Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bonnie is standing on the edge of his stage in Bonnie Bowl, calmly and quietly playing his bass. A little girl watches him, and wanders up to the edge of the stage, catching the rabbit’s attention.

“Oh, hello! What are you doing here so late kiddo?” He greets her with a signature smile of his, subconsciously identifying her as Willow by her guest profile.

“Oh! I just wanted to watch you perform,” She panics slightly at being spotted, but tries to play it off.

“I appreciate it, Superstar, but it’s getting too late for you to be here any longer.” He puts his bass down next to him. “Where are your parents?”

“Uh… around, probably, I think.” She answers, eyes looking anywhere but at Bonnie.

“You think? Where were you with them last?” He gets down off the stage and kneels next to her, speaking gently and with worry.

“The lobby I’m pretty sure.” Willow answers, finally getting up the nerve to look back up at him.

Bonnie nods. “In the lobby? Alright, we should go find them, then.”

“That was a few hours ago when we got here.” Willow states, realizing that bit of information is probably pretty important to the situation.

Bonnie’s face twists in upset, that isn’t good. “Ah, I see..” He mutters aloud, trying to hide his concerns.

“Yeah.” Willow glances away and then back at him. “But It’s probably fine! I mean it’s not that late right?” She asks hopefully.

“No, It’s near closing. You do need to get back to your parents and leave.” Bonnie gives a small shake of his head. The longer he sits here with the girl the less convinced he becomes that the task is even possible with the time left until closing.

“I don’t know where my dad is though.” Willow states, trying to sound disappointed, though in reality she’s anything but that. Oh no, spending the night in the Pizzaplex with the cool animatronics? How horrible! 

“Well, we should go find him then!” Bonnie is certainly making an effort to remain optimistic, though he is most definitely not feeling that way.

“We can try.” Willow shrugs, seeming as if her sentiment about the situation is similar to Bonnie’s.

“Great! Let’s get going, we don’t want to waste too much time here.” He stands back up, still looking down at the little girl.

“Ok, I don’t know how much luck we will have though, I already tried looking for them earlier.”

“Hm, thats worrying, but the place is big! I’m sure we’ll find him.” He gives her a smile, trying to reassure her they’ll find him.

“Ok, Thanks for helping.” She smiles back.

“Of course Superstar! Now c’mon!” At that, Willow takes his hand when he offers it, and he leads her out into the atrium.

To neither’s surprise, there is absolutely no one in the atrium. Bonnie has to suppress a sigh, he really doesn’t want to try and explain this to security if she finds out the kid is in here.

“I told you, I don’t even know if he’s still here.” Willow sighs aloud, looking around for a moment before fixing her gaze on the floor.

“If he isn’t, I suppose you may just have to stick with me for the night.” He’s still looking around, scanning what’s visible for any sign someone is around.

“Ok!” 

Her response takes him a little off guard, but he responds quickly anyway as if it didn’t. “Yeah, that’s not so bad eh?”

“Yeah, I mean he might be back by tomorrow, so it’s not that bad, and it means I get to spend more time here, and that’s cool.” She looks up at him, clearly just very happy about being here.

Hearing someone coming, Bonnie turns his head to see who it is. It’s Freddy, and he seems to be coming over to them. “Hey Bonnie!” He waves as well to Willow as he comes to a stop, and she waves back.

“Hi Freddy!” Bonnie greets, feeling that familiar stupid smile growing on his face. Despite Freddy’s arrival, Willow stays close to Bonnie. It’s pretty clear to the rabbit that someone here is the favorite, and it’s not his boyfriend.

Freddy suddenly seems to flinch at nothing, and then shakes his head as if trying to play it off.

“You alright?” Bonnie asks.

“Yep! Fine!” It’s pretty clear that the bear is lying just by looking at him, so obviously neither by it.

“Are you sure?” Willow asks, looking around for what happened and finding absolutely nothing.

Again Freddy flinches, this time hiding it significantly better aside from the short struggle with his ears trying to give him away. “I- should probably go!-” He announces, a nervous smile on his face, and then tries to retreat.

Bonnie immediately lets go of Willow, grabbing Freddy’s hand and stopping him from leaving. “No, what’s wrong.” He pushes again for an answer.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle, I’ll go.” He tries again to wave away the rabbit’s worries.

“Nope, tell me what’s wrong.”

Instead of arguing again, Freddy screws his eyes shut and grimaces in pain. Willow also can’t help but notice him shaking slightly. With this development Bonnie does very hesitantly let go of his hand, figuring it’s for the best.

“Is everything ok?” Willow pipes up from where she’s standing beside Bonnie.

“I- Uhm-“ He tries to respond, but ends up only actually shaking his head as if to answer no, and taking a couple staggered steps backwards.

Willow, alarmed, inches closer to Bonnie, not daring to take her eyes of the metal bear.

As suddenly as this had started, it seems to stop. Freddy opens his eyes and stands back upright, only now instead of blue they shine red.

Bonnie’s shoulders drop slightly with very visible panic, and Willow cowers behind him while he stands frozen.

“You need to go. Now.” A warning comes, and while it sounds like Freddy, it also doesn’t. The inflections are all wrong, almost like an accent that doesn’t fit the voice it comes with. And, along with that, his mouth doesn’t move when he speaks.

Willow grabs Bonnie’s hand and tugs on it urgently, making him finally snap out of his stupor. He picks her up and darts right back inside the doors to bowling, slamming them behind them.

“What happened?” Willow looks up at him, only half wanting the answer to that question.

“I don’t know-” Bonnie doesn’t have the time to collect himself, he just has to try his best right now. For the kid’s sake. “We’re just… going to have to wait here until it stops, ok?”

“Ok-” She nods, still latched onto Bonnie out of panic and fear.

He hears something- presumably Freddy- coming up to the door, and instinctively goes to hold it shut, though he finds it hard to do so when the banging starts because of how badly he’s shaking.

Willow is close to tears and the banging doesn’t stop quickly as Bonnie had hoped it would. He doesn’t want to, but he remotely alerts the police for help out of desperation. He doesn’t know if he can or even wants to call the security guard to help with this one.

Willow presses her face against Bonnie’s shoulder, somehow managing to tighten her grip on him.

“It’s alright Stardust, you’re safe with me.” He tries to be as reassuring as he can, choosing to use his more affectionate nickname, though he’s completely overwhelmed with everything going on. Freddy’s situation, the noise , it’s too much. But he can’t leave, he has to keep the door shut.

Willow, trying to find quite literally anything else to focus on, instantly rects when the banging finally goes quiet. “Is he gone?” She pushes herself up a little.

“I don’t think so.” He shakes his head, not bothering to look down at her.

“I don’t hear him.” Willow states, trying to listen closer in case she’s missing something.

“He hasn’t left.” Bonnie states grimly in response.

“Oh-” She breaths, leaning back into him.

There comes some angry grumbling from outside of the door, accompanied by receding footsteps. Bonnie takes the opportunity to finally get away from the door, and carries Willow quickly back into his room behind the stage they had met in front of.

Once inside, Bonnie sits down in his chair and softly pats Willows back, trying to comfort her. “It’s alright, we’re safe.” He mumbles.

“Are you sure?” She responds with a question, still clinging tightly to him.

“I’m sure.” He nods. “We’re going to be alright.” He offers, now finally able to calm down from all the noise.

Willow nods as Bonnie receives feedback from his notification to police. It was ignored and assumed to be a prank, causing a look of panic to quickly return to the rabbit’s face.

“What happened?” Willow asks, taking notice of his panic.

“I’m not sure-” he answers with a half lie. He doesn’t know why they would say that, just that they did.

Both sit in silence for a few beats. Neither wanted nor though tonight would go this way, and it sucks . “What are we going to do?” Willow is the one to speak first, meanwhile finally relaxing her grip on Bonnie’s arm.

Bonnie sighs. “I don’t know, Stardust, this is… complicated.” He has to pause to find a good word for it, even though it’s hard to come up with one.

After a few seconds of contemplation, he decides to call in a friend. Maybe she can help?

Bonnie> Hey Chica? Can you come into bowling? There’s a kid in here and it’s a bit of a situation.

Chica> Of course, I’m on my way.

To his relief, she answers quickly. He has no doubt she’ll have quite a few questions, but right now he just needs the support.

Bonnie> Thank you

He can hear Chica come into the attraction before long, and Willow doesn’t seem to react. Sometimes he forgets how sensitive his hearing is compared to everyone else’s. “Bonnie? I’m here, what happened?” Chica calls out to him.

Bonnie> Not out there, behind the stage

Quickly she appears with them, concern washing over her features.

“Hey.” He greets his friend with a small smile. Willow is once again clinging to him hard, and he’s still holding her protectively.

“I- Ok, what happened?” Chica sputters, coming over and standing a bit closer.

“We tried looking for her father and then… something happened to Freddy.. I don’t know but he told us to leave so I came back in here and had to keep him out while he banged on the door-” He recounts what just happened, he really doesn’t want to think about it anymore, but he kind of has to.

“Alright that explains why the kid is still here at least, I’m glad you two are ok.” She sighs. “What happened to Freddy though? That doesn’t sound like something he would do.”

“I don’t know-” Bonnie looks away, still very much neglecting the color change of Freddy’s eyes just before.

“Have you already called for help? They can at the very least get her somewhere safer than here.” Chica looks a little hurt at the fact that the girl may not be safe here, but it’s a fact that nobody can avoid right now.

“I did, nobody did anything.” Bonnie grumbles an answer.

“Alright, that’s… Not fantastic.” She sighs.

“Yeah, and I don’t know what to do now.”

“She’s probably safe here, at least for now.” She gestures to the room they’re in.

He nods. “That’s why we came back here.”

“Have you tried talking to security?” She perks up a little, hopeful for a moment.

“If I trusted her I wouldn’t have tried the police.” Bonnie deadpans, and Chica deflates a bit.

“That’s fair enough.” She sighs.

“Mhm.”

“I didn’t see Freddy on my way here at least, so I don’t think he’s nearby.” Chica offers with a small smile.

“That’s a relief- I guess…” Bonnie hates the fact that Freddy not being anywhere to be seen is suddenly a good thing right now. He’s so used to being happy about the bear’s presence.

“I don’t know where he is though.” Chica sighs quietly.

Bonnie does not respond this time, glancing down at Willow, who is looking back, and then going to simply staring at the floor. Willow clings to his arm a little tighter while Bonnie stresses quietly, trying to figure out what to do.

Willow temporarily releases him and curls into herself, burying her face in her knees. “I don’t like this.” She mumbles.

“I don’t either, but we’re fine, it’s safe here.” Bonnie is quick to comfort her the best he can, and Willow leans on to him again. He gently pats her head, careful of the poofy buns that sit on either side of her hair.

“The best course of action is probably just staying here until the morning.” Chica speaks up and states.

Bonnie nods along. “That would probably be best.” He agrees.

There’s a beat of silence before Willow talks again, just loud enough for Bonnie to hear what she’s saying. “ Does she have to stay too? ” She asks.

Bonnie takes a moment to think before responding. “... I would like it if she did, do you not want her here? ” 

“ Not really. ” Willow sounds as if she kind of doesn;t want to admit it, like she feels a little back for it.

He gives a short nod and then turns his attention to the chicken. “Hey Chica? Could you go now? I’m sorry it’s nothing against you just- Willow is a bit spooked after earlier.” He doesn’t want to ask her to leave, but if it makes the kid feel safer he’s going to try.

“Oh- Yeah- I can stay near the bowling alleys if you want and keep an eye out.” She offers, clearly trying to cover up a little hurt at being asked to go.

“I would appreciate it, thanks.” Bonnie smiles at her.

“Of course, let me know if you need anything.” She nods, and turns her back to leave them alone.

“Will do.”

Willow glares at her while she goes, and Bonnie can hear her leave, the doors shutting behind her when she does. Once she’s gone, Bonnie looks back down to Willow. “That better, Stardust?”

“Mhm.” She nods. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” he squeezes her a little. He wants this to be over so badly, but there are still hours until the front doors will reopen for her to get out.

Willow repositions herself, getting as close as she can to laying down in his lap. Outside, Bonnie can hear Chica coming back, and places a hand on her shoulder, just in case someone else is being dangerous now and they need to leave.

Chica returns into view, and stares the two of them down.

“Oh , crap- ” Bonnie draws Willow closer to himself, it’s obvious something is wrong but he can’t get a grip on what that is.

She makes direct eye contact with him, and that’s when it finally clicks. Her eyes are red, too. Before he gets the chance to freak out over that though, she lunges at him, forcing him to jump up and out of his chair to avoid getting attacked.

He makes sure Willow is away from Chica and looks back to her right as she swipes at his face. He doesn’t manage to get out of the way of that one, and she leaves a gash in the side of his face and him staggering slightly from the blow.

Bonnie turns, trying to get out, and Chica swings at Willow this time, who shrieks loudly in his arms. In response to that, Bonnie shoves her, putting enough force into it to knock the chicken off her feet, but not enough to really harm her. Then he bolts out of the room, headed back to the atrium.

Once outside he doesn’t stop until he can’t see the doors to bowling anymore, and then he half-collapses to his knees, setting Willow down. “Are you alright?” He asks quietly.

The little girl can barely stand she’s shaking too badly, so she holds onto him for support, which he’s happy to offer despite his own shaking. “Y-Yeah-”

“Hey, we’re going to be alright, breathe ok?” He reassures, and she does. “There you go, good job.”

Willow looks scared and overwhelmed, and honestly Bonnie can’t say he isn’t as well.

“You’re safe, I’m not going to let anything hurt you, ok?” He offers a kind smile with his words.

Willow nods and wipes her face of the tears that had been streaking down her cheeks, and then goes to hug him. He receives the gesture willingly, wrapping his own arms around her while checking their surroundings to see if it's still safe to be here. When he looks back he lets her go for a second, and she still holds onto his arm for support.

With a little hesitation he goes to pick her up and stands up, coming quickly back down and letting her go.

“Are you ok?” Willow doesn’t let go of him, looking up with worry.

Bonnie, as much as he wants to, doesn’t answer, only screwing his eyes shut. Something is making him feel wrong , and after everything tonight he doesn’t think it’s going to be anything good. Not at all.

“Bonnie?” She shakes his arm a little, snapping him back to reality and out of his head.

He’s quiet for a few more long seconds before finding the strength to speak again. “Go find Monty-” He commands.

“What?-” She stares, eyes full of sheer panic.

“Just go, please-” He begs, looking back sadly. Willow takes a very hesitant step away before he continues. “You need to go, I’m sorry-”

She nods, fighting the tears that threaten to spill from her eyes and begins to slowly back away. Bonnie returns her agreement with a weak smile before she turns and runs. Destination; golf.

When she gets there Monty and Roxy are chasing each other around, just having fun. She doesn’t pay any mind to that though, and shouts. “Monty!” She realizes how hard it is to call out to him. Her voice shakes and cracks when she screams, and her lungs feel like they’re going to give out on her. It’s probably just her crying, but no matter what it makes it incredibly hard to speak.

“Yeah? What’s up kid?” He comes to a quick stop, clearly very concerned.

“Bonnie-“ She runs the rest of the way to him, trying desperately to catch her breath.

Before either speaks again Roxy comes running over, a mix of confusion and worry in her features.

“Ok- What about him?” Monty asks, tone even and speaking slowly as if trying to calm her down a bit.

“He- He said I needed to find you- there’s been something wrong all night-“ She tries her best to explain and keep herself from breaking down crying all over again.

“What’s going on? Roxy crouches next to Montgomery.

He nods to her. “My question too, are you alright?”

Willow shakily nods. “Mhm-“

“Ok- good.” He nods.

“Freddy and Chica ran after us earlier.” She manages to get a whole sentence in without stuttering.

Monty and Roxy share a quick look of disbelief and shock before looking back at Willow, waiting for her to go one.

“We- Freddy ran after us- and we hid in Bonnie bowl-“ She manages to go into a little more detail, going right back to barely managing to be coherent when she’s talking.

“Ok, alright, breathe just- just breathe.” Monty soothes, and then again lets her go one.

“And then Chica ran after us- so we left-“

Roxy moves to put her hand out, then thinks better of it and takes it back. “Alright, take a breath, it’s gonna be ok.” She instead opts to just speak.

Someone enters the area with them, and all attention turns to the rabbit. Willow hides behind Monty and Roxy, who both immediately rise to their feet. She’s cowering from the one man she thought she could trust, and she hates it.

“ Roxy, get her hidden. ” Montgomery hisses the command, and she does just that, scooping Willow up and running to hide the both of them.

Monty doesn’t move, letting the rabbit some to him. His inaction pretty quickly proves to be a mistake, though, as Bonnie immediately attacks him; and Monty wasn’t prepared to fight back, nor are either of the other two sure he even wants to.

It’s over relatively quickly, but to everyone involved it feels far longer than it should have. Bonnie stands from where he’d left Monty on the floor, and briefly looks around for Roxy and Willow before giving up and leaving.

Once absolutely certain that he’s left them for good, Roxy comes out of hiding with Willow, putting her down and propping Monty up on the floor. “Are you ok?” She asks.

“Functional, yea.” He nods, though he really doesn’t look it.

“Good, can you watch the kid? I’m going to go find Bonnie.” She requests, tone grim.

“Yup, be careful.” Monty doesn’t seem to notice or at least mind Roxanne’s attitude, and simply agrees.

“I will.”

“Good.”

With that, Roxy turns her back to them and leaves. It doesn’t take her long to find him, and she follows him quietly into Bonnie Bowl. Once inside the doors he stops, starting to shake badly. The poor rabbit looks damn near collapsing.

Roxanne hesitates, staring at him when he looks back at her. “Roxy?” He asks, voice sounding as unsure as his posture looks.

“I’m- sorry-” Is all she can manage, she knows what she’s doing. What she has to do; but she doesn’t want to.

“What?-” Bonnie takes a fearful step back.

Roxy comes forward when he does, keeping the distance, and looks away. In the corner of her vision she can see him raise a shaking arm in front of him as if to defend himself.

“What are you doing?-...” He asks hesitantly.

Roxanne finds it easier to not respond at all, taking a breath and a moment to gather her resolve; and then attacks him. Bonnie doesn’t defend himself, leaving the only resistance her claws meet being her own emotions.

Roxy avoids his eyes, and when she’s done knocks him to the ground. “ I’m so sorry- ” She whispers, unable to be any louder. That is as if it matters how quiet she is, if he’s still in there he absolutely heard her. 

Unfortunately for him though, Bonnie is still conscious, and no matter how much he wants to respond he can’t. So instead he chooses to look at her with pleading eyes, begging her to look back.

She doesn’t, though, rendered unable to from the guilt of her actions as she drags him across the floor to hide him. Once she’s done so she can barely make herself look at him at all, much less meet his eyes which she’s now aware are looking up at her, so instead, she leaves to go back to golf.

Upon returning, Monty greets her happily. “Roxy!” He calls. She doesn’t look up from the floor. “Roxy? He repeats, this time with worry. “You alright?”

“Yeah- I- Yeah-” She manages, fighting back tears. She notices Willow is keeping her distance from the both of them, opting to sit out of sight where Roxy had taken her to hide.

“You don’t seem it, what did he do?” He looks as if he’s trying to stand to get to her, and failing at that.

“Nothing- He didn’t do anything-” She still refuses to look at him when she sits down next to him.

Monty manages to get an arm around her. “What happened cher?” He quietly pushes again for an answer, and is met with Roxy breaking down into sobs, and he lets her, remaining silent while she cries.

“I’ve made a mistake-” She tells him between sobs, grabbing onto her arms.

“What?” He asks, clearly still believing that Bonnie did something to her.

“ He’s gone- ” She can barely manage to say it, having to choke back another sob.

“... What. ” Monty mutters, she can’t tell what he’s thinking.

Roxy hides her face in her hands. “I- he-”

“I-...” The gator trails off, looking for words. “You don’t have to tell me right now, just take your time and calm down.”

“I’m gonna to to my room-” Roxy decides suddenly, pulling away from Montgomery.

“Oh… Alright-” He takes his arm from around her shoulder and lets her go, which she does so quickly, running off and out of sight.

Willow finally poked her head out of her hiding spot. “What happened?”

“I dunno.” He sighs. He tries again to say something, opening his mouth to speak and failing to find anything to say. He’s at a complete loss for words.

“Where is Bonnie?” Willow asks, a hint of hope in her voice.

“She couldn’t get much out- She probably just couldn’t find him or something…” Monty looks away, not wanting to meet the little girl’s eyes.

“Ok-“ She says quietly and nods. “This is a lot less fun than I thought it would be.” She comments aloud, just really wanting to fill the quiet.

“Pretty sure that goes for everybody, kid.” Monty mutters, shifting uncomfortably.

Willow ventures a little out of her hiding spot, sitting down and burying her face in her knees. Monty watches, stressed and feeling sorry for the poor kid. This isn’t something she should have ever had to go through.

The gator looks back in the direction of the doors, they’re still waiting for Roxy to come back. Or really anyone, hell, he’d take Bonnie coming back as long as he wasn’t being violent anymore.

After a few more long minutes Roxy returns, seeming a little more calm now. Monty doesn’t talk to her until she’s sat down next to him again, and when he does he does so quietly. “Hey.”

“Hey.” She returns his greeting, giving a short nod. 

“You feeling better now?” He asks, looking over to her.

“Yeah- I just needed a minute.” Roxy is clearly avoiding looking at the kid, instead having decided the carpet right in front of her is very interesting.

“You alright to tell me what happened now?”

“Maybe in a minute-“ Roxanne nods to Willow, who gives her a barely noticeable glare back.

“Alright.” Monty resigns to not knowing what exactly had her so upset, at least for now.

“I want to know what happened.” Willow pipes up from where she had been sitting quietly. “What happened?”

“I- Bonnie- He isn’t coming back-“ Roxy struggles to say it. It hurts to admit that he’s gone, and the look on the other’s faces only makes it worse.

“What?” Willow breathes, tears quickly beginning to stream down her face.

“I’m sorry-“ She looks down at the floor, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.

“What do you mean?” Monty whispers, his voice breaking as if he’s about to start crying too. He continues to stare, waiting for Roxy to go on, while Willow completely avoids looking at her.

“I- I didn’t want him to hurt anyone else-“ Roxanne manages some kind of pathetic explanation for her actions, glancing back over to her friend.

“You- So-…” Montgomery sputters, unable to get a grasp on what she had just admitted to and now actually starting to tear up.

Roxy hides her face in her paws again, not wanting to see his greif any longer. “ I’m sorry-“ She whispers. He doesn’t respond, and she can feel him fall onto her shoulder and hear his quiet crying.

Roxy struggles to manage the courage to look at anything again, but eventually works up the nerve to hug the gator. “I’m so sorry.” Is again all she can offer while she embraces him.

Willow meanwhile, has had all the trust she never had in the two drained from her. She scrambles to her feet and darts off, not wanting to be anywhere near them, and especially not Roxy. She can feel someone’s eyes following her momentarily, probably Monty’s, before she gets out.

It doesn’t concern her for long though as she sprints through the atrium and to the doors of Bonnie Bowl, bursting in.

“Bonnie!” She shouts, sprinting around looking for him, even going back behind the stage where they had hid before.

She exits again, lungs screaming from the exhaustion of crying and her running, but she ignores it. In her eyes there is something far more important to find.

Eventually though, she’s forced to pause her search to catch her breath. It’s then that she sees scuff marks that had not been there last time she was. They are accompanied by scraps of brightly colored metal. Purple, pink, blue .

Feeling increasingly desperate, Willow follows the scuff marks on the floor, which lead her most of the way to the stairs to the actual bowling alleys before trailing off.

“Bonnie?” She calls again to him, receiving, again, nothing in return.

She goes down the stairs, looking for anything more. She wanders down the whole line of alleys, eyes running right over smaller marks in the floor without registering them. At the end of the lanes she stops, defeated, and collapses to the floor, sobbing.

Tonight was supposed to be fun! Why?-

Something jerks to life behind her, making her jump at the sounds. A spark of hope lights within her, and then is just as quickly put back out when she sees the little wet floor bot rolling up to her. 

It puts its head on her side, as if trying to comfort her from her sobs. Really all it does is show her the little blue star sticker on the side of its head.

Resentment building, Willow speaks to the thing. “What.” She demands

It backs up slightly and spins around, then stops and looks at her.

“…Yeah?” She raises a brow at it, now intrigued as to what it’s even trying to do.

It turns and attempts to wheel down the alley she had stopped in front of, pretty much immediately losing traction and spinning out, landing on its back on the next alley over.

Willow can’t help the smile on her face while she giggles at the little bot’s shenanigans. She gets up and follows it, setting it back upright.

It spins at her with gratitude, and again loses control. When it stops, again on its back, it somehow manages to look like it’s pouting.

Willow sets it back up. “That doesn’t seem to be working bud.” She laughs at it.

It turns and runs into her leg, and then stares at it. For a wet floor bot this thing is incredibly expressive, as it looks confused.

“What?” She asks, head tilting a little at it.

It tries again to move, and ends up right back at the beginning of the lane, it still looks beyond confused, looking around as if questioning how it got there again.

“Where are you trying to get bud?” She wanders back over to where it sits, and it looks behind her, seemingly just at the wall behind the alley itself. “What’s over there?”

It spins at her, and she gives a small shrug and carefully walks down the length of the alley to the wall. The wet floor bot tries to follow her, only to quickly topple onto its face again.

“I don’t see anything over here.” She says to it, picking it back up and helping it to get to the wall, hoping maybe if she does it’ll be able to show her what it was trying to do.

It gives her a nod of thanks and then looks down, scooting forward and putting its short little ears in a gap behind the poster in front of them. Then, it backs up and looks to her expectantly.

“Down there?” She asks, putting a hand behind the poster. Again it nods, and she moves to try and get behind it. She has no idea why she’s listening to it, but she’s tired and has nothing better to do at the moment.

Willow manages to pop open a section of the wall, shoving the poster out of the way so she can crawl through. The little yellow bot follows, it’s brightly gowling eyes lighting the way as it nudges her onwards. Again, without really understanding why, she goes where it’s trying to get her to.

And then she understands. There, laying on the floor motionless, is Bonnie.

“Bonnie!” She shouts, running over to him and dropping to her knees at his side. The rabbit’s eyes follow her as she does, looking upset.

She puts a hand on his arm, shaking him desperately. “ Bonnie? ” She begs. She wants him to speak to her, to move, anything.

Instead what she gets is the wet floor bot rolling up to her and bonking its head against her arm. 

Willow leans away from the touch, wrapping her arms around what’s left of the metallic rabbit. Eventually she takes her arms back, opting to curl up on him and cry like that instead. She finds she’s cried so hard so long tonight that her head has started to hurt.

Does that stop her? No. No it does not.

She does look back up at the wet floor bot though, and it spins at her once. She stares back sadly, tears still draining down her face. It comes up to her and gently nudges her after a moment or two of them staring at each other.

“What?” She mutters.

It only looks at her, head tilted a little bit. It seems to think that the answer was obvious. But Willow still doesn’t get it, so she reaches out and pats its head. “Thank you for bringing me here, at least.” If nothing else, it does bring her a little closure.

It nods at her.

“How did you even know he was here?” She asks, sniffling and wiping a hand across her face to try and clear the tears from her skin.

The little bot looks down at Bonnie, then back at her.

“Right, can’t talk.” She laughs a little at herself. It probably just saw what happened and heard her looking for him. “Thanks either way.” She reaches out and pats its head again, which it accepts with a nod of acknowledgment.

By the time WIllow takes her hand back, she’s decided to just curl up next to Bonnie and stay here until she has to go, and so that’s exactly what she does. She’s upset and tired; and she wouldn’t admit it, not even to herself, but pretty deep in denial as well.

All three sit there until shortly before opening, when the wet floor bot again rolls up to Willow and nudges her.

“Hm?” Willow hums quietly, lifting her head and looking up at it. It turns and looks towards the exit to the room, and Willow gets a sinking feeling in her stomach. “Oh- Is that facility open?” She asks it.

The bot hesitates slightly before nodding.

Willow pushes herself up, and looks back at Bonnie. “I- Need to go then-” She mumbles to him. She doesn’t want to, just like she doesn’t want to think about the little pieces of debris caught in her hair from laying next to him all night.

Bonnie’s eyes flick towards the way she came in, like he’s trying to tell her to go.

“I don’t want to leave you here.” She protests stubbornly.

The wet floor bot nudges her towards the exit, and she goes with it, if hesitantly.

“Maybe I can find someone to help before I leave?-” She tries, still looking back at the room as a whole.

The wet floor bot stops for a second, seeming shocked or confused, and then quickly shakes its head and simply pushes her away again. 

Willow again lets it push her. “They won’t be able to fix him if I don’t get help.” She scolds it. Normally she would question how the hell she’s losing an argument to a wet floor bot, but right now she’s a little too tired for that. Maybe that’s why she’s letting it win.

Once outside the bot leads her to the base of the stairs, unable to take her any farther. When they get there Willow stops, and kneels to hug the wet floor bot. She doesn’t know why it’s acting the way it is, but she figures one way or another it’s connected to Bonnie, and that’s enough for her. It bonks its head against her shoulder when she does, and she leans back, patting its head. “Please make sure he’s ok, I don’t want him to just stay back there.” She requests.

It nods, an empty promise; and she knows that, but she takes it.

“Thank you.” She hugs it again, and once more it bonks her shoulder. When she lets go it spins at her, and she pats it on the head again, a small smile on her lips.

It nudges her away again then, and she hesitates. “He better be ok, or I’m going to be sad when I come back.” She threatens, and it pushes her towards the stairs again, giving a small nod, somehow seeming almost dismissive.

“Thank you.” She sighs, forcing herself to take that as good enough. It bonks her on the leg and then spins at her. Willow assumes that was its way of saying goodbye, maybe waving?

Either way, she swallows her nerves and leaves it alone, giving it a final wave on her way out of the building.

Chapter Text

Lara walks into Mazercise. It’s mostly empty, no crowds to hide in, and no one to see her hide here.

Really, she’s happy about how quiet it is in here, she wants to be left alone tonight. So here she is, wandering the brightly colored maze, hands stuffed into her skirts pockets and eyes transfixed on the floor.

Then, footsteps from out of sight. Lara panics, is it an adult? Chica? Crap.

She skitters away quickly, scrambling into the first hiding place she sees, which so happens to be a vent in the wall.

“Hello?” A voice calls. It is Chica, and it seems she heard her.

The little girl stays quiet, fearful and shaking. Her earrings and hair ties clatter against the metal of the vents, but she’s so focused on the animatronic that’s now looking for her that she doesn’t hear it.

A few seconds of tense hiding later, Chica appears at the mouth of the vent and crouches down, a gentle and kind look on her face; not that it does much to ease Lara’s fears. “It’s alright pumpkin, it’s just me.” She says.

Lara only stares, wide eyed, and scoots further into the vent and away from the chicken.

“You can come out, it’s alright.” She reassures her, moving a little and nodding to the open space at her side.

Lara takes a shaking breath, gathering her courage to speak. “ Am I in trouble? -” She asks, sounding far smaller than she had wanted to.

She shakes her head no. “Of course not sugar, I just want to make sure you’re ok.”

“Ok-” The little girl nods, slowly inching her way out of the vent. Chica extends a hand to her, which she reaches for hesitantly.

“What are you doing in the maze so late? We’re going to be closing in a bit.” Chica inquires calmly, still waiting for Lara to come the rest of the way out.

“Yeah I- just…” She takes a breath, glancing down. “Don’t wanna be outside anymore..” She sighs. It’s cold out there, uncomfortable, and unsafe. She'd rather be here, no matter how paranoid of being found it makes her.

“What do you mean?” The chicken asks, face twisting with sudden concern.

“I don’t have anywhere to go and it’s safe here.” Lara deadpans in response, still avoiding looking her in the eye.

Chica can’t help but silently question if it is before she dares to speak again. “Oh lovebug I’m sorry, did you come here with anyone else?”

She shakes her head, blonde pigtails hitting her lightly on the cheeks while they sway.

Chica gives a short nod and puts on a soft smile. “Alright, let’s get you somewhere better to stay than the maze, ok?”

“Ok.” Lara agrees quietly.

Chica gently places her other hand atop Lara’s. “We’re gonna go back to my room, that’ll at least be more comfortable for you.”

Lara clings to her arm now, having decided Chica is alright and not scary anymore. “Alright.” She agrees, and that’s all Chica needs to scoop the little girl up into her arms and carry her off back to rockstar row.

She has to walk by everyone’s rooms. Including his . It hurts, and nobody’s even seen Monty since it was announced he’d take his place in the band…

“You can stay here as long as you need to cupcake.” Chica mutters as they arrive, setting Lara down on her couch and sitting with her.

“Thank you.” Lara acknowledges, still clinging to her.

“Of course lovebug.” Chica gives her a smile, and for a moment contemplates what to do. She decides quickly to bring Foxy in, she really just needs someone to talk to right now.

Chica> Foxy I have a bit of a situation in my room, do you mind running down here and helping?

Foxy> Sure! I’m on my way!

Chica> Thank you! You’re the best

Relief finds her and she sinks a little into the couch, wrapping an arm around Lara while they wait. The little girl hugs her, clearly a little sluggish and tired. Chica reaches for a pulls a blanket over for Lara, placing it on top of her.

Its then that Foxy arrives, striding easily into the room and greeting her. “Hey Ch- Oh, what?-” He’s caught pretty off guard by Lara’s presence, having to pause momentarily to recover.

“Yeah- I found her in the maze.” She explains briskly, meeting his eye while she comes over to sit down with them.

“Oh that… Oh, well then.” He sighs, sitting down with the two of them on the couch. Lara scoots away and closer to Chica without a word.

“It’s alright cupcake, he’s here to help.” She reassures the little girl, hugging her. Lara still doesn’t seem quite satisfied with it, but looks like she’s at least accepted it. Chica pats her head lightly and turns her attention back to her friend. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with her once the facility opens.” She tells him.

The little fox tilts his head at her, confused. “What do you mean?”

“She doesn’t have anywhere to go, and she came here alone.”

“Oh.” Foxy glances at the girl, who is half asleep on Chica at that moment, feeling sorry for her. He wants to point out that she shouldn’t stay here, but he’s sure Chica already knows that; and why.

Chica motions to his side at the pillow in the corner of the couch, and he grabs it and hands it to her. “I can’t leave her here during the day, I don’t want her to have to deal with security.” She mutters, placing the pillow under Lara’s head.

“Aye, that’s not great.” He agrees quickly with a nod. It’s nice to have him to talk to, he always seems to understand.

“I could try to find a guest pass but even then, she can’t just stay here.” She shakes her head, looking the other way; at the window looking out at rockstar row. 

Chica runs her hand through the loose hairs that had escaped Lara’s pigtails, she’s completely asleep by now, laying there peacefully. “I don’t know what to do with her.” She sighs aloud, still not looking back, and missing the sudden distress on her friend’s face.

“I- Need to go-” Suddenly Foxy is up and headed for the door, grabbing Chica’s attention back in his direction.

“Is everything alright?”

“No-” He mumbles, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Chica gets up to follow him, making sure to not wake Lara when she does and leaning her against the couch. “Foxy, what’s up?” She asks once outside of the room with him. She receives no response, so she reaches out to him and tries again. “What’s wrong?” She asks gently.

Chica doesn’t really get the time to think about what happens next when he whips around, snarling. She jumps back and holds the door shut behind her back. “Foxy!-”

There’s a glint of red in his eyes, she knows that. She’s seen it before. She knows it’s not good, but not a whole lot more.

He continues to try and get into the room. He wants to get to Lara. “Absolutely not.” She deadpans, making damn sure she’s directly between the fox and the door.

Only a moment later his violence is aimed at her, and he attacks her. She just takes it, making sure he stays out. It doesn’t take long for him to give up because she didn’t, and he stalks off and out of sight.

Chica quickly reenters the room, again shutting the door behind her.

Lara is awake, presumably because of all the noise; and more than that, she looks terrified. “Chica!” She jumps up from the couch and runs over to her.

“Sorry sugar, did I wake you up?” Chica mumbles, hugging the little girl.

She gives a small, shaky nod. “Yeah- What-.. Happened?-”

“I’m not sure lovebug.” Chica shakes her head and sighs, going to move something in front of the door so it’s blocked shut.

Lara’s panicked breathing makes it clear the poor kid is on the verge of tears as she clings tightly to her.

Again She hugs the girl. “It’s gonna be alright.”

“I’m scared-” She mumbles.

“I know cupcake, nothing’s going to hurt you, I promise.” She squeezes her a little, a tiny act of reassurance. She’s shaking badly, still unable to really get anything out. “You’re alright.” Chica whispers, running a hand through her much messier hair.

Lara nods, though still shaking quite badly.

Chica picks her up, walking over to the couch and sitting back down, this time with to real intention of bringing anyone else in. Lara’s only around six, she shouldn’t have to deal with any of this.

“You’re going to be alright,” Restateing what she’s already said is really all she can offer, so she does. “I promise nothing will get you as long as I’m here.”

“Thank you-” Lara buries her face in Chica’s shoulder.

“Of course cupcake.”

Both sit in silence for a beat, hugging, before Lara speaks up again. “Am I gonna have to go in the morning?...” She asks, seeming sad, but still retaining that hint of childish hope under it.

“No, sugar, I’ll figure out something we can do.” She makes a quick decision. She feels responsible for Lara. The girl doesn’t have anyone else anyways, and she trusts her.

“Yay!” The little girl perks up instantly at the answer.

Chica wraps her into another hug, doing her best to hide the general panic of trying to figure out what exactly she’s going to do. “I’m gonna make sure you’re ok.” That she’s sure of. There’s no way she’s going to let anything happen to this kid.

“Thank you.”

She releases her from the hug, a soft smile on her beak. “Of course sugar.” She has to pause for a moment before continuing. “We can figure out what to do with security in the morning.”

Lara sits back slightly, giving a nod. “And you’re gonna be ok?” She asks, worried, though Chica has a feeling she’s worried about just about everything right now.

“Of course.” 

“Ok, good.” Lara leans forward and hugs her again.

She hugs her back. “Don’t worry about me lovebug, I’ll be ok.” Chica pulls a blanket over her, and pats her head. “Try not to stay up all night, cupcake.”

“Ok-” She nods, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.

Without another word, Chica grabs the same pillow as before and gives it to Lara. This time though she’s stubborn and moves, letting it fall away and leaning back onto Chica. She really doesn’t have much of a choice but to watch over her as she drifts back off to sleep, not that she minds it though.