Work Text:
It was quiet in the megaplex. Quieter than it normally was after closing. The usual bustle of teenage employees and the sanitation bots had disappeared, leaving only the ambient noise of the smattering of arcades that populated the area by the atrium, and the barely audible chatter that Roxy and Freddy produced from across the seating area.
Monty rumbled to himself, tail flicking slightly as he walked.
The alligator was all too aware as to why it was as quiet as it was today.
He’d snapped at a child.
Again.
They’d asked about Bonnie.
They always asked about Bonnie.
Always the rabbit, and never him.
It had been bad compared to his other outbursts. He’d growled and pulled back his lips, revealing his rows of glittering white teeth. He’d loomed over the child, a young scrappy looking boy, maybe ten from his height and voice. The child's pupils had thinned in fear and the boy had scrambled away, yowling for his parents.
The gator had felt instant regret of course, and had been thoroughly scolded, but that didn’t reduce the guilt that gnawed at his insides.
Monty bit back a snarl, and forced himself to keep his gaze down. He didn’t want to deal with Roxy or Freddy if he met their gazes. He had a place to be and he knew any interruptions to that would make him snap.
He wouldn’t snap in an aggressive manner, but in a panicked manner, and Monty didn’t know if he could live that down.
The gator was happy that their rooms were close to the atrium. He could barely contain his emotions. They were eating at him, whittling away at his insides like maggots to freshly dead flesh.
Monty passed his own room, and instead went to the door farthest down, not even bothering to knock. The inhabitant wouldn’t care if he entered without them knowing.
“Hey handsome.” Chica purred as he entered her room, tilting her head and studying him. Her pale blue eyes still held excitement, and the curiosity that she always carried. Monty loved that about her. No matter the situation or how she felt, she always wanted to know more.
Monty walked to the couch and collapsed to his knees before the hen, laying his snout across her lap without saying anything.
Chica clucked in concern and set down the book she was reading. Monty was able to squint and see the looping golden text that decorated the cover.
‘Grimm’s Complete Collection of Fairy Tales’.
One of the books the gator had managed to convince a mechanic to get him for her. She’d probably read it almost a hundred times. Her favorite was ‘Cinderella’. She’d loved that story even before she’d gotten the book.
“Oh dear- What’s wrong?”
Monty didn’t speak, but whined softly, the noise catching in his vocal processor. The gator could feel moisture prick at the corner of his optics, sending a bolt of shame through his frame.
You have no reason to be crying.
Not with what you’ve done.
“Hey there, you’re alright sugar.” Chica murmured, softly running a hand through the alligator's red hair.
“Don’ feel a’right.” Monty rasped out, leaning into the hen’s tender touch.
“That’s fine. I’ll help you feel alright then.”
The couple stayed quiet for a moment, the only noise being that of their mechanical breathing and their mechanisms quietly shifting. The silence was interrupted by a drawn out whining noise that came from Monty.
The alligator’s indigo claws dug into the fabric of the couch, leaving small holes in the pinkish leather.
“You’re doing your best, darling, and that’s all you can do.” Chica consoled, rubbing soft circles into the base of the reptile's neck.
“Ah’ threatened a child-”
“We all make mistakes.”
You don’t.
You're perfect in every way.
“Ah’ve made too many mistakes... Ah don’ deserve what yer givin’.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, but you haven’t made too many mistakes. You deserve everything I give you. You deserve love.”
Chica pulled the alligator close and hugged him tightly, resting her chin on one of his purple shoulder pads. The reptile hissed halfheartedly and tried to pull away, to no avail.
“Uh, uh, uh. You’re going nowhere mister. You’re getting cuddles and snuggles whether you want them or not.” The hen murmured, repeatedly tapping her beak against Monty’s forehead and cheeks, in her version of a kiss.
“Stahp that-”
“No. I’m assertively showing you affection.”
Monty huffed, pulling away and growling.
“Don’ deserve that. Not after t’day.”
“According to me you do, now come back here. If you’re comfortable that is. Oh dear- Did I push your boundaries? I’m so, so sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“No! No, you're fine. Ah’ just…”
“Okay. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“Ah…” Monty trailed off, tail lashing. “Why do y’ even care ‘bout me? You're so… So perfect and great, and I- I threaten’ kids, and replaced one ‘f your close friends, and…”
“Oh, Monty… I could never not care for you, sweetheart.”
“Y’say that, but-”
“Are you implying that you know my own thoughts better than I do?”
“No, but-”
“Monty. Darling, shhhh… No excuses.”
The alligator mumbled something inaudibly, magenta eyes downcast. Chica hummed softly, and reached out towards the male animatronic, softly gripping his bottom jaw and running her thumb over his lips.
“C’mon, can you look up for me? Let me see those pretty eyes of yours.”
The alligator begrudgingly looked up, still frowning.
“There’s my big sweet gator. Love your eyes so much. They're so darn pretty. Such a pretty gator. My pretty gator.” The hen cooed, resting her head atop of Monty’s. She could see the reptile’s tail wag slowly from the corner of her eye and she hummed softly, satisfied in their embrace.
Chica mischievously peppered a collection of ‘kisses’ across Monty’s head, ending with a soft peck to his lips, pulling a purr from the gator.
Monty grumbled lightly at the affection, halfheartedly swatting at the hen with sheathed claws.
“Hmph. That’s rude of you. I think I’ll keep you here all night since you seem dead set on being a twerp.”
“Ah’ can’t do that, firefly.”
“Nonsense. I have some extension cords tucked over by my vanity, so we can even cuddle here on the couch. You can’t lie to me. You’re a very cuddly gator, and I plan on taking advantage of that.”
“Ah’ dunno, cher…”
Chica tugged Monty onto the couch, forcing him to sit next to her, his larger frame looming over her awkwardly.
“Firefly, ah’ can’t-”
“Shhh… It won’t hurt you to stay here for the night. Besides, I think we both need it.” The hen whispered, wrapping her arms around the gator’s thick neck and pulling him down.
“Seems like y’re tryin’ to do more th’n cuddle, firefly.” The gator purred in amusement, tail flicking slowly.
“Why I- Ugh, you pervert. Maybe I should just kick you out…”
“Wait, wait, wait- No-”
Monty rumbled and pulled Chica to his chest, tucking his head under the hen’s and shifting until he was curled around her, holding her firmly.
“I’m not kicking you out, you drama queen.” The bird murmured, pecking his lips with a giggle.
“Thanks.” The gator mumbled against her neck, nuzzling her softly.
“For what? Not kicking you out? I wouldn’t have anyways. I was just kidding around.”
“Nah, na’ that. Being here. Ah… Ah’m happy yer here.”
“Aww, I’m happy you’re here too you big sap.”
Chica nuzzled Monty’s cheek with her own and trilled happily at the soft bellow the gator made.
“I’ll always be here for you, Monty. Always.”