A Second Chance (Papyrus X Flowey/Asriel)

The Great Wingman

Asriel, just finishing another successful day of 'training' with the dogs, looked down at the small sack of G he'd collected since he got his second chance.

Gold dropped in the snow, favours and tasks, his training coming with a small salary thanks to his favorite head of the guard, all now leading him to the front of the shop of various items he'd passed many times on the way home.
He'd ignored its presence so many times in the past–what does a flower need that he couldn't have stolen elsewhere?–but suddenly the large window of trinkets caught his attention like nothing else. Jewelry, toys, giftmas supplies, anything one could think of had a chance of finding its way onto those shelves.

He checked his condition, the tug on his soul there but not yet uncomfortable, a sign he'd probably not be questioned if he took a little longer.
He checked his reflection for any obvious mistakes in his disguise before deciding to put his newly earned income to good use.

Papyrus, on the other hand, was making plans of his own.

"And you're sure none of the dogs are able to cover it? I can't leave As- Doggely to fend for himself!!" He protested with a stomp of his foot, half wondering why it felt like his other half stopped getting closer.

"Don't be a babybones Papyrus, I'm only making you do it because I trust you'll do a good job! Besides, I wasn't going to tell you this yet, but there's.. another reason you have to work with them."
Papyrus stopped mid stomp, his leg left awkwardly in the air as he turned his head to listen.

Undyne sighed, "Guards 01 and 02, you know them, right?"
Papyrus thought with a hum, fixing his stance into a more cartoonishly thoughtful one.

"Doesn't matter, 01 has a major crush on 02, and you're the only one I know can help me." She finished with the seriousness she'd use when hunting a criminal or devising a plan with Asgore, the silliness of which made Papyrus hold back a chuckle.

"I'm- being made a wingman?" He restated, though a tad more open to the idea of taking the job. The Great Wingman Papyrus, now that was a title!

Undyne laughed at it herself now, her guard persona falling.
"I know I know, it's not what I'd normally ask of a sentry–but I've made a bet with Alphys and I'm not letting her skip out on another date night!" She said with the snap of her hands into finger guns, cheesy but cool nonetheless.

At least, to Papyrus.

He feigned thinking it over for another second, leaving her in the slightest suspense before relenting the act.

"I suppose I can do you a favour-"
"HELL YEAH!!"
She shouted as she wrapped her arms around the skeleton, surprisingly strong despite the restricting armor.

"I'll make it up to you, promise buddy!!"
"If you say so!!"

.

Papyrus had no idea what he was doing.

The next day he left for Hotland as soon as he got the details of the route, wearing a tank top with shorter shorts just to try and prepare for the unbearable heat he'd undoubtedly have to fight off. Sans had convinced him to wear his HotBoy hat, something he'd hoped wouldn't look ridiculous to the Hotland regulars.

Since when did he worry so much about that?

..Soul junk, probably. Asriel was off with the dogs, and he hoped him being further away wouldn't affect his performance, Doggely was making such good progress!

The walk to his temporary post was luckily shorter than he expected, though he'd never admit how utterly horrible it was going through such heat, especially without Asriel by his side.
For as long as he could remember he'd been more comfortable in the cold, his bones more suited for snow than sand, and his lesser source of magic made the trip seem all the more dreary.