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English
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Part 1 of Give you my best shot
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Published:
2022-12-01
Completed:
2024-10-23
Words:
335,684
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201/201
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Give you my best shot

Chapter 201: Chapter 200

Summary:

An epilogue.

Notes:

I've always been a sucker for happy endings.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The morning light was barely beginning to break when you awoke, body jolting. Holding your breath for some reason, and forcing yourself to let it out in a heavy sigh.

The arm over you stirred, but you grabbed it, tucking it around your chest. Willing your pulse back down, breathing to normal. It’d been over four months, you were fine. Voice hoarse. “Just me, go back to sleep.”

The arm stayed, but you felt the weight behind it shift, pressing against your back. Teeth pressed to your exposed shoulder, an equally rough voice saying “THINK I’D RATHER BE AWAKE WITH YOU.”

Facing the wall, you were glad Black couldn’t see you flush, although the way he chuckled before kissing your shoulder again told you he still knew. Kisses trailing up your shoulder to the base of your neck, before he stayed there in that crook. The two of still waking up, although it was a rare sight to see him being lazy like this. Maybe last night had tired him out more than you’d thought.

Voice muffled from his spot, he said “WHAT’S ON YOUR LIST FOR TODAY?”

“Not—” a yawn, your jaw popping, “—much. Helping Stretch with something in the library. Told Blue I’d play a game with him.” Turning your head, you shifted to give him a kiss. “You?”

“MORNING RUN, THEN TAKING MY FATHER AND WD INTO TOWN FOR GROCERIES.”

“That’s a brave selection.”

“THEY NEED TO LEARN TO DO IT THEMSELVES AT SOME POINT.”

Sending out a quick hope that the produce would make it home in one piece, you fully rolled over, facing him. Letting your kisses linger for a little longer, not ready for the day to start yet.

From the way he let his hands wander, you didn’t think he minded either.

His alarm broke the two of you out of it, although you had no idea how long it’d been before that.

Turning it off with a wave of magic, he pulled you into one more, you coming away laughing, giving him a light shove. “C’mon, go torture yourself with that workout of yours.”

“YOU USED TO DO THOSE TOO.”

“But not anymore.” Getting up, he offered you a hand, you wincing as your back did it’s usual morning protests. Taking the cane when he offered it, putting the knee brace on, and tucking your wrist brace into your pocket once you dressed, knowing you’d need it later.

The stairs down still took a while, steps slow and shuffling. Muscles mostly back to what they were, but Jupiter wasn’t sure if you’d ever fully return to your earlier state.

You let go of Black’s arm once you hit the first floor, allowing him to go get ready, as Mars grabbed his shoes a few feet away. Looking over you, he held up the dog leash, Butch’s tail thumping against the floor. “join?”

Your pain levels were low enough. “Sure, why not.” Grabbing your shoes, you let him- Butch, really- lead the way, along the driveway and onto one of the forest paths. The April air holding sprigs of warmth. Mars lacing his free hand with yours, occasionally tapping or squeezing as you went.

“Has the shelter gotten back to you yet on hours?”

“said… i could start… in two weeks. larger… group finishing.” He squeezed, and you squeezed back, knowing he was nervous about it. He’d only managed to be verbal at home, and even that was hit or miss.

“I’ll come with you. At least until you get sick of me. Get out of the house a bit, stop you from bringing home a fourth pet.”

He bumped his shoulder against yours, grinning “but there… might be puppies.”

Damn it, that would break you. “Alright, I’ll stop you from the fifth one then.” Bumping your shoulder back against his, you said “Maybe another dog would balance things out.”

His grin grew, plan turning in his mind. “wings and… pluto might… also come.”

You’d heard about Wings’s love of animals, but that’d be a massive step for Pluto. “That’d be nice. I’ll have to figure out what music would be good for the drive, then…”

Mars chuckled as you frowned, pretending to overthink it. Butch coming out of a bush with leaves stuck her fur, you leaning down to brush them out. The house coming back into view.

After giving her a few extra pets, you glanced at the path that curved off, narrowing your eyes. “Is the garden that way?” At his nod, you said “Mind if I cut out? Wanted to check on it.”

He nodded again, hand squeezing yours before letting it go, instead pulling you into a quick kiss. “stay... safe.”

Tapping on his shoulder three times, and receiving three taps back, you said “I will. Love you.”

“love you… too.” As you made your way down the other path, he stood there, watching until you were out of sight. Looking down at the dog and saying “think they’ve… realized?”

The other path was less worn, and you did have to watch where you stepped, but Jupiter’s smile upon seeing you was worth it. “HELLO MY DEAR!” Finishing packing in the dirt he was on, he stood, taking the knee pad with him. “IT’S A GOOD MORNING, ISN’T IT?”

“Always good when I see you.” Grinning at his light blush and ‘nyeh’, you walked over, looking at the beds. “How are they coming along?”

“THEY’RE DOING WELL! EVERYTHING TRANSPLANTED OVER OKAY FROM INSIDE, SO NOW THEY JUST NEED TO SPREAD THEIR ROOTS INTO THE SOIL AS A WHOLE.” Pointing at the section of non-magical plants, he said “YOURS ARE DOING OKAY, I’M KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THE STRAWBERRIES.”

“From what I saw they should be okay. But I’ll always trust your judgment.”

“YOU’RE FULL OF COMPLIMENTS TODAY.”

“What can I say? It’s a good morning, I’m in a good mood.”

“ONE THAT I’LL KEEP GOING!” Putting some things away in the shed, he brought out the bulbs you’d had lined on the windowsill. “THE GARLIC IS STARTING TO SPROUT TOO!”

Taking it in hand you grinned at the growth. “That’s great! I was thinking we could move it and a few of the smaller herb pots into the kitchen once they’re further along.”

“AN EXCELLENT IDEA MY DEAR. ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE NOT THE ONE DOING RESEARCH INTO PLANTS?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s your dad.”

“PERHAPS, BUT MAYBE YOU’VE BEEN SPENDING EXTRA TIME WITH HIM!” Putting the bulbs back, Jupiter walked with you back to the house, sunlight growing stronger by the minute. “HE SAYS ONCE HE’S PULLED TOGETHER EVERYTHING I’VE DONE SO FAR, HE’D LIKE TO TRY SOME HYBRIDS!”

Nodding, you listened to him talk about his dad’s research. The scientist background getting shifted into botany somewhere along the way. Jupiter more than happy to help.

Stepping into the foyer, Jupiter was promptly met with Butch laid out in the middle of it. Giving a mock-sigh, taking off his shoes and calling out “BROTHER, YOU’RE MAKING THE DOG AS LAZY AS YOU!”

You didn’t hear a response, but Butch did stir just enough to stretch out and somehow take up more space.

Leaving you with a kiss, Jupiter went upstairs to get cleaned, while you headed for your original destination- the kitchen. Giving Wings a wave as you passed the living room, the skeleton currently finishing up the puzzle Blue had left behind last night.

Getting the coffee maker on, you were passed a mug from Edge, who said “PANCAKES OR WAFFLES?”

Glancing at the rest of the spread, seeing both, you said “...I prefer pancakes?”

“SEE!” Edge turned to WD, now scowling in his seat at the counterbar. “IT’S CLEARLY THE SUPERIOR CHOICE.”

As WD took his coffee and left, muttering something about how Red would have better taste, you got your drink started. Leaning against the counter and watching Edge cook- with no small amount of appreciation- saying “A fierce discussion?”

“MERELY HIM HAVING THE WRONG OPINION AND ANNOUNCING IT.” Glancing back at you, gaze lingering on the knee brace, he said “WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?”

“Edge we’ve been dating for over a year, and all along you haven’t had my number?” Giving a mock gasp and swoon Mettaton would be proud of, you said “And here I was going to ask if you want to go on a date this week.”

“STOP BEING A SMARTASS.” Grabbing your mug and making your coffee while you were acting, he said “WOULD LIKE TO HELP?”

“Only if I can kiss the cook.”

He blushed- and wow, you were in a good mood, the flirt coming out without a thought- but leaned over, letting you press your lips to his teeth before turning back, muttering about the eggs burning.

Sliding up next to him, cane resting to the side, you helped him chop up the vegetables for the omelets, before being put on sausage duty.

“Doing a larger brunch spread than usual?”

“THE OTHER HAVE SAID TODAY IS A DAY FOR CELEBRATION. MERELY MAKING A MEAL WORTHY OF THAT.”

Brows furrowing, you glanced at the calendar, before back to him. “What celebration is that exactly?”

He refused to look your way, attention on the food, but the blush grew. “IT’S- ONE OF THE OTHERS WILL TELL YOU. IT’S SOMETHING SILLY.”

“Alright then…” Flipping the sausages, passing a burnt one to Mars as he passed through, you said “Got any plans for a magnificent dinner then? Or a fantastic lunch?”

“YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN FOR LUNCH. BUT DINNER WILL BE SOME INDIAN CURRIES, MANGO LASSI, SAMOSAS, AND A FEW OTHER SIDES. BLUE AND PAPYRUS ARE HANDLING THE RICE PUDDING AND GULAB JAMUN FOR DESSERT.”

“Sounds like a feast of kings.”

“IT WILL BE! I WOULD MAKE NOTHING LESS!”

“You couldn’t if you tried.”

You helped with the cooking until Edge noticed you favoring your good knee- which hadn’t even fully realized you’d started doing- and banished you to the counterbar, instead talking with you from there. You taking your cane and shuffling over to the dining room once everything was ready.

The table barely held sixteen of you, chaotic as everything was passed around, Edge watching your portions on one side and Mars adding extra to your plate on the other. The crowd slowly dispersing out, you slowly working through the last of your pancakes when a hand tapped on your shoulder.

“heya kid. wanna ditch the house for a bit?”

Shoveling the last forkful into your mouth- and seeing his eye lights twinkle with amusement as your cheeks bulged, you said “Gimme ten and I’ll be good?”

He nodded, but did spend the next ten minutes making various comparisons between you and animals with pouchy cheeks- squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, monkeys, koalas…

“Alright there’s no way a playtpus has cheek pouches for storing food.”

“look it up. those little guys are weird.”

Remembering that they also sweat milk, you conceded, shouldering your bag. “Alright, I’m ready. Want me to drive or taking a shortcut?”

“shortcut. not wheely in the mood for the car.”

Groaning, you took his offered hand. “Remind me why I love you?”

“’ve still got no clue.”

Pulling you through, you found yourself on he monster neighborhood on the edge of downtown. “Any place in mind, or…?”

Shrugging, he said “figured we’d walk until we felt like stopping.”

Going along with it, you walked. Passing by the houses, shops, places you now remembered, but hadn’t been back to. The memories had all come back given time, except for those in the void. You rereading Frisks’s description until the words blurred, but never asking them about it again. Or asking Flowey. You’d gotten what closure you could.

Sans was feeling chatty, pointing out the places as you passed, waving to monsters, recounting stories, making jokes. Muffett too busy to see you as you walked past, all eight limbs busy, but you made a mental note to stop by sometime soon. Maybe couple it with a date with Blue.

You took breaks as you went as well, making use of the bench outside the school. Adding another mental reminder to go see Toriel sometime, now that’d you were able to drive again. The phone calls hadn’t quite been the same.

Cracking an eye open, you look at Sans, lounging next to you. “How come between the two of us right now, I’m the lazybones?”

“dunno, still think you’re quite cane-able. but if you’re up to it...” Standing, he offered a hand, “last stop is just down the block.”

Taking the hand, your back popped as you stood, following him over to- as you had guessed- Grillby’s. The fire monster giving a nod of recognition, before out a plate of fries. You were still full, pushing them to Sans as he drenched them in ketchup.

“say kid, figured out what day it is yet?”

“No, and no one will tell me! Black, Mars, and Jupiter didn’t even mention it!”

Giving a wink, he said “cause we’re waiting for you to guess.”

“Is it… your birthday?”

“nope.”

“Any of the others’ birthdays?”

“nah.”

“Somehow secretly my birthday?”

“not unless that changed without me noticing.”

Groaning, you said “I give up. Doing this here, you’ll drive me to day drinking.” From this chuckle at that, he wasn’t entirely against the idea.

Bumping his foot against yours, he said “guess you’ll just have to wait. think you can manage.”

You stole one his fries, pretending to pout. You definitely hadn’t gained a patience soul, that was for sure.

You still hadn’t really gained… any sort of soul. Doing regular scans and checks, but the emptiness had remained. Emotions seeming unchanged, as far as you could tell, but at this point you were okay with letting the rest remain a mystery. You’d been recovering okay, and that was what mattered.

A bony finger poked your nose, bringing you back. “lose ya there? don’t make me ketchup you on everything I said.”

Swatting the hand away, you said “Think I can mustard the energy to figure it out. Unless you’re really relishing the condiment puns.”

His grin widened. “think you mayo outdid me there.” Stepping down, he said “but stretch said he needed you back by one, and ‘m feeling a nap myself.” Sending a mock salute while you gave a wake, he said “see ya later, grillbz.”

Teleporting you back home, Sans vanished back upstairs, leaving you to find Stretch in the library. Passing Pluto in the kitchen, taking inventory.

Knocking on the door, you poked a head in. “Stretch? You in here?”

A skull popped up, “yeah, close the door behind ya.”

Doing that, you came in, settling into one of the arm chairs. A little achy, joints protesting the active morning, but planning on a nap before dinner. Energy levels never returning to what they were before either- you’d mentally added chronic fatigue to your list of ailments as well.

“Alright bone boy, what are you up to?”

“who says i’m up to anything?”

“You asked for my help in cleaning. Y’know, the thing you never do.”

“maybe ’ve turned over a new leaf.”

“Think you’d start with your room first in that case.”

Ruffling your hair in response to the sass, he leaned over you, arms on the back of the chair. “alright, you caught me. was thinking that since the dads ‘ll be putting in furniture next week or so, we could pick out a bookcase or two full for them to keep over there. they’re all a bunch of nerds.”

“Says the writer, the nerdiest of all.” Smiling at the sweet idea, you said “But yeah, that’d be nice. Want to pick out a certain amount for each, or just grab anything that sounds good?”

“too lazy to count. just look at what they might like.”

“Right-o.” Sitting upright, you pulled a table over, moving your cane out of the way, and began sorting through the piles he brought over. He worked through the other shelves, the two of you slowly getting through the impressive collection. Blue stopped by at one point and dropping off some tea for both of you, promising to keep the task secret with a wink.

Skimming the summary of one book, you frowned, before putting it in the no pile. Dings- and possibly WD, if you had to guess- may be into mildly trashy romance at times, but you’d leave the true sappy stuff for the hopeless romantic currently in the room. Picking the next one, you held it up. “Think they’d like Ender’s Game?”

“got aliens, child soldiers, manipulation all the way until the end… yeah, add it. get the other three in the series too, they really flesh it out.”

Grabbing the four, you moved them to your yes pile, stopping to have some tea. Stretch giving them an extra copy they had of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, which you still needed to do a proper marathon of. They had plans for tonight, but maybe next Saturday… you could even dig out the lembas recipe you’d saved but never tried.

Fitting sixteen of you in the living room might be a different story though.

Mind now lost in plan-making, you let Stretch finish out the book sorting. Watching him with a lazy smile, affection bubbling over. Snagging him once he was done, the yes pile quite large by then, and stealing him for your afternoon nap.

He made a nice pillow.

It was closer to five by the time you came back down, Stretch still out. A skeleton you hadn’t seen yet in mind, poking your head into rooms.

“Hey Dings, seen Red?”

“Based on the obnoxiously drilling sounds, I’d assume he’s in the garage.”

...you hadn’t even registered the noise. “Got it, thanks!” Working your way out there- knee protesting less after your rest- you found him drilling together some wooden pieces.

Spotting you, he finished the screw before stopping, turning the music down. “hey doll, what’s up?”

“Just wanted to see you.” Grabbing one of the folding chairs, you sat, “What’s this going to be?”

“well after i helped my dad make his dresser, some of the others thought they’d ask for one too. not too bad once you figure out the process the first time, so figured ‘d do it.”

“Watch out or you’ll have ten more requests on your hands.”

“don’t remind me.” Grabbing three more screws from the bin, he kept working, speaking as he went. “heard you’ve had quite the day.”

“No more than usual in this family.”

He didn’t argue that, instead chuckling. “not wrong there. ever tell you bout the first time we tried doing family brunch after our dads showed up?”

You shook your head, and he gave a laugh, shaking his skull. “craziest thing ‘ve seen since coming here myself. my bro kept getting interrupted in the kitchen and random requests thrown in, so half the shit ended up burnt. then we realized we didn’t have enough chairs and had to go grab some from upstairs, and everyone argued over where they’d sit—”

Sitting back, you let him talk, watching the way his tank top showed off his ribs with a keen eye. You’d originally come out here to ask him about the record shop’s concert next week, but you’d wait. He was on a roll.

The dresser was coming together quite nicely, as was the second house. You’d gone over to see it a handful of times, the paint making a huge difference. Still needed appliances, and the backsplash in the kitchen and bathrooms, plus a thousand other things you couldn’t keep straight, but the guess was they’d be moved in by the end of June.

The guys couldn’t wait to get their rooms back, and you wouldn’t deny that you couldn’t either. Once Gaster had learned that the attic was originally for him, he’d been sharing the bathroom, and somehow managed to hog the shower.

Glancing at your phone, you saw a text summoning everyone in for dinner, and stood, interrupting Red’s story. Barely taking taking a pause, he finished what he was on, before swinging an arm around you and pulling into a kiss. Clearly in a good mood today as you.

…the kiss turned into several, and the jokes you received when you came back in late made you flush. Red just grinning and claiming his seat.

Dinner was indeed a feast. Everyone a bit more awake, stories and conversation getting passed around just as much as the food. You now sat between Gaster and Stretch, the latter cracking a joke about you leaving him behind and the former stealing some of your naan when you weren’t looking.

This time you finished before most of the others, having had fries for lunch, and Rus followed you out as you stood. Grabbing your plate and dropping it in the sink, pulling you upstairs instead. “my time with ya darlin. don’t think i haven’t noticed you avoiding me.”

“I haven’t been avoiding anybody, everyone just wants to do something.”

“that’s because you’re such a hot commodity.” Pulling you into Black’s and his room, he grabbed the knitting project the two of you had left off with last night. You were tackling cable stitches again.

Leaning against him as you worked, following his motions, you said “What’d you get up to today?”

“eh, little bit of this, little bit of that. looking into some mods for the game I just got, there’s a few that look cool.”

“What do they do?”

“few just for quality of life, but there’s also one that makes all the skeleton creatures look like papyrus.”

You don’t know what you were expecting, but it wasn’t that. Snorting a laugh, you said “It doesn’t!”

“it does. he’s a popular guy y’know, former monster mascot and all that.”

“Does he know that?”

“not yet, but ‘m thinking of asking him if he wants to play it with me later.”

You could picture it now. “Set up a camera, I want that reaction on video.”

“you got it.” pressing a kiss to the top of you head, he reached over and corrected one of your loops, before continuing. “heard that today was a special day for you.”

“Apparently it is, but I don’t know what. Any chance you’ll tell me?”

Smirking, gold teeth glinting as he did, he said “what’ll you pay?”

“A kiss?” “meh.” “Several kisses?” “keep going.” “Okay, what then?”

He whispered his request in your ear, and you went scarlet. “I am not flexible enough for that.”

Shrugging, he said “that’s the price. guess you’ll have to wait.”

“you’re an ass.” Leaning back again him, your brain did hover over the idea. You were still doing daily stretches, so maybe one day.

You weren’t sure how long you sat and knitting with him talking about whatever topics came to mind, but Blue came to collect you, skull poking in. “WERE YOU STILL FREE FOR THE GAME, MY STAR?”

“Yeah!” Freeing yourself from Rus’s lap- and giving him a kiss on the way out, you followed Blue back down the living room. Him explaining the game as he laid the cards out, a new one his coworker had introduced and that he hoped to beat Black at- which you did too.

“How’s your coworker been, by the way? She’s only been back from the honeymoon for what, two weeks? Imagine she’s still coming back to real life.”

“SHE DOES KEEP MAKING FACES WHEN SHE CALLS HER WIFE DURING LUNCH, BOTH OF THEM APPARENTLY MISSING THE BEACHES SO MUCH, THEY JUST CAN’T STAND IT.”

Shaking your head, you said “They’ll get over it. Unless they become one of those couples that ends up moving to their honeymoon destination.”

“CONSIDERING THEY DIDN’T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE THERE, I THINK IT’D BE QUITE A JUMP. BUT IT ANNOYS MY OTHER COWORKER SO MUCH, SHE BEEN MAKING THE SAME FACES OVER MISSING HER COUCH.”

“Now that I can get behind.” Making your move, you waited until he had gone to speak again “How’s this batch handling the spring? I remember last year you this time of year is when they get antsy.”

“STILL ANTSY THIS TIME AROUND. WE’RE ABLE TO MOVE THE ‘GYM’ CLASS OUTSIDE, WHICH USUALLY ALLEVIATES MOST OF IT, BUT AFTERNOON LESSONS ARE STILL A BIT ROUGH. PLUS THE POLLEN GETS STUCK IN MY COWORKER’S FUR LIKE NOTHING ELSE, AND IT’S MAKING HIM SNEEZE THROUGH HALF HIS WORDS.”

“That coworker seems to have a repeated issue with getting things stuck in his fur.”

“YOU’RE TELLING ME. POLLEN, GLITTER, GLUE, PEANUT BUTTER… I FEEL FOR THE GUY.”

“not everyone can be as lucky to have such an efficient body as a skeleton like you.”

He puffed out his chest. “THAT’S RIGHT! ALTHOUGH I- UH- HAVE LET MY MAGIC SLIP A FEW TIMES AND ENDED UP WITH GLITTER AND GLUE STUCK BETWEEN MY BONES, WHICH MIGHT BE WORSE.”

“Might?”

He poked you with his foot, making his turn. The silence fell again for a bit as the two of you played, the chatter from those cleaning up in the kitchen and dining room floating through. You taking a small moment to take it all in- the sounds of everyone, alive, happy, well, here. Yourself included.

Blue watched you, a smile on his skull, deciding to not do the move that would instantly win the game for him. Draw it out a bit longer.

His choice to draw it out turned into another half hour, with you actually managing to win. Emptying your hand first, grin wide. “I win. We’ll need to keep this up, I think Black would struggle with the co-building piles aspect.”

“LURE HIM IN THE NAME ‘SPITE AND MALICE’ THEN WATCH HIS EXPRESSION FALL WHEN WE EXPLAIN THE RULES. I LIKE YOUR THINKING.” Seeing Papyrus in the living room doorway, Blue shot him a nod. “BUT ANOTHER TIME. FOR NOW, I MUST PASS YOU OFF.”

Shooting him a curious look- and just getting a grin in return- you stood, taking Papyrus’s hand and holding your cane in the other. “Alright, where are you taking me?”

“UP TO YOUR ROOM, OF COURSE! IT’S GETTING LATE AFTER ALL.”

Slowly climbing the stairs, you gave him a side eye. “Right. And this has nothing to do with today being a ‘special day’?”

“MAYBE A BIT. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TODAY IS?”

“Not a clue.”

“THINK ON IT. YOU’VE BEEN HERE FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW, GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING WITH US. GRACING US WITH YOUR PRESENCE.”

“I think I should be saying that to you instead.”

“I MAY BE GREAT, BUT TODAY IS ABOUT YOU!” Stopping outside your room- the door suspiciously closed, he said “OPEN THE DOOR, MY DEAR.”

Letting go of his hand, you opened it, taking a few steps in. The string lights around your room lit, the sky lights propped open, letting the cool night air in while the stars twinkled above, and… a cake on your desk, a ‘2’ candle sticking out of it, lit.

“IT’S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE YOU MOVED IN WITH US.”

Turning to face him, you saw Papyrus coming in. “JUST OVER TWO YEARS AGO, ON WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A NORMAL THURSDAY, A HUMAN CAME KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, AND TURNED INTO SOMEONE I LOVE. THAT WE ALL LOVE.”

Stepping closer, he said “A WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING PERSON, WHO BROUGHT OUR FATHERS BACK. BROUGHT US CLOSER. TOLD ME THAT I DESERVE LOVE, NO MATTER WHAT.”

Pressing his teeth to your forehead, he added “A PERSON THAT IS YOU.”

Feeling yourself tearing up, your throat was thick. “Papyrus, you’re—”

“NOT YET. FIRST. YOU NEED TO BLOW OUT YOUR CANDLE!” Hand on the small of your back, he guided you to the desk. “MAKE A WISH.”

Closing your eyes, you tried of think of what to wish for. Mind blank, every part of your soul just singing with love. Blowing the candle out with that instead.

You had everything you could wish for already.

Cutting you each a slice, Papyrus led you to the bed, as you tried to not cry on the cake. “Papyrus, you- thank you. I couldn’t imagine life without any of you.”

“AND WE COULDN’T IMAGINE IT WITHOUT YOU EITHER.” Clinking his plate against yours, he said “TO THE MANY YEARS TO COME!”

“To the rest of our lives together!”

“TO US.”

The two of you dug in, the rest of the night spent full of laughter, smiles, and love. The stars shining down brightly on the house, every soul inside happy and whole.

Notes:

(Warning: Sappy stuff incoming)

Finally, here we are. 3 weeks shy of the two-year anniversary of me starting this fic. And what a 2 years it's been.

When I first started this fic, I was in a really bad place. Doing horribly and failing in classes, going through a months-long flare-up as my back pain became chronic, another medical issue destroying my mental health, and a bunch of other stuff all... feeding into this massive depressive mess. My way of coping (besides unhealthy drinking habits) being a return to undertale, and eventually to writing, after leaving both behind six years ago due to some drama in high school.
I wrote myself out of that spiral. Not overnight, it was several months before I was remotely human again, and I've gone through several highs and lows since then, but I've done so much because I was able to use this as a lifeline. I've retaken the classes I failed, resdiscovered an interest in my major, completed two internships-one of which is now my job, and hopefully will become full time when I graduate in the spring-branched out into new projects and so many new stories, and best of all, gotten myself a boyfriend. A million thanks to @sweetlilbird for reading this fic, wanting to know me better, and then deciding to stick around this long, he's been incredibly supportive through everything.
In these two years, my plans for this story shifted a ton as well. What started out as a self-indulgent fluff piece evolved into a letter to myself about handling chronic conditions. For me, it was my own chronic pain and other issue (a new side effect of a medication in the end). Going through ignorance, denial, 'I can handle it', until I couldn't anymore. Letting a support system in, telling a doctor about it, and understanding new limits. New normal.
(Not to get too soapboxy, but going from only mental health chronic stuff to physical was a big hurdle, and it bled into the fic in ways I didn't even realize until later.)
A piece of yourself is going to be in everything you create, intentional or no.

Anyways, to wrap this rambly mess of an end note up, thank you all. Thank you, to anyone who read, left kudos, bookmarks, comments- I appreciate each and every one. I can't express enough how much it's helped me, made me happy, and kept me wanting to write more and more and more. I've got ideas for a dozen other fics now in varying states of progress as a result.
Coming off of that, I am going to be adding to the smut scenes for this series, as well as some miscellaneous scenes I want to explore, and a Gaster backstory fic, so keep an ear out if you're interested. I'll be over on tumblr if anyone ever walks to talk as well.

Thank you all. I hope you enjoyed what you read, and that your future is bright. <3

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