Underfell is a dark place.

The cave systems that the banished monsters called home rarely let in adequate light. It was a wonder anything could survive here, yet, that’s what the creatures of this nearly uninhabitable place did: survive.

Papyrus was a survivor. His battle-riddled bones were testament to his strength, his greatness, his will to survive. To those not used to the harsh reality of this place, the darkness would be suffocating. But, to those raised in this land the darkness was both a detriment and a boon. It could be used to help one ambush an enemy or unsuspecting victim. Though you never knew whether you were going to be the hunter or prey.

Normally, he blended in well with his surroundings. His dark attire helped him melt into the shadow and his skeletal frame could easily be mistaken for one of the many scrawny trees and gnarled branches of the woodland. But not today. Even with extra layers, his soul gave off a soft red light.

He was in heat.

In a lit room it might not have been noticeable, but out here in the woods… Papyrus checked over his shoulder once more, leery of anyone trying to sneak up on him. He huffed to himself angrily. He was practically a beacon crying out for someone to take him. He wasn’t particularly worried about anyone managing to do that though, he’d had to deal with monsters before while he was in heat. If anything it was merely a nuisance. It made checking his puzzles and his sentry duties all the more tedious.

Smaller and weaker monsters knew better than to try messing with him. He barely took notice as a couple darted away from him once his light drew close. After all, monster heat was a way to assert dominance. Those who were weak were ravaged by the strong when their heat took them over. It was one of the few ways the monsters interacted. It was an accepted part of life, if you were strong you were able to hold your own, and if not-

A slight snap made Papyrus whirl on his heel, a magic long-bone springing to life in his grasp. He brought it up just in time as a large dog-monster crashed into him. Slobbering jowls and gnashing teeth were lit hellishly by his red glow, its dark eyes trained upon his light like a moth to the flame. Grunting from the force of the onslaught, Papyrus shifted his stance, making it so that his opponent’s weight made them slide away. The dog creature bounded off into the dark once more with an angry growl, disappearing from view. One hand glowing red with prepared magic, and the other still holding his weapon at the ready, he snarled, “COME ON, MUTT! YOU WANT TO ♥♥♥♥ WITH ME? I’LL MAKE YOU WISH YOU WERE NEVER BORN!” His eyes darted around the darkness, he shifted his body, trying to use his burning soul to help him see. He grit his teeth angrily, hating every ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ minute of this whole stupid ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ thing.

A flicker of movement in the corner of his eye was all the warning he had before the Greater Dog smashed into him. Slathering jaws panted loudly above him as his body was pinned by the stinking dog beast. Papyrus howled in anger as the beast began grinding its hips against him and lumbering paws scraped at his belt. “GET OFF ME!” Papyrus screamed as he wriggled beneath his adversary’s great weight. If he could just get one hand free…

He heard a loud rip, and felt a grotesque wetness against his bare pelvis. Filled with a whole new kind of rage, he thrashed madly. “I’M NOT GOING TO SUCCUMB TO YOU,” With a great heave of his shoulder his hand came free. “YOU ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!” An enormous surge of magic erupted from his palm as he sent sharp bones shooting up from the ground. A few impaled themselves into the hide of the Greater Dog making it scream in pain. As it reared back from the attack, Papyrus scooted himself out from under the monster and smacked it harshly across the face with his long-bone. With a whine, the dog bounded away into the darkness to lick its wounds.

Papyrus panted heavily, well-aware of the audience his spectacle had gained. They were sizing him up, trying to decide if he had been weakened enough for them to maybe have a chance. He raised himself up and cast a challenging glare into the darkness. The eyes all but vanished from sight accompanied by the sounds of scurrying.

Once he was certain he was alone, he sighed heavily. Now he was going to have to fix his pants.