The hand that holds the chain(swapfell)part 2

chapter 10

Sans shut the door behind him, having been silent the while way home, and simply stared at the door with his back to Papyrus as he fully processed everything that had just happened.

They won.

He could keep his brother.

They wouldn't be split up.

Sans's shoulders dropped, his frame shaking softly as his emotions finally caught up with him, pressing a hand to his teeth. He wanted to cry, to scream, to run around laughing with joy at not being separated from Papyrus—

Arms curled around his shoulders, and there was a nuzzling on top of his skull that snapped him back to the present, to his home, to PAPYRUS.

And he whipped around, slapping his brother to the floor so hard his own hand stung. Residual anger flared up despite his joy as he clenched his fists tightly. “What were you THINKING!?” he hissed. “That stunt could have cost us our lives, if not our freedom for each other, Papyrus!” He paced around, his heels making sharp clicks on the floor. “It was a reckless stunt, and not at all a productive one—“

“Who said it was a stunt, Sans?”

Sans frowned, looking down at his brother who now had matching slap bruises on either cheekbone. Papyrus stared up at him with golden-orange eyelights that were sharp with lucidity, his expression completely serious. “It was no stunt, what I did. I would have done it at your command. I would have killed anyone who tried to keep us apart, just as you would have. But Sans...m'Lord...”

He shifted himself to a kneeling position, his head bowed. “...a Lord and Commander does not sully his hands with lesser opponents...” He reached out, clasping one of Sans's hands in his own. “...that is what I am for. I am yours to command, yours to use by any means you see fit. They must look at you as the one who commands respect from all...and I am the dog you keep on the chain.”

Papyrus reached into his pocket with his free hand, taking out a slim metal chain leash. He held it up, tilting his head to look Sans in the eyelights. “When they see you holding this chain...they will know that it is you who holds the power...that you hold the power for BOTH of us.”

Sans stared at the chain, lifting a hand and touching it lightly, his eyelights flickering softly. “....you threatened the Monarchy,” he stated.

“They are nothing to me. You are everything.”

“You would have caused a riot. An uprising.”

“I could destroy them all. I would put you on the throne.”

Sans took the chain in his hand, clenching it tightly. “...you're too impulsive,” he said. “So much trouble.”

“So punish me.” Papyrus lowered his head again. “I'm yours to punish.”

Sans stared down at his brother, the chain rattling in his shaking hand. “...why do you do this, Papyrus?” he asked softly, his voice trembling. “After everything that happened...that I allowed to happen to you...why do you still do this?” A tear welled in his eye socket, spilling over his cheekbone. “Hasn't it been enough? Haven't you suffered enough because of me?”

Papyrus was silent for several long moments before he looked up, giving his brother a smile. “...no,” he said, his eyelights shining. “Because when it's you...I don't suffer. I LIVE. I CRAVE. And I will never allow another Monster besides you to touch me ever again.” He bent over, pressing a kiss to Sans's boot before dragging his tongue over it.

“I love pain, m'Lord...that was true when we began, and it remains true now. The only thing that's changed...is that you hold back. And I don't want you to anymore.” He kissed Sans's boot again. “...I will never force your hand, m'Lord. If it is not what you desire, then I will be content with what you DO desire. But let me assure you now...I have never once regretted anything you've done to me.”