Chapter Text
Survive until 6am
The longest six hours of Gregory’s entire life. And he could safely say he’s endured troubling stuff. Cold bridges, Weirdos in parks. That darn seagull who kept hopping around him all because he dropped ONE chip—
Suffice to say, this night had beat that for him and will likely never be beaten. Even though he had beaten that Princess Quest game. Something boiled in his stomach as he walked towards the entrance. Everything was offline nothing was gonna hurt him. Nothing. Yet the worry still echoed in his mind. A part of him wanted to check the place one last time. Maybe he’d find a fizzy drink, a spare body for Freddy- Oh. Yeah. His eyes curiously peeked downwards to the animatronics head. He looked so happy, despite being just a head. What if his nose began to itch? Wait. Robots can’t itch. Think about something else. The slow steps down the escalator weighed heavy on his tired body. He would give anything to collapse into a bed. Heck, even his little alley box sounded comfy right now-
“Gregory.” Ah. He should respond to Freddy. His new forever best friend. Honestly no one could even begin to stand up to the glory that was his head-only friend. And the guy can’t even stand!
“Gregory?”
“Yes Freddy?” His voice finally speaks out. Cracking slightly. It hurt to talk. The night having put his vocal cords to the test with how much yelling he was doing.
“You did great, Superstar! You survived the whole night and even stopped this horrid event from continuing!” If he could smile, Gregory is sure he’d seen the most dad approval like grin ever. It causes him to subconsciously smile as well. “W-well. I couldn’t have done it without you. So I think YOURE the superstar in this scene… uh. Thing. Yes.” He’ll learn that word later (scenario)
“You’re making me feel the need to blush Gregory!” Freddy says in an excited tone. His ears doing a funny little wiggle. So alive like for a robotic being.
He fixes the bag Freddy’s head was in. And pushed the gate towards the front entrance open. His eyes peeking up at the sign that says “come back soon” on it. Yeah… he’s gonna pass for awhile. And then he sees it. Or… her.
Vanny she’s come to finish the jo-
Vanessa. The night guard. Who looked tired, but much more guilty. No creepy mask with red eyes, but still wearing half a bunny suit. It made Gregory cringe. He keeps his distance from the other. But when they finally lock eyes it’s quiet for a moment.
“We should-
“You’re not-“
“Hungry?”
Three voices blurted something out all at once. And Vanessa recoils, green eyes squinting in an expression Gregory couldn’t quite explain, but if told so he’d say something along the lines of it being a frown that a question mark would use.
Soon it soothes out to a tired expression, and Vanessa takes the initiative, a hand raises to rub at her forehead while she talks. “Look I- have so much I want to say and do. I could sit here for hours speaking about it all. But if I spend another minute in this place I may just violently vomit-“
“Ew-“
“Very much ew Gregory.”
“Okay. Won’t use that word. Especially since I was trying to offer something to eat.” Vanessa says. “We… should talk.”
“I was gonna suggest that.” Freddy said, and Gregory pats him in a comforting gesture. He makes a sound akin to a happy… bear? Gregory eyes the other up and down. His foot tapping the ground like he was getting ready to run, but he had to calm down. This wasn’t Vanny. This was Vanessa abs she offering food. Which… “I’ll… only if it’s ice cream.” Gregory finally says. And Vanessa gives a slight laugh off to the side. “Fine. But, drive through. I don’t wanna sit in a place that resembles anything like a restaurant or mall for another minute. We could talk on the way to your parents-“
Gregory tenses at that. And he diverts his eyes. His parents. If anything like that was planning to come and get him. He wouldn’t of been meeting just Vanessa. Speaking of, she was giving him a look. An almost knowing look. Like it clicked in her brain. A detective finding the evidence to a case.
“Or, we go to my place. I’m sure a shower could do us all good. Well, except for Freddy of course-“
“Oh. I could join a shower! I’m water resistant!”
Gregory blinks at that. And he gives a slight chuckle at it all. And Vanessa joins him. Covering her face as she tiredly laughed with him.
“What. Was it something I said?” Freddy pipes up again. And Vanessa pushes open the doors to the restaurant. “Ice cream and a talk.” She says. And Gregory slowly follows after. Inhaling deeply as he felt the cool morning air hit his lungs. Replacing the smell of polished tiles and dirty undergrounds from his nose.
A short drive with an icy stop later. They’re in a run down apartment. And it was honestly better than Gregory’s place he called home. Vanessa fixes up the couch to make it look somewhat less like a mess and Freddy is finally freed from his baggy world. Set down on Gregory’s lap as he sits down. And Vanessa sits in a chair. Leaning back as she flips the cone around in her hand. She looks lost. Like she wanted to ask questions but didn’t know where to start. So Gregory takes this opportunity to start instead.
“You’re not… her anymore. Are you?” Gregory asked. And he still winced. Despite not directly saying her name. It still invoked something. When Vanessa cringed at that. But she shook her head. “No. I… you saved me from that. Which- okay let’s start there. Thank you. I don’t know how you even did it but-“
“Princess Quest Trilogy,,,”
“What? You know what. Just- thank you. Without you. I would’ve still been…her. And done worse.” She glances down at the ice cream. Then back up at him. “… I’m also sorry for putting you through that. No kid should…”
“It’s…” he bites his lip. Should he say it’s fine. That’s it’s okay that she tried to murder him? Somehow this is becoming the hardest part of this day. Talking about the event. “It’s fine.” He finally says with a relenting tone. “You were… her and you couldn’t help it. I understand and Freddy does too.” At the mention of his name, Freddy makes a notion like he’s trying to nod his head. Then finally speaks up when the best he can do is wiggle his ears. “Yeah! And you’ve even supplied us with ice cream at the end of it all! I say we have reached the best possible outcome!” So enthusiastic as always. Gregory peeks a look at Vanessa. Who gives that question mark frown face again. Then her shoulders relax.
“Well. Once you’re done with your ice cream. You can take a shower. And I have bandages in case you have any cuts and what not. I’d have for you to get sick from all that.” Vanessa grunts. “Once you turn that corner there’s two rooms. Pick the door on the left. It’s the bathroom. That right room is a spare bedroom. But, there’s nothing like a bed in there so you can have mine until I…” she cringes again. Foot tapping on the ground, “until I can get in contact with either your parents or legal guardians.” There it is again. Parents. But now with a new edge, legal guardians!
Gregory kicks his legs a little. Nodding slowly. “Thank you. Va-“ he tenses.
“Vanessa. It’s Vanessa.” She says quickly, nearly biting her tongue at how fast she spoke out.
“Thank you Vanessa.” He said. Beginning to eat at the melting ice cream. The problems can wait for now. Gregory knew the trio needed a much needed breath.