Wowie, thanks for the votes, reads and comments! You guys r o c k!
Chapter slightly inspired by Wendy Darling not wanting to grow up and leave the nursery, if it means leaving her childhood behind.
3rd person pov
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There a split second of silence, broken by an anxious Toriel's small sneeze.
Finally, Papyrus piped up, "That's wonderful! Gosh, where are we gonna put it?"
Toriel cleared her throat. "See-" But she stopped short when she saw Sans's face. "Nevermind-"
"Why doesn't Papyrus move in with me?" Mettaton said plainly. "I'd be happy to take him in."
There was another pause of awkward silence. "Oh, Mettaton I can not move in with you! I mean, we've only been dating a few weeks and-" But he stopped. He couldn't think of anymore reasons.
The words slightly stung Mettaton, seeing as though they had had a very personal afternoon, but he understood. "Oh. I see."
Everyone was quiet, the only sound being the clinking of silverware and cups as they ate, the occasional sniffle.
"The baby is due in June." Toriel said quietly.
"We're thinking about putting it back in the kids rooms, with the kids." Sans continued.
"That means I'm back to the futon." said Papyrus blandly.
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After dinner, Papyrus and Mettaton were doing the dishes, where a lot of their important conversations seemed to take place.
"I really think it would be a great option-" Mettaton continued, scrubbing at the dishes. "A great relationship obstacle."
Though he didn't admit it, Papyrus was a little scared of great way Mettaton talked. It was all 'relationship obstacles' and 'moving in' and etc. He was quiet all while Mettaton described the benefits.
"So?" He looked up. "Do you wanna move in?"
Papyrus jumped out of his stupor. "Oh, well...I don't know Mettaton. Still seems like a big step." He looked away.
Mettaton huffed angrily and went back to scrubbing. "Fine then."
"I mean-" Papyrus said hurriedly. "Sounds fun...living alone with you, no kids or financial trouble or a gross married couple." His voice fell on the last few words, terrified of what Mettaton would suggest next. Luckily, he didn't.
"Exactly! Just the two of us....living life and such." He playfully shoulder bumped Papyrus, who was still conflicted.
"I just-" He shook his head. "I don't know." He thought about what might happen if they were living together, and the thought pumped fear through his heart. Was he really ready?
"I should talk to Sans." He wiped his soapy hands off on a towel and excused himself.
Sans was lounging on the couch, probably flirting with Toriel. Papyrus looked at her differently now, knowing that she was carrying life. And that she had--nevermind.
"Brother?" Papyrus piped up. "May I talk to you?"
"Uh, yeah sure." Sans pulled himself off the couch and shuffled over.
"Mettaton wants me to move in with him." Papyrus said bluntly.
Sans paused. His jaw tightened, lazy smile became forced. The change was slight, but surprising.
"Oh?" His voice sounded higher than usual. "And you said?"
"I said I would think about it. Sans, I'm scared. I'm really scared." Papyrus blinked, the kind of blinking that was evident of held back tears.
"Oh Papyrus, why are you scared?" Sans moved to give him an awkward sibling hug.
"I'm not ready! I'm not ready to take that step..." He took a deep shuddering breath.
Sans just patted his back. "I know, bro...I know. I was scared to become serious with Toriel too. But look at us now! We're married and having a baby! Things will work out in the end, I promise."
Papyrus didn't answer, yet his silence made Sans realize something.
"You're scared of--oh. I understand." He sighed and pulled away from Papyrus.
"Listen, Paps. If he does anything you're uncomfortable with, you can always ask him to stop! Besides, assuming he's told you about his, ah, body, he won't really ever want to do that. He uncomfortable with it like you."
Papyrus blinked. "He is? How would you know?"
But Sans gave him a look so severe he shut up. "I just do." And as much as he didn't think he'd ever be saying this..
"You and Mettaton....you're pretty great together. It'll work, trust me."