Against All Odds

Part 2: Chapter 7

Three days after the capture of the Starlight Killer found Papyrus waking up a little earlier than he had been during this whole event. It was still later than he usually woke, but considering that Undyne was by his side, he didn't let the details bother him. When you have as big a miracle as being with the one you love, none of the small stuff matters.

He smiled as he watched her sleep, a peaceful look about her face. Gently reaching over, he brushed her fiery hair away from her eye, leaning in to touch his forehead to hers. How could he be so lucky to be her husband?

Undyne opened her eye after receiving his version of a kiss. "Morning..." she mumbled, gently stretching with her good arm.

"GOOD MORNING," he cooed, gazing at her.

She was still just waking up, but she noticed. "What is it?"

"OH. UH..." He could tell her, right? Yes, he could. "I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT HOW ODDLY LUCKY I AM TO BE WITH YOU."

"Oddly lucky?" Undyne raised an eyebrow. "Not the adverb you expect."

"WELL," Papyrus rubbed the back of his neck, "HOW DO I PUT THIS? YOU'RE... A HEROINE. AND I'M... PAPYRUS. AND THOUGH I AM VERY GREAT, THAT IS ALL DUE TO YOU. SO, SINCE YOU ARE THE CAUSE OF MY GREATNESS, IT STANDS TO REASON THAT YOUR GREATNESS FAR OUTSTRIPS MY OWN. WHICH MAKES ME INCREDIBLY LUCKY TO BASK IN GREATNESS SUCH AS YOURS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE."

"Why are you so... I dunno, thoughtful this morning?" Undyne ran her fingers through her tangly hair. "You usually wake me up with a kiss and a 'GOOD MORNING' and spaghetti. Now you're waking me up with your inferiority complex."

"YOU JUST LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL WHEN YOU WERE SLEEPING."

Undyne wiped flecks of dried drool off her cheek. "Yeah. Beautiful."

Papyrus grinned. "IT'S HEROIC DROOL."

"Oh hush." Undyne pitched a pillow at him. "And to respond to your ridiculous comments cleverly masking your belief that I'm way out of your league, shut your mouth. I'm the lucky one. You're more patient than Alphys ever was. Than anyone ever was. Why are you so patient? How are you so patient and so neurotic at the same time?"

"PRACTICE."

"That means Sans."

"YES, SANS HELPED A LOT." Papyrus nodded as he spoke, his mind heavy with memories.

Amused, Undyne snorted. "Remind me to thank him."

"YOU CAN GO HALFSIES ON THE XYLO-BONE I GOT HIM FOR HIS BIRTHDAY."

"Deal." She paused for a few moments. "Seriously, though, why do I get so much of your patience? I think most people would've been out the door by the end of the first suplex. You're still here after..." She started counting on her fingers, but soon lost track. "A lot."

"AHH ABOUT THAT." Papyrus' cheeks reddened a tiny bit. "I LIKE IT WHEN YOU SUPLEX ME. IT'S UNPREDICTABLE. AND IT MAKES YOU SMILE." He took a moment to give her a smile of his own. "YOU KNOW, I SCHEDULE EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY, ALWAYS HAVE. SANS EVEN HAS A ROUTINE. GRANTED, IT'S MOSTLY EATING AND SLEEPING AND ME CARRYING HIM UP TO HIS ROOM AT NIGHT, BUT IT'S PREDICTABLE. AND I THOUGHT MY LIFE WOULD BE LIKE THAT FOREVER. BUT YOU? I CAN NEVER PREDICT A THING. ONE SECOND YOU'RE FRYING POPSICLES, ANOTHER YOU COME UP BEHIND ME AND SUPLEX ME. I USED TO HATE IT BUT NOW? I RELISH EVERY SURPRISE."

"...Aww, Papyrus..."

"I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE A WILD CARD, NOT IN SPITE OF IT."

Undyne chuckled a bit. "...No one's ever really complimented that side of me."