Pressure (Papyrus X Depressed!Mettaton)

Performance

(3rd Person)

Mettaton loved the attention he got in the Underground, so why should it be different up here? They would love him, right? Wrong. Oh how wrong he was. The humans despised them all. Him the most. But why? What did he do to get that sort of reaction? Simple. He was confident, and never let anything get to him. It confused
the humans. We all know, when humans don't understand something, they hate it. Shame it. Exactly what they did to him.

Mettaton already had enough stress on him. He was constantly busy, worrying about his next performance. It's not like he didn't want to perform. It just.. Scared him. He didn't know what they would say next, writing hate blogs about him, posting complaints about him in general. It hurt him, stressed him, and pressured him.

It's been the same all month. Before a show, he'll sit down in his locked dressing room and stare at his reflection, much like he's doing now.

(Mettaton P.O.V)
I hear myself sigh, but don't feel it. What's happening to me? I'm usually excited for a show, but now.. I run my fingers through my hair, stopping at the back of my scalp and gripping it tightly. My eyes start to tear up, why am I crying? Am I that scared of what they have to say? I try to choke back a sob, but it wrecks through me, making my body lurch forward. I hunch over on my chair, one hand still gripping my hair while the other is covering my mouth. I don't even know how I can cry. Leave it to Alphys to create the impossible. I begin to cry harder at the thought of her.

Alphys.

What will she think of me when she sees her own creation a mess like this? She'll be disappointed in me. I know it. I make myself stand up, scowling at my now ruined make up when a knock sounds at the door.

"You're on in five!" A voice yells. Obviously Undynes.

The whole crew was coming out to watch me today. Alphys, Undyne, Toriel, Frisk, Sans, Temmie and.. Papyrus. I calm down a bit from the thought of him.  A soft smile finds it way onto my plump yet dried lips, not noticeable, but still there.

Snapping out of my somewhat trance, I grab my eyeliner and mascara. It takes me less than a minute to reapply everything. I fix my hair before putting on a fake smile and walking out.

Here we go.

I walk out on stage, waving to the camera and audience. My heart falls a bit when I notice the seats are almost all empty. There are a few monsters that I don't know, sitting near the back and playing on their phones. Sitting right at the front however, are all my friends. They make me happy. My eyes land on them and stay there, not bothering to look at those near the back.

The other monsters didn't even clap, cheer, smile or laugh. Why did coming up here make everyone loose interest in me? Whatever. I probably deserve it.

I stand there for a bit before my eyes longer along the ratings screen..

Less than 500..

The corners of my lips twitch downwards, and the others follow my gaze. Before I could put back on a smile, I see Papyrus quickly getting on stage. Why am I blushing?

"W-what.. What are you doing Darling~?" I try to sound normal, well, as normal as I can get.

"HELLO EVERYONE! TODAY, ON COOKING WITH A KILLER ROBOT. I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WILL BE TEACHING YOU ALL HOW TO MAKE THE BEST SPAGHETTI YOU'VE EVER TASTED!"

My saviour. Thank you.

I follow him to the kitchen and help him gather ingredients, smiling like an idiot. But this time, it's real. He makes me happy.. Why?

We finish making the spaghetti, giving brief descriptions with each instruction.

"There we have it, the best spaghetti you will ever taste!" I smiled at Papy and reached out to gently touch his hand. "Thank you, darling."

He grins at me, his dorky grin, and grabbed my hand. "LETS HAVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR GREAT, AND ATTRACTIVE CHEF, METTATON!"

I hear a click and the camera shuts off. The few monsters at the back don't notice until they look up. "Wow that was boring."

"I know right."

"It's the same Everytime."

"Do something new for once."

My heart drops again as I watch them leave. "Oh.." The lights shut off and I hear everyone else standing up.

"That was a great show guys! We'll see you tomorrow, okay!" That's the last thing I hear before the hall falls silent.

My emotions are catching up to me again. He can't see me, so it's okay. Papyrus stands awkwardly while I slowly move to cover my mouth. I'm crying again. Pathetic.

I turn to run out, but a hand stops me. Oh god. He can't find out. I can't let him see me.

"Is everything okay..?" Pap pulls me back but I act quickly.

"Yes darling! My batteries just running low and I need to charge up for t-tomorrow." My voice cracked, I'm so stupid. I can tell he's thinking when he doesn't reply.

"Well alright then. I had fun cooking with you today. Are you sure you don't want me to come with you-"

"No!" I cut him off. "I-i mean.. I'm really tired, it's best you go home. I'm sure Sans is worried to the bone about you." I turn away and wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. I can't let him know my secrets.

"I understand. I'll see you tomorrow Metta."

I wait until I hear the door across the room clicks shut before falling to my knees. It's been a long day, and I'm
hurting inside. Almost nobody came to see me.. I'm an eye sore, aren't I? They hate me. I'm not worth it. Just give up, the voices tell me. I can't. I have to stay here, stay alive, for him.

Papyrus.