Friendship Dinner
You couldn’t figure out which of the pasta-making steps could result in the sounds coming from the kitchen. You could hear the pots clanging and Papyrus yelling what seemed to be short battle cries, “W-what exactly is this spaghetti made of?”
“It’s normal spaghetti,” Sans was enjoying the horrified look on your face.
“Then what is all,” your arms flailed, “THAT?” He snorted in response and waved you off before getting himself situated on the couch. The shorter skeleton flipped through channels, settling on an interview with a robot.
“Ey paps, come here,” his head tilted back as the other grumbled from the kitchen, “Mettaton’s on T.V.~” Before you knew it the younger brother was looming over the couch, gripping the cushions in delight. A pale orange tinted his sauce covered cheekbones and for the first time since arriving you felt yourself genuinely smile. He looked like a child to you. His eyes were so focused on watching every second of the robot he could that he had forgotten about the now burning pasta. “Bro,” the older brother poked playfully at him.
“NOT NOW SANS CAN’T YOU SEE I’M WATCHING METTATON. WE HAVEN’T SEEN HIM SINCE WE CAME ABOVE GROUND,” His tone was quite stern.
“Buuuuut I think it would be a good idea to- “
“SANS I SAID NOT NOW!”
“Okay bro,” Sans closed his eye sockets and waited for the problem to fix itself.
You decided to chime in before it got out of hand, “Papyrus there is smoke coming from the kitchen.” He turned in horror and ran back into the other room to fix his mistake. “Is he always this eccentric?”
“Yeah. Paps is the coolest isn’t he?” you could feel the love he had for his brother radiating from his bones, “He’s just so passionate about everything he does and sometimes people don’t understand that.” Sans patted the couch next to him, inviting you to sit, “Look I’m not too keen on him working with humans, but he’s not taking no for an answer, so I need to ask you a favor.” You nodded. A deep sigh resonated through his chest, “Please just look out for him. He’s everything to me.”
“Yeah, I understand,” you didn’t, “I know what that’s like,” you don’t, “I won’t let anything happen to him.” You meant that with all your heart. Their closeness was so endearing that it almost made you jealous.
“THE FRIENDSHIP DINNER IS COMPLETE NYEH HEH HEH,” all in all it didn’t really take long for him to cook it. You assumed he just boiled some pasta and heated the sauce, but what awaited you on the plate was so much more. There was chunks of unidentifiable meat, bits of some sort of leafy vegetable, and most surprising, glitter. “I THINK THIS IS MY MOST SPECTACULAR DISH YET AND I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AM KNOWN THOUGHOUT THE UNDERGROUND AS A MASTER CHEF,” There was absolutely no way you could get out of eating this tragedy. Not with the giant skeleton looking so proud of himself and your future friendship hanging in the balance. You filled yourself with determination and took a bite. Chewing it was the worst part. It was dry and gritty thanks to the glitter, but you didn’t let your face waver, “HOW IS IT_____?”
“It is very,” find a good word, “friendshippy.” Nailed it. Sans smiled in approval, feeling a little more confident that you would look out for his giant little brother, and for the entire rest of the meal you decided to swallow your bites whole. It was just easier that way.
Once the ‘friendship dinner’ was over you helped Papyrus clean up everything, which took longer than actually eating thanks to his unique cooking techniques. It was almost three in the morning by the time the two of you actually sat down to discuss what you originally came for. “You’re gonna need a white button up shirt and black pants along with the apron I brought for you. We can get you everything you need this week, “You could see the exhaustion resonating from your new friend, “So how about we call it a night and I can come back tomorrow.”
“YES,” he perked up, “I THINK A GOOD NIGHT- WELL, DAY’S REST WOULD BE GOOD.” You smiled at him and nodded. “GOODNIGHT _____. I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WILL BE GOING TO BED NOW. MY BROTHER WILL SEE YOU OUT AFTER I AM ASLEEP SO PLEASE WAIT ON THE COUCH FOR HIM.” You wanted to protest, but it was too hard to say no to him. He pulled you into the longest being-lifted-in-the-air hug then waved goodnight. Sans’ voice echoed through the home as he read what seemed to be a story about a fluffy bunny. You silently wondered what kind of life these two have known.
Once the older skeleton returned downstairs you gathered your things, “It’s kinda late. You can crash on the couch if you want.”
“Thanks but I gotta get home,” you almost wished you had accepted the offer after seeing the way the two interacted, “Besides you just met me. I could totally be a serial killer.”
“I think our cereal will be just fine if you stay,” he couldn’t resist.
You rolled your eyes at the horrible joke, “I’m serious. Don’t let random humans just stay at your house, it’s dangerous. I could literally be a monster killer and you wouldn’t even know it.”
The lights in his eye sockets vanished for a moment, sending a chill up your spine, “Trust me kiddo, if you were a killer I would know.” Unsure of how to react you froze until his eye lights returned. Feeling the tension in the air he held out his arms for a hug, “Don’t worry I’m not gonna hurt you.” After a moment of eyeing him down you accepted the gesture. He was warm. Like really, really warm. You breathed in his scent before taking a step back, “Eye guess we will see you tomorrow.” He pointed to his skull for emphasis.
Nope that one ruined the moment, “Okay goodnight.” The words came out far choppier and awkward than you intended.
“Awww come on. That was a good one!” the skeleton chuckled as you exited his home.
“Goodnight Sans!” You called back fighting a smile.
He leaned against the doorframe and watched you get into your car to make sure you were safe, “Goodnght.”