Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Papyrus tensed as soon as he heard the female voice shouting from behind the door. He didn’t know how the Undyne of this universe acted but the one from back home was vicious and merciless. He had countless failed attempts to overthrow her rule over the Royal Guards. He’d only managed to defeat her by manipulating both Alphys and the Royal Guarddogs to go against her. The many defeats he’d suffered through while trying to become Captain left a sore spot for him. If this Undyne provoked him in any way, he would not hold back.

The bones that had Papyrus’s arm trapped against the wall suddenly dissipate, much to his surprise. He felt a small, bony hand grasp his larger, gloved one.

“close your eyes for a sec and hold on.”

Too surprised to argue, Papyrus did as he was told. He felt something shift unnaturally, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself surrounded by darkness. A soft whirling sound hit is hearing, and he realized he was back in this Sans’s messy room.

“stay here while i handle everything.”

Before the tall monster had a chance to even take a step forward, the Sans was gone. Papyrus made his way to the door and tried to open it. It was locked.

He growled in annoyance. He did not plan on staying hidden from someone like Undyne, especially when he could hear the fish woman’s loud, obnoxious voice echoing downstairs.

“WHERE IS HE?! WHERE’S THAT IMPOSTER BASTARD!”

“water you talkin’ about? imposter who?” Sans’s voice drawled.

“DON’T GIVE ME THAT! THE VILLIAN THAT KILLED SNOWDRAKE!! WHERE IS YOUR BROTHER?”

“whoa there undyne. that’s some accusation you’re makin’ against my bro.”

Papyrus heard something slam loudly downstairs and then stomping footsteps.

“hey, wait. you can’t just bar—“

“SHUT IT! I’M GONNA ARREST THAT MURDEROUS IMPOSTER OF PAPYRUS!”

“hey, hey, can’t we just talk this out peacefully?”

Papyrus could hear the edge of nervousness creeping into the Sans’s voice. The sound of scrambling footsteps from slipper-wearing feet, followed by a loud thud and a soft grunt of pain had anger flooding through him. He summoned a sharp bone in one of his hands and jammed in against the lock, breaking it. Papyrus wretched the door open, aiming the weapon at the incoming Undyne. The fish woman’s one eye widened in shock before she immediately dodge the attack.

The Fell monster glared at his opponent and noticed a glowing blue-green spear clutched tightly in her hand. He saw Sans picking himself up off the ground behind her. The thought that she had attacked him filled Papyrus with an inexplicable, blinding rage, one that was building upon the hatred he already had for the fish monster.

Papyrus saw a flash of blue in his vision and retaliated by summoning a long, pointed bone staff. He parried Undyne’s just in time before it could land a hit on his torso. Realizing the cramped upstairs space was no place to have a battle, with spears no less, the two raging monsters jumped down the stairs and through the house’s doorway.

“NGAAAAAHHHH! WHAT DID YOU DO TO PAPYRUS, YOU IMPOSTER?!” Undyne roared. She thrusted several spear attacks at Papyrus, who parried them with his bone staff.

“NOTHING! I AM PAPYRUS, YOU FOOL!”

The tall monster barely noticed the cold, wintry air of Snowdin as he sent out waves upon waves of bone patterns at this world’s Undyne. Snow flew through the air as the two monsters thrusted their weapons at each other in close melee combat. Bone and spear pattern bullets flew out from Papyrus and Undyne, respectively. Papyrus blocked each of Undyne’s spear attacks without much trouble. He found this Undyne’s attacks less vicious than the one from his world but the patterns more varied.

After the third wave of spears, Undyne finally landed two damaging hits at Papyrus’s chest, causing his HP to drop from 54 to 30. Before Papyrus could strike back, he felt his body suddenly frozen in place. Undyne stood before him, spear pointed directly at his chest.

“You’re not the Papyrus I know! A teenager comedian, that snowdrake, is dead because of you! To believe a monster would harm its own kind!” Undyne spat. “You’re just a coward who’s hiding behind that lazy, no good brother of the real Papyrus!”

Papyrus saw red as he furiously fought against the magic keeping him trapped in place. With a roar of absolute fury, he broke out and swung his arm outwards, causing huge spikes of bone to sprout from the ground. Screams filled the air as Snowdin residents dodge the sharp, ossified objects. The tall monster’s fury was so great that he failed to notice his soul turning blue until his face planted into the snow. The jolt of the cold, white substance falling into his eye sockets brought him back down from his blind anger.

Sans stood in front of the tall monster with his back turned. He faced Undyne, who was also lying face down on the ground.

“both of ya need to chill. you can’t go attackin’ each other in public like this,” the small monster stated evenly.

Papyrus strained his neck to look up and saw the scared expressions on the Snowdin residents’ faces, many of them hiding behind houses and snow structures.

“NHAGGHHH! You’ve got some nerve Sans!” Undyne snarled. “Not reporting a monster dusting but also hiding the culprit and lying to the Royal Guard! I should have you arrested and reported to the King!”

“hey, this situation is more complicated than a simple monster dusti—“

“HOW COULD YOU TAKE—!”

Undyne's face was dunked back into the snow.

“if you two would stop attackin’ each other, i’ll explain the situation, ok?”

Papyrus gave a scoff and glared at Undyne before replying, “As long she promises not to attack me! The great and terrible Papyrus would not stand for any more of her belittling behavior!”

The Fell monster could tell that set Undyne off as she fought against the blue magic and screamed curses at both him and this world’s Sans.

“look, undyne, i have an idea where papyrus is but i won’t tell ya if you continue to act like this,” Sans warned.

The fish monster grumbled a few more unflattering words under her breath about the short monster before reluctantly agreeing. As they gathered themselves back up and dispersed their weapons, whispers broke out among the Snowdin residents.

“Unbelievable, that monster dusted Snowdrake?”

“What kind of monster would kill another monster?”

“Isn’t that Sans’s brother?”

“I think so? Though he looks different.”

“I can’t believe Sans is hiding him!”

Both Dogamy and Dogaressa had looks of utter betrayal on their faces and muttered, “he lied to us. I can’t believe he lied to us!”

Anger sparked up once again within Papyrus, and the tall monster repressed the urge to yell at the residents to shut up. Although he disliked that the residents treated him like some sort of evil human, he felt more bothered by the way they were treating Sans as if he were equally as bad. Especially since the short skeleton was only trying to help him. Papyrus frowned at the thought as he followed Sans and Undyne back into the house.

Undyne rounded at Sans as soon as the door slammed shut.

“All right, explain!”

Sans motioned for Undyne to sit, which she did only after glaring at the monster for a full minute.

“so you ever hear of alternate universes?”

Undyne stared at Sans incredulously as Papyrus sighed and crossed his arms. He really didn’t feel like going through this explanation again.

“Is this a joke? Alternate universes? That’s just scifi bullcrap!”

“yeah, well, whether you believe it or not, it’s real. and this papyrus is from another universe. one similar to but different from ours.”

The fish monster suddenly stood up and pointed an accusing finger at Sans.

“Is this one of your stupid jokes or is this your sad excuse for this monster’s actions?!”

“HOW RUDE! I CAN VOUCH THAT I’M NOT FROM THIS DISGUSTINGLY SOFT WORLD OF YOURS!”

Undyne simply glared at Papyrus.

Sans held up his arms in a placating manner. “you wanted an explanation, and i’m giving it to you. whether you believe it or not is up to you.”

“Hmph, fine. Let’s say this monster is from another universe or whatever. Where’s our Papyrus then?”

Papyrus felt a flare of anger at the ‘our Papyrus’. Once again, everything was about this world’s Papyrus. He didn’t understand how or why all these monsters cared about this world’s him so deeply but it caused unrelenting jealousy toward his doppelganger.

“most likely in whatever universe this papyrus came from.”

“How can you be sure?”

“i can run a few tests t’check,” the short monster answered shortly.

Silence fell upon the room. Papyrus could feel the tension eluding off of the fish monster. It was thick enough to cut through with a knife.

“And Paps would be safe in this world?”

Silence reigned once again, and Papyrus could see that even the Sans’s permanent grin tightened in worry.

“He not, is he?” Undyne got up and began pacing in the room. “Well whatever science mumbo jumbo you’re working on to find Papyrus, you better get to it! I’ll ask Alphys to see if she knows anything.”

Papyrus noticed a brief grimace in Sans’s features before returning to its usual easygoing look.

“thanks. i’ll just—“

“This monster, however!” Undyne spun around and gave a death glare at Papyrus. “He’s still under arrest for killing another monster!”

Undyne stalked towards the monster. She hadn’t taken more than two steps before the blue-clad skeleton stood in front of her, blocking her way.

“i think it’ll be best if this doesn’t get out to king fluffybuns.”

“WHY?! You plan to keep this… killer here in Snowdin?!” Undyne shot another vicious glare towards Papyrus, who returned an equally vicious one. “You’re putting everyone here in danger!”

“HOW DARE YOU MAKE THAT ASSUMPTION!” Papyrus interrupted furiously. He couldn’t stand being slandered any longer. “I DO NOT GO AROUND MINDLESSLY KILLING MONSTERS!”

“Is that so? Then what’s your reasoning for killing Snowdrake?!”

Papyrus felt his rage dissipate as quickly as it came. Why had he killed Snowdrake? Because he simply could and he was simply angry at how different this world was compared to back home?

“look, whatever reasoning this papyrus had for dustin’ snowdrake, it’s in the past,” Sans pointed out. “whatever happen’s happened. can’t change it. it’s best to… to try and move forward.”

Papyrus noticed a strange look flash upon Sans’s skeletal features. A look that Papyrus didn’t know how to describe.

“So what? You’re gonna just keep him here? Under house arrest?” Undyne intoned skeptically. “How do I know you won’t slack off on your duties like you always seem to do?”

Papyrus felt offended that these two were talking about him as if he weren’t there. They didn’t even ask for his input in the matter. He felt the need to interrupt but stopped when Sans gave him a knowing look.

“hey, i can be a hard working monster when i want to.” The short monster turned back to Undyne. “’sides, he’s still a version of my bro. i’ll keep a socket on 'm and make sure he won’t go ‘round making a ruckus. whaddya say?”

The fish monster looked contemplatively at the monster before giving a sigh, “NHAGH! I’m giving you one shot at this Sans! Any other reports of dusted or injured monsters because of him,” Undyne pointed an angry finger at Papyrus. “I’m arresting him and bringing him to Asgore, no questions or complaints, got it?!”

A sudden spike of fear flooded Papyrus at the mention of Asgore. The Asgore back home was truly a merciless, paranoid monster, not giving a second’s though about dusting another monster and manipulating everyone to have his way. Papyrus had been lucky to not fall within Asgore’s ‘danger’ radar to have been eliminated.

“sure thing, capt'n.” Sans gave Undyne a cheeky grin as she got ready to leave.

“Also, that monster better not step a foot within Alphys or I’ll be sure to make his life here miserable!”

Papyrus couldn’t help but scoff, “As if I’d ever want to be anywhere near that crazy lizard.”

“WHAT DID YA JUST SAY, PUNK?!” Undyne roared as she stalked towards Papyrus.

The Fell monster stood his ground and glowered back, arms folded across his chest.

“YOU HEARD WHAT I SAID!”

“You insult her again and I’ll kick your ass back to wherever you came from!”

Papyrus’s skeletal feature morphed into a sneer. “I’D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY AND BEST THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE PAPYRUS!”

“Hah, you’re no Papyrus to me!”

“WHAT? HOW DARE—“

“alright you kids, break it up. can’t have you two breakin’ the house with your fighting,” Sans interrupted. Both monsters glared at the smaller one before relenting.

Just before Undyne turned to leave, she whispered to the non-native monster out of Sans’s hearing range, “You better watch yourself. If anything happens to Sans, I’m gonna blame it on you. He may be annoying but he’s still Paps’s bro. Anyone that upsets Papyrus will have to answer to me!”

Jealous raged burned through the tall monster once again. “You do not threaten me!”

“Keep that attitude, and I’ll make sure to get you arrested!”

With those final words, Undyne spun around on her boots, wrenched opened the door and walked out. The door slammed loudly behind her as she left.

A pregnant pause filled the room before Sans let out a weary sigh.

“welp, that went slightly better than expected.”

Papyrus watched the short skeleton plop unceremoniously onto the couch, lean heavily against the backrest, and close his sockets. Papyrus sat down on the floor. Sans opened his right socket and looked at Papyrus.

“you can sit on the couch y’know. it’s not gonna attack ya.”

Papyrus gave a huff and moved to sit down on the far end of the lumpy furniture. Once he did, Sans closed his socket again. He was confused that the Sans didn’t even bother with restraining him back against the wall.

“You’re going to just leave me free to move around?” Papyrus asked.

Sans didn’t reply, making Papyrus think he’d fallen asleep. He soon noticed the monster give a half-hearted shrug.

“figured i’d give ya a chance. any more attacks though and you’re going back against the wall.”

Papyrus gave a curt nod before falling silent. The tall skeleton stared at the Sans, noticing the dark circles below his sockets for the first time. And even though he hid it well, the smaller monster’s look of exhaustion did not go unnoticed by Papyrus. It almost made Papyrus feel bad for being the cause of this Sans’s exhaustion.

“like what you see?” Papyrus saw the Sans give him a suggestive look, sockets at half mast.

“HAH! NEVER! DON’T ASK ME THAT AGAIN!” the tall monster retorted, feeling flustered.

“ok.”

“AND GO TO SLEEP! YOU LOOK LIKE YOU’RE ABOUT TO KNEEL OVER!”

The Sans gave him a brief look of surprise before saying, “ok. as long as you’re not gonna—“

“I’M NOT GOING TO RUN AWAY! THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE PAPYRUS DOES NOT RUN LIKE A COWARD. NOW STOP PESTERING ME!”

“ok.”

Papyrus rested his head back against the couch and closed his eyes. He thought back to when the short monster had stood up for him against Undyne, even taking the Snowdin residents’ comments in stride. That Sans had considered him a version of his brother. The statement caused a number of emotions within him, emotions that he hadn’t felt in years.

For the first time since he’d started his vigorous training in becoming Captain of the Royal Guard, he felt a trickling of comfort settle within him. He’d felt a jolt of happiness at being acknowledged by this Sans as a version of his brother, as a Papyrus. After all, his own brother always addressed him as boss for the past few years. When he’d first become Captain, he had wanted his Sans to call him boss but now he wondered if that had been a huge mistake on his part.

A sense of regret began to slowly claw its way into him. The monsters of this world treated dusting another monster as a huge offense, and the realization that this Sans had put not only his life, but also his reputation, on the line to cover up for Papyrus’s mistakes, made all the feeling worse. Papyrus’s soul churned at the thought and he almost felt the need to apologize. He restrained himself before a single ‘sorry’ could get out.

Papyrus slowly drifted asleep as his mind replayed the events of the last few days.

When Papyrus woke up, darkness shrouded him. He was propped up against one corner of the lumpy green couch with a thin blanket covering his lanky body. He peered around and saw a plate with two cinnabuns on it as well as alternating columns of white and blue bones blocking the outside door.

The tall monster seized the two cinnabuns and scarfed it down. He let out a soft sigh as he felt his HP increase.

89/680

The food and sleep definitely helped it though he was far from maxed. He did feel an ounce of appreciation for this Sans’s hospitality.

He suddenly realized that the smaller monster was completely absent. He uncovered the blanket off of himself, set aside the empty plate and crept upstairs towards the native Sans’s doorway.

Papyrus didn’t know why he came up here. To apologize for his recent, unsightly behavior? To thank this Sans for the blanket and healing food? He was hesitant, unsure why he felt the need to acknowledge these gestures when, back in his world, monsters would never do this. Back at home, monsters always treated him with respect, and he always got what he wanted. In fact, this Sans rarely ever treated him with the respect he had come to expect since becoming Captain of the Royal Guard. It left him frustrated and confused but also drawn to the behavior.

Sudden, soft and pained groans came from the doorway, freezing Papyrus’s thoughts. He slowly pressed his non-existent ears against the door.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

Papyrus frowned at the rattling sound and knocked on the door.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

Sans was definitely asleep, probably too deeply to hear the knocking. Papyrus gave one final hard knock.

No response came.

He grasped the doorknob he’d broken earlier and turned it quietly. Papyrus made a mental note to bring that up to this Sans. What kind of foolish monster would leave their door broken and unlocked while sleeping? It was asking to get dusted.

When Papyrus stepped into the dark room, he noticed a faint blue glow emitting from the sleeping Sans’s left eye. The monster’s face was scrunched up in a pained expression with sweat beading the top of his white skull. Papyrus noticed the trembling under the ball of sheets.

Was he having a nightmare? Papyrus remembered his own brother used to get them all the time when they were younger. He’d even get them sometimes.

Papyrus crouched down into a kneeling position beside the mattress that functioned as a bed. He slowly reached out his gloved right hand and placed it on Sans’s forehead. He gently stroke down the side of the small skeleton’s face, remembering back to how he’d done it to his own brother. The grimace on Sans’s face began to relaxed and the shaking subsided. Papyrus continued his ministrations, almost fondly, and observed the dark circles under the Sans’s sockets. He wondered if this Sans had nightmares often.

“pa-papyrus?”

Papyrus hadn’t even realized when the Sans had awoken until he found hazy, white eye lights peering up at him in confusion. The tall monster felt a strange jolt in his soul from being addressed by his actual name. Realizing that he was still lightly stroking down the side of Sans’s face, he immediately retracted his hand, as if burned.

Sans’s eye lights followed the hand until he fell upon Papyrus’s face.

“edge? what’re you doin’ here?”

A strange sense of disappointment filled Papyrus at being addressed by his nickname but he quickly ignored it, crossing his arms tightly in front of him.

“Hmph, I walked by and heard something coming from your room and went to check it out. Nothing else,” the Fell monster answered shortly.

The Sans simply nodded but didn’t say anything back. Silence flooded the room. Papyrus had to restrain every nerve in his body from asking if Sans was okay. He had to leave before he made any more embarrassing gestures. Papyrus got up.

“hey,” Sans called out, “thanks. whatever you did helped.”

Papyrus remained quiet, not expecting the thanks. “Well, it’s the least I could do for everything you’ve done for me. The great and terrible Papyrus is not so terrible as to not reward… certain behaviors.”

As Papyrus turned the doorknob, he heard Sans chuckle lightly.

“heh, see, told ya you could become a better monster if ya tried.”

Papyrus chose to not comment as he stepped out into the hallway. He let out a sigh he hadn’t realized he was holding. He walked back to the lumpy couch and laid down, that feeling of comfort and happiness coming back. The comfort and happiness soon faded into guilt as he thought back to the monster he’d dusted, and the weary look this Sans tried so hard to hide. He should start trying to make up for his past mistakes, no matter how difficult it may be. At the very least, the great and terrible Papyrus was willing to put in his best effort.