Flufftober 2020: Day Eighteen
Prompt: Late Night Cravings
Pairing: Polyruses (UT, US, UF, and SF Papyrus poly relationship)
Category: Romantic
Note: contains mpreg
Additional Note: UT!Papyrus is Papyrus; US!Papyrus is Russ; UF!Papyrus is Edge; SF!Papyrus is Hickory
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The moment their combined magics solidified into a soulling, Papyrus, Russ, Edge, and Hickory swore to do everything in their power to nurture and protect their future child, and they all took their oath very seriously. It's not that Papyrus didn't appreciate his mates’ attentiveness; he really did. The pregnant skeleton just felt a bit… smothered.
Papyrus brought the matter up to Russ, Edge, and Hickory, but the three co-parents insisted that they were just looking out for the health and well-being of their mate and soulling. Papyrus didn't want to push the issue because he didn't want to hurt any of their feelings. Besides, he understood Edge’s and Hickory's overprotective tendencies that came from the environments they'd grown up in. Sleeping, eating, bathing, or exercising, Papyrus simply accepted the presence of the three other doting skeleton monsters.
Lately, Papyrus had been having trouble sleeping. The round baby bump that housed the soulling and their magic made finding a comfortable sleep position difficult, and Russ, Edge, and Hickory weren't helping. The trio of skeletons liked sleeping pressed against their pregnant mate, which caused him to overheat. The baby bump also possessed a unique allure of its own, attracting gentle rubs and touches from four pairs of hands. Unfortunately, three of those pairs of hands had terrible timing and awoke Papyrus from his unusually light slumber.
After many nights of interrupted sleep and a long evening of tossing and turning, Papyrus felt exhausted, desperate, and hungry. When Hickory's hands snaked around his waist to rub his tummy, Papyrus groaned.
“is somethin’ wrong? do you want me t’get Edge n’ Russ?” Hickory's worried face appeared over Papyrus's shoulder.
“NO, BUT I AM HAVING A VERY STRONG CRAVING FOR A FRESHLY BAKED CINNAMON BUNNY.” The sweet baked treat sounded heavenly to the sleep-deprived skeleton.
Hickory nodded. While most bakeries that served the famous bunny-shaped sweet rolls wouldn't be baking them at this time of night, the gold-fanged skeleton was sure he could convince them to change their minds with his abundant charisma… and the offer of some extra G. He shortcutted away from the house, secure in the fact that Edge and Russ were nearby to watch Papyrus.
Papyrus continued to toss and turn, ultimately deciding to walk around the house for a bit to alleviate his restlessness. As he passed by the bathroom, he noticed Russ carefully arranging rugs to prevent slip hazards. The normally lazy skeleton had already relocated the towels and soaps to more convenient locations to keep his pregnant mate from straining himself by reaching for necessities that would likely be carefully handed to him anyway.
Another craving sprang to Papyrus's mind, so he called out to Russ. “I'M HAVING A SUDDEN STRONG CRAVING FOR A VANILLA NICE CREAM.”
Russ leapt to his feet. “i'll get some for you. gotta keep my mate and soulling happy!” He gave Papyrus a quick peck on the cheek and another to the soulling then shortcutted away to look for a nice cream vendor. It would be difficult to find one at this time of night. Thankfully, Edge and Hickory would be home to keep a socket on Papyrus while he searched.
Still restless and increasingly hungry for very specific foods, Papyrus wandered down the stairs and into the kitchen where he found Edge. The angular skeleton was busy preparing an array of healthy snacks to keep on hand for Papyrus. Unfortunately, none of those snacks would satisfy his current craving. Edge’s proud smile turned to a frown when Papyrus foraged in the fridge without finding what he was looking for.
“WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO MAKE YOU SOMETHING?” Edge offered, but Papyrus shook his skull.
“I'M HAVING A CRAVING FOR GRILLBY’S HOUSEMADE PICKLES, AND APPARENTLY WE'RE OUT OF THEM.” Papyrus sighed, forlorn. The pickles were always so perfectly crunchy and tangy. Nothing else would do.
“I CAN GO GET SOME FOR YOU.” Edge was already grabbing his car keys. Papyrus clapped with joy, and the smile returned to Edge’s face. Grillby’s was across town, but at least the bar and restaurant would be open. Besides, Russ and Hickory were home if Papyrus needed anything.
Jar of Grillby’s pickles in hand, Edge dashed up the stairs to the master bedroom, not even noticing the unusual silence in the house. Just as he reached for the doorknob, Russ and Hickory materialized next to him, nearly colliding with each other. Hickory held a bakery box that smelled deliciously of freshly baked cinnamon bunnies, and Russ had an insulated bag filled to the brim with packages of vanilla nice cream.
The three skeletons stared at each other in shocked silence for a long moment. Suddenly overwhelmed with anxiety about their shared mate and soulling, the three skeletons piled into the bedroom, sure that disaster had struck the moment they turned their backs. Instead, Papyrus sprawled across the large bed, sleeping more soundly than he had since he became pregnant.
Feeling very sheepish indeed, Russ, Hickory, and Edge backed quietly out of the bedroom, closing the door softly behind them.
Papyrus's late night snack could wait while he caught up on some much needed sleep.
As for his mates, they each took some time to reconsider his request for space and vowed to do everything within their power to ensure the health and safety of their mate and soulling… even if it meant taking a step back sometimes.
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