Whumptober Day 14: Blackmail

“We don’t have to be friends, Stretch. We’ll just have to pretend,” the human said evenly.

Papyrus’ teeth clenched around his cigarette. “…Sounds like a lot of effort.”

“But you’ll do it anyway. For the sake of your real friends. How do you think my dad would react if he found out his pun pal used to kill me in cold blood over and over again?”

If Papyrus had blood, it should be running colder now.

“Even if you swore it was justified, he wouldn’t believe you.” Their idle smile came nowhere close to reaching empty, emotionless eyes. “Would Blue?”

"You got the time?" Sans cautiously probes again. He could check it on his phone or any of the nearby clocks but he wants—needs—to hear it said aloud.

Papyrus obliges, his announcement of the hour emphatic and sure, and it eases something in both of their souls to know that proper, linear seconds have passed since the last time Sans asked.

“The human asked me to convey their deepest apologies. They didn’t expect you have such a visceral reaction.”

“Shouldn’t’ve. Stupid,” Red mumbled, gazing numbly at his hands. Every joint burned from being scrubbed so frantically and clammy nausea still clung to his back.

It was just flour, not dust. He of all people should know how to take a joke.

The longer Boss stared at him, assessing, the tighter his throat became. It only worsened when he sank down and loosely draped a hand over his forearm.

“I’m right here, Sans.” His voice was atypically low. “They haven’t hurt me.”

Papyrus always answered his cell within the first two rings. Always.

* You have one (1) unheard message.

“Papyrus? Are you there?” 

* You have two (2) unheard messages.

“Bro, where are you? Pick up the phone right now.”

* You have three (3) unheard messages.

“Come on, please, just pick up! If you’re there, I need you to call me back. I just need to know you’re okay.”

* You have four (4) unheard messages.

“You promised me, Pap. You swore to me that you weren’t going to face them again. You said you were gonna stay put. Stars, I should’ve known you’d—”

UT - What Hope Remains

Summary: With the knowledge of resets, with the knowledge that these are going to be his last words, why does Papyrus keep giving the human so many chances?

“I should have gotten you a stool,” Papyrus announced, abrupt.

Sans, offered no context, grunted questioningly as he took his bite. His brother gestured vaguely.

“At my ceremony. Had I thought to fetch you a royal stool beforehand, I wouldn’t have needed to stoop so low to be crowned.”

The ketchup went sour in Sans’ mouth.

“I hope it didn’t seem silly from the perspective of the crowd—the king bowing down in front of them.” Papyrus’ eyelights slid to some distant point. “How did I look that day?”

Young. Sad. Scared. How do you remember?

“…You looked great, bro.”

UT - Proximity

Summary: Papyrus loves hugs; he always has. He'll accept any opportunity he can find to get a good hug -- unless it's from Frisk.

UF - Life Leaks Away

Summary: With each new reset Papyrus wakes up with serious migraines—a side effect of the human stomping his skull into dust. Doomfanger doesn't like to see him in pain.

In headaches and in worry, vaguely life leaks away And Time will have his fancy tomorrow or today

UF - Stand My Ground

Summary:  The Great and Terrible Papyrus knows all too well the fate that awaits him, but he will never turn away from it. Cowardice just isn't within him, nor is surrender.

UT - Line of Balance

Summary:  Papyrus always has a firm grasp on his emotions. He has to keep his smile on and set an example—which is why it's a little counterproductive that he's standing here now, crying over his pot of spaghetti.