"You're so cool."

He was right. Papyrus was cool. He was cute and smart and all of the adults gave him candy and head pats. They'd coo over his cool outfit. Papyrus was cool. He knew that every day he walked to school, holding Sans' hand.

Papyrus was super cool.

The coffee was spilled onto his plain white shirt with a startled 'nyeh'. The human barista, whose hand had slipped, stared wide-eyed as she frantically apologized.

"I am so sorry!" She said, frantically grabbing tissues from the counter.

She ruined his shirt! Papyrus glanced down in horror. It was a rare shirt tailored to him. And she ruined it. What a -

The bustling coffee shop around them paused, everyone looking at the scene before them. Seeing this, he straightened.

"It's alright! Are you alright, miss?" He asked, "I'm a skeleton, I can't be burned, nyeh heh! I sure do hope you didn't spill any onto yourself. That would hurt! Even if you stained my shirt, your health matters!"

"Oh," The woman said, giving a thankful smile. "Oh! Thank you! That's so kind."

"Of course," Papyrus said, "You may have ruined my shirt but I forgive you."

"Again, I'm so sorry," The woman said.

"It's okay. I'm sure I can get this washed."

Papyrus didn't. He had time. But he didn't. Instead, when he arrived at the party hall to meet with Undyne and Alphys, he made sure to adjust his scarf to make the stain more obvious.

"O-Oh my lord, Papyrus, what h-happened?" Alphys asked.

"This waitress spilled the coffee onto me on purpose! You should have seen it, she was extremely rude!" He settled onto a chair beside the two, giving a short huff. "I was kind and forgiving nevertheless, but I think she did it because I was a monster. Can you believe that?"

Undyne crossed her arms with a growl. Her hair was tied back into a rough, messy bun. "Seriously, that pisses me off. Who do humans think we are? You have to stop being so nice all the time, Papyrus. You should be a little mean to them."

Papyrus offered a warm smile. "Well, if I'm nice I'm sure they'll learn too. I'm sure I can teach them kindness."

"Well, either way, Toriel's going to be back in an hour with the candy order," Undyne said, tapping a pen against a clipboard she was holding. "Grillby has catering but he isn't exactly - eh, keen, per se. So we should probably leave him alone."

Papyrus frowned at that statement. Ever since... it happened, he's been very snippy with Papyrus. They were never great friends before, but after he and Sans fell out Grillby was rather rude. As were a lot of people. He knew Sans was spreading the word amongst everyone he met about what happened.

Sans was the reason why everything was going bad. Papyrus found himself slightly chewing on a nail from frustration as he thought about that. Things were good until Sans decided to spread lies about him. It was all his fault. Once he told his side of the story people understood. Sans just wasn't willing to listen. He'd come back. Of course he would.

"Is the party planner coming today?" Papyrus asked quietly, turning to look toward the others. His loyal friends.

"Yeah. They're Grillby's partner," Alphys explained, tugging out her phone. "Since U-Undyne and I are going to be busy with the other things you'll b-be helping them if that's alright."

"Of course it's fine," Papyrus said, "The Great Papyrus can do anything. Nyeh heh!"

"Hell yeah punk!" Undyne said, pumping her fist. "I'm super ready for today! This party for you is going to be epic!"

Papyrus beamed. That's right. His birthday. One of the most important days of the year. He already got so many birthday wishes. Texts, emails, cards, you name it. His birthdays have always been extremely important and busy.

He knew Sans did the whole 'no contact' dramatic announcement, but he'd call him. Papyrus glanced down at his phone, lacking any notifications at that particular moment. That was alright. Sans would call later. Or text. Sans never missed his birthday. He'd text.

This wasn't actually going to last. Sans was just acting out after the building incident. He'd calm down, and once he realized Papyrus would be a great Uncle, he'd come back. Sans missed Christmas, sure, but he was never one for holidays anyways. But birthdays? He always made sure to give Papyrus the best birthday he could hope for. By the end of the year, Sans would be back.

Antsy, Papyrus tapped his fingers against the table. There was almost nothing after Sans left. He moved out of his house and had almost no social media. It was pure silence after he left. Blocked Papyrus and everything. Sans was fine with his new life and mysterious new family, many monsters who met with him acknowledged that. Great, in fact. He found himself frowning at that thought. He wasn't actually fine, Papyrus knew better. He'd come crawling back and probably would apologize to Papyrus. Things would go back to normal.

It was... certainly taking longer than he thought, though.

Papyrus didn't want to hold his brother's hand.

He blushed from embarrassment as the other kids stared at him, a few giggling amongst themselves at the display. Sans wouldn't let him cross the street without holding his hand. It was so humiliating! Even the kids younger than him didn't have to walk like this. Sans was treating him like a baby bones!

His brother continued to scroll through puns on his phone while chuckling, unaware of Papyrus' rising anger. Why did he have to treat him this way? Everyone made fun of him because of this! It's not fair!

"I'm Sky."

The human who stood before him was a short little thing, a slight frown in their expression as they outheld their hand. Wearing dreads and a light blue shirt. Their dark hand further reached, before sighing and lowering it. It was only after they lowered it did Papyrus notice it.

"Oh, sorry! I'm Papyrus, nyeh heh! I zoned out for a moment, apologies for ignoring your hand," Papyrus said, giving an awkward smile. "You're Grillby's partner, right?"

Grillby already pitted them against him. He had to. No wonder they were looking at him with such a distasteful expression. One that made Papyrus frown in return. Grillby wasn't a good person anyway.

"I am," Sky said, "I'm also the party planner, so let's focus on that. You need streamers, candy - which is coming in later - and balloons. Right?"

"Yes!" Papyrus said quickly.

This human didn't like him. Their face said it all.

"I can help, don't worry!" Papyrus said quickly, "So don't feel at all stressed! The Great Papyrus can help!"

There was a moment for the human to hum. And for that moment, Papyrus felt his soul swell with pride. Yes. There he was. Being helpful, being nice. They'd like him in no time. He'd prove Sans wrong, and explain his side of the story. Everyone had to like him, he was super cool!

"You just have to do three things yourself," Sky said, curtly. "And instead of just doing them, you get a party planner. So you brought me here to waste my time."

His hands clenched slightly.

"Ah -"

"And you keep saying that. Great Papyrus. And nyeh heh. What the fuck is that all about, anyway?" Sky asked, waving around their clipboard slightly. Their hand snapped forward, pointing the brown object towards him. "Seriously, I shouldn't have been called. This is all simple work you can do on your own."

"I -" Papyrus cleared his throat despite not even having a throat. "I heard you've been out of work for a bit, so I thought offering you a job that would be easy would help ease your way back to work. And I never would want to overwork people I hire!"

His hands clenched down into fists. They'd like him. It was just Sans. Yes, that's right. Sans had told Grillby, and since Grillby liked his loyal customers he blindly believed him. Then told his date. That was it. Sans was always the one holding him back before, and he still was. This was just all his fault.

Grillby might give him Sans' number. Then he could contact Sans and they could get over this. His brother would apologize for his impulsive, stupid actions and clear everything up. Move back. Of course he would, he loved Papyrus.

It didn't matter. Sans would text him tonight. He didn't during Christmas, but he definitely would tonight. It was his birthday, after all.

"Come on," Sky said, already clearly disinterested and detached. "We need to go get the supplies, right?"

"Yes, yes, of course!" Papyrus followed them quickly. "Why don't we take my car? I can drive you there, I'm a very safe driver!"

His car was the newest brand. Took a good chunk of money, but Sans helped. Bright red, shiny, almost sparkled like a diamond under the sunlight. And Papyrus was always happy to offer people rides. It was the least he could do for them. To show how cool he was.

Waiting for them to notice his car was the same as it was for everyone else he showed it to. Silent staring, waiting for the moment their eyes widened in awe and they'd inevitability say how cool and nice he was. Because Papyrus was cool, he was very good and kind and he was the best and -

"I can take my car," Sky said.

What.

He felt his eye socket twitch.

"You don't want to take mine? It has heated seats and cupholders, the good ones too!" Papyrus argued gently.

"I fucking -" Sky threw up their arms with a slight huff. "No, see ya, bye!"

There wasn't much to be said when they practically hurried off. No argument Papyrus could possibly give. Only a slight frown of his own, especially when he heard the non-gendered human mutter "Joder que pesadilla" under their breath as they left.

They didn't like him.

Papyrus shook his head at the thought as he entered his own expensive vehicle. Sans' fault. It was his fault, yes. And it was Grillby's because Grillby spread the word to them. But they'd see. They'd apologize. Once everyone heard what happened from his side, they'd apologize. Beg for forgiveness. Sans would admit he fucked up (a word Papyrus didn't like to use, curse words weren't exactly polite) and everything would go back to normal. It always would.

Papyrus liked it when saying mean things about his brother got him attention.

Sans always said Papyrus was cooler. The cooler of the two brothers. Sans was, by his own admission, lazy. Not as creative or bright or nice. So Papyrus always believed it.

And if Sans told him he was lazy and stupid, then it wouldn't hurt if Papyrus spread the news. Just to... look a little cooler.

It felt stupid, at first. And mean. But the approving giggles of his classmates, of the older kids, were addicting. The bigger kids wanted to sit with him because he was cool. Because Papyrus wasn't a 'lazy slob' like his brother. Because he wasn't a tattle. When they were mean (really mean) to other kids he'd laugh along. Keep his mouth shut. Add in a sprinkle of jokes of his own if the timing was right. If it made them smile along and invite him to more things. If it made them think he was super swell and kept him involved.

Sans would always ask "How was your day, bro?" in a soft tone that was far kinder than Papyrus described him as.

Papyrus would always respond the same. "Good because of you!"

Because it was good. Because Sans made it good by being himself.

Sans was the lesser. Papyrus was the more talented. That was how things always were. The way life just worked. Why feel confident in himself when Sans would do it for him? Papyrus wasn't exactly sure when Sans' uplifting words became a crutch for his own self-esteem. He wasn't even sure if there ever was a time in his life when he could look into a mirror confidently without the fluttering words of others to ease him into a self-confident pose. The taste of sour words in his mouth became a familiar one. Pretending he didn't hear Undyne's sly marks about Sans' stupid grin or Alphys' mutters about his "shitty" puns became common. Papyrus was good at pretending they didn't say mean things. And he was real good at pretending he didn't say mean things behind their backs, either.

He liked them, though. He knew what they were going to say. Knew that he looked nice to them and that they'd do what he asked if it came down to it. Liked knowing he had that sense of power, of popularity. Popularity wasn't a want anymore, it was an addictive need he found himself grasping at with each breath he took.

Papyrus needed to be cool. He had to, to survive.

Then Sans got... different.

After the murder. After a few weeks of his typical sadness. He got... weird. Really weird. Started questioning things he never did before (why did he feel the need to, Sans always trusted Papyrus before, why didn't he just trust his own bones and blood?). Got an odd tint of confidence that shone in his eyelights and grew a familiarity with words Papyrus wasn't very fond of. Everything was so much easier before when Sans kept the peace. He was rocking the boat. And Papyrus spent years on such a steady boat. He didn't like it.

No. Sans wasn't the smarter one who could ditch him. He wasn't the victim. Sans failed Papyrus, not the other way around. Sans wasn't cool and he certainly wasn't allowed to find a happier family away from him! Sans had to crawl back begging for forgiveness. That's how it always went! Every argument, every conversation, every opinion had Sans folding in favor of his sweet little brother.

That was just the way things were. And Papyrus didn't believe there was any other way.

"Ugh."

Sky practically collapsed into their seat from exhaustion, peeking out from under their hair as their boyfriend approached. A cup of steaming tea in his hand, settled down in front of the human as a hand reached over to reassuringly rub their back.

"Long day?" Grillby had asked.

Papyrus felt himself frown once again at their quiet conversation, glancing away to neatly tidy up the streamers. It was his birthday party. Why were Grillby and Sky even here? He knew Grillby owed Toriel a favor and he was never one to turn down promises, but still. He should have just left. Or keep his mouth shut. Give Papyrus soft praises but never speak his hatred. That would do. That would be enough.

Still no messages. Papyrus tapped across his phone, fingers almost shaking as he checked every social media account. No birthday wishes from anyone named Sans.

He wanted to throw his phone. To go hunt down his brother and demand why he was so insistent on ruining a lifelong relationship they had. The message should be there. Why wasn't it?

It was Sans' fault if he never approached Papyrus. Sans was certainly missing him. He had to. Papyrus was all Sans ever had. Sans needed him.

"Yeah," Sky had hummed in the background. "Fucking exhausted. Papyrus is..."

"Papyrus?" Grillby confirmed.

Papyrus wanted to throw something and shout. Instead, he quietly glanced over. They weren't looking at him, but this had to be on purpose. They were doing it because of Sans. Because it was his fault. They'd like him once they got past Sans' lies. They had to.

"For your information," Papyrus had said suddenly, moving to cross his arms and make himself well known in the room where others dared to gossip on his birthday. "I am rather offended you guys are gossiping with me in the room! I'm nice, and I'm kind! I volunteer once a month and I donate! And I was going to help Sans, I was just focused on getting my magic back!"

Sky stared. A confused, awkward stare. Grillby only rolled his eyes, making Papyrus flush with embarrassment.

"What's he going on about?" Sky whispered to Grillby, pointing towards the skeleton.

"I know Sans told you! No one understands! He wouldn't listen!" Papyrus said, walking towards the table. He wanted to check his phone again, thinking that certainly Sans had texted him by then despite the lack of a notification. "He put you guys against me! I know it - I - I was going to save him! I just had to get the magic restraint off first! I would've been useless without magic!"

He was. He had Sans' safety in mind, in that building. Planned to save him once he had his magic. Yet, by the time he got it off, Sans was already located by someone else. Some responder who found him unconscious outside. Said he must've dragged himself out on his own, despite his clearly broken foot. That image remained present inside of Papyrus' mind for weeks after the event. Sans, laying unconscious, looking god awful with his leg practically bathed in blood.

(It was your fault, after all. That's why you feel guilty. It's your fault.)

It was Sans' fault. Sans should've run with him. Sans should've accepted his story and listened instead of slapping him. Who would ever slap their own crying brother?

"I... who is Sans?" Sky asked, glancing towards Grillby.

They didn't even...

Papyrus stilled at that. At the words. At the confused, annoyed face. They didn't even know Sans.

"I don't share drama around, Papyrus," Grillby muttered, his voice quiet yet sharp as if expecting to be interrupted at any moment. Ready for a fight, an argument. "If Sans wants to tell that's his right. But I didn't tell anyone. Sky knew nothing about you until today."

"Is that what he's on about?" Sky said, sitting up. Their eyes narrowed. "Seriously? He's in a fucking twist because he thinks some guy turned me against him or some shit? Man, I don't like you because you're annoying. You leave a bad taste in my mouth just after talking to you."

Papyrus felt like crying and screaming.

"Hey, bro," Sans had said, kneeling down. "I know you really wanted to, so I pulled some strings. Got you those basketball tickets. Because I love ya, bro."

Instead, he turned around and marched out. Less like a march and more like a retreat of someone who was trying not to cry.

There were still several hours of daylight left. So much time for Sans to give him a message. There was still a possibility.

And, in a brief moment of clarity, Papyrus realized quite well that Sans wasn't going to text him. He probably never would.

That was how Toriel found him. Sitting outside, knees drawn to his chest, staring down at his phone and his empty inbox. Quietly reloading the page, over and over, waiting for something he knew wouldn't appear. Despite that, he kept at it. Kept at it until Toriel was moving to kneel down in front of him, an almost energetic or desperate look on her face.

"Papyrus, I found Sans - or well, his daughter and his boyfriend!" Toriel said, "I saw a man with a skeleton baby in the store."

His daughter and boyfriend.

Papyrus should've laughed. Jumped with joy. Something happy or exciting considering Toriel brought him such important news. She knew what his niece looked like. What his brother-in-law looked like.

"I - why can't you pick up a hint? I want to be alone right now!" Papyrus said to Toriel. "Go away, alright! I don't want to hear this right now!"

It only made him angrier. An empty inbox. No rumors from Sans. And a happy family away from him.

This wasn't fair. Papyrus was always the cooler one. People always told him to ditch Sans, that Sans was a dead weight. Yet Sans was thriving away from Papyrus. And there Papyrus was, abandoned, sitting in a slightly muddy puddle with a coffee stain on his shirt and a scowl on his face. Trying desperately not to cry.

"It's... not fair," Papyrus sniffed, curling his knees further against his chest and tucking his face against it. "It's just not fair."