The brothers fight
Sans didn’t even bother with knocking as he teleported directly into the center of Asgore’s office. The boss monster had just picked up his cup of tea when the skeleton brother appeared from out of nowhere, now standing directly in front of his desk staring him down with darkened eye sockets. Asgore sighed to himself as he calmly placed his tea cup back on its saucer. It looked like he would have to wait a little while longer before he could enjoy his break.
“Hello Sans.” Asgore greeted.
“What the hell’s the big idea Asgore.” Sans demanded immediately. Asgore huffed inwardly as it appeared that sans was very adamant about skipping the pleasantries and getting right down to business.
“Sans, I know you are angry, but please understand our position. The Pansies are vulnerable right now. I need ever abled bodied monster I have to play there part.” He replied.
“Oh I understand our position perfectly boss.” Sans spat back “It’s you that seems to need the refresher lesson because we had a deal! I step up as your consigliere if you keep my brother out of harm’s way!”
“Sans please, I have no intention of going back on the promise I made to you.” Asgore stated with furrowed brows.
“Really? So sending Papyrus on a heist to reclaim stolen goods from a bunch of murderous mobsters who would more than love to dust him, honestly seems safe to you?!” Sans said as he let out a dark chuckle in his disbelief.
“He will be kept away from the danger; I only ask that he be nearby to assist with the injured. He will play no role in the heist.” Asgore said, his tone growing frustrated.
“And what if something goes wrong ?” Sans questioned. “What if the danger comes to him? What then?” Asgore went silent at this comment, and Sans smile grew twisted.
You know boss I’ve done everything that you’ve ever asked of me.” He began. “I’ve kept all of your dirty secrets, and done all your messy deeds. And the one thing that I ask you for in return, the only thing that I have ever asked of you, you throw right back in my face!”
“Sans that is not true.” Asgore snapped.
“You deliberately went behind my back because you knew I would never agree to this bull shit!” Sans shouted.
“Sans!” Asgore bellowed as he stood from his chair sternly, but the shorter skeleton did not back down as he fixed the large goat monster with penetrating black eye sockets.
“Whether you like it or not Papyrus is, like you, an individual member of the Pansies. He is his own person and is capable of making his own choices. I have not broken with our agreement Sans. I have offered him a job, but I have given him the option to turn it down if he feels that it is unsafe. If he does not wish to participate then he will not be forced to.” Asgore explained firmly.
“You know how he looks up to Undyne! You know that he won’t refuse!” Sans shoot back.
“Then that would be his decision.” Asgore replied flatly.
Sans clamped his jaw together tightly, holding his angry stare on the boss monster for a moment more before he stuffed his hands stiffly into his pockets and turned to leave the office. Asgore wilted slightly as he watched his old friend make his exit.
“Please Sans, I do not want to fight you on this. I am only trying to protect everyone under my employ, which includes Papyrus and also you. I would never put your brother at risk.” He called his words now sullen. Sans paused briefly at the door.
“Heh, I’ll tell you what boss.” He replied in a quiet and tired voice. “The moment that you dig this knife out of my back is the moment that I’ll believe that little pity speech of yours.” Asgore shoulders slumped as he dejectedly re took his seat.
“And Asgore.” Sans continued. “If I can’t get my bro to change his mind about this offer of yours, then you better make sure that he comes home safely after all of this is over.” He said his grip tightening on the door knob.
“Because if he doesn’t ….” Sans voice broke slightly at even the thought of those horrible words. He took only a moment to re compose himself.
“If he doesn’t, then you’re going to have one heck of a bad time my friend.” And with that Sans disappeared through the door, leaving Agore alone in his office once again.
Asgore sat silently at his desk for a while longer before he let out a deep heavy sigh, and turned to grab his tea cup. He took only one sip before he frowned and pushed it away again. It had already gone cold.
Papyrus nervously fidgeted with his long limbs on the lumpy sofa back in the apartment. The festivities that evening had been cut rather short after Sans’ disappearance as the younger skeleton was to focused on the sudden and angry vanishing act of his older brother to really put his all into the celebration. In the end he had politely excused himself, saying that he wished to get rested up for the big day and turned in early. Frisk was sitting next to him, trying desperately to come up with some form of conversation to distract the taller brother from his anxious thoughts, but so far any topic that she offered up would be swiftly silenced by a quick explanation or a curt yes or no answer. Then Papyrus would go right back to twiddling his thumbs in his lap while glancing at the door every five seconds waiting for Sans to show up.
This worried Frisk. It wasn’t like Papyrus to be so quiet. Usually he was more than happy to give lengthy and detailed explanations to any of her questions, and when it came to conversation she had gotten used to him doing most of the work. Frisk sighed heavily when another attempt at small talk was shot down, but she refused to give up. Papyrus was always so good at making her feel better whenever she was feeling down, and she was determined to do the same for him. That’s what friends were for after all.
“Papyrus?” Frisk asked, trying again to get the taller skeletons attention.
“YES FRISK?” He replied but did not move his eyes away from the door.
“Are you worried about Sans?” She continued, despite Papyrus’ lack of attention. Papyrus stiffened before his shoulders slumped forward, more than providing Frisk with an obvious yes to her question.
“I’m sure he will be back really soon!” Frisk perked up, trying her best to sound enthusiastic. “I mean he often stays out late so there is no real reason to worry right?” She said flashing her best attempt at a reassuring grin. Papyrus looked back at her with his own sad little smile.
“THANK YOU FRISK, I APPRECIATE YOU TRYING TO CHEER ME UP. I KNOW THAT SANS IS MORE THEN CAPABLE OF TAKING CARE OF HIMSELF, BUT ITS JUST…THAT OUTBURST IN FRONT OF UNDYNE, IT WAS SO UNLIKE HIM.” Papyrus said, his small smile falling quickly into a frown as his brow bones furrowed at the memory.
“HE SEEMED REALLY ANGRY.” He said.
Frisk’s staged smile fell at the morose expression that Papyrus was wearing. She really hated seeing him so troubled. She found herself frowning when she remembered Sans display in the bar. She had been surprised that his glass hadn’t shattered by how much force he had exerted when he had slammed it down on the table top, even thinking about it made Frisk jittery again.
Papyrus was right, that heated display really was unlike the shorter lazy skeleton brother. Frisk knew that Sans was very protective of Papyrus, even if he tried to hide it behind his puns or laid back demeanor. She knew that on the nights when he got home late from work, he would always pop his head in to his little brothers room to make sure that he was there sleeping safe and sound before returning to his own room for the evening . She had watched this occurrence on more than one occasion from her place on the sofa as she pretended to be asleep.
Frisk furrowed her brows. The fact that sans not only lost control of his temper in front of a crowed, but also in front of his brother told her that Undyne’s offer had really scared him. Frisk pursed her lips as she joined Papyrus in staring at the door. Now she too was worried.
Sans angrily trudged his way through the now empty bar. His magic was buzzing feverishly inside his skull giving him an awful headache. It was late and he was tired. All he wanted was his bed. He would figure out a way to talk Papyrus out of joining the heist tomorrow, but for now he needed to calm down and sort out his emotions. As Sans made his way up the stair case he let out a heavy sigh.
He had no idea what he was supposed to say. His brother had wanted to be one of the members of Undyne’s troop since they had both joined the Pansies years ago, it was his dream of sorts. Sans had been lucky that the underboss had seen that his brother was to kind natured to handle the grueling work that her foot soldiers often had to endure. He had been fortunate that Undyne had developed a soft spot for Paps which had helped Sans in the past to keep his little brother out of trouble. He almost wanted to believe that Undyne would keep her word and protect Paps if a crisis arose, but he couldn’t. No matter how much Undyne cared for Papyrus Sans knew that her loyalty would always lie with Asgore. It was just too risky. What was at stake was so much more then what Sans was willing to lose.
Finally he reached the apartment. He felt a little relief upon making it home, but once he opened the door he froze in the entrance way. Frisk and Papyrus both turned quickly on the couch to his presence. He hadn’t expected them to still be awake. He had thought that they would both be asleep by now leaving him to sort out his troubled thoughts in peace and quiet. Sans quickly pulled on a forced smile. Clearly he had been wrong to assume so.
“Heya.” He said lazily as he hung his worn out trench coat by the door. Both his brother and the kid straightened up in their seats, but neither one returned his greeting. He noticed they both looked anxious, worried even. Sans forced his grin to stretch a little wider.
“Don’t tell me you too waited up for me. Afraid I’d get bonely or something?” He quipped as he shot them both a lazy smirk and a wink, but Frisk didn’t laugh, and Papyrus didn’t scold him. Sans felt himself growing a little nervous.
“BROTHER WHERE WERE YOU?” Papyrus asked cautiously, as he stood from the couch. Sans shrugged as he sauntered in to the kitchen.
“Oh, nowhere bro. it was just a lovely night is all. wanted to get a bit of fresh air.” He replied casually as he opened up the fridge to fish out a bottle of ketchup. Papyrus frown deepened.
“BROTHER I DON’T THINK THAT YOU ARE BEING HONEST WITH ME.” He said and Sans felt himself stiffen. “YOU SEEMED SO ANGRY EARLIER. I WANT YOU TO TELL ME WHATS WRONG.” Papyrus continued. Sans was silent for a moment as he tried to think up a way around his brothers question. He really was no good when it came to lying to Paps.
“Heh, honestly Paps? I’m a bit concerned with this um, job your thinking about doing.” Sans answered. Papyrus raised a brow bone and crossed his arms.
“CONCERNED HOW?” He asked, his voice no longer holding its cautious tone.
“Concerned as in ….I don’t think you should take it.” Sans finished. Papyrus was silent for a moment.
“YOU WENT TO ASGORE, DIDN’T YOU?” He asked, Sans winced.
“Ya.” he said curtly, keeping his face turned away from his brother.
“SANS… YOU TRIED TO GET HIM TO TAKE ME OFF THE JOB.” Papyrus stated.
“I did.” Sans replied still averting his gaze.
“Sans, how could you!” Papyrus said. his voice growing louder than usual. "THIS IS ALL I'VE EVER WANTED WHY WOULD YOU TRY AND TAKE THIS AWAY FROM ME ?" He demanded.
“I … I didn’t want to take anything from you bro, it’s just -.”
“JUST WHAT SANS, THAT IT’S TOO DANGEROUS? I AM NOT A BABYBONES ANYMORE! I CAN MAKE MY OWN CHOICES!” Papyrus shouted. Sans felt his frustrations begin to bubble back up to the surface again.
“It is too dangerous!” He snapped back before forcing his anger down to the deepest regions of his soul. “Paps look.” He sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nasal cavity. “Just listen for one second.”
“NO SANS!” Papyrus huffed as he stomped his foot on the ground. “I’VE MADE UP MY MIND. I AM GOING WITH UNDYNE TOMORROW! I AM JUST AS MUCH OF A PANSIES AS YOU ARE AND I WANT TO HELP!” He declared. “AND I CAN HELP! UNDYNE TOLD ME THEY NEED MY HEALING MAGIC IN CASE ANYONE GETS HURT, AND I’M NOT GOING TO STAY BEHIND IF IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE WILL SUFFER BECAUSE OF IT!”! He said. Sans ground his teeth together firmly.
“Papyrus … you’re not thinking this through.” He seethed. “What if something goes wrong? What if they find you Paps? They’re not going to hold back.”
“THEN I’LL DEFEND MYSELF WITH MY MAGIC!” Papyrus retorted.
“Paps, they’ll have guns! They’ll shoot you!” Sans said, his frustration building.
“THEN I’LL JUST ESCAPE.” Papyrus stated confidently. Sans clenched his fists in pockets.
“Would you be realistic for five minutes Papyrus!” He shouted. “This isn’t like in your stupid movies! There is no daring hero! There is no fairytale ending! You get hit and that’s it you die! don’t you understand at least that much?!”
Papyrus was silent, completely taken aback by his brother’s outburst before his eye sockets narrowed angrily. Sans immediately bit his tongue. He didn’t mean it.
“P-Paps wait.” He stammered as he stepped forward desperately toward his brother, but Papyrus ignored him as he swiftly turned around and headed to his room.
“IVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!” Papyrus spat. “I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF SANS, AND WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT I AM GOING WITH UNDYNE TOMORROW!” Papyrus stated firmly.
“Please Papyrus, let’s just , let’s talk about this ok ?” Sans practically begged as he tried to catch up with his brother.
“GOODNIGHT SANS.” Was all Papyrus said as he firmly slammed his door, locking it behind him. Sans stood stunned, his sockets dark as he stared at the door that was just shut in his face.
Frisk was absolutely frozen on the couch. Her nerves were again buzzing but this time instead of wanting to find an escape now all that she wanted to do was run to the brothers and make everything ok again, only she had no idea how and her body wouldn't move as it stayed rigid on the sofa cushions.
“S-Sans?” She managed to call out meekly. Sans stiffened when he heard her voice, before straitening himself up when he remembered that she was still in the room. He then turned to her, his lazy smile back on his face but now his pinpricks refused to meet with her eyes.
“Oh, heya kid uh, sorry that you had to see all that.” He said as he rubbed at the back of his neck. Frisk swallowed thickly. She wanted to do something, anything to get rid of this awful feeling forming in the pit of her stomach and bring all of them back to being happy like they were only a few hours ago.
“Sans I …” But her words caught in her throat. She had no idea what to say or how to make it better. Sans just continued to smile emptily at her. He could see her struggling.
“Heh, don’t worry about it bucko. Things will be better in the morning. We all just need to get some rest.” He said with a shrug. Frisk felt her heart sink as she nodded stiffly along.
“Alright, welp I’m a gonna go hit the sack, been a bit of a long day.” Sans said as he headed to his room “you uh, sleep tight kiddo.” He said as he vanished behind his door.
Frisk just continued to sit on the sofa. She couldn’t believe how fast things had taken a turn. They had all been so happy just moments ago, playing cards, laughing and joking with one another, and now she felt so empty as she was left all by herself in the living room. All alone in the dark again. Frisk curled up under the woolly blanket on the couch squeezing herself into a tight ball. She prayed that there was some truth to the older brothers statement, that things would go back to normal after some proper sleep, but she really didn’t believe it.