A Gift For Father
Papyrus sat strumming his finger bones against the arm of the couch. The generally loud, boisterous skeleton, quietly gazed at the picture in his mother's locket, towards the small figure of his and Sans' father, Corbel. The tall skeleton sat, deep in thought, for a good portion of the night pondering what to get his father for Father's Day. The royal guardsman was having some difficulty figuring it out.
How do you buy something for a father you scarcely knew?
That fact was not really Corbel's fault. He died protecting his mother, who was pregnant with him.
If anyone was to blame... Papyrus blamed himself... and the human. However he mostly blamed himself. Had Lucida not been pregnant with him both she and Corbel could have easily defended themselves.
But the past cannot be changed... nor can deals be expunged.
Sure he could go out to the dump and find something there. Or even make something for his father. The only problem with that... was the lich.
Lost was the one who brought his father back from the grave. The one whom Corbel struck a deal with. Now his father was an errand boy to the Lich. Which meant that Corbel was moving around a lot, or so Corbel's youngest believed. That meant that Corbel more than likely couldn't take things with him on his travels.
Besides... Papyrus wanted Corbel to enjoy his gift. Maybe some sort of food or drink? Non perishable... or at the very least something that could last a while.
"Would liquor work?" Came the voiced idea of the skeleton.
Papyrus' eyebrows would furrow if he had them. The guardsman knew from an "old friend" of his father, that Corbel's favorite drink was whiskey. Yet when questioning Sans, his brother stated that he had only seen Corbel drink either water or sweet tea.
Sighing Papyrus closed the locket, slipping it back under his shirt, but over his ribs. Resting his weary skull in his hands, Papyrus continued to muse the idea of giving his father such a gift.
What was the harm in it? Besides knowing that Whiskey was a preferred drink of his father's? Papyrus could say that he just guessed... a shot in the dark? Who would know the truth other than Papyrus himself and the dust pile from Corbel's "old friend"?
The answer was obvious now. Standing up, the guardsman stretched a bit, his bones were tired from sitting in one position for so long. Papyrus looked to his brother's room. As usual the door was closed.
"Sans! I'm going out for a bit. Please eat something other than condiments! I'll be back soon." Yelled the youngest Gaster.
"ok." Came the nonchalant reply from his older brother.
The tall skeleton wore a sinple black sweater with blue jeans as he headed out towards Grillbys. Seeing as how Grillbys was the only place, that Papyrus knew of who sold Papyrus' favorite whiskey.
Yes he was going to get some of his own favorite whiskey as a gift for his father.
Maybe he'd buy two and store one away for himself? He knew he had enough G. So that was no problem... Papyrus could only hope that Sans wouldn't see Papyrus sneaking the bottle up to his room... or out to his sentry station.
Then again Paps could say he was wrapping it up for their father, but that wouldn't work would it? Fine, a gift for someone else. What does it matter to Sans what he does? They were both old enough to do whatever the hell they wanted to. Yet... lying to people seemed wrong. Maybe he could ask Lost to send a bottle to his Uncle?
Papyrus shook any negative thoughts from his mind as he entered Grillbys. The fire elemental bartender looked up as Papyrus entered the bar. The skeleton could almost feel the questioning gaze of the owner. Undaunted Papyrus headed to the bar smiling warmly.
"Hello Grillby! Happy Father's day! I was hoping to buy two bottles of Fireball Whiskey... if you have them please."
It almost seemed to the Royal Guardsman that Grillby sighed, lowering the glass he was cleaning. Reaching under the bar he produced two bottles of whiskey. Slowly the owner placed them on the counter.
"I promise these aren't for me." Papyrus explained handing the G over to Grillby.
This time Grillby raised an eyebrow in question. Papyrus smiled apologetically.
"It would take all day to explain... really it would."
Grillby nodded and took the G. Papyrus knew he would have to explain someday... and maybe he would... or... perhaps someone else would.
Papyrus thanked the bartender and headed out back towards the house.
As he entered he pondered how he was going to give the present to his father?
Shit...
Why hadn't he thought of that sooner?
Oh well... it's not like he was a genius like Sans.... there was no going back now.
Placing the bottles carefully on the counter the tall skeleton rummaged around in the closet for a box big enough for the bottle to fit. Eventually the youngest Gaster found a box as well as some paper. There was even a blank card in the box.
Papyrus packed the bottle in the box and tied it shut with a blue and red ribbon. Looking at the blank card had the skeleton strumming his fingers on the counter again.
'There should be a pun... Father, mother, and Sans all love those... but... I must be missing that gene. I'm not funny at all... nor do I like them.' Papyrus thought to himself bitterly. 'But this isn't my present... it's fathers... I have to try for him.'
So for a few moments tgat turned into hours the skeleton stared at the paper, racking his brain, trying to think of a pun... a joke... SOMETHING.
He could ask Sans... but, call it selfish, Papyrus himself wanted to think of a pun.
Finally something came to Papyrus and instantly he wrote it down on the card.
"Whenever you're feeling a little burned out I hope you'll enjoy this present. Happy Father's Day. Love, Papyrus"
It was a simple pun, but the message was sincere.
Papyrus felt oddly happy with his gift and stupid pun.
But how was Corbel going to get his gift?
Maybe a grey creature could help him out?