The clinking of plastic, firm - yet snappy - danced throughout the hall as Papyrus gently played with it between the tips of his fingers. His scarf fluttered, drifting through the air as they walked.

"And - I know it's weird, I know, but I can't help it," Papyrus said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I love traps, puzzles, japes. People sometimes called me weird, and I know it's an unusual hobby, but it's fun. Placing traps around, planning and influencing how the outcomes can change... it's nice."

"There's nothing weird about that at all!" Jandle said, "Traps are a perfectly fine hobby to enjoy! Why would they think that's weird?"

"Most people think it's weird because it's kind of... dangerous," Papyrus said, "Not all traps, but that's the common idea about them. Nyeh..."

Jandle giggled lightly. "Your catchphrase is adorable. I love that! 'Nyeh' is so precious."

"Oh, that was something I came up with when I was younger!" Papyrus said, "Originally it was something I did to sound more cool, but now it's habit."

"If we do something long enough, it becomes second nature. It's only natural." His Mother folded her arms together. "As it is also natural for bad people to do bad things. Terrible things. Like Undyne."

Papyrus sighed at the simple mention of her name. He wished it didn't turn out like this, he really did, but his patience had long since worn out. He could tolerate a lot of things, but almost killing his brother was one he couldn't handle. No one, not even his best friend, could get away with acting so impulsively.

"I didn't want to tell you this," Jandle said, "As I didn't wish to ruin your friendship with Undyne before, and... and I still don't want her to go to jail, which is why I didn't testify this," Jandle said, holding a hand against her chest. "But I feel like the truth is important, especially for you. Because we want you two to be as safe as possible, and since Undyne risked my childrens lives, I should share. Undyne threated me before, Papyrus. At the party."

"She - what?" Papyrus asked.

They continued their trek down the hall, passing by a few people here and there. Other than that, it remained rather empty.

"It was when we were inside. She called me a few slurs for accidentally spilling that water onto her, and insulted you and Sans."

Papyrus turned, eye sockets wide. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Well, sweetie, you two seemed close. I didn't want to pass judgement on someone I didn't know very well. I trusted both your and Sans' judgement, I don't want to seem judgmental. I'll be honest, I uh... I didn't trust her from the start. I knew something was off. We always have both you and your brothers best interests in heart, so when I saw a woman like her in your house... I didn't want to say anything, but I knew she was bad."

"Mom, you can tell us! I'd rather you say something then stay silent!" Papyrus stopped, turning fully towards her. "Sans is hurt, and I'd rather you butt in and seem a bit over protective then have anything go downhill."

"I know, and that's something I'll regret." Jandle smiled softly at him. "Gaster and I talked about it, and we've decided we need to assert ourselves more into your lives. So, if we seem clingy or intrusive, I hope you understand. After all, we almost just lost a son."

"Of course we'd understand! Mom, you don't have to explain it at all!"

They continued walking, but at a more slow and careful pace.

"You know, I saw you punch her."

He folded his hands nervously. "Um... yeah, I did. I'm -"

"Oh, no, dear, don't apologize for that in the slightest! You were defending your brother! I could never be made at your for that!" Jandle quickly turned, stopping her younger son from any more self deprecating thoughts. "And I'm proud you did that. Sans needs to be protected, and I think you're the man for the job."

"Really?"

"Naturally. Family has to stick together. And if you were strong enough to defend your brother from Head of the Royal Guard, then it just shows how much you love him. I remember once I defended your Father from someone attacking him. It was when he held onto me, dependent on my strength to keep him alive, that I knew I wanted to protect that man whom I loved. Can you imagine that with you and your brother? You, head of the family, holding onto Sans and protecting him no matter what. Have your brother running into your arms to give you love, to seek your support?"

Papyrus placed a hand on his chest. He liked the idea of that too. Imagine that, huh? Him and Sans, married just like his parents, continuously able to hold hands together. To be able to protect Sans, for all of those times he couldn't. To hold open his arms, and have Sans run into them, seeking his warmth and protection.

That was one of the reasons Papyrus wanted to join the Royal Guard. Granted, it was mainly to become stronger and help others, but the small, selfish side of him wanted to join to impress his brother. To show he was strong enough to care for him, so Sans didn't have to do all of the work anymore.

"Have you ever regretted marrying Dad?" Papyrus asked.

Jandle tapped the bottom of her chin. "No, not really. I never regretted it. When you love someone, you simply know it. We fought the world, just the two of us, to be together. And we'll keep fighting, until we finally get to a world where everyone is our family. Where you guys can be together."

"Does Sans like me? That way? I feel like he doesn't," Papyrus said quietly.

"I can't say for sure, Sans doesn't tell us much. I think if he did, he'd probably rather wilt away into dust than confess his feelings. He's like that with a lot of feelings."

That observation was spot on, giving Papyrus no choice but to agree. Sans didn't like talking about his feelings, he tried to hide them away and make them seem less like a problem.

So, even if he did like Papyrus, a confession would be scarce. And Papyrus would never know.

But he didn't see the way Sans looked at him, either. The hope was there, but quickly diminishing as Papyrus realized how little chance he had of getting with Sans.

"Oh, no, Papyrus," Jandle whispered, worry etched onto her face as she went to cup his. "I'm pretty sure he does. Sans clearly loves you. Though I think getting him to admit it will have to be a problem. He's very much like his Father, in that sense. Gaster always had a harder time admitting things when we were younger. Sans takes after him, in a lot of ways. You know what? I believe I may be able to help you and Sans get together."

"You can?"

Jandle nodded. With a smile, she leaned forward. "I'll tell you exactly how I got your Father. Then you can apply those actions to Sans."

~~~~~~

The nervous and tall skeleton adjusted his glasses, squinting through them as he stared down at the papers. He fumbled for his cigars, but dropped them, the small blunt objects rolling out across the marble floor.

"Wow, look at the smart kid. Can't even hold his cigars." A monster chuckled, leaning towards Gaster.

"Can you stay away from me?" Gaster whispered, avoiding his gaze.

"Aw, c'mon punk. I'll even let you enter me, since I'm feeling nice today." He rolled an arm around Gaster's shoulders, "I just wanna fuck ya real good."

Suddenly, a hand grasped out, dragging the monster down to Jandle's level. She stared, eye sockets wide at him with a growl.

"He's mine," She snarled, fingers digging into the easily cuttable flesh. "And he said no."

~~~~~~

"I guess it would be kind of difficult to defend Sans from any monsters, since you already did that with Undyne," Jandle said. She hummed lightly to herself, crossing her arms.

"I don't want to hurt anyone," Papyrus said lightly. Tenderly, he ran his hands across his scarf before he perked up at his Mother placing her hands onto his cheekbones.

"Papyrus, dear." Her tone... shifted. Papyrus couldn't tell why it made him freeze, but the moment she spoke, his mouth clamped shut of any response. It sounded off. Wrong. Like a parent whose child drew on the walls. That type of love, but full of discipline. She lowered her hands from his face, resting them onto his shoulders. "Didn't it feel good, to protect Sans? You weren't attacking Undyne, you were defending your brother. Sans would be dead if you let Undyne touch him, pull out that spear. Think about that for a moment. Sans wouldn't be here if you didn't protect him."

Sans wouldn't be here if you didn't protect him.

Sans would be dead. Gone. Undyne would have killed him. Once more, Papyrus could feel the fist, his hand unconsciously curling into it. He could feel Undyne's face. The rage. The pain.

Sans needs you to protect him.

Sans looked at him a certain way.

You have to protect him, Papyrus.

Papyrus felt a cold wetness grasp his soul, wretched and disgusting. Twisting about. Pulling him down. It felt new, so terribly new, and different.

"Can't you imagine it?" Jandle continued unhelpfully, further twisting Papyrus' soul to listen to the feeling. "Sans, curled up within your arms, depending on you and us? Your family, Papyrus. You can't trust people outside of your family. You trusted Undyne, and look what happened."

Sans, wearing his bandages, holding out his arms for Papyrus. Not pulling his hand away, like he did on the bed before. Instead, curling his body against Papyrus', dependent on him. Sharing everything. Like families did.

"I..." Papyrus whispered, hesitant.

He didn't like these new feelings. They hurt.

What if he didn't hurt Undyne enough. What if she came back?

What if he hurt her a little more. It would be protecting his family. What mattered.

Right?

"That's right, Papyrus," Jandle said, as if she knew what he was thinking. "Family always comes first. Myself, your Father, and Sans. We should always come first."

He wanted to throw up.