Protect One Another - US!Papyrus x Reader

Chapter 23/24 -- The Night Before

"I know something's been wrong. I have for a while. I know more than I let on, and more than I look like I know," Sans said gravely, making sure to keep his blue eyes locked with Papyrus's. "You are, aren't you? You're going to fight that person... aren't you?"

Papyrus nodded slowly in defeat, there was no use denying it now, he knew he was a terrible liar. "But you have to stay with Alphys ok-?"

"Of course I will, I'm not stupid!" Sans exclaimed irritably. "But if I do, you have to promise me something. Yes, I know, 'you don't make promises,' but you should try this one time. Please?"

Papyrus took a moment to think, then sighed. "Fine. What do you want me to promise?"

"Can you promise not to kill the person who hurt Y/n and I? Please?"

Papyrus's mind went blank. He had nothing to say. How was he supposed to promise something like that? To not hurt the one being who had driven him through hell and back multiple times, the being that had tortured his lover, and the being that had hurt his brother, added onto all the previous murders.

"...Why...?" Papyrus asked incredulously.

"Because they didn't kill me or Y/n," Sans said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the Underground. "So why should you kill them? Maybe they just need a second chance to turn things around."

Papyrus chuckled darkly, wrenching his arm from his brother's grip. "Sans, that thing has had tons of second chances. If I get the chance to kill it, I will take it. The only thing stopping me will be-"

"Your promise to me," Sans interjected.

Papyrus didn't say anything. And neither did Sans. They stood there, the silence and tension in the room ever growing and grabbing at their throats. Finally, he spoke.

"No guarantees I'll execute it, but I'll keep it in mind."

"That's all I ask right now, Papyrus. Thank you, I appreciate your effort."

***

Y/n checked her bag one more time, making sure everything was there. A knife, bandages, a few protein bars, and a small first-aid kit (one they continually had to restock since she arrived). Giving Papyrus a thumbs up, she left the house without another word.

Wrapping her coat around her body, she raced through the cold night air to Waterfall. She happened to be a bit on the late side, though that (for once) hadn't been her fault (you can probably guess who had been the reason though).

She found the deer path (as she had made it) and walked slowly down it, keeping her eyes open for her partner, who was supposed to meet her just before the entrance to the training ground. She came to a halt, around the corner being the grounds of death. She inhaled deeply, mentally preparing herself for the finale.

"Heya hun, how's it hangin'?" Papyrus's voice made Y/n jump on the spot, only to see Papyrus hanging by his legs on a tree branch. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight, slowly making her way over to him. Papyrus stifled snickers and crossed his arms over his middle, to try and keep his hoodie from falling down any more than it already was.

"Oh it's hanging, hanging by a thread," she replied, planting a kiss on his forehead. He blushed orange and carefully swung down, his sneakered feet hitting the ground with a muffled thud. "Are you sure about this?" she asked slowly.

Papyrus gave her a confused look. "Of course I am. Are you not?" he asked. Y/n nodded slowly. "You're scared?" She nodded again. "You're scared something's going to go wrong?"

"Mhm..." she hummed giving in and hugging Papyrus around his middle, resting her head in his chest. He sighed, rolling his eyes, and patting her head, then wrapping his hands around her back.

"Everything's going to work out sweetheart," he reassured, running his phalanges through her soft hair soothingly. "All you have to do is go up to him, say you don't wanna do this anymore, and keep him talking until I attack at the back. Then you come in and get him to surrender. And if he doesn't..."

"And if he doesn't... then what?"

"Then you get to decide."

"Papyrus! I can't-!"

"Yes, you can, and you will decide," Papyrus said firmly, pulling back and placing his hands on her shoulders. "I'm sure thing'sll go just fine, just put in all your effort and be smart."

"...Be smart? Like what, control my temper or something?" she asked sarcastically. Papyrus nodded.

"Yes, actually. Anger can make you stupid, stupid can get you killed," he replied softly. "...And I don't know if I could handle you dying on top of all the bills I owe and Sans."

Y/n pulled back and punched him in the shoulder, scowling with all her might. "You're a real idiot. I really thought you were being serious!" she said angrily. Papyrus chuckled and leaned down to her eye level, causing her to blush madly at the little distance now between them.

"Yeah well... I'm your idiot. So you're gonna have to deal with me until you die. Which hopefully won't be tonight," he whispered with a smirk. Papyrus put his hand on her chin and pulled her closer, kissing her slowly.

When he pulled back, they were both blushing like mad, Y/n most of all. "Be careful out there, please?" she asked. Papyrus nodded, squeezed her hand, and seemed to fade on the spot.

And then he was gone.

And then it was just her.

Just her, against her worst nightmare.

***

There is so much alliteration in this chapter-

Stay tuned for the final chapter next time :D (I sound like a TV host lol).