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Gregory giggled softly as he hid behind a couch in the atrium, slowly peeking around the corner.
That was odd... where was he? He could've sworn he was just there-
"I got you, Superstar!"
Suddenly, Gregory was picked up and being held hostage in a strong pair of brightly colored orange arms.
"Nooo! I was so close!" The boy complained, lightly hitting his fists against a metal chest.
Freddy chuckled, not fazed by the hits even the slightest. "You were, but I saw you move out of the corner of my eye!"
Gregory pouted, folding his arms over his chest and glaring up at the bear. "No fair."
"On the contrary. I believe it is fair, since you have the smaller size to hide and the speed to run away. I never would have caught you if I did not see you!" The bear's ears wiggled. "And besides, I have something to give you, and I could not wait any longer!"
His glare immediately became a look of surprise, before it turned into one of excitement. "Really?!"
He nodded. "But... if you do not want to stop our game, then I suppose I can wait for-"
"No, no! I wanna know what it is! We can play later!" The boy bounced slightly in his arms.
Freddy chuckled, setting him down. "Alright then! Your gift is in my greenroom, so let us head there now."
He nodded enthusiastically, grabbing the bear's hand and practically dragging him towards his room.
-
After what felt like forever to Gregory, they finally reached Freddy's greenroom.
The bear opened his door for him, and the boy rushed in, looking around in excitement for anything new or what looked like a present.
Yet... he didn't see anything.
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and he turned back to the animatronic standing by the door, tilting his head in silent question.
Freddy grinned and pointed to the edge of his couch.
Gregory went to end of the red sofa, seeing that there was something hidden behind it.
He grabbed the fabric, feeling the soft material with his hands, before realizing there was more.
Underneath the blanket that he pulled off and set on the couch, there was a plushie, a small figurine of Freddy, and what looked to be a picture frame, but it was turned so that the front was facing the floor.
He picked up the plushie and figurine, looking back and forth at them with a growimg smile.
"I thought you might like those." Freddy smiled. "They are limited edition and they just came into the shops."
Gregory turned to him, grinning. "They're awesome! Thanks, Freddy!"
The bear chuckled, walking over and grabbing the picture frame on the floor, showing it to him. "There is one more thing you missed, Superstar..."
Gregory gasped when he saw the picture, his new plushie and figurine clattering to the floor, when he covered his mouth.
It was a picture of him and Freddy they had taken together while decorating a Christmas tree in the Pizzaplex.
Freddy was lifting Gregory up so he could put the star on top of the tree, an excited grin on his own face, and a proud smile on the bear's.
But that wasn't what made tears threaten to fall...
It was how the picture frame was decorated.
It was decorated with glitter glue, and a few stickers around the edges.
But...
The base had the words 'Cub's first Christmas!' written on it.
"I... I hope you do not mind the words..." Freddy told him, ears lowering in worry that he may have upset the boy. "We can make another one if you do not like-"
"No..."
"No what, Gregory? ...You do not like it?" The bear asked in concern.
"What?" Gregory looked up at him, frantically wiping at his eyes to get rid of any trace of tears. "No! No, I really do like it, Freddy!"
He laughed wetly, looking back at the picture. "I just... I didn't know you see me like that..."
"Of course, I do, Superstar... I am sorry, I thought you knew that I see you as my son... you are the joy of my life, Gregory... since... since the first night I met you, I have seen something special in you... and I want to protect that in you and give you everything you deserve in your young life." Freddy told him earnestly. "I-"
A sniffle cut him off, and his ears went high on his head as he stared at the boy. "Gregory?"
"Th- thank you, Freddy..." The boy looked up at him with teary eyes. "Thank you so much."
Before the bear knew it, the child lurched forward, wrapping his small arms around him as far as they could go, and burying his face in his chest with a soft sob. "Th... thank you."
Freddy softened, gently setting the picture frame on his table, and wrapping his arms tenderly around the boy and holding him close.
"Shh... it is okay..." He soothed, cradling the back of his head. "It is okay... I have got you."
The bear picked up the figurine that was on the floor, setting it on his table beside the picture.
He then picked up Gregory's plushie, before standing with the boy himself in his arms, and moving to sit on his couch, keeping the child in his lap.
Gregory sniffled and cried weakly. "I- I'm sorry, Freddy..."
The bear shook his head gently. "Do not apologize for crying, Superstar... just rest."
The boy didn't complain when Freddy grabbed the blanket that was previously put on the couch, and draped it over them both.
All he did was snuggle closer, resting his cheek against the bear's chest as he felt warmth surround him.
"Goodnight, Gregory..." Freddy cooed, never letting him go once.
The boy let his eyes slip closed, and he sighed shakily with a sniffle. "Merry Christmas, Dad... goodnight."
The last thing he felt was a snout against his forehead, presumably the animatronic version of a kiss, followed by a hand stroking through his hair. "Merry Christmas, cub... I love you..." The bear added softly.
And that was how he fell asleep... cuddled close to his newfound dad who loved him very much.