Flipping the script(swapfell)part 1

chapter 16

Alphys knocked on the Skeleton brothers' door, her arms loaded with files and several personal items that belonged to Papyrus that were left at the Guard HQ office, and somewhat dreading this visit.

It had been three days since the hearing and much like the week leading up to it, there had been little to no contact with the brothers. The only indication that they were at home were the reports of the lights going on and off in their house and the occasional Monster losing a limb to a bone spike if they crossed the property line. Finally, though, Alphys managed to find Sans's phone number in Papyrus's things and texted to ask if he wanted Papyrus's stuff. She was given the okay, and here she was.

She heard the door unlock and creak open, Sans staring at her before his eyelights flicked behind her. “Come in,” he said, opening the door a little wider. Alphys hurried inside, barely getting her tail in the door before it was quickly shut and re-locked. She remained where she was, quietly looking around and seeing Papyrus sitting on the floor in front of the couch watching TV, not looking up at all.

She shifted the items in her arms, swallowing before addressing Sans. “...how is he?” she asked. Sans glanced at Papyrus, taking the items from her and looking them over.

“Well enough,” he replied, setting a few of them down. “He's just watching some MTT right now to help with recovery...he wont be fit to interact with for another hour or so.”

Alphys glanced at Papyrus again. “...how's that work?” she asked. Sans motioned for her to follow him into the kitchen, taking out a bottle of liquor and a few glasses.

“I'm still working on bringing him into this reality,” he said, pouring out the drinks. “It works better if he has things that make him happy or relaxed going on in the background. If he focuses on that after I say the safeword, he doesn't freak out.”

Alphys's fingers clenched around her glass, her voice going low. “...you mean he's out of the scene right now?” she asked. Sans nodded, knocking back his in one go.

“Yeah,” he replied. “It's not ideal, but as long as he's not screaming the roof down, I'll take it. There's very little besides sex and television that he actually enjoys.”

He poured himself out another glass as Alphys swallowed her guilt with her drink and shot a glance back at Papyrus again before turning to Sans and putting a folder on the table. “...it's the legal documentation of servitude. You need to make it official.”

Sans slid the documents over to his side of the table, quickly looking them over before pulling out a pen and signing them, draining his second glass. “...what's the word on the problem Monsters in the Guard?” he asked. Alphys put the documents back into the folder, rubbing between her eyes.

“They're still talking,” she replied. “I've had to punch a few heads myself but...Papyrus did have some allies there...ones who really respected him as Captain. I've got them scoping out for troublemakers.”  She took another sip of her drink, leaning her head on her hand.  "...I guess it's...way too late to say how sorry I am for all of this...for my hand in pushing him to this state."

Sans drummed his fingers on the table, his jaw tightening minutely before relaxing.  "Normally, I would say yes," he replied, his voice restrained but not hostile.  "But Papyrus would forgive you, and I know you're not just saying it to make yourself feel better.  You're just a spoiled shit who wanted something someone else had.  It happens.  And...as for keeping that Guard up and running..."  He paused, knocking back a third glass.  "...I'm willing to hear you out and make some sort of arrangement considering the Guard."

Alphys looked up, blinking.  "What, really?" she asked.  "...you want to join the Guard?"  Sans shrugged a little, leaning his head on his hand and glancing over at Papyrus.