Against All Odds

Part 2: Chapter 8

"Ugh, that felt like an eternity..." Undyne muttered, staring out the window. "This is why I hate court stuff."

"WELL," Papyrus said, "IF IT'S ANY CONSOLATION, THE WEEK YOU SPENT IN THE HOSPITAL ALSO FELT LIKE AN ETERNITY..."

"Very funny." Undyne smirked. "At least it's over. All of it."

The skeleton nodded, carefully maneuvering in and out of traffic. "AT LEAST... UH, THE COURT PROCEEDINGS WEREN'T TOO STRESSFUL FOR YOU, WERE THEY?" His brow creased. "IT'S ONLY BEEN THREE WEEKS SINCE YOUR, UH..."

"I could handle it. I was more impressed with you."

"...YOU WERE?"

With a bit of effort, she reached out with her left hand and touched his forearm. "How are you doing? Must have been tough to relive all that."

Papyrus sighed deeply. "IT WAS. BUT WHENEVER I STARTED TO FEEL OVERWHELMED, I LOOKED AT YOU AND SANS AND EVERYONE AND... I REMEMBERED WHY I WAS THERE."

Undyne smiled. "You... remembered a lot of detail about the whole event. I've gotta say, I'm not sure even my memory would've been that good... especially under all that stress." She tightened her right fist. "Sorry about the ugly looks I was throwing around the courtroom; your story was... emotionally investing, and not just because I love you and was a part of it."

"PLEASE JUST TELL ME THEY WEREN'T FOR THE JURY?"

She chuckled. "Oh, heck no, they were for Loren. But you know I would've loved to have given her more than just glaring looks."

"NO KIDDING. BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S SUCH A THING AS AN UGLY LOOK ON YOU."

"...Aw..." The violet tint to her cheeks betrayed her, but only for a moment. She quickly regained her composure. "Well, if anything, they had more than enough evidence to lock her away for life and then some, with your testimony. You're totally a part of the reason people are safe now." She nodded. "I'm proud of you, Papyrus."

"ME? YOU'RE PROUD OF ME?" It was Papyrus' turn to blush now. "IT WAS NOTHING, UNDYNE. I JUST TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I GOT LUCKY WHEN I CAPTURED HER."

"Lucky?" Undyne readjusted herself in her seat. "Papyrus, that wasn't luck, that was pure instinct! And it was so amazing!" She panted a bit.

"YES, I KNOW YOU LIKED IT A LOT." Papyrus winked at her.

She facepalmed. "Oh man, you are never going to let me live that down, are you?" Shaking her head, she peered over at him through her fingers. "Remind me the next time I'm in the hospital, those guys aren't allowed in my room."

"YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM? I THOUGHT YOU ENJOYED HAVING THEM AS VISITORS!"

"Not if they're gonna razz me about every little thing..." She turned her head, muttering. "Some things are just a little too personal..."

Papyrus smiled. "WELL, IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER, I'M GLAD TO KNOW I MAKE YOUR HEART RACE."

Undyne chuckled a bit. "Thanks... wish I could say the same for you, but... I guess the equivalent would be that I'm glad to know that I'm popular with you?"

"THAT WORKS."

"...I'm glad." She sat back in her chair again, sighing. "You know, thinking back to the trial, I'm glad we were there to act as a counterbalance. You heard the horrible things she was saying. I mean, I know I had the same kind of mindset not too long ago, but wow... talk about being so dead-set against humans."

Papyrus was silent for a moment. "DID YOU... REALLY THINK THAT WAY?"

"I wouldn't have put you in danger. But... to some extent, yeah."