ShelterTale

ShelterTale Part 9

Papyrus ran into the king's office with Sans following leisurely behind him. Gaster put down his work as soon as he heard his youngest's voice and scooted his chair back to receive a hug.

"DAD! DAD! GUESS WHAT? DOCTOR TORIEL SAYS I'M TALLER THAN SANS NOW!"

"Is that so? You're growing like a weed, Papyrus."

"OF COURSE! WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON, DAD?"

"Hm? Oh, I'm just reading some analyses of the local sediments, seeing if there are any viable areas where we can expand the caverns of the underground. Our population is bound to grow while we're down here, and I don't want everybody to feel cramped. Would you like to take a look?"

"YES!"

Little Papyrus examined the graphs and data charts with an increasingly confused look on his face, while Sans leaned to look over his shoulder. "that spot to the east of hotland looks pretty good."

"Really? I was thinking that the cold stones near Snowdin would hold together better than the mud of Waterfall or the lava of Hotland."

"i guess, but that one spot looks pretty safe though. plus, with that composition, there're probably some useful ores buried nearby."

"Hm, that is a good point. The soil there would be easier to dig than the frozen sediments as well."

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND AT ALL. BUT IF WE DIG, EVERYONE WILL BE HAPPY?"

"Yes, Papyrus," Gaster patted his head. "Did you doze off during your science lessons? This isn't that complex."

"I DIDN'T DOSE OFF! I'M NOT SANS!" Papyrus pushed his hand away and suddenly became timid. "I JUST... STILL DIDN'T UNDERSTAND. I'M NOT AS GOOD AT THIS SCIENCE STUFF AS YOU TWO."

"don't worry about it, pap. i'm twice your age, and dad's way older. you're plenty smart."

Gaster looked at Sans comforting Papyrus and couldn't help but remember that when his older son was Papyrus's age he'd helped build the core that powered and purified all of the underground. Papyrus, on the other hand, was even slower than most kids his own age. The apple fell rather far from the tree on this one. Still, Papyrus had plenty of good traits, not least of which being his pure heart.

I'd decided to have a second child in case the first didn't live long enough to succeed me, but I don't think Papyrus is suited to be king.

Fortunately, Sans had the Hope Device to keep him kicking. It actually had improved his energy levels, but now he spent so much enthusiasm researching (usually late at night) that he lazed all day regardless.

But he is the best candidate. I wonder if I should just name him my successor already.

Gaster noticed Sans's left eye glowing an ominous blue as it bored into him, as if he'd guessed what his father was thinking about.

Or I'll hold off until they're both grown up. Goodness, so protective. I'm not sure Papyrus even wants to be king. Oh. Actually...

"Papyrus," Gaster intruded on his children's conversation, "if you could be anything at all when you grow up, what would you want to be?"

"HM," the little skelly held his jaw in a gloved hand, "THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. I COULD BE THE AMAZING HEAD OF THE ROYAL GUARD! OR MAYBE A MASTER CHEF! OH! I KNOW! I'LL BE BOTH!"

"if anybody could do it, it's you, pap," Sans smiled.

Gaster took in the information. "You wouldn't want to be king?"

"WELL, YOU'RE KING, DAD. AND SANS IS OLDER, SO HE'LL BE KING AFTER YOU GET TOO OLD. YOU'LL BOTH BE KINGS FOREVER! IT WON'T EVER NEED TO BE MY JOB."

"I see." Well, he's settled it for us, Sans. "In that case, once your growth spurt slows down and your bones aren't as easy to break, why don't I ask Asgore to train you to join the royal guard?"

"WOWIE! REALLY? AND CAN DOCTOR TORIEL TEACH ME HOW TO COOK TOO?"

"Sure, as long as she agrees."

The next day, Gaster had Captain Asgore officially announce that Sans would be the crown prince of the monster kingdom. People used the news as an excuse to throw parties all over the underground. Sans wasn't particularly thrilled about it, but he was relieved that Papyrus didn't feel bad about not being chosen.

Sans stood on the castle balcony, dressed in his royal clothes for once: a set of purple robes with white fur trim, similar to his father's. Papyrus was wearing his own royal robes standing on the opposite side of gaster, but he was still wearing padded clothing underneath to keep him from breaking anything due to being too energetic.

Gaster put his hand on Sans's shoulder and whispered under Asgore's speech. "You aren't excited to be the future king of all monster kind?"

"I just think these clothes are uncomfortable," Sans shrugged. Then he whispered in a low voice, "You'd better live a long time, old man. I'm not ready for this kind of responsibility."

"I'll hog the throne for as long as I can," the king chuckled.