Chapter Text
Papyrus stays in her arms for a long moment. The danger is over. Her shift is long over. She can go home.
She doesn’t move, holding him close, her nails gently pressing against his back. She smells the same, faint peach rings from her little perfume tin, vanilla and jasmine. Floral and fruity, but somehow giving off the feel of professional luxury. It didn’t really fit her personality, as far as he knew, but it did smell like her: As in it smelt almost confusingly safe. Though he could feel her pounding heartbeat with his arms squeezing tight around her, she did not express fear. He could barely even sense it through the bond.
She took deep breaths and hugged him tighter, and he shuddered as he felt the ghost of her breath and soft, albeit chapped and bitten, lips brushing against his neck as she pulled him closer.
Papyrus knows it’s accidental, but can’t help the way his soul flutters, shifting to rest his teeth against her nape. He slowly forces his sockets open to check on his brother, who’s on his knees next to them. Sans’ expression is soft, reaching his hand out to clasp Papyrus’ hand against her back. Papyrus doesn’t hesitate to squeeze it gently, still unable to speak.
Another moment passes, warm and safe, and it genuinely hurts to pull away, but Papyrus simply knows she won’t let him go until he pulls back and he wants them to be home and safe as soon as possible.
He begins to pull back, and she shifts to let him, cupping his cheeks gently to brush his tears away. “Are you alright?”
Papyrus nods, but cannot find his voice.
She nods to herself and shifts her weight to get up, offering him a hand. He takes it, relieved she’s not making him speak. “I can drive..? If that’s okay?”
Papyrus nods immediately, and she ushers him into the backseat, surprising Sans when she nudges him to join Papyrus. Sans blinks and she lowers her voice against the sound of panic around them, “He needs you.”
｡°⚠︎°｡
Sans swallows any and all emotion in that moment, forcing himself to nod before sliding into the back seat. He’d made sure Grillby got to his car safely on his way to Papyrus, so Sans genuinely didn’t have too much to worry about. Everyone he loved was safe.
And he suddenly owed a lot to this girl. Granted, he knew she was Papyrus’ soulmate, and her actions were generally expected, but she didn’t. For all she knows, Papyrus is just a sweetheart of an employer, or hopefully, a friend.
And she put her life on the line for him.
Sans would do anything in his power to repay that, even if the shot wasn’t aimed at Papyrus. Her intent was there, and it was strong.
Papyrus clicks his seatbelt into place, hesitating only a moment before pulling Sans into a hug. It was sweet and warm, and Sans realizes that Papyrus has never seen someone die before.
(not in this timeline, at least.)
It breaks Sans’ heart.
“i’m so sorry, paps.”
⋆ ｡˚ 🌧 ˚｡⋆
She had a family. She had three kids. A husband.
She wasn’t even King Asgore’ guard. She was Toriels, but Undyne and Dogaressa had switched out. You couldn’t help but feel relieved that they had. You weren’t sure you could’ve talked Papyrus down from anything if he’d watched his best friend get assasinated.
You take a deep breath and squeeze the familiar groves upon the leather steering wheel, deepened with Papyrus’ use of your car. It feels like home, and you’re careful as you back out of the parking spot, checking your blind spots over and over until you are safely out of the VIP parking lot.
You felt a little better to drive on main roads, even if it’s terrifying to know any of the cars around you could house the sniper who no doubt escaped considering the spotlight helicopter above your head.
It reminds you of home. It hurts to think about.
You’re fine. It’s not chasing you this time.
The car ride is completely silent, but you find it minorly distasteful to play music at the moment. Pulling up to the office is a relief, simply because you’re worried and sparing glances in the rear view mirror doesn’t help the need to make Papyrus feel better.
You… you don’t know why you feel that way. You would’ve tackled anyone off that stage, but you surely wouldn’t have put yourself between Claude or Adaline and a sniper. You don’t think you would’ve held them afterwards, either.
….
You don’t care. Not about them. You care about Papyrus. If it’s kind of odd how attached you are, and vaguely out of character, whatever. The concern for his well-being is there and strong and your gut’s never been wrong before.
You park next to your car and hum softly, grabbing your purse resting on the passenger seat and digging through it. The red stars you’d painted on Papyrus’ face had smeared across his skull, and you happened to see a paparazzi crew at the front of the building.
Pulling out your makeup wipes and twisting to face the skeletons behind you, your brows knit. Papyrus looks to be almost in shock, and you’d guess he’s overstimulated to the point of being nonverbal. Been there. You hop out the car and come to Papyrus’ side.
Sans looks vaguely surprised, but you don’t have time or care to question it when Papyrus is turning to hug you again. You calm, gently rubbing his back. “Hey. Can I get those stars off you? Paparazzi’s at the main door. Do you need anything inside the building?”
Papyrus looks overwhelmed immediately by your questions, and you slow down, “Sorry- Ah- these are makeup wipes. They’re unscented.”
You’d bought them just for him after the fair but hadn’t had a chance to use them. Even the sunset makeup required an oil based cleanser, so your water based wipes wouldn’t have helped.
“Can I get the stars off you?”
He nods twice, still looking pretty out of it, so you keep your touch gentle, supporting his skull with your non-dominant hand on his jaw, and using your knuckles to gently wipe the red pigment from his face. He keeps his eyes shut the entire time, one of his hands holding tight to your forearm, though you don’t feel restrained.
When his face is clean, you almost startle with how bad you want to-
-`♡´-
Papyrus hugs her close, relishing in warmth and safety of having his soulmate in his arms. She doesn’t let him go, or push him away, but she probably should.
He was attached to her. Very much so.
Hiding this soulmate thing was going to be a lot more difficult than he thought.
…
Dogamy would never hold his soulmate again. Papyrus’ soul aches at the thought, but he can barely process the loss and grief. Dogaressa and her family lived in Snowdin. They’d wanted pups for years and now their pups would be too young to remember her.
It hurt. He holds his soulmate close and hopes to the stars that he will not know that pain.
He’s never wished for anything so selfish before.
⫘⫘⫘
Papyrus pulls away and you breathe through the oddly perceived loss. “Is there anything you guys need from the building?”
Sans and Papyrus both shake their heads, and you nod. “Good. Do you guys need a ride home? I can get an Uber back here for my car?”
Sans pats your shoulder, “i’ll shortcut us back, don’t worry.”
You nod, squeezing Papyrus’ hand one more time before slipping out of the car.
Your drive home is nerve wracking.
Okay.
Recap.
You watched someone die today. A monster woman with a family. Dogaressa was loyal.
So were you. You put your life on the line for Papyrus today.
And.
And?
You kind of wanted to kiss him?
———-
“All Monster Establishments Closed After Assasination Attempt on King Asgore at Peace Festival”
—----
You get off for a week, but it doesn’t feel good.
You buy a large canvas at the store, rummaging through your old paints and… starting. It had been a long time since you’d done a traditional painting just because you wanted to and not because you had an assignment due. You could feel it in your heart though.
You wouldn’t be able to cope through this without doing something.
You search her name online, and you’re bombarded with photos of her last moments. You frantically scroll until you find a surprisingly regal photo of her on the Capital Ebott Website under the section showing Royal Guard members. You find pictures of Undyne and Dogaressa’s husband, Dogamy, as well. You vaguely recognize most of the monsters on the list, but Dogaressa is the only one you’re truly concerned for.
You zoom in on the photo, grab a pencil, and draw.
Thirty minutes later, your sketch is completed. Her eyes look alive, despite their vaguely blind haze.
You tone your canvas and get to work.
It takes you your entire week off to complete, but it’s entirely worth it. Papyrus or Brenda had given you paid time off and you had nothing else to do.
You look online and find small facts about monsters to enhance it; like adding small, blue crystals in the background, a symbol of hope Underground. You paint buttercups into the foreground, not knowing the exact reasoning of their popularity Underground, but remembering that you’d seen the golden flowers all over the castle during your visit.
When it’s finished, when it’s too realistic to look at without grief, you find a frame for it. Something regal.
You sign the painting with your new name on the back of the canvas, and scribble-sign on the front, very small in the bottom right corner once you realize it looks a little empty.
You stare at it until it hurts, unable to find any problems, before going to sleep.
You see her in your dreams just before they slip into nightmares.
…
You walk into work, your heels clicking quietly on the tile. It echoes with how little people are in the lobby. The painting is heavy, and the wire you’re using as a handle is slowly cutting into your hand, but you can’t find it in you to care. You poured every emotion you have into the painting and now… you need time.
Gracie looks up from her desk, offering you a soft look. “...I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
You offer her a nod, “I’m alright. Nothing broken or bruised, at least.”
Gracie grimaces, “I saw the.. I saw it live. I saw you and Papyrus go down and-”
You put the painting down and take her hand. “I pulled him down. I swear to you, I’m- we’re okay.”
Gracie squeezes your hand before pulling you into a hug over her desk. You happily accept, patting her back. “You saw her..”
You nod, “...Yeah. Is uh… Is Paps-Papyrus here?”
She looks around, “Yes. The King and Queen are, too. Upstairs.”
You wince, but can’t help but feel glad that you can just ask them how you can give Dogamy the portrait of his wife.
You wave Gracie bye and grab the painting, making your way to the elevator. You’re startled to see Mrs. Thibedoux in the hall, waiting for you. You hadn’t seen her since your first day, but she smiles and greets you like an old friend. You shake her hand and smile back as she joins you in the elevator.
You silently show her the painting, and she gushes over it, “Oh, dear, that’s incredible! Do you plan on giving it to..?”
You nod, “The monarchs are here, right?”
She looks up, “Yes.. They’re meeting with Brenda and Papyrus right now.”
You hum, shifting your grip on the wire, “I’ll wait in my office and maybe catch them before they leave..? Or is that.. Bad?”
She blinks, “Uh… no? They’re quite relaxed for royals.”
You shrug, and the elevator dings. You wave her bye with your freehand, but you barely make it to your office door when Papyrus himself appears from Brenda’s office. He sees you and visibly relaxes, “GOOD MORNING! ARE YOU BU-“
He blinks. “WHAT IS THAT?”
You tilt your head before the wire digging into your palm reminds you, “Oh, uh- good morning! Uh, it’s a painting.”
You twist your wrist to show him and he stops in his tracks. “OH. IT’S… IT’S BEAUTIFUL, I..”
He looks away and you get it. “It.. I kind of hate it. Hurts to look at.”
His lights stay on the floor as he nods. “YOUR TALENT IS INCREDIBLE, IT… SHE LOOKS..”
“Alive?”
Your brow furrows. He glanced up at you and nods. “YES.”
You tilt the painting to your side again, blocking the portrait from view as you approach him. You’re… hesitant, not exactly sure where you stand with him, but the second you’re in reach, Papyrus hugs you tight.
“I… I DIDN’T…” he huffs. “I didn’t get to thank you.”
You blink, “Thank me?”
He squeezed you a little, “I panicked. Froze. You got me out.”
You.. you soften. Oh. “Paps.. Your reaction was nothing but valid. It was scary and.. you tried. I saw your attack. It blocked the path.”
Papyrus flinched, “IT WASN’T ENOUGH. She still died.”
You rub his back gently with your free hand. “You tried. You didn’t freeze when it mattered. You trusted me.”
He melts a little, “Of course I trust you.”
You don’t let emotion… do. No emotion. Bad. “Plus, it probably slowed the bullet enough to allow her to get Asgore fully out of the way.”
Papyrus hummed weakly, “BUT SHE’S STILL GONE.”
You nod a little, “She made her choice. She was brave. She’ll be remembered for it. You tried. The intent was there.”
Papyrus hesitated… but nodded. “…I wanted to thank you for pulling me down. You… I watched the tape.”
You had too. Mainly to see if you would be recognizable since you were sure he would see the news. You were pretty sure you were good. “They weren’t aiming for you, I.. I didn’t do much.”
Papyrus nuzzled you a little, and you’re too emotionally drained to think about it. “THE INTENT WAS THERE.”