Broken Souls [rewrite]

Chapter 1

This is a rewrite of an old fic. It is very different.
It'll have cover art soon, don't worry. Feel free to go to my profile and read the original! It's still there. (Warning, though, it's really shitty.

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Papyrus limped his way home behind his brother, the chain and collar around his neck jangling with each step. He walked how those like him were expected to: quietly, head down, behind his 'master'. His ankle was hurting. He wasn't sure what happened, as it had been a blur, but Sans had hit him and he'd stumbled back and stepped wrong and now his ankle was sending a jolt of pain up his leg with every step. Really, most of him was in pain, but he had decided to focus on the ankle. It didn't hurt quite as much as the rest of him.

He didn't complain. Monsters like him were expected to be quiet, and so he was. He knew that as hurt as he was, he was lucky. The others that shared this... weakness of his were treated far worse.

"Hurry up, mutt. We should be back by now," he heard his brother growl out.

He hurried to obey. It was best to avoid trouble where he could. He was lucky today. He didn't have any new cracks on him. He wanted to keep it that way.

Soon enough, they had reached the house. Papyrus followed Sans inside, closed the door, and knelt. He shivered as he felt Sans's hands, the hands that had hurt him so many times, brush against his chin and neck. The collar was removed and Papyrus felt relieved. Sans looked into his eyes, and the taller lowered his out of habit. A gloved hand gently tilted his skull back up, and Papyrus looked up at him. Though nonverbal, that had been an order. Sans's hand moved up and cupped the side of his brother's face. Papyrus leaned into it, enjoying the gentle touch and quiet moment while it lasted. His brother's eyes were sad. He didn't like that.

"You were very good today, brother. Even if I did have to remind you a few times. You did very well," his brother's voice was soft and gentle.

This would be a quiet night. A blush spread over Papyrus's face at the positive comment, the pretty yellow of it matching his small but genuine smile.

"Thank you, m-m'lo-"

"No, no... we are equals here, brother... even if I forget sometimes," Sans interrupted him.

Papyrus smiled. This night was going to be wonderful. This would be the type of night he would remember when Sans was angry and violent, and that memory would keep him alive even as his brother screamed at him and degraded him and beat him.

"Thank you, brother..."

Sans smiled. He then walked up to his room to change. Papyrus, used to this, stayed still until his brother came down, now wearing a purple t shirt and a pair of black sweatpants. He looked much more relaxed now that he was out of his armor.

"Stand up and help me make dinner," Sans ordered, though there was no force behind it.

Papyrus smiled. Sans wanted to spend time with him. They were quiet as they cooked, but it was a comfortable silence. Sans, of course, wanted to make burritos. Papyrus hadn't had to ask what they were making. Sans only broke the silence to ask for Papyrus to pass him something. The taller, trained not to ask things of the people around him, got things himself. He payed close attention to his brother, savoring this time of calm and happiness. He knew how stressful his brother's life was. He knew his existence only added to the stress. Still, Sans had kept him, and so Papyrus would do his best to make him happy.

When the food was done, Sans looked at him. "Go have a seat," he ordered softly.

Papyrus walked to the table and sat on the floor. People like him weren't allowed to sit on furniture. It was a stupid law, but he guessed that people didn't want their slaves to get any ideas about their importance. He didn't mind it, really. The carpet was comfortable enough. He was surprised, however, when Sans sat next to him and handed him a plate rather than sitting at the table and lowering it down. He didn't say anything about it, but he knew Sans could tell he appreciated it. It was quite obvious, really. Papyrus's soul was glowing brighter than normal and making a soft humming, almost like the purr of a cat. Yellow light was visible through his shirt in between his ribs. Sans leaned his head onto Papyrus's shoulder as he ate.