"Undyne!" Undyne started in her chair, the cup of tea clutched in her hands shook and spilled the sweet liquid onto the table top, much to her irritation. She gritted her teeth and set her jaw into a smile, pushing back her wooden seat, the legs squeaking in protest against the kitchen floor. 

Setting her mug down, she exhaled deeply, working the anxiety from her body, letting it flow freely from her mind like the river near her home. She approached the entrance to her house, pressing a small button by the door frame that slid open the door that resembled sharp teeth.

"Oh, hey Papyrus!" She felt calmer in his presence, her nerves slacking to let a real smile surface on her features. She raised an eyebrow at the skeleton as she looked him over, picking up on his unease almost immediately.

"Something wrong, bud?" Papyrus shifted his gaze from darting around the fish woman, meeting her eyes with a worried expression. He couldn't stop wringing his gloves, his boots treading lightly on the door mat as he stood in front of Undyne.

"I uh no uh well actually uh.. Can I come in?" The skeleton scolded himself at the sound of his own voice, usually confident and happy, not anxious and shaky. Undyne furrowed her brow and nodded slowly, moving to allow entrance.

"Of course, you're my favorite apprentice. Come on in." Undyne followed Papyrus with her gaze as he glanced behind him once before hurrying in, closing the door behind him. She returned to her seat and watched as Papyrus timidly pulled out the chair across the table, sitting down shakily.

"Uh, do you want anything to drink..?" At the sound of her voice, Papyrus jumped, stiffening and switching his full attention to the monster. He sighed softly and slumped, nodding slowly.

"Please.. Apple juice.." Undyne continued to study her friend for a moment before getting up and going to the fridge, opening it and scanning over its contents till she found what she was looking for. She grabbed the bottle of juice in one hand and kicked close the fridge with her boot, opening the cupboard containing cups with her free hand.

"Is there something you need to talk about?" When she didn't get an answer, Undyne glanced over her shoulder, her shoulders sinking as she caught a glimpse of the usually chipper monster.

Papyrus has his elbows braced against the table, supporting his skull in his hands as if he were too weak to hold his head up himself. His shoulders were stiff, the bones concealed by his "battle body" felt worn and old.

"Sans.. is upset. He won't talk to me.." Papyrus mumbled, his voice muffled by the fabric of his scarf. Undyne didn't move, her gaze fixed onto the sorry sight of her best friend's lament. She felt for one of the glasses and closed the cupboard silently, returning to the table.

"Papyrus.."

"I know, I know.. He's just a little upset, and he'll be fine. He's hiding it from me because he doesn't want me to feel bad or worry. Big brothers don't cry, and little brothers are completely oblivious to the real world." Undyne averted her eyes at Papyrus curt response, the words he spoke dug deep gashes into her soul. She wasn't sure if she could manage a calm appearance.

"Yeah.. That about covers it.." Papyrus shifted to rub the palm of his hand across his cheek bone, collecting the dampness in the cloth.

"I know what he will say if I ask him. I know what you will say if I tell you. I know what everyone will do if I try for him. I'm just so.. sick of it! I don't want to stand hear and watch my brother become sucummed in the hellhole of a life! I want to know what's wrong, I want to help!" Papyrus looked up, his arms sliding down from the tablw, his fists pounding against  the wood as they made contact with it.

"I can't take not knowing HIM, Undyne.. What good am I as his brother if I can't help?" Undyne sighed, her grip on the glass in her hand tightening. As she spoke Papyrus was taken aback, the hard expression wrought into his features fading.

"There is nothing you can do, Papyrus. The reason why is because Sans is a grown monster. He's taken good care of you, raised you, and loved you every moment of his life. If he's sad, that's his problem. You don't need to nit pick every detail that he keeps hidden away. If he wants your help, he'll seek it. But let me tell you again: Don't worry." Papyrus stared at the fish lady blankly, his mouth opened slightly as if to speak, though no words came out. He felt warmth seep from his eye sockets, but didn't move to relieve it.

"I'm sorry, Paps.. Its the way the world is." Undyne concluded, looking up enough to pour a glass of juice, slidding it to the skeleton as she screwed the cap of the bottle back on tightly. Papyrus trembled, closing his mouth and forcing a small smile.

"I guess you're right. You've always been." Undyne met Papyrus' glare then, her expression unreadable as she attempted to search his. He didn't let off any emotion other than that faked happiness that seemed to be etched into his skull.

"I won't worry anymore." Undyne knew as well as Papyrus that he was lying, moving her fingers slightly from where they clenched into a fist, sighing faintly.

"You-"

"Can we change the subject?" Undyne was dismayed at the interruption, her mouth pulling upwards into a sneer. She would have chewed him out during a training match, but since that was not the situation, she held her tongue and agreed.

"Yeah. What about?"

"How little brothers always know." Undyne had let herself stare down at her lap, focusing a glare at the belt around her jeans when Papyrus has popped the statement, her teeth gritting a barely contained yell cutting off.

"Papyrus-" She whipped her head up to deliver a sharp retort, the words lost in her mind as she stared blankly at the empty chair in front of her, the slick sound of the front door closing on itself the only thing that responded to her.