed his older brother. Papyrus didn't dare get too close, repressing any of his sentimental urges to try and fix things. He had no doubt his brother was sick of him, but someone had to take care of him still. At least, that's what he told himself. He made quick but quiet work of the place, putting the leftovers in the fridge, sprinkling some food for pet rock, and lastly, putting a light blanket on his sleeping brother. Against all his common sense, he gazed over his lazy brother, reminiscing of the past where he'd carry his brother to bed. Even for a skeleton, he was pale, sickly looking even, his eyesockets red as if he'd been crying on the way there. Papyrus wiped his face of the few tears he too let escape, deciding then that he'd overstayed his welcome. With a last glance at the place and a heavy soul, he left, locking the door.

The walk to Napstablooks felt longer than usual, Papyrus wandering in his thoughts as he stepped over the wet stones that made up the pathway. It was quiet, save the drips from the rocky ceiling, in another time he would have found it peaceful. Instead, he thought about what he was going to say to Napstablook, undoubtedly terrified that their friend had left for so long. Papyrus wandered his thoughts for most of the walk, uninterrupted until he heard a sound that made his soul sink.

"Still can't believe that ass, he's lucky Grillby still pities him." echoed from not far ahead of him.
His mind ran, the tunnel he'd taken was narrow, and if he ran now, he'd undoubtedly be heard. Still, his options were limited, and giving the growling complaints were getting closer, Papyrus sprinted for the nearest notch in the wall he could fit in. "Hey, who's there!" A dog barked, her armor clanking as she started running down the dripping walkway. Papyrus hoped to Asgore he was hidden enough, focusing only on his hiding spot. The dull rocks that reflected the blue water that dripped from them, the echo flowers that grew in the smallest cracks, the clanking metal that only got closer. "What is it?" A gruff voice spoke to another through pants as he got closer, stopping just in front of the skeleton. "I swear I saw him, his scent is all over the place!" the guard dog sniffed.

Papyrus opened an eye-socket, confused. The dogs weren't familiar to him, but surely they weren't blind, he was right there! "I can smell him this way, let's go." the older dog spoke, the two running for the other end of the tunnel.
Papyrus stayed in his nook until the sound of metal clashing faded, before stepping out and taking the chance to look at his hiding spot. It was hardly enough to fit him, 'I surely stood out like a sore thumb' Papyrus thought to himself, about to bring a hand to his chin when he noticed something. The familiar red glove had changed, rough looking and cracked, an echo flower looking back at him. In fact, his whole body had taken the same look, rocky and blue. It only lasted seconds as he looked at it, but still it left him speechless.
He needed to get to Napstablook, his smile widening as the accomplishment set in. His whoops and cheers bounced against the walls of the shimmering tunnel as he ran, his positivity unfamiliar and welcome. Magical specks followed him as he ran until he finally got to the lopsided home of his friend. He didn't even think of the events prior, knocking fervently until the small ghost opened it. "Papy-? "Blooky! You'll never believe it, I did the thing!!" Papyrus semi-shouted, fixing his volume quickly. "You did.. what?" The ghost looked worriedly, moving so Papyrus could enter. "The Illusion thing!" He cheered, gesturing to the computer as he spoke with his familiar smile. "I was face to face with two guards, and before I knew it, I was blending in with the walls like nothing!" He celebrated with a spin, turning back to look at the reaction of his ghostly pal.

He wasn't, however, expecting the tears that fell from their eyes.
"Where.. were you" their voice shook, Papyrus quick to kneel down to their level as he apologized, close enough to notice the eyebags he had carelessly missed before. "Oh Asgore, Blook I'm so sorry I didn't-" he spewed, taking a deep breath as he thought about what to say. "I got in some trouble, but I'm alright! Nothing can keep The Great Papyrus from his friends!" he smiled softly, Napstablooks tears slowing as he spoke. "..I was worried.. you got caught and.." Papyrus shushed as they started to cry once more, mimicking deep breaths for the ghost to copy. A grounding technique he used on off days with his brother, subconsciously or not. "I could never leave you like that, we have a show to put on after all, we've got to go out with a bang!" While the tears slowed, Papyrus still winced at the sorry look of his pal, looking all to familiar to the one he just saw. "You know I'd never leave you like that, right?" The words almost caught in his throat, though he tried not to acknowledge the slight hypocrisy of it.
The small monster only swayed in thought, fighting a small smile spreading across their face. "Your jacket.. is soggy" they mentioned out of the blue, Papyrus letting out a hearty laugh, Blook joining quietly. "Is it? And I was just about to ask for a welcome hug!" He smiled as he spread his arms, The ghost floating away swiftly as Papyrus chased with open arms. the small space filled with the laughter of old friends, the small ghost surprisingly swift as Papyrus slowed to a stop, taking a seat on the floor. "Phooey, you are agile as a dog Blooky" He huffs, finally taking off the damp coat and grabbing a sweater from the box of spare clothes they'd collected.
"You said that you.. did the illusion thing?'" The ghost asked from behind him, facing away to give him some un-needed decency. Papyrus facepalmed at his forgetfulness, running to the center of the room so Napstablook would look as his expressions only got more excited. "I did!! I don't even know how I did it-" he waved his arms to depict the tunnel, "I was in a notch in the wall one moment, the guards were getting ever closer, and next thing I know they stop right in front of me!" He pauses for dramatic effect, earning a gasp from Napstablook. Continuing with a smile, "I thought: 'surely I'm a gonner, they aren't blind!' But no, The Great Papyrus prevails once again! They run off in the other direction, leaving me a free skeleton." He poses grandly, his friend looking in mellow awe.
"Wowie.. do you think.. could you do it again?" They ask with a sparkle in their eye, giving the best smile they can without trying too hard. While trying not to fawn over the similar word choice, the skeleton shakes himself into focus, his bones rattling. "I may as well try! Give me something to try and make, I'll do nothing but my best!" He gloats, Blook looking around the room before blurting an excited "could you make yourself a.. robot?" Quickly quieting down, floating away to give him space.

Papyrus took a dramatic breath in, closing his eye-sockets and focusing. Wires, metal, cannons, it wasn't as if he'd not imagined himself as a badass robot before. Before he knew it, he heard yet another gasp in front of him, opening his sockets and gazing at his gloved hands. A dark metal looked back at him, bolts and buttons going all the way up his arm as he stood in awe.

"You.. did it"

"I.. did it!!"

1588 words
(Long chapter! Much needed fluff from my second favorite duo. I really like the idea of Papyrus' illusion magic being slightly involuntary, like when he makes his eyes pop or the dating HUD. Happy reading!)