UnderCorrupt

43 ~ Mislabeled Cans

Finally, it looked like everything would be alright.

Sans had successfully removed and then tamed the Corruption in Papyrus's Soul. He had woken up a few hours ago. Papyrus was already showing signs of awareness, he had been dreaming for the past few hours.

And Gaster had finally gotten his clothes back.

All in all, despite the circumstances, things were looking up.

~o0o~

Had Papyrus been anyone other than Papyrus, when he woke up, he would've been content to just go back to sleep.

He was lying in a bed, snuggled up against what he assumed to be Sans' side. Sans had an arm wrapped around his shoulders, and was gently rubbing his back. He had a number of soft blankets on top of him, and was reasonably warm. He could hear Gaster and Sans talking, back and forth, both of their voices too quiet to understand, but their tones carried to Papyrus a soft contentment.

Papyrus was comfortable.

But, he was also Papyrus, and he was fairly certain he had already been asleep for some time. So he stirred a bit, uncurling under the blankets and lifting his hands to rub at his eyesockets.

"papyrus!" Sans exclaimed. Moments later as Papyrus opened his eyes, Sans pulled him to sit up, settling Papyrus to lean against his side.

Papyrus smiled up at his brother. Then he turned to look at Gaster who had just walked over to the bed where the brothers were sitting.

"How do you feel?"

Despite not having a throat or vocal cords to be sore, his voice was still hoarse with disuse. "Pretty good." He grinned at them, intent on showing them he was okay.

They both looked on, happiness mixed with loving concern.

Gaster nodded a bit, reaching out to take Papyrus's hand. "That's good. Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

Papyrus nodded. "Uh-huh. A little bit."

Gaster smiled. "That's good, too. I'll go get some food." He gave Papyrus's hand a squeeze, then swept away to go do just as he had said.

Sans, meanwhile, tightened his grip on Papyrus's shoulders, hugging him tightly. "pap, are you sure you're okay?"

Papyrus snuggled happily against Sans' side, nodding. "Mmhm! My chest hurts a little bit, but I hardly even notice it!"

Sans relaxed just a bit. "well, if you're sure..."

"I am!"

"well, okay, then." Sans flashed Papyrus a quick grin, but made no move to let go of his younger brother.

Personally, Papyrus didn't really mind.

For a moment, Papyrus just leaned against Sans, content. Then something occurred to him.

"Hey, Sans?"

"hmm?"

"What-... What happened?"

Sans was quiet for a minute. "... they tried to corrupt you." He said simply. "but i wouldn't let them."

"Oh. Thank you."

Sans just hugged Papyrus a little tighter in response.

Truth be told, Papyrus was pretty sure it was a little more complicated than that. He had the vaguest recollection of an impossible weight pinning him down, a crushing pain in every bone... and Sans, coming and pulling it off him. Taking it up himself.