E!Pap's POV a few days later

While Error stays to care for his sick husband, I have taken over some of his duties. Caring for Nightmare while sick is tough enough since he is clingy, forgets things easily, his tentacles act up more, and the symptoms randomly hit him in waves. One minute he seems to get better, the next he will get worse with either nausea or dizzy spells. Add in the fact that he wants to keep working and my brother has his work cut out for him. Luckily he is so out of it that he doesn't argue or is aware of Error distracting him as he is way more focused on getting the affection from my brother that he acts like he is "starved" for. I've seen him get dazed so easily when refusing to take meds by the touch of Error's hand on his cheek, then giving in.

Today he is taking Nightmare to a doctor, which will certainly be a draining task given everything with Nightmare combined with interacting with others like other patients or medical staff at the office before getting answers.

So, I've taken over other jobs like dealing with Ink or the balance and have been looking after my nephews so they don't possibly get infected by whatever Nightmare has. Though Horror has been leaving meals at the door to Nightmare's bedroom once being informed about it. And lately, the main issue with them has been helping them when being busted by their boyfriends' brothers. I had to go to UnderSwap yesterday to keep Dust from being attacked after being found on a picnic with Blue. Blue held his brother back and we attempted to talk things through, which actually worked and Dust got a "chance" despite Blue saying that it was fine.

I now find myself going to Farmer's AU and see his brother holding Horror up with curiosity. Farmer turns to me and walks over from the field his brother is in.

"EvErYtHiNg oKaY? YoU cAlLeD sAyInG tHaT h0rRoR gOt cAuGhT bY yOuR bRO. DuSt's eNcOunTeR wAs viOlEnT s0 tHaT dOeSn'T sOuNd gOoD."I say

"At first I thought that he would freak out too but now I see that he is more freaked out by how he seems to be thinner than his last visit. He has visited before but Paps only knew that we are friends at the time."He says

"Oh rEaLlY? I gUeSs sOmEONe hAs bEeN skiPpInG mEaLs aGaIn. I wiLl hAnDlE tHaT iSsUe lAtEr."I say, crossing my arms

"Farm! Help! He won't put me down!"Horror yelps as I see the Papyrus start to run through the field with Horror thrown over his shoulder.

"Paps! Put my boyfriend down!"Farmer shouts, chasing after him

"No! He is going to eat a healthy meal even if he doesn't like it! He's underfed so I'm going to overfeed him to balance it out!"His brother yells

I can't help but laugh. This is a full 180 from the encounter in UnderSwap yet still so odd. Going from breaking up a fight to stopping....a concerned welfare abduction? Could it be considered that? I shake my head, chasing after them through the field.

Boy do I have a story to report back to Brother about!

I manage to run past them, blocking his brother at the edge of the field and making him stop in his tracks.

"Huh? Who are you?"He asks, tilting his head as I readjust my headphones.

"I aM E!PaP bUT I aM tHiNkInG Of bEiNg cAlLeD bLiP tO mAkE tHiNgS eAsIeR. NoW I wOuLd aPpReCiAtE iT iF yOu pUt mY nEpHeW dOwN."I say

"But-!"He begins

"PlEaSe."I say

He sighs, nodding. He puts Horror down and Horror glances at me, recognizing that he is in trouble.

"GoOd. NoW wHaT diD yOu hAvE iN mInD?"I ask

I see sparkles around this Papyrus as he realizes what I mean. He sees his brother catching up and grabs Horror by the hand, running ahead to a house. I chuckle, following him inside. He shuts the door and puts Horror in a chair, quickly getting busy in the kitchen.

"We aRe sOo hAvInG a TaLk wHeN wE gEt hOmE, HoRroR."I say

He nods, then gets four plates of food placed in front of him by a very proud Papyrus. Horror hesitantly starts to dig in under my gaze and I smile.

"So I am guessing that you're from another AU....You could call me Sprout to tell the difference. It's nice to meet you, Blip."He says, extending his hand while Horror eats

I smile, shaking his hand.

"NiCe tO mEeT yOu tOo, SpR0uT."I say

Farmer walks inside, glancing at Horror, and chuckles.

"I should've expected this."He sighs

Then my phone rings with a call from Outer.

"WeLp, loOkS liKe I aM oFf tO oUtErTaL3. CaLl mE wHeN y0u wAnT tO cOmE hOmE HoRrOr."I say, quickly going through a portal

I find Outer waiting nearby and he turns, looking surprised at my quick arrival.

"LeT mE gUeSs, yOuR bRoThEr fOuNd kiLlEr?"I ask

"How'd you-?"

"It'S bEeN a LoNg tWo dAyS."I say

He nods, understanding.

"Killer bumped into him while trying to roll around in his chair...right off the path and since there's no gravity he floated right up to another spot and Paps grabbed him. I found my brother with him and he seems more confused by the fact that Killer is in a wheelchair and questioning how and why he is here more than any relationship right now. But Killer hasn't exactly been subtle in the conversation either. I'm honestly not sure how my bro would react given the battle history that has taken place in our AU..."He explains

I can see at least a few yards away Killer getting lifted up by the wheels of his wheelchair as a very confused-looking Papyrus with a scarf made of constellations examines him without anywhere to go.

Today just keeps getting better.

"ThIs iS tHe m0St pEaCeFuL iNciDeNt s0 faR."I say, walking over with Outer following

Killer spots me and waves, prompting Outer's brother to glance over. He sets the chair down but puts the brakes on so Killer can't leave.

"Sans? What is going on?"He asks

"This is Blip, Paps. He is Killer's uncle. I called him before any more trouble is caused."Outer says

"Oh! Of course! It's nice to meet you, Blip! I'm Comet! Your nephew here was rolling around quite recklessly and floating around. He could've gotten hit by an asteroid or something worse in this space area...How did he get so hurt? I was just about to ask him what brings him to our AU since as much as it is beautiful, it is quite dangerous to travel through.."He says, shaking my hand

I smile, seeing genuine concern for Killer.

"ThAnK yOu f0r lOoKinG oUt fOr hIm. He gOt InTo sOmE tROUBLe rEceNtLy tHaT hE iS rEcOvErInG fRoM. We tRY t0 hAvE hIm oBey dOctOr's oRdErS bUt hE iS tHe mOsT cHaOtIc oF tHe tHrEe nEpHewS."I chuckle

"I just wanted to locate my boyfriend for a planned date."Killer says to answer his question with a smirk.

"Oh! Then don't let me stop you!"Comet says, unlocking the brakes.

Killer rolls right over to Outer, turning the chair around to look Comet in the eye as he proudly holds Outer's hand.

Silence hangs in the space for a few moments. Then I see Comet smile.

"Sans, why didn't you tell me that you found a boyfriend?"He asks

"I wasn't sure how you'd react."Outer says

"Nyehehehe! You're so silly, Sans! I'd always be happy as long as you're happy with someone! And safe of course! So Killer, your chaos better not bring any harm to my brother, okay?"He says

Killer nods.

"Good! Now don't let me keep you, go enjoy your date!"He says

Outer smiles, glancing at me with his anxiety sinking away. Then he leaves with a firm grip on Killer's wheelchair.

It was better to be safe than sorry. Now that's all three nephews handled...

"How are you related to him, exactly? You don't look like you're from the same AU...If you don't mind me asking."Comet asks

I chuckle.

"I dO nOt mIND aT aLl. I kNoW iT l0oKs liKe aN oDd mIx. WeLl y0u kNow tHe mUlTiVeRsE cOpS goInG aRoUnD?"I reply

"The ones quickly losing popularity and numbers? Yeah."He says

"WeLl bEfOrE mY bROtHEr mArRiEd NiGhtMaRe, KiLlEr aS wELl aS hOrR0R aNd dUsT gOt cAUGhT bY tHeM f0r bEiNg uNdOcUmEnTeD iN tHe p0LiCe sYsTem. SoMeHoW tHey diDn'T rEcOgNiZe tHeM aS gANG mEmBeRs 0r mY bROTheR aS tHe dEsTrOyEr wHeN hE aRrIvEd t0 fReE tHem. My br0tHeR hElPeD tHem fiLl oUt d0cuMenTaTiOn aNd tHrOuGh tHiS pRoCeSs mY bRoThEr aNd NiGhTmArE bEcAMe tHeiR pArEnTs iN tHe eYeS oF tHe lAw. It wAs liKe tHe pOliCe cAuSeD aN aDoPtIoN, whIcH iS nOt ThaT suRpRisInG sInCe hOrRor hAd bEeN rEfErrInG t0 ErRoR aNd NiGhTmArE aS hIs dAdS f0r wEeKs bEfOreHanD. So tHeN I bEcAmE aN uNcLe tO tHe tRiO, eSpEciAlLy aFtEr tHe wEdDiNg ThAt c0nFiRmEd iT oUtSiDe oF tHe lEgaL rElaTiOnsHip aSpEcTs."I explain

"So the gang is basically just a giant family?"He asks

I nod.

He grins.

"That's honestly adorable."He says

Then my phone rings.

"WeLp, s0me0nE eLsE nEeDs hElp. It wAs nIcE t0 mEeT yOu cOmEt!"I say, opening a portal

"Bye! It was nice to meet you too!"He says

I walk through, finding that Cross is calling. I sigh.

"WhAt's wr0nG cr0Ss?"I ask

"Can...Can I come talk to you?"He asks

"SuRe ThInG."I say, opening a portal

He walks through and I can see how uneasy he is.

"I think I need some advice..."He says

I smile, sitting beside him and he sits beside me. I nod for him to go ahead and he sighs.

"How do you get someone to accept that they're loved? That you love them?"He asks

"DrEaM I Am guEsSiNg?"I ask

He nods.

"There are times that he just brushes my compliments or affection aside as if it's nothing, often commenting something about not being that big of a deal. He always looks sadder afterward but won't let me cheer him up. It's always so sudden and I don't get it. Dust and Killer are not ones to ask since they'd just laugh in my face and Horror would suggest feeding him until he accepts it...I don't know what to do at this point or why he acts this way."He says

I hum, thinking about it.

"WeLl....MaYb3 h3 iS nOt uSeD tO gEnUiNe p0sItIvItY bEiNg GiVeN tO hIm. It cOuLd bE a hAbIt oR dEfEnSe mEcHaNiSm ThAt hE iSn'T EvEn aWaRe 0f."I suggest

"What?"He says, sounding surprised.

"ThInK aBoUt iT. He hAs sPeNt yEaRs suRrOuNdEd bY iNgEnUiNe foLkS g0iNg bAcK tO bEfOrE nIgHtMaRe'S corRuPtIoN. ThEy'Ll shOwEr hIm wiTh aFfEctIoN aNd cOmpLimEnTs, bUt As s0oN aS h3 tUrNs hIs bAck, tHeY'rE hIs EnEmY. StArS hElP HiM iF hE d0eSn'T sAtiSfY tHem As tHeIr pOsItIvItY oR pErFeCt hErO. AsiDe fRom nIgHtMaRe, ThErE wAs n0b0dY tHat reAlLy cArEd f0r hIm geNuInElY aNd hIs hApPiNeSs. NoT wiTh0uT a prIcE tAg aTtAchEd. BlUe woUlD tRy, bUt h3 pRoBaBlY fELt pReSsUre t0 bE sTrOnG s0 hiS aLlY cAn sTaY sAf3. AnD tHeN tHeRe iS InK. So hE hAs sPeNt a LoNg tiMe uNdEr pReSsUre t0 bE sTrOnG, pErFeCt, aNd pRoVidE f0r oThErS 0r pRovE hImsElF uSeFuL. BeCaUse aS s0oN aS hE iSn'T g0oD f0r s0m3oNe, tHey tUrN oN hIm. He pRobAbLy iS nOt uSeD t0 se3kInG hIs oWn haPpInEsS 0r gEtTiNg g3nuInE cArE fr0m s0meoNe...It Is a NuMbIng eXpErIeNcE tHaT HaS cOndItIonEd HiM. He mAy jUsT bE uSeD tO sHuTtInG iT dOwn aFtEr s0 maNy tAkE aDvaNtAge oF iT oR uSeD iT sImPlY tO gEt sOmeThInG oUt oF Him iN oRdEr f0r iT tO aFfEcT hIm lEsS. He liKeLy d0eSn'T eVeN mEaN t0 d0 iT tO yOu, Cr0sS."I explain to him

"...So what should I do?"He asks

"HaVe yOu tAlKeD tO hIm aBoUt iT? If hE iS aWaRe oF iT, iT coUlD bE s0mEtHiNg tO wOrK oN siMiLaR t0 a haBiT oF sAyInG soRrY tOo mUcH. He iS uSeD tO beInG tHe pRoviDeR oF hApPiNeSs, nOt pRovIdeD fOr aNd iS stArTiNg aN iNdePENdeNt liFe fReE fROm nIm. It mAy jUst nEeD sOmE gEtTiNg UsEd t0."I tell him

He nods, seeming relieved.

"Do you think Nightmare will be pissed if he learns that I am dating Dream? He is quite protective of his brother..."He asks

"I d0 nOt tHiNk s0. He kNoWs yOu vErY wELl aNd eVen liKes y0u ar0uNd DrEaM. It iS nOt liKe y0u aRe s0mE raNdOm pUnK tHaT hE doEsn'T kNoW oR oNe tHat He cAn tELl hAs bAd inTeNtIoNs tO tAkE aDvaNtAg3 of DrEaM tHAt hE'D hAvE tO wOrRy aBoUt..Oh wHo aM I kiDdIng, he'D kiLl aNy tHaT tRy tHaT wiTh DrEaM On sIgHt. BuT y0u aReN't oNe oF tHeM. I tHiNk hE wOuLd bE haPpY wiTh yOu."I tell him

"You sure..? I've heard some horror stories about him learning about the others' relationships...Wasn't sure what I'd be walking into..."He says

I nod.

He sighs, smiling.

"Thanks, Paps.."He says

I open a portal for him to go back and follow him through. I hear a second portal shut upstairs and go up to find that Error's back with Nightmare asleep on him. He looks exhausted as I plop down beside him, shaking my head.

"InK tIrEd yOu oUt tHaT muCh mEsSiNg wiTh aUs?"He asks

"NaH, h3 wAsn't d0iNg mUcH tOdAy. iT wAs m0r3 oF tHe gAnG..."I say

He chuckles, shaking his head.

"Do I hAvE a tAlE tO tElL yOu...."I say, yet already find myself dozing off

I feel him gently pat my head, pulling it to rest on his shoulder. I smile, relaxing at last.

TBC