He couldn't help but feel confused about everything. The lost stare she had changed the moment he came into contact with her. Her gaze changed to one of adoration as she saw him. The moment he walked over to her, he felt a bit happy about that. The human seemed out of breath as she sat against a wall. He could see a rip against her sleeve almost as if someone dragged her to the wall. Strange. He didn't really know what to make of it.
"Are you okay?"
The way she reached out to him as she gave him a soft smile. In a moment her facade crumbled as she spoke.
"Help me, I don't think I can keep it together, not anymore" her voice sounded broken as she began to tear up. Humans always had a weird ugly cry whenever he saw one, and she wasn't any different.
Oh boy, he wasn't ready for this. No one prepares you for this. How do you comfort people? They just assume that anyone can when the moment comes. People just know what to do. Papy had zero experience with it. He knew nothing but to follow his brother's previous examples.
His brother was the best at handling these situations. It was like his brother just knew how to comfort monsters. Blue would grin and chat with them, motivate them. Papy could do that, but his mouth was full of his delicious honey lollipop. Gotta find another way to reassure her.
"Come here"
He grabbed her hands as he began to get her on her feet. She got up quickly before she wrapped her arms around him. Her frantic sobbing continued. His poor hoodie had to take the hit.
"Hey, it's okay" Papy had no clue how to comfort you.
He remembered his brother would always be there for him whenever he got one of his nightmares. No matter at any given time he would sing him their moms lullaby. Before tucking him back to bed.
Papy just had to settle on something else. And that would be by giving you a gentle pat, waiting for you to stop. It was the only lame brain plan he's got. Or he could take the easy route and short cut the two of you home. Then, leave you to be a problem for someone else. Hmm, this was more up his speed. Papy was still debating before you held him closer and whispered thank you.
He couldn't help but freeze from that. It's been forever since someone relied on him on anything.
Papy couldn't remember how long it was before you calmed down. Your breath finally stopped being so harsh and started to grow quiet. The next words you said were practically none-existing.
"I shouldn't be hurting, I'm supposed to be keeping it all together, why can't I make it change that?"
Oh crap, the waterworks were coming back. He knows his hoodie can't take any more of it. You stared up at him. He felt captured by your gaze. The lost look in your eyes was all too familiar. You appeared to understand how he always feels.
Like nothing you did could ever make a difference. He's given up on trying. And yet, you're still fighting for change.
"Why not accept it?"
He watched as you pulled away a bit, you seemed to smile at his response.
"Because that would mean I had to go back.. " you let out a chuckle "I'm too stubborn for that now"
Somehow that answer was the right thing to say. Papy could only chuckle at the human. He hunched down so you could wrap an arm around his shoulder to help you walk back to his vehicle.
"Hey Paps, look a pigeon!"
The bird was circling around the parking lot. Huh, so they have those things in this world too.
"Do you want to cuddle it?"
Papy couldn't help but tease. Those rat demons were vicious when it came to food. Unlike seagulls, those docile dummies were his type of audience.
"Yes! But they are so far away" you made grabbing gestures as if you were serious.
"Why?"
"Everything can get cuddled so why not pigeons?"
Papy didn't know if you were stupid or cute, but it didn't stop him from laughing, you seemed to pout letting out a small squeak. He couldn't help but laugh more at your antics. This only got you to start smacking him. Your hits felt like light taps on him.
"Stop it, you meanie! If I can't cuddle a pigeon that only leaves me one thing" you said as you began to softly nuzzle his sides.
"Hey dummy, you got the wrong one" He teased.
He tried to shake off but your hand was tugging at the hoodie. Your face scrunched up. He was starting to enjoy your reactions. Maybe he could see more of it.
"Alright you win, anything could be cuddled that included mice too" as he lifts his hand in surrender. The moment you stopped was your undoing. The arm that he was holding you upheld your small form in place.
Papy couldn't help but ruthlessly tickle your sides. Tickling you until you squeak eeeeep only made it better. The cries of help changed to you screaming mercy. And he knew if someone is asking for mercy then its best to accept. Also because they made it to his vehicle, the fantastic golf cart.
"Alright, little mouse hop on" as he smacked his red golf cart. "Ain't she a beauty"
He couldn't stop himself from smiling at his pride and joy.
Normally people looked at him funny whenever he brought up golf carts being a cool car. No one seemed to agree. Papy blamed that people didn't know a good thing when they see it. Especially after he worked on it for weeks in secret with Red to trick it out. It was all worth it for now.
"This is so cool, how fast can it go?" Seeing you get excited by it made it sweeten the deal.
"Fast enough to outrun the cops!" Papy couldn't hide his childish glee for the thing. It was his baby after all.
"Let's take you home"
Papy handed you a spare shirt to try on. You took it and wore it over your clothes. He on the other hand just took off his hoodie and kept his white T on.
The drive was slow. You leaned on him as you passed out. All the crying must have tuckered you out. Papy understands what his brother saw in you.
He never thought he could enjoy this moment so much. Papy looked at the two flustered adults before him. They seemed to be unsure of how to accept each other without all the answers. Personally, Papy could probably solve this but he decided against it. That was one moment he didn't want to share with anybody.
---
You
Blue suggested take you home so you could grab your stuff. You happily accepted as it was better than wearing his cool shirt as a dress. You didn't mind but you could tell Blue seemed to be flustered by it. And you didn't want him uncomfortable for their date today. It wouldn't be any fun.
Blue got changed. While you washed up in the bathroom. It was probably a good time to check on your soul. Hopefully, a bit more of that blue magic comes off.
You hold out your soul. During your first year dating Sans, magic was still new and you wanted to learn so much about it. Especially to know your soul's traits. Taking lessons from Torial whenever frisk came over to hang out with your little brother. They would play while you trained. It paid off over time. Now your soul popped out without alerting monsters anymore.
You never told the goat lady why, but only gushing over it whenever she brought it up. The dumb reason was that you wanted to offer it to Sans and take it to the next level. You were a fool to think that back then.
The soft baby blue seemed to pop out more. But you could see the Blue webbing return on certain parts of your soul. No! it can't be!. Why is it going back?! Didn't you reject his magic?
"HEY PRINCESS, I'LL BE WAITING IN THE CAR" Blue lightly tapped at the door before you hear his footsteps trailing off.
Why now?
You didn't understand, not that long ago some of the pieces were gone. And now they magically came back. Even after months of progress, this is all you had to show for it. You placed a hand on one of the webs that seemed to want to come off. Angrily you tried to pull at it, rewarded with searing pain on your finger.
"I hate you" you whispered at the magic surrounding your soul.
Sans took so much and this was proof that you could never go back. No, you needed to show that you could live without him. He's probably waiting for you to return so he can take more from you.
You looked up at your soul one last time before hugging it to place it back in.
"I'm not sure but I deserve to have happiness" not sure if you were reassuring yourself or the soul.
You adjust yourself and walk out to meet Blue in the car. Blue was listening to tunes as he moved his head to the beat.
"I HAVE A BIG DAY FOR US, DO YOU HAVE SWIMWEAR? OR LIKE SANDCASTLES?"
You don't mind shopping as long as it was fun with friends and its been forever since you tried on your swimsuit. You loosen your shoulders as you sat next to Blue.
"Sure, Beach sounds perfect but isn't it gonna rain today? " You didn't like the look of those clouds above you guys.
"DON'T WORRY, I WAS GONNA TAKE YOU TO THE INDOOR ONE NEARBY"
That was nice. It's been years since you've been in a pool. You feel around your skirt pocket for your keys and wallet.
crap!
"Hey blue, can we go to my job? I need to pick up my stuff from yesterday, I left them when I was with this creep of an-"
It finally hit you, the favor, the speed dating, and seeing your ex, seeing sans was the cherry on top of the fiasco cake.
"A CREEP?"
You turn to Blue who looked a bit worried. His hands were clenched on the wheel, he tilted his head waiting for your response.
You couldn't help but nod. Blue shouldn't need to hear about your dumb ex. It was for the best that stayed in the past. You wanted to see where this could go. Slowly, you place a hand on his.
"I'm just glad your here"
Blue warm smile was all you needed.
"ME TOO"
Blue drove over to the diner, the place was preparing to open. You walked over and headed to the office. You could already imagine your friend was getting ready herself.
You were stopped when a tall skeleton man walked out of the office. And did he have lipstick on his cheek?
The monster before you was far taller than any monster you've seen. He seemed to be taller than Papy or Paps. He strutted by, ignoring you as he walked outside with a small smirk on his face. There were slash marks on one of his eyes. If you didn't know any better you would say that monster reminded you of Paps, if he ever decided to go punk. And that sweet cinnamon roll was too perfect for that.
You continued to walk before bumping into someone.
"We meet again angel, I knew my charm couldn't keep you away"
The heck!
"You son of a bi-"
"Oh y/n glad to see you met Red here"
Stacy walked over from the office. "He's been nothing but a wise-ass but I take it you already know"
"What?"
"Yea, Red and his brother were at the match place yesterday, they helped me look for you until I got your text. I was worried something happened to you, " Stacy said.
Red as he called himself nodded. His giant smile shined as you could see a single gold tooth.
"Yea, you ran before I could introduce myself, I thought I scared ya with these teeth" he made a few chomping sounds before he winked your way.
You ignored the skeleton man and pushed Stacy back into the office with you. Right now you just needed your stuff and go on a date with Blue. Which you assume is going to be nice and relaxing. And be maybe he will charm you with his antics (Or kill you with cuteness).
"It's not like he's your ex" Stacy had a confused look on her face until it finally hit her. "Oh crap, sorry! but you have to admit he looks better than your ex"
You turn around to the glass door to see Red drinking from a mustard bottle before spitting out ketchup in the nearest trash can.
Oops, you meant to fix all the condiments.
"He's not so bad, if you went out with him we could totally double date" Stacy teased as she pretends to think it over. She squealed like a teen with every word "It. Would. Be. So. Cute"
That was never gonna happen. You could imagine it going wrong so fast. Mostly, because Stacy is competitive as hell. And double dates are about one-up each other to see who is better.
"I'm going on a date with the other guy, he's waiting in the car now" You really didn't have time to waste.
This caught Stacy's attention fast. She handed you the purse. A small smirk formed around her lips.
"I knew you liked the monster. So did you bone him or did you get his shirt for free?"
"Uhh how about we call it a neither and I leave you alone"
Stacy frowned before waving you away. Her attention went back to her paperwork. It's nice to know your friend cared for you. Now all you had to face was the monster blocking the exit. Why are you attracting so many skeletons?
You make a dash for the door only to stop off way by a hand on your shoulder. Oh, who could THAT be?
"So I was thinking, we could over to the arcades and get to know each other better" His voice was a smooth as you remember.
Taking a better look at him. It's crazy you mixed him up for Sans. He was much taller than the guy for starters. The monsters sharp teeth had a single gold tooth. Sans were pearly white.
"I'm sorry, about last night but I need to go somewhere, could we discuss this at another time?"
Blue still waiting in the car for you. And you really didn't want to deal with any more surprises. You just wanted a nice relaxing date and maybe trying out something sweet.
"Sure angel, let's agree on a date so we can meet" Red moved his face to meet yours "who knows you might like what you see, I know I do"
You took a few steps back.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
"I can't, I'm seeing someone"
The monsters had a look of surprise before he smiled and nodded. He offered his hand. You gladly accept it. Thinking nothing of it but another way to say goodbye. He didn't let go and continued talking.
"Right, your guy. Didn't you say everything was going too fast for you? Personally, trying something new could give you more.." He twirled you around before he dipped you "perspective".
You shoved him away.
"Uh, how about we let fate decide. If this coin flips and its heads, we get some coffee if its tails then no" You grab a coin from your purse, flipping the coin up in the air. Then made a mad dash for the car.
You could still hear his laugh echoing as you passed the doors. If you knew the restaurant layout then the coin landed on the crack on the tile. And leaving the coin standing up. The answer will be neither. You weren't ready to face Red. Hmm Red, why was that familiar?
You sat down as you waved Blue to drive. Slowly trying to regain your breathing. Blue stayed quiet as he handed you his phone. Music. Its all you wanted and needed. Right now you wanted nice getaway music.