A Second Chance (Papyrus X Flowey/Asriel)

Can I Have This Duel?

Only minutes after walking out did Papyrus and Asriel finally feel more comfortable talking, quickly rambling over eachother on how utterly shocked they were over the last few days.

"I don't know her as well as you, and even I thought her reaction was weird."
"Wasn't it!" Papyrus waved his hands to eccentuate, "in all my years as Undyne's friend and student I would have never imagined her so collected. And Alphys not even panicking for a second?"
"I knew she could be ballsy, but inviting us over to study us like rats seems a little forward." The two ranted with smiles on their faces, laughs echoing in the approaching tunnels of waterfall.

Asriel lifted the edges of his coat as they stepped on the dirt path to avoid dragging it in the mud, catching Papyrus's attention.

"Oh, here!" He stopped walking, removing his red scarf and grabbing the edge of Doggelys coat before the other could protest. In one swift movement he halved the cloaks length, the red scarf tied into a belt around his waste with an impressive knot. Papyrus stood back up from his kneeling position, admiring his work from further away with a sparkling glint in his sockets.

"It actually looks quite good on you!" He praised in a half-brag, dusting the dirt off his knees.

Asriels mind flashed to stories of men putting their coats down on puddles for their lady friends, however the lack of response soon turned the building tension into awkwardness.

"Yeah, thanks man," Asriel semi-mumbled, walking ahead of Papyrus on the path without looking back.

Papyrus didn't much understand Asriels actions sometimes, but he wouldn't deny he loved being able to get to know him more. The real him that is, the one he only got glimpses of before.

Soon Papyrus sped to catch up, determined smile never leaving his face as he followed like a lost puppy. His heavy boots stomping in the mud alerted the other to his approach, though it wasn't like he needed it, their souls just kind of 'knew' when they were close anyways. Still, it was a nice gesture.

"With them on our side now, what else do you think we could do?"
"How do you mean?"
"Well, with the head guardswoman supporting your disguise, and the very scientist that made Mettaton, maybe we could make you a Doggely 2.0!" Papyrus sockets glowed at the idea.

"Oh come on, the black nose and dirty rags aren't good enough anymore?" Asriel teased sarcastically in response, getting a playful punch to the arm in retaliation.

Papyrus internally celebrated the successful mood change, infectious joy practically radiating off the ceiling as they finally came to the snowy path home.

"Hey, ow! Have some mercy, or need I remind you who I really am?" Asriel mocked in a stuck-up 'royal' voice, making Papyrus cackle before muffling it with his gloves.

"My sincerest apologies, sire! I didn't realize the magnitude of my actions, please forgive me!" Papyrus put on his own act, much to the amusement of his goat pal.

It was times like these that made everything easier for Asriel. The anxiety of his past, the future, their future, it all faded as he watched Papyrus show off how Undyne taught him the official guards walk. He wasn't terrible, but Asriel wouldn't tell him that, his ego was big enough already.

Without warning, a wall of deja-vu suddenly hit Asriel, making him stagger as he looked towards the forest for the source of the sound. He didn't know why exactly, but the unmistakable song drew him in.

Papyrus took a second to realize the second pair of footsteps stopped, turning around curiously to see the goat staring into the nearby line of trees. He focused further, hearing a faint melody coming from who-knows-where further in the forest. He hesitated before walking over to Asriel, unsuccessfully trying not to break his focus from the sound.