Chapter Text
They didn't know why it happened, or HOW it even happened, but it did. Papyrus never stopped cursing himself in his head for not doing something earlier, yet at the time he had no idea what was in store. It started when Blue had come home from his shift. It was dusk at this point, almost everyone was in their homes, including both skeleton brothers. Papyrus had decided to skip Muffet's today and hang out with Blue, it had been a while since he did. All seemed fine, they ate some of the shorter skeleton's tacos and watched whatever episode of NTT was on. They talked about random topics as usual, whatever had happened in their day. Everything was fairly normal, until Blue complained about a sharp pain in his side.
Papyrus cocked his head and paced towards the latter as he stuck out a hand to check his temperature. He wasn't terribly hot, but definitely warmer than usual. He bit his cheek and thought for a moment as he let go of Blue's head.
" Hm, Sans I think you should go lie down.."
Blue shook his head and whined in protest when another, stronger bout of pain hit him. He let out a quiet cry and sighed before deciding to obey, he slipped off into his room and changed into more comfortable clothes.
Papyrus was suddenly more worried, Blue hadn't protested at all, it must be bad. He had once ignored a wound on his arm all day, this must really be getting to him. He tried to not worry himself too much, although it didn't happen often, both brothers did at some points get sick.
Papyrus gave Blue time to change and soon followed up the stairs, Blue was already in bed and...sleeping. He usually couldn't sleep when sick, Papyrus would have to keep him company or read to him, but Blue seemed to be out cold already.
Now Papyrus was slightly more concerned. He knelt next to Blue and carefully clacked teeth on his forehead before hesitating to leave. He looked back at the door and back to the sleeping skeleton. He would stay. He pulled up a desk chair and sat next to Blue before leaning back and slowly drifting off too.
He soon woke up to a quiet whimpering, he peeked one eye open only to be met by Blue, squirming around in his bed. His face was contorted in discomfort as he continued to lightly whimper. Papyrus leaned up and lightly shook him, whispering his name.
Blue awoke with a start and held one hand to his skull. He was sweating bullets, he groaned into his hands and sniffled to stop the whimpering. Papyrus bit his cheek with a worried look, he reached out and tore one of Blue's hands away from his face, His eyes were teary and had a glassy look to them, he sniffled again. "I-It hurts Papy.."
Papyrus sadly sighed and sat up in the chair, reaching over and comfortingly rubbing circles on Blue's back." I know it does buddy" Blue sniffled again. "For now you just need rest, and the pain will go away." Blue shakily nodded and laid back down onto his mattress, Papyrus pulled up the blankets. He stayed by his side, affectionately rubbing his skull in a soothing rhythm until he dozed off again.
If only he had known