Us. {papyton}

Chapter 20

The day had finally come. Papyrus had put it off for a little bit, ('couldn't we just wait one more day for the kids?') but there was no stalling now. He and Mettaton were moving in together.

He woke up early, 6:00 early, to begin packing and preparations. Sans and Toriel crawled out of bed at 10, and Mettaton showed up around 11 to help.

Papyrus couldn't help but appreciate Mettatons work ethic. The entire day, he did almost more than Papyrus did! Toriel cooked snacks to keep them going and Sans supplied encouragement. He just wished the kids could have been here too.

Around 3, almost everything was done. There was the matter of a few heavy items and arguable items (Papyrus was told multiple times he could not bring the bone statue), but they were more or less done.

"Hey, bro?" Sans spoke up during lunch. "Are you gonna still be working at the coffee shop?"

Papyrus took his time chewing his food. After a moment, he spoke. "No, no I won't be. I'm going to keep my other 3 jobs, though."

Toriel looked disappointed. "But we need you!"

"Just deploy Frisk! They've been begging to help out for a while." Papyrus began to clear the table, eager to get back to work.

"I guess, but...you were so hardworking!" She protested.

"Thank you," Papyrus laughed.

They continued to work late into the day and by nightfall every one of Papyrus's boxes, cooking ware, trinkets and items were in Mettaton's apartment. They were still boxed, but they were there.

Papyrus looked around the family apartment, the same hollow feeling in his heart coming back. It seemed....emptier now.

Sans rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Well...I'll miss you Paps."

Papyrus blinked and pulled Sans into a hug. "Don't worry I'll come visit! I'll tell you all about my day and life and everything!"

Sans patted his back. "Good. You better, or I'll come over there and make you."

Papyrus laughed a strained laugh. "No need, I'll be here everyday to see you and the kids."

"And me!" Toriel piped up from her place in the kitchen, loading down Mettaton with food.

"I can cook you know-!" Mettaton said under the weight of Teflon boxes.

"Shhh. Just take them, child."

More hugs were exchanged, cheek kisses and a few tears on Toriel's part. Papyrus and Mettaton were being herded out the door, Sans seemed eager to get them out.

"Don't forget tomorrow night..! We're making doria again!" Mettaton called behind him.

"Nyeh hehe, Goodbye brother!!" Papyrus called before the door shut tight.

"I think they wanted us gone." Mettaton noted.

-

When they got to the apartment, they had to navigate around all the cardboard boxes, just to place the Teflon ones down.

"Wowie this is gonna take forever!" Papyrus sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

"I know...we'll just get Blooky to help us tomorrow!"

Papyrus looked at him. "Tomorrow?"

"Yeah..." He paused. "We're not unpacking this all tonight, you know. It's late, I'm tired, and I'm sure you are too."

"But..!" Papyrus stifled a yawn. "It needs to get done!"

"Babe..." Mettaton walked over. "You need your rest!" He clasped Papyrus's hand briefly, but let go and started walking to the bedroom door, kicking off his boots in the process.

The deadly fear creeped in again, quickly enough to make his heart beat faster immediately. "Um..! I'll be in, in a sec!"

Mettaton paused by the doorway. "Don't be long."

When he was gone, Papyrus could silently panick. Everything he'd been putting off was here. The one fear he held about moving in was finally upon him.

'I can't do this.'