Red always thought he would be able to fight against a threat. His entire life had been focused around Boss, around serving him. Yet the same threat he had been trying to protect himself from was his brother. Just a different version, one who loved him a bit too much.

When he had been brought to the new universe, he had looked at the machine Papyrus used. Built by Alphys. If he could get his hands on it, he could escape.

Papyrus knew this too.

Which was why he destroyed it.

As an example to show there was no escape. It was the final nail in the coffin, making Red choke on his tears as Papyrus stomped down on it.

Or maybe it was just the switch to cause him to snap.

And to attack Papyrus.

It was Red who started the whole situation, it was Red's fault Papyrus brought out the determination. He scared kicking and yelling, biting where he could. The others only watched as Papyrus managed to shove him back, narrowing dodging a kick towards the face.

"I'll kill you!" Red swore.

"Will you, though?" Papyrus taunted, as confident as ever. "I don't think you can."

That was it. Red was done with sitting back and crying, done of being a doll for Papyrus to look at. He wanted to attack more, but it wouldn't kill Papyrus. He hated it.

"We're going to fall down, f*ckface," Red taunted back, "Don't you get it? It doesn't matter how hard you love us, or if you keep replacing us. We'll always dust from either you or from falling down. We don't love you, and we never f*cking will."

Red had thought Papyrus was going to lash out, and he was ready. A piece of the sharpened drywall was behind his back in his one unchained hand, the one he had managed to get out of chaining. If Papyrus attacked, he'd take him down with him. Red and Sans were the only ones chained, they stood a chance. Blue could unlock Sans, and they could all escape. Red was fine with dying. Who cared.

But instead, Papyrus simply giggled, standing back up and moving away. The old broken machine remained on the table after he had broken it weeks prior, taunting the captured skeletons.

"Actually, I've prepared for this!" Papyrus giggled, a bounce in his step as he moved to the side.

He pulled out one of the four vials, holding it up. "I have enough determination for each of you! That way we can be together forever!"

Red stuttered over his words, realizing what would happen if he got injected. They would melt, be unable to die. Stuck forever with their kidnapper, unable to fight back, unable to escape. In a constant state of pain, their purgatory.

Papyrus couldn't do this! Just to be with them?

As he walked towards Sans, someone else stood. Blue, gripping a knife, looked at Papyrus.

And he charged.

~~~~~~

Gwen sincerely did hope it was Red who killed Papyrus. If it was him, the other two could go free while she tried to convince the government that his origins meant he had another chance for salvation, that God had sent him here for a purpose. It would have given her an advantage.

"Red, did you kill Papyrus?"

But she knew the answer, the evidence as heavy in her hands as her soul was in her chest. Sans didn't kill Papyrus.

"No," Red grunted, "I didn't."

And neither did Red.