A Second Chance (Papyrus X Flowey/Asriel)

Doggely, Doggely the Dog

Snowdin bustled with the regular monsters of the town, familiar to the both of them yet contrary to the heightening anxiety that fueled the fiddling of the tall skeleton.

The town wasn't any different than it always had been, unaware of the honor it would have been struck by if it knew who was stepping in time with the monster that was so far below his stature. Papyrus felt his mind wandering to such places as they walked, anxious yet curious at how a place could feel so different with someone in it. His surprisingly sudden self-deprecating thoughts must've accidentally transfered over slightly, his gloved hand getting a squeeze from the other.

"So, uh, what's the plan?" Asriel mumbled, his own nerves showing through his frantic avoidance of eye contact with other monsters.

"Oh! Uh, I didn't think that far ahead!" Papyrus admitted with another pang of worry, regret seeping into his empty sockets. He'd almost suggested turning around, when a sudden tug on his sleeve brought his attention elsewhere.

"Rus?" A shorter monster spoke up, the familiar sight pulling all his thoughts away for the moment.

"LIBRARY BUDDY!" He cheered, both monsters subtly flinching from the sudden uppercase statement.

"It's good to see you too pal!" The rabbit laughed, attention soon turning to the unfamiliar dog monster.
"Who's your buddy here, Rus?" She queried, subtly noting the hands that didnt leave the others, despite not being led.

It was a great time for Papyrus to remember how great she was at reading people. It probably came with the job, and knowing her, she might make it a news-worthy story if he's not careful.

"A friend of mine! Just showing him.. the best places to eat!" He quickly tried to cover, letting go of the others hand as he gestured.

-what are you doing?-
-Just go with it.-

She gave them both a quick and subtle look over, face changing to a knowing smile with bucked teeth afterwards. Her friend the shopkeep was a great gossip, if a little clueless at times.

"Well, ain't that just dandy! I guess this is whos been keeping you from visiting the library then?"
"Hey! I do other things too!" "You're doing him?" She quipped quickly, looking back and forth between them with a masterful reporters glare.

"No, No, Not In Any Way!" Papyrus waved his arms madly in a 'no way' fashion, Asriel holding back his own giggles at the brightly coloured cheeks of the other. If nothing else, Papyrus could lean into a joke, reacting as if the allegations had any merit in reality. That's what Asriel thought, anyhow.

"I'm just messin' with you, Paps! Sheesh buddy, way to be subtle," she grinned, making her way past as she chuckled to herself in pride, leaving the giggling 'dog' and scoffing skeleton.

"So, you've got more friends than just me?" "shut up." Papyrus sulked with a huff, shoving his face into his cushioned hands.

It wasn't long after that the two found, despite being filled with panic, that nothing was happening. Monsters went on as usual, snow slowly filled the footprints they left, and time continued without pause. Papyrus almost felt apathy for the situation, until his half-souled counterpart let out a hearty chuckle.

"What are you laughing about?" Papyrus asked, seeing the others smile and infecting his own toothy grin.

"That-" Asriel coughed through breaths, "-That kid just got hit square in the face!" He huffed loudly, holding his muzzle with his paws in an attempt to quiet himself.
All too late perhaps, as the next flying snowball planted itself into his back, making him stumble forward.