Secrets Are Ba(n)d

Part 25: Minor Reservations

"You... had to come home soaked again..?" Napstablook complained, returning to the computer as Papyrus collapsed onto his yoga mat bed.

"I tripped! I'll hang it outside to dry this time, promise!" Papyrus pleaded to his preoccupied roommate, barely looking up from his place on the floor. His exhaustion was evident, the bag of food by his legs quickly being emptied as he tore open the topmost bag of chips. The routine was becoming more regular now, if still with its hiccups, Papyrus just needed to muster up some magic before entering the outdoors once again.

"Oh! You know that nice shopkeep in Snowdin? Apparently her and her sister are fans! She even gave me these, free of charge!" Papyrus explained between a yawn, shuffling on his knees to place the box of berries on the ghost's desk.

"For.. free? ..Why?" The ghost paused, looking back at the skeleton with a hidden wince. His skeletal look had degraded to a fragility they weren't used to, similar to when he'd first stayed over, crumpled and pale on the floor.

"I think she pitied me a little bit, but it was too kind to say no to! And anyways, I don't think I could've done another show without proper nutrition, no offense," He explained weakly, willing himself to stand. Removing his coat was a welcome effort, tossing it and his damp gloves towards the door so he could focus entirely on the fruits.

"Oh.. well, go ahead... I don't really.. need nutrients.. or fancy things..." Blooky continued, returning to their interweb surfing.

It wasn't a second later Papyrus had a handful of berries, tossing them back like he'd not eaten in weeks. Truly, without counting cheap snacks, he hadn't. Only when half the box was empty did he pause, watching the others screen as he mindlessly fiddled with the plate on the back of his hand.

"What are you up to?"
"Just... checking something.." Napstablook faded, their nerves showing slightly as they browsed the MTT website. Papyrus knew it was a difficult subject, but he didn't think the very website would cause such a reaction, it felt like moreso was going on than he knew. Not like he wasn't used to that, Flowey got him quite accustomed, but it was strange coming from the ghost.

Of course, his attention wasn't on that for long, instead shooting towards a pop-up that kept annoying the ghost.

!!MTT Resort™ Guest Singers!!
Do you have a voice like no other? The confidence to get up in front of loyal MTT customers?
Come on up to MTT Resort this time next week for our very exclusive karaoke night!
Attendants must have proof of musical talent at the door, no thrown tomato related injuries are the responsibility of the MTT Resort™.

"..No."
"But blookyy!"
"..Not gonna do it."

Papyrus sighed dramatically, letting himself fall backwards to lay against the cold ground, arms spread wide.

"We could practice something for the show! I've even got other ideas, I could write one!"
"..why don't.. you just do it by yourself..?"
"Because-! Because.." Papyrus paused, huffing at the ghost's satisfied expression. It wasn't much different from their regular one, but he could sure tell it was smug.

"But.. I'd feel bad leaving you out! We're a team, aren't we?" Papyrus countered, the ghost drifting in thought.

"You started by yourself.. didn't you? It could even give me a chance to think of my own 'Froid,'" they returned, seemingly having already decided. As proud as Papyrus was of their newfound stubbornness, he wished they wouldn't use their confidence for evil.