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Description
You and Papyrus laughed and happily walked side by side down the sidewalks of Lincoln Avenue. The Japanese maples glowed in the autumn sun, the vibrant orange and yellow hues are simply breathtaking and you can't help but smile as you walk down the path, observing every tree.

It wasn't too long before you and Papyrus finally made it to Dubuc's Ice Cream Shoppe. Its colorful purple, pink and blue exterior isn't hard to miss. Papyrus hurried and fast-walked to the door of the store, opening it for you politely with a smile. "ladies first~" He cooed with a wink. "What a gentleman~" You cooed back with a grin as you quickly caught up, walking through the door. "Thank you, good sir!" You thanked him as soon as he walked in after you. "mmhm, madam." He snickered in response.

"Aha! I knew you'd be back some time, Russ!" Chuckled a deep, croaky voice. You turned your head to the counter of the shop and standing behind it was an older man, probably around 70. The man has a gray beard and gray hair. Along with that, he has brown eyes, chocolatey skin, and a wonderful smile.

"james! how are ya doin', pal?" Papyrus asked as he happily walked to the counter since nobody else was in line at the moment. Though, a few people sat at tables and conversed nearby. You followed him, smiling as you stood by his side.

"I've been good, ole pal! Though, I am sad to say I gotta quit soon. Doctor's orders." James sighed, tugging on the multicolored apron he was wearing. "doctor's orders?" Papyrus echoed, cocking his skull to the side in confusion. "Mmmhm, I have a heart condition. Doctor says it's too straining for me to work " he replied, sadness in his tone. "well, you don't need to work, james. didn't ya say ya just work for the hell of it?" Papyrus asked and James thought for a moment. "I know, but I work because I love seein' all the faces of Ebott and beyond... I've worked here since it opened 5 years ago. Luis hired me right off the bat, Russ. I love bein' here." James responded, a tinge of sadness in his tone. "ah, i'm really sorry, james... that really sucks... but hey, ya can still come 'ere! don't fret, bud. you can always visit from the tables rather than from behind the counter." Papyrus replied, obviously trying to cheer the older man up a bit.

"Yea, you're right... I can always make my mark and meet all the people another way." His frown lessened and he sighed, clearly still pretty upset. "But I mean, this town is getting more and more popular since you all showed up and so is this shop... It's gonna be sad not being able to meet all those wonderful people." James commented, scratching the back of his neck. "I was delighted when you and your little brother started coming, Russ, same with all your friends! It was getting to be rather boring seeing the same faces day after day... Until, boom! Monsters all over Ebott City!" He exclaimed and Papyrus let out a deep chuckle and you giggled. "yup, sounds about right. we all love ya, james. you're a cool ole chap." He replied and James smiled.

"Thanks Russ. Now... Hello, this must be (Y\N)!" James suddenly spoke which made you blink in confusion. "You know me?" You asked in confusion and he nodded, smiling. "Of course! Papyrus has mentioned you, miss. On top of that, Luis has mentioned how you are a model customer as well." James replied kindly, his eyes bright. "Oh, well it's very nice to meet you, Mr. James!" You responded politely, smiling. "Likewise, misses! It is a pleasure to meet you at last! Now, what would you two like on this fine autumn day?" He asked, leaning against the counter.

You looked down at the various metal containers of ice cream flavors, they all look so delicious. "may i have my special, james?" Papyrus asked, a chuckle present in his voice. "Of course. It is your favorite after all, Russ." James responded with a husky snicker.

You looked over every flavor, reading all the plaques until your eyes fell upon (f\f). Instantly after you saw it, you looked up to him. "May I have a waffle cone with two scoops of (f\f) ice cream? Oh! And may I please have rainbow sprinkles on top of it?" You asked and James smiled. "Mmhm! That'll be $5.55, will that be cash, debit or credit?" He asked and you fumbled for your wallet. But before you could fully pull it out, Papyrus gently placed his bony hand on your shoulder. "i got it, kid. it'll be debit, please." Papyrus responded as he pulled out his wallet, inserting his card into the chip reader. "Oh, thanks Papyrus- I could have paid though." You replied and he turned to you, giving a gentle smile. "i owe ya, remember? ya bought me a bottle of honey." He replied so you couldn't argue, so you complied and let him pay, deciding not to mention you owe him like $20 due to your bets.

Once he was done paying, he put his card back into his wallet, tucking his wallet back in his pocket. In response to that, James fixed your ice cream cone, handing it over to you and then he disappeared into the back leaving Papyrus to grin as he leaned his hip against the counter. "What're you up to, Pap?" You asked him in a suspicious tone. He snickered in response. "nothin' kid. he's just gettin' my norm." Papyrus replied, still smirking. You lifted an eyebrow and let out a small laugh, shaking your head before taking a single lick of your ice cream cone impatiently.

Within a few moments, James came back with a silver container full of a light tan ice cream. He quickly scooped some up into a waffle cone, before putting 3 more scoops on top of it. Thinking that was it, you turned to Papyrus but he gestured with his phalanges to look back, so you did and your mouth gaped open in surprise. James had taken out a bottle of honey and was drizzling it on the ice cream. After that, he added some nuts and a cherry onto it before handing it over to Papyrus. "There you go, double honey, just like you like it, Russ." James spoke with a wink and he snickered. "thanks man, ya know me too well, bud." He replied and waved. "i'll see ya 'round james. ciao!" Papyrus spoke and you waved to him too. "It was wonderful meeting you, sir!" You replied and James nodded politely. "Thank you two, I hope you have a nice day and I hope to see you around as well... I am very glad I could meet you, (Y\N)." James gave a weak smile and waved goodbye which broke your heart, but you knew staying and talking more wasn't going to help him with his pensive sadness, so with one last goodbye, you and Papyrus walked outside of the shop, sitting on a purple bench that had skulls carved into the backs.

You began to fully eat your ice cream now that you both had a cone and you smiled at the familiar- yet improved taste of (f\f). "Mmmmm-" you murmured and he let out a deep chuckle, before lickin-

You froze, eyes widening in surprise as you watched him lick his ice cream with an orange tongue... A tongue?! How have you not noticed that he has a blatantly orange tongue in his mouth before?!

"You... You have a tongue?" You asked in surprise and he simply nodded, looking to you. "mmmhm-" He murmured in response. He licked his three scoops of ice cream from bottom to top, not breaking eye contact which caused you to turn faintly pink, choking slightly on your own saliva.

Papyrus instantly burst out laughing seeing your reaction before quickly saying. "sorry, sorry. just messin' with ya, honey. yeah, i do have a tongue... though it's not permanently affixed to my mouth. i can summon it." through his laughter.

You giggled in embarrassment, looking away bashfully. "It's fine, your joke wasn't tasteless." You joked coyly. He snickered, going back to his ice cream. "good one, i like a nice palatable joke." He responded with a wink. "Oh, same! Especially jokes that don't leave a bitter taste in your mouth." You replied, your (e\c) eyes bright as you looked back at him. "heh, yeah. those are the worst, bud." He chuckled, grinning widely.

"Welp, I'm out of puns." You laughed before turning your attention back to your ice cream before it melted. "heh, same. there are only so many tasteful jokes one can make " Papyrus remarked and you giggled. "Oh my God, Papyrus. Do you run on puns or something?" You asked him in a humored tone and he nodded his skull, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "yup, jokes are my gasoline." He replied and you rolled your eyes, letting out a small laugh.

After your small joke fest, everything got quiet for a while. After all, the ice cream was going to melt if all you two did was talk. But soon, the silence was broken with the ringing of your phone. You looked over at Papyrus, lifting an eyebrow. "I wonder who that'll be." You remarked before you slid your phone out of your pocket. When you got your phone out, the caller ID made your eyebrow lift even higher. "It's Mr. Smith?" You murmured, confusion in your voice. "odd, maybe ya accidentally left somethin' in his office?" Papyrus suggested and you hummed in thought. "Maybe so... But I don't think that I did." You replied before promptly answering the phone, putting it on speaker right off the bat.

"Hello, Mr. Smith. You're on speaker." You answered. "Hello, Miss (Y\N). Is Papyrus still with you?" Mr. Smith asked. "Uh, yeah. He's right next to me listening to the phone call." You replied. "yo." Papyrus greeted Mr. Smith. "Good, hello Papyrus. I have information regarding Austin- we have identified him and we were able to track him to Ebott City hospital. His name is Austin Ricardo and he checked in the hospital for an injury sustained the day you were attacked, (Y\N)." Mr. Smith responded and your eyes widened.

"Were you able to catch him?" You asked, sitting up, gripping onto the metal armrest of the bench. "please tell me ya did..." Papyrus spoke, seemingly holding his breath in anticipation.

"That's the thing, no. We were unable to locate him in time. He had been released from the hospital mere hours before we noticed the name and description in the hospital's records." He replied and Papyrus let out a grunt. "dammit!" He groaned and you frowned.

"Well, where are the police looking now?" You asked, your heart beating fast. "They are on the way to Austin's suspected residence. But if they cannot find him there, I can guarantee that the search will only expand more. We cannot let this dangerous man roam the streets for much longer." Mr. Smith responded and you sighed. "Thank you, Mr. Smith." You thanked him reluctantly. "There is no need to thank me, Miss (Y\N). Now, if you see Austin Ricardo anywhere around town, call the police immediately." He insisted. "Of course, thanks again Mr. Smith. Have a nice day." You spoke quietly. "Once again there's no need to thank me. Thank you, miss, and I wish the same to you and Papyrus. Goodbye." He replied and bid his adieu, causing you to do the same before quickly hanging up.

You groaned, your hand quickly covering your face in a moment of stress. "Dammit, Papyrus... They missed him. They missed that bastard by just a few hours! What if he hurts someone else because they didn't find him in time?! I'll never be able to forgive myself if that happens." You emotionally murmured, uncovering your face, gesturing with your hand to express your emotional strain.

"(y\n)... calm down." Papyrus murmured with a deep sigh, reaching over and taking your free hand in his. "relax, the cops are doin' the best they can. plus, that douche is smart enough to run rather than continually commit crimes. it's not your fault, and it never will be. okay?" He spoke to you softly and reassuringly. His gaze was soft despite the obvious feeling of disappointment coming off of him.

"But... But if I had reported him earlier, then it wouldn't be as hard to find him! I-" you started, but he cut you off, squeezing your hand reassuringly. "everything will be okay. stop stressin' over this... it's just makin' ya feel worse and worse when ya just need to relax. look, ya got ice cream in that half-eaten ice cream cone still. don't ya dare make me eat it, 'cause I will." He playfully threatened to try and make you laugh, and he succeeded. You giggled slightly against your will. "But Papyrus-" You whined and Papyrus gasped. "did you just call me butt papyrus?" He asked as he placed a hand on his chest, acting hurt.

"Papyrus, that's such a dad joke." You snorted and he grinned. "who says i'm not a dad?" He asked, snickering and you hummed in thought for a moment. "I mean, I technically can't know, I suppose." You replied and he deeply chuckled. "exactly, for all ya know I could have a bunch of little pap spawns runnin' around my house." He chuckled.

"Honestly, that'd be so damn pure." You laughed, before going back to your ice cream cone. Papyrus grinned from... 'ear hole to ear hole' before whispering "success~" which caused you to smile as well.

And with that, all the anxiety had been washed from your mind by the punny skeleton's jokes. That of course helped you to relax and you both returned to peaceful, joyful conversations whilst you both finished your ice cream cones. And the best part isn't the ice cream, nor the pretty scenery that surrounds Dubuc's Ice Cream Shoppe, it's that you get to be with Papyrus one on one. That is refreshing and it makes you happy to have him all to yourself... Well, at least for now. You know you'll both go your separate ways soon, but you choose not to dwell on that. You decide to stay in the moment and enjoy Papyrus' presence while it lasts. After all, you have no idea how long it'll be until you get another one on one hangout. But, you really hope that you will both be able to hang out like this again soon.