Protect One Another - US!Papyrus x Reader

Chapter 16/24 -- Scars Show Sometimes

"I can't find the first aid kit, but here are the towels," Sans said as he handed Papyrus two wet towels. "I'll be right back." His brother nodded and Sans returned to the kitchen.

Papyrus slipped off Y/n's shirt and examined her torso for any bruises and cuts. He shook his head and took a shaky sigh before reaching for the towels he had put on the floor. "Brace yourself," he said as he hovered the towel over her bloodied shoulder. He gently cleaned the cuts around her shoulders and arms. The girl only flinched slightly. "Geez...what happened to you? There's no way this was...natural. Someone beat you up..." Papyrus said as he finished cleaning her body from the blood and dirt.

"It'll heal right?" Y/n responded weakly. Papyrus met her eyes. She's not gonna tell me, is she? Geez, the one time I don't check her room she leaves and gets hurt.

"Yeah, you'll have some scars, but you'll heal," he replied. "You're not gonna answer my question, are you?" She let out a weak laugh, which led to a fit of coughs. She shook her head and relaxed against the couch pillows.

"Maybe some other time," she murmured, avoiding his worried gaze.

Sans returned and handed Papyrus the first aid kit. "Thanks Sans, you can head back to bed now," Papyrus told his brother. Sans stood there for a minute, his expression turning to that of confusion and worry at the sight of his friend. "Sans, please, you've done enough. Let me take care of this. She'll be fine in the morning. Thank you for your help."

"Is there anything else I can do?" Sans asked quietly. "Anything at all?" Papyrus hesitated before responding.

"...No. Please, just go back to bed. I'll take care of the rest." Sans nodded glumly and walked up the steps, turning back every now and then to catch a glimpse. Papyrus waved him off, then returned his attention back to Y/n. "Can you sit up?"

"I think so...?" she responded. With Papyrus's help she sat up straight on the couch. "Now what...?" Papyrus looked away, then met her eyes as he sat on his knees in front of her.

"Your ankle is twisted, and your right arm is broken," he stated plainly. "I'm...gonna have to set your arm. And...it'll hurt...a lot." Y/n nodded slowly as she bit her lip.

"It can't be worse than it is right now, right?" she said, forcing a grin onto her lips. Papyrus chuckled and sat beside her on her right side.

"That's a very optimistic way to look at it," he commented. He traced his fingers down her arm, then tenderly held her wrist with one hand. He handed her a pillow with his other and she held onto it, knowing exactly what it was for. "Hold tight to the pillow, I need to get your arm straight so I can put it in a cast alright? It'll be over soon, I promise." She nodded slowly and looked away.

"I hate doing this. Stupid bones...why couldn't they be stronger..." she mumbled, more to herself than to him. Without a warning, Papyrus had yanked roughly on her arm, pulling it one direction while he used his soul magic to hold her torso in the other. She cried out in pain as she clutched onto the pillow, tears slipping down her face at the agony in her arm.

Papyrus let go of her arm and set it onto her lap as he quickly grabbed bandages, a splint, and a large cloth for a sling. "It's ok, you did a grate job. And it's a good thing the bandages aren't shredded or they wouldn't be of much use," Papyrus said, trying his best to lighten the mood (just kill me now I suck at puns). He sat sideways on the couch and carefully wrapped her forearm around the splint.

"P-Pap be carefu- OW, ow, ow, ow OW! Geez! It hurts, i-it hurts please, stop, just stop Pap- Papyrus-! DAMNIT-!"

"Maybe if you weren't moving so dang much it wouldn't hurt so much," Papyrus shot back, giving Y/n a stern look as he pulled the bandage tighter. "Calm down you child."