Us. {papyton}

Chapter 5

Later that day, it was not Toriel, nor Sans that helped Papyrus get ready for his little date, but the children. Frisk wordlessly demonstrated his talent with a curling iron, and Chara showed off her wardrobe skills. Asriel tagged along, giving snacks and advice when needed.

"Chara!" He said suddenly, as she prepared to deck Papyrus in leather. "Leather? On a date? I understand it compliments his skin tone, but honestly plaid would be better!"

"But he's got to look tough!"

"And charming! Maybe Mettaton doesn't like tough guys!"

They bickered until Frisk stopped them both with a red scarf, long sleeve white shirt and black jeans.

"It's not tough..."

"Or charming..."

"I like it!" Papyrus smiled. He'd been silent for a few hours now, first date nerves setting in. He went into the bathroom to put it on, and came back out feeling refreshed.

Chara looked him up and down and nodded. "It'll do." Asriel was already munching on a cookie.

"Kids! Dinner!" Toriel called from the kitchen. Asriel dropped his cookie immediately.

When they were all seated and eating, except Papyrus, Sans turned to him. "Be careful on your date, okay Paps? If he does anything you're not comfortable with-"

Papyrus brushed it off. "I'll be fine Sans. Were just gonna get dinner and talk business, that's all." Despite his reassurance, Sans still looked troubled.

Asriel inquired, "Are you taking him to Undyne's sushi house?"

Papyrus nodded. "Don't worry I'll bring you back some California Rolls."

"Oh say hi to Alphys for me, she still has my DVD copy of Attack on Titan." Chara said.

"Nerd..." Sans mumbled with a grin.

After a moment, Papyrus stood up. "Well I must be going! Wish me luck!" He turned to leave, but something small held onto him, and he turned around to see it. Frisk was holding onto his shirt, but gave them a thumbs up and let them go.

Papyrus smiled briefly then left the apartment.

Surprise Mettaton POV!

Still reeling from this afternoons blast to that oh so glamorous past with Sans, I tried to push down my bitter mood for the sake of the date. I don't know why, but I was drawn to Papyrus and his cheery manner, his unrealized cuteness. Oh how I swoon for men like that.

I checked my watch. 7:05. When I looked up and into the empty coffee shop I could see Papyrus making his way through the darkness, and he appeared beside me in seconds time. "Hello Mettaton!" He waved.

"Evening, gorgeous. You're looking nice, and I must say your outfit is on point!" Well-aimed compliments are key.

"Oh? Oh thank you!" He hooked his arm through mine. I was surprised at the sudden gesture but enjoyed it. "You're looking quite nice too!"

We started walking, and while I had no idea where we were going, I politely followed.

"So how long have you and you're family been running that shop?" I said off-handedly.

"About 2 years! Ever since we adopted Chara and Frisk and figured a collection of part time Jobs wasn't going to pay the rent." Papyrus seemed so....happy to talk about something with an edge of sadness.

"You see," He continued. "Sans, my brother, and his wife Toriel have been married for 7 years, isn't that a lot? I moved in with them after," He paused, as if stopping to remember something he'd spent years forgetting. "Our dad died, in my senior year. It was hard, actually. Toriel had just had a baby, Asriel, and we were struggling for money. We manged to get back on our feet after a while, and..."

My curiosity was sparked. "And?"

"And we ended up fostering these 2 little kids, around Asriel's age! They were nice kids, you know how they say foster kids misbehave and all, but they were wonderful. They made Asriel feel less lonely. So, we started the coffee shop to increase income, and we ended up keeping the kids. We've been a family ever since.

I was shocked into silence. "That's quite interesting actually..."

"What about you and your....brother?" Papyrus inquired as they turned a corner.

"Cousin." I corrected. "Well, it's been Blooky and me against the world for a while. After my parents kicked me out my sophomore year for.....reasons, I moved in with him. Eventually we both got tired of our old town and moved here with a dream to own a coffee shop. Pretty simple."

"What reasons?" Papyrus said curiously.

"Well...." I forced a dry smile. "They had just lost their only daughter, and were grieving."

"And they kicked you out?! That's awful..!" Papyrus shook his head in disdain.

I opened his mouth to say something, but Papyrus had stopped walking.

"Here we are! Undyne's Sushi House!"