Flirting and jealousy
Sans sat at the bar as he ran his finger around the rim of his glass. He had been sitting there for nearly two hours now and he hadn’t so much as taken a sip of the drink in front of him. Work had been light for him that day which usually was a good thing in his opinion, but today he had actually been hoping for a heavy load to help pull him away from thinking about Paps too much.
Sans glanced at the clock and grimaced. It was getting close to ten, he was sure that the heist would be happening soon. He had debated about tailing his brother, or volunteering his services to the mission, but it seemed that Asgore was keeping a tight lid on this particular operation because no matter who he asked Sans couldn’t get any details from anyone about the job. He had no idea when they would be meeting or where there target was. That made him angry. As Asgores consigliere it was his job to know all the ins and outs of the Pansies setups, but Asgore had been sure to keep him out of the loop for this one. His boss knew him too well.
Sans sighed heavily. In all honesty it was probably for the best. If Paps caught him following from behind he would never forgive him. Sans knew that he was overreacting, that Papyrus would be fine. Undyne had pulled countless missions like this one with nearly no one getting hurt, and she had already explained to Sans that she would make sure to keep Papyrus as far away from the danger as possible. But still, he hated being kept in the dark, especially when it concerned his brother.
Sans strummed his fingers over the wood of the bar top as he forced his gaze to focus on anything other than the clock. To his slight surprise his pupils found something rather quickly as they settled on a rather attractive fox monster sitting in the stool right next to his. Sans stiffened, he hadn’t even notice her take a seat.
The fox monster smirked seemingly pleased with his response as she then glanced over to him with a deep green iris. Sans quickly recollected himself as he shot her a smile, maybe this was the distraction that he had been hoping for.
The fox monster swished her full bushy red tail from side to side as she sipped daintily at her cocktail. And sans couldn’t help but let his eyes be captivated by the movement before they wondered up to the rest of her figure. She had on a backless black flapper dress, its tassels just hanging past her mid-thigh as it was held up by a satin ribbon tied in a bow around her slim neck. Sans fingers twitched slightly when he saw it.
The women chuckled slightly and Sans quickly snapped his gaze back to her face. He felt himself flush blue when he realized that he had been caught staring. However, the women didn’t seem to mind as she instead batted some of the heaviest bedroom eyes that Sans had ever seen his way. Oh jeez.
Sans cleared his throat.
“Heya.” He said as he crushed down his blush while placing on his best confident grin. “Don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.” The women smiled back at him as she swirled her drink around in her hand.
“No, I don’t think that you have.” She replied.
Frisk turned the corner toward Grillbys. She rolled out her shoulder as she walked as she was stiff from the long day at work. She had also stopped in the market square like she had planned and found a few ads for some available apartments for rent in the area. She even managed to stop by some of them to check them out. They had all looked nice enough, but she wasn’t sure about the asking rate. She was hopping that she could go over the offers with Sans tonight as when it came to real estate she really had no idea what she was doing. This would be the first time that she had actually lived in a place that wasn’t abandoned, and Sans seemed to be the one out of the two brothers that handled most of the financial endeavors.
There was also another reason why Frisk wanted to talk to Sans, and honestly she was partly using the apartment adds as a means to start up a conversation with him. She was still worried about him and his brother. Papyrus had been very angry with him that morning and Sans had yet to apologies for his actions. She understood why Sans had gone behind his brothers back like that, she would be lying if she didn’t admit that she was also worried about Papyrus, but she knew that Sans had crossed a line. She was hoping that at some point in their discussion she would be able to bring it up and maybe inspire him to have a real heart to heart with his brother. She hoped she could at least.
She entered in to Grillby’s, allowing the warmth of the tavern to chase away the chill from the night air outside as she made her way toward the stairs. However, she stopped when her eyes caught sight of Sans sitting at the bar top. She smiled before heading over. She was about to call out to him when she noticed the person sitting next to him. She was a very pretty fox monster and it looked like she was laughing. Sans was winking at her and seemed to be entertaining her with his arsenal of jokes. Frisk felt her smile fall into a firm frown. She suddenly felt the very same felling as that morning take a hold of her. She was out of place again.
She then turned away to head back toward the stairs. Sans was busy at the moment and clearly wanted to be left to his private conversation.
When she entered into the apartment she threw the pamphlets and advertisements down on her bedside table before flopping on to the couch. She grumbled as she took a hold of her pillow and hugged it while burying her face into its fluff. Forget it; she didn’t need Sans help anyway. She decided she would just ask Papyrus when he got home as she suddenly didn’t want to have anything to do with the older brother. Frisk peeked out from her pillow refuge at the clock on the wall. It was starting to get really late. She hoped that Papyrus’ mission was going ok; she knew how important it was to the younger brother. She also really wished that he would come home soon as she was feeling very lonely all of a sudden.
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Papyrus paced around the abandoned flour mill as he hummed a jaunty tune to himself. Francis half watched him between his glances out of the main dirty window, keeping a lookout for any sign of approaching trouble. It seemed that the skeleton had decided to kill the time by tidying up the place as he dusted the crates and worn out furniture with an old torn up canvas flour sack. Francis sighed to himself heavily. Why did Asgore keep hiring these weirdoes?
Suddenly something caught his eye from out in the darkened streets. Francis tore his gaze back to the window. His large orange ears perking up as he concentrated on the alleyway outside. His eyes widened when he saw it again. Something was moving toward the mill.
Francis quickly grabbed his gun and cocked the hammer back as he pressed his body against the wall next to the window so he was out of sight. He also prepared his magic and then signaled to Papyrus to cut out the humming, which the skeleton finally understood after a few silently mouthed curses were tossed his way. Francis then dimmed the lantern as he continued to watch the approaching figure.
As it got closer Francis noticed its strange movements in the shadows. They were awkward and shambled as it hobbled its way forward. It was then that he realized that the movement in the shadows was actually two people, one with their arms around the other practically dragging them along. Francis raised an eyebrow as he peered further into the darkness, willing his eyes to adjust to the dim light of the alleyway. Were they drunks? Maybe they had gotten lost after they left the bar? Then Francis’ eyes shot wide open. They were monsters, and he recognized them. They were two of his comrades.
“Christ.” Francis growled under his breath as he jumped away from the window to open the door and help carry the injured man inside.
The other monster was already huffing and panting after nearly sprinting the entire way back to the safe house from the Hollywood’s warehouse with his injured partner’s weight hanging from his arm. He sank done to the floor once he entered the safety of the building, grateful to finally be able to rest.
“What the hell happened?!” Francis demanded as he led the injured man over to one of Papyruses prepared crate beds.
“Am- ambush.” The tired monster managed to choke out. “They had the smokers. We didn’t stand a chance.” Francis felt his soul skip a beat as his ears went limp after hearing the troubling news.
“There are more coming, so many injured and …. and some dead.” The tired monster finished.
Francis’ face went pale. He almost lost his ability to stand and nearly joined the worn out monster leaning against the wall for support on the floor. Papyrus only hesitated for a moment getting the shiver that was running up and down his spine under control before swiftly moving over to the injured monsters side. This is what he was called in for after all, he couldn’t allow his nerves to become rattled now.
Papyrus then promptly extended his magic to the injured monster. The man on the table though weakened wasn’t in any critical condition. He had what looked like a nasty slash across his face, possibly from a knife attack. Papyrus frowned as he quickly concentrated his magic and protracted it through his fingertips he then ushered it forward as he searched for the man’s pain his magic immediately surrounding it and snuffing it out. Once the man’s whimpers died down Papyrus retracted his magic again.
“Why did you stop? He’s still hurt!” Francis demanded as he watched the orange glow of Papyrus' magic fade away.
“HIS LIFE IS NOT IN DANGER.” Papyrus replied calmly. “I HAVE TAKEN HIS PAIN AWAY, BUT IF WHAT OUR FRIEND OVER THERE SAYS IS TRUE THEN I WILL HAVE TO SAVE MY STRENGTH FOR THOSE WHO REALLY NEED IT.”
Francis felt his stomach sink when he realized that Papyrus was right. He turned back to the door and already he saw many more of his comrades trudging their way back up to the mill. The ones that could still walk were dragging the unconscious. Francis stepped back, not sure what he even was supposed to be doing anymore. He had no healing ability. How was he supposed to help all of his injured friends when they were in such great pain? He was so utterly useless. Suddenly he felt a firm steady hand on his shoulder. He blinked before turning around to see Papyrus with a patient but determined smile on his face.
“FRANCIS, I NEED YOU TO PLACE THE MOST INJURED MONSTERS ON THE BEDS. ANYONE ELSE WHO ISN’T IN THAT BAD OF A CONDITION WILL HAVE TO WAIT.” He instructed. Francis nodded silently before bursting out through the door to help relieve the burden of his friends as he took their wounded and ushered them inside.
Soon the mill was an absolute mad house. The beds were full, with many more monsters needing care lined up and leaning against the walls. Francis was running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to alleviate some of the pain from the less critically wounded, offering bandages and rationing out the minuscule amount of magic infused food that they had brought with them. It wasn’t enough, and Francis realized quickly that they were very under prepared for a failure of this magnitude.
Papyrus worked diligently as he continued to pour his magic out through his fingertips. He only lingered on a monster long enough to get them stable before moving on to the next. He wished that he could do more for them but his magic reservoir was already wearing thin, and more and more wounded kept staggering in as the troop had all scattered after retreating.
As he worked Papyrus couldn’t help the anxious feelings growing in his soul. They were getting hard to deny at this point as Papyrus found himself constantly glancing at the door whenever he could spare a moment. Undyne had still not arrived yet, and according to the other monsters she had gotten shot at the warehouse.
Papyrus forced his attention back to the moaning monster before him. No, he had faith in the underboss. She was the strongest and toughest monster in the Under-City there was no way that she would succumb to a measly wound like that. She was Undyne the Undying after all; the name surly had to count for something. Papyrus tried his best to bury his nervous thoughts, but the nagging feeling still persisted in the back of his skull no matter how he tried to ignore it.
“P- Please it hurts, give me a little more.” The monster pleaded, catching Papyrus by his sleeve before he could go to the next in line. Papyrus brows furrowed. He had managed to stabiles the monsters soul but he couldn’t do much about the pain, if he did he may not have enough magic left to get to everyone.
“I-I'M VERY SORRY, BUT THIS IS ALL I CAN DO FOR NOW. I PROMISE THAT YOU WILL GET HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.” Papyrus said, trying to reassure the pained monster beneath him. The man then snarled as he clutched tightly to Papyrus’ arm.
“You- your lying! I need more give it to me dam it!” He seethed. Papyrus couldn’t back away, his smile faltered. This was getting to be too much.
“Lay off Manny!” Francis interjected as he broke the injured monsters grip away from Papyrus. The injured monster whined as he tried desperately to reach out for Papyrus again.
“Please, please!” He begged. Papyrus had to turn away. He was shaking now and he didn’t know what to do. Francis took his injured comrades hand firmly.
“This is all I can do for ya Manny.” He said sadly as he slipped the monster the last of the rationed magic infused food powder. “You will have to get by on your own strength from here on.” The monster greedily shoved the food powder into his mouth as he then licked off any trace of it from his fingers.
“Thank you, thank you.” He said as relief started to wash over him.
Francis turned back around to see Papyrus already staggering over to the next monster. He could see that the skeleton was becoming quickly worn out. He was trembling and his movements were sluggish and uncertain. Francis quickly caught up to him.
“Hey, it looks like you could use a breather there chief.” He said. Papyrus turned to him wearing what Francis assumed was supposed to be his usual confident smile, but like his magic his happy guise was wearing extremely thin.
“NO, NO I’M FINE, HONESTLY.” Papyrus insisted. Francis furrowed his brows unconvinced. “I’LL JUST HELP A FEW MORE AND THEN I’LL TAKE A BREAK.” Papyrus continued when he noticed Francis look of concern.
Francis hesitated. He knew that Papyrus’ magic was wearing dangerously low but when he looked over to his wounded comrades he couldn’t just very well stop the skeleton from doing his work and healing them, even if it meant that Papyrus would be putting himself at risk in the process. Reluctantly he backed down.
“Just don’t …take it too far.” He cautioned. Papyrus nodded.
“FRANCIS?” Papyrus then asked. “HAS THERE BEEN ANY MORE NEWS ABOUT UNDYNE?”
Francis bowed his head. So far that he knew of, the underboss had refused to leave until she made sure that everyone else had gotten out safely first. The monsters who had just arrived stated that she had gone back to retrieve some of the injured despite being injured herself.
“Nothing so far chief.” He replied.
“OH… WELL THEN, I GUESS WE WILL JUST HAVE TO KEEP WORKING UNTIL SHE GETS HERE.” Papyrus said with a forced chuckle. “I BET ONCE SHE DOES SHE WILL BE SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT EVERYONE IS TAKEN CARE OF, NYEHEHE. THAT’S RIGHT, WE’LL SURPRISE HER WITH ALL OUR HARD WORK!” He proclaimed. Francis bit back his grimace.
So far only Undyne and four other members had still not arrived back yet. It was already well past the meet up time, and Francis knew that with this many injured they couldn’t afford to stay put in one place for much longer. If the Hollywood Troop managed to find their hide out there was no way they would be able to get everyone out in time. They had to move.
Francis paused as he decided it was time to tell Papyrus the bad news, that Undyne was probably not going to come back, but as soon as he looked up to see the young skeletons hope filled expression he choked. Papyrus cocked his head to the side awaiting his reply so instead he managed to throw on a shaky sideways grin.
“Ya I’m sure she’ll be impressed.” He said. Papyrus smiled back before returning to his work. Francis followed suit and felt like absolute trash for encouraging Papyrus’ empty hopes.
He sighed to himself in vain. Alright, he would give the Underboss twenty more minutes, but after that he was calling it and evacuating the mill. He knew that Undyne would hate it if everyone was put at risk just for her sake. Hell, she would probably beat him to a pulp if she found out that they had even been waiting for this long. In all honesty however, Francis wasn’t just doing this to spare the skeletons feelings. He too wanted to believe that the boss would make it back despite the odds, and as he looked to his comrades he knew that they were also sharing in his desperate faith as not one had spoken up about leaving even though they all knew it was protocol. Not one was willing to leave her behind.
Time ticked onward. Papyrus and Francis, as well as the other less injured monsters, continued to care for their fallen comrades, but still there was no sign of the underboss. A half hour had now passed and Francis knew that there was no hope left. He shuffled glumly over to Papyrus. The young skeleton had not taken a break as he focused desperately on his work. Francis knew that he was using it as a distraction so he wouldn’t have to face the reality of the situation, but he couldn’t indulge him any longer. The skeleton was going to dust himself if he used up any more of his magic. Francis could see Papyrus exhaustion as clear as day. Besides, Undyne had made it very clear to Francis that if he let anything happen to this goober of a monster there would indeed be hell to pay. Francis smiled sadly at the memory of her threat. He didn’t doubt for a second that if he let her down she would haunt his ass from beyond the grave.
Francis placed a steady hand on papyrus shoulder. The skeleton flinched and stiffened as if he already knew what Francis was about to say.
“Look chief, think it’s time we move on. It’s too dangerous to stay here any longer.” He said. Papyrus paused for a moment before turning to face Francis with tired eye sockets and a wobbly smile.
“YES … I SUPOSE YOU ARE RIGHT.” He began and Francis felt a wave of relief, thankful that Papyrus had agreed without a fuss. “YOU SHOULD START LEADING EVERYONE AWAY, I WILL WAIT FOR UNDYNE HERE.” Papyrus continued. Francis quickly felt that previously said relief disappear.
“…She isn’t coming back Papyrus.” He said flatly. He was tired of dancing around the skeletons feelings they didn’t have enough time for him to be patient any longer. Papyrus frowned.
“YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT.” He replied curtly before turning away from Francis. Francis groaned under his breath. He had figured that Papyrus was not going to make this easy for him.
“It doesn’t mater whether I know it or not, she missed the meet up deadline and our orders are to leave with or without her. As a member of her troop you are obligated to follow those orders.” Francis explained firmly. Papyrus paused.
“I - I DON’T THINK I CAN.” He whimpered. Francis was about to argue back when a loud slam promptly cut him off.
Everyone turned their heads over to the entrance way where Undyne stood leaning against the heavy door breathing heavily, one hand clutched to the wound in her shoulder while the other was held firm on a sniveling monster that she had dragged back with her. Her one yellow eye swept over the room in surprise before it narrowed angrily.
“What the hell are you all still doing here!?” She demanded. Francis immediately stiffened in both bewilderment and also fear. Though he was inwardly ecstatic that his boss was alive, he also realized that they had disobeyed her orders by waiting for her, meaning that they had all incurred her wrath. Papyrus however, didn’t seem to register the anger present in the fish women’s voice as he hurriedly sprung forward, a big happy smile stretched across his skull.
“UNDYNE, THANK HEAVENS!” He shouted as he bounded over. Francis quickly shook of his stupor as he also followed over to his boss to relive her of the injured monster that she had been carrying.
The monster went willingly with him but kept silently sobbing as he remained hunched over clutching something desperately to his chest. Papyrus then immediately started to survey the damage of Undyne’s wounded shoulder. He prepared to call forth his healing magic when Undyne roughly shoved him away.
“You idiots! You should have all left by now! It isn’t safe here!” She shouted.
All of her underlings visibly flinched. Undyne continued to seethe as she looked over all of her injured comrades. She was beyond furious at this point. she was downright livid. How could they put themselves in danger like this? She had thought she had made herself perfectly clear with her orders, but clearly her troop wasn’t disciplined enough to understand. She growled as she stepped forward ready to give them an ear full, but before she could utter a single angry word a massive dizzy spell swept over her and sent her stumbling over to the wall where she had to brace herself. Papyrus was at her side in an instant.
“PLEASE UNDYNE, LET ME HEAL YOU. YOU’RE VERY INJURED.” He begged, his voice pitched higher than usual and laced thickly with worry.
Undyne glanced over to him. She felt her mood turn even darker at the sight of him. He looked horrible. His eye sockets somehow appeared sunken and were pricked with orange tears while the white bone of his face looked ashen. He had been pushing himself far passed his limits. It was completely obvious that he was at this point endangering his own life with how much magic he had expended. Undyne firmly pushed herself off of the wall and away from his grasp. She bit back her lecture. She would have plenty of time to give her troop a proper scolding after she had first made sure that they were all out of harm’s way.
“There is no time for that Papyrus.” She stated firmly as she looked to the rest of her troop.
They were all in a similar condition as Papyrus, injured and in pain, but yet they had all stayed behind to wait for her. She felt another swell of anger form in her chest from there senselessness, but also one of guilt and surprisingly of slight pride.
“Everyone listen up!” She bellowed. Though injured her voice still carried well around the room and still sounded as firm and authoritative as it did before the heist. Every monster turned to her. Despite their injuries, they were all ready to do as she said and follow orders without hesitation.
“We need to leave immediately! The Hollywood Troop was right on my tail, and is probably tracking me here as we speak.” She explained. “I want everyone to buddy up. The ones of you who can, will carry the weight of the more injured. You will all scatter from here and when you are absolutely sure you are not being followed go to Grillbys and get help from the other members of the Pansies that are there.”
“But boss, there’s still three missing!” A monster called from the back of the room. “Cheeko, Jade and Alfred aren’t here yet.” At the names of the missing monsters Undyne’s gaze turned dark as it fell to the floor. The monster that Francis was supporting then let out a loud wail.
“I – I couldn’t leave em! I couldn’t!” He rambled in-between his sobs. Francis stared wide eyed at the monster in his arms as he shook with grief.
“Come on man, get a hold of yourself.” He began but immediately was silenced as the monster unfolded his arms from his chest, revealing a hat, one that had once belonged to Cheeko filled to the brim with dust.
“I just couldn’t leave them behind.” The monster wept. The rest of the troop fell into a stunned silence as they all stared horror struck at the hat. Undyne straightened herself up and snarled.
“There will be time for grieving later, but now we have to focus on getting out of here alive, unless you want to join the dead!” She barked. “Now get your asses in gear or so help me I will get them in gear myself!” At her harsh command the monsters immediately snapped to attention and began organizing themselves into pairs.
Each group then snuck out into the darkness taking a different route to get back to the bar unseen. Undyne stayed behind making sure that the most injured were partnered with the strongest monsters left standing. The last of her troops were just leaving, Francis being among them as he lead the shock stricken monster and the three fallen comrades who were now stored safely in his hat out the door. She was about to prepare to leave herself when a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder. She spun around to find Papyrus patiently waiting for her.
“ARE YOU READY UNDYNE?” He asked. Undyne just stared wide eyed in surprise she had thought Papyrus had left with the rest already.
“Papyrus! What the hell are you still doing here?” She demanded. Papyrus stared back at her confused.
“I AM WAITING FOR MY PARTNER UNDYNE JUST LIKE YOU INSTRUCTED.” He said matter-o-factly. Undyne almost smacked a heavy hand over her face in frustration.
“Not me Papyrus! I meant with someone else, someone who needs your heeling abilities!” She said. Papyrus just cocked his head to the side.
“BUT YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WHO DOES NEED IT.” He explained. Undyne huffed; clearly she was not going to win this argument.
“Alright bone head.” She sighed reluctantly realizing there was not much choice in the matter. “Let’s get a move on”. Papyrus smiled brightly as he then promptly took to her side and swung her arm over his shoulder.
“NEYHEHE! RIGHT AWAY BOSS!” He exclaimed confidently. Undyne only rolled her eyes as they headed out into the night. At least this way she would be able to make sure that the young skeleton was properly protected.