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"Soon may the Wellerman come, to bring us sugar an' tea an' rum~. One day, when the tonguin' is done, We'll take our leave and go~!"
Foxy hummed joyously as he was carrying a bag of things back to his hideout. Just some small trinkets he thought could make for a good project. He had to pry some out of the hands of those banshees. One of them even attacked him as he jerked it out of its grasp. But he managed to subdue it with some swings of his hook.
When he made it inside, he put it all down and immediately got to work. He had found a necklace chain and some iron wire that he thought could be used to make a nice charm necklace. He also found some nice little decoration pieces, most likely broken off from old discarded furniture. He found an adorable spiraling sun that immediately got him thinking of Sunny. He just had to make him something out of it!
But that made him feel bad for Moon, so he searched everywhere for something that would suit him. He eventually found what looked like a ball out of resin, filled with shiny star cutouts. He didn't have another necklace chain, so decided to make a ring out of it.
It was a little difficult making these things with one hand and a hook, but he had done it long enough to where it was no longer an obstacle. When he was done, he was so excited to give them these new gifts! He couldn't wait to see their shining faces again! It had been a while since they last visited, so he had gotten a little lonely. But he knew that they had their hands full with the kids and the… other humans. So he didn't hold it against them.
He was heading out of the sewers with his gifts in his pocket, walking in the direction of the daycare. He remembered the route from the first time. It was no issue navigating.
But… When he got to the daycare, he was left confused.
It was dark, which was normal because that apparently happens sometimes. But the play equipment had been covered with some plastic crap and all the stuff that used to lay strewn about was either put away or nearly stacked against the wall. He walked over to the ball pit and saw that that too was empty.
The hell be going on here? This place looked so much more full of life last time I was here. Are they deep cleaning the deck or something here?
He was thinking as he kept wandering, heading over towards the door to their room. Maybe they were charging or doing something else. Hopefully not Sun getting friendly with his boyfriend. Or so help him…
He reached the door and was shocked as he saw it looking pretty busted and abused. The handle was hanging loose and there were signs of something slamming into it.
He pushed the door open and peeked inside, seeing everything looking about the same as last time. Only with a fresh layer of dust on it. Not too thick, but enough to be a little concerning.
What in the seven seas be going on here? Why do it be looking like no one's lived here for eons? Where are my crew?
He turned to leave, figuring they must be around here somewhere.
*~*~*
The fox had no idea where he was anymore.
He had wandered around in an attempt to find someone. Anyone at this point. But he just ended up getting lost in some sort of colorful nightmare maze. Why was this place so confusing?! If only he had a map.
It felt… kind of empty. He wasn't sure if it usually was this dead at that time of day, but it felt kind of unnatural. Shouldn't there be, like, security guards or something??? Employees of any kind??? Sure, he hated all these humans, but he didn't wish for them all to up and disappear… often…
His ears twitched as he thought he heard something. It sounded like the clacking of metal segments moving. Which meant it must be another animatronic! Perfect! Someone who could help him! He rushed over towards the sound, navigating his way out of the maze surprisingly fast. He saw… one of those banshees, but they looked much more clean and tidy and less creepy. Perhaps this is what those things originated from.
"Ahoy!" He called out and waved his hook in the air. The robot turned and looked over at Foxy. They were either shocked by him or just confused. Hard to tell. But they soon started approaching him as he continued waving.
"Yar, buddy! Help a sea dog out an' tell me where -"
"HI. PLEASE TAKE THIS MAP."
They cut him off sharply, then extended their hand towards him in an offering gesture. What they were holding was, presumably, a map of the place. Perfect! Just what he needed! He snatched it out of their hand and grinned.
"YAR! T'ank ye, bucko! This be a life saver! Ye rescued this pirate's tail!"
The robot looked at him quietly before saying, "FREE MAP."
"Why, how generous! Ye be a real treasure to this ol' fox! An' wit' so many maps, ye must be a fellow adventurer. I can tell by ye darin', devilish charm!"
They just kept staring at him, not really making any further comment and not reacting to that compliment. Foxy's confidence wavered and his grin turned awkward quickly.
"Uhm… Ye know… like uh…"
"This is painful to watch."
Foxy directed his attention upwards, towards the voice. He knew who that was as soon as they spoke.
"Moon matey! Just the man I've been searching fer!"
Moon was hanging from one of the lamps, arms crossed as he observed the two bots. But he quickly dropped down beside them and looked towards map bot.
"You better skidaddle. My friend here is a bit old fashioned and you don't want to hear him flirting" he told them with a cheeky smirk, making them immediately tense up and roll off with another 'free map' muttered.
"C'mon, lad. Ye have to deny this pirate any potential date?"
"Ok, Casanova. Calm down. Map bot is barely sentient. At least go for one of the other staff bots."
Foxy just rolled his eyes before he changed the subject. "Anyways. I came out here to show ye the treasure I got for the two of you!"
Moon made a curious sound as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the handmade accessories for him. The lunar bot leaned down and looked at them, gently taking them from him for a closer inspection.
"You… Did you make these?"
"Arrrg… that obvious?"
"Kinda… how did you do it? They look really nice."
"T'anks, lad! It took me-"
Moon suddenly gasped and tensed up. It kinda scared Foxy, as nothing had happened to cause a reaction like that. He didn't even hear Sun make a comment or anything. Which… he only then realized was really odd. Why was Sun being so quiet?
"Yar? What be the matter, matey?"
"Oh no! Oh fuck! I lost track of time! I have to leave, right now! Before the lights turn on!"
"Huh? What ye mean, lad? Somet'ing be wrong?" Now he was getting really concerned. What had Moon going all jittery? Did it relate to Sun's absence?
"I don't have time to explain! I have to hurry to-" he heard a faint buzz above him, making his shoulders drop in realization. Foxy walked over and put a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down. But the attendant simply gripped his arm and looked at him, his voice turning very serious.
"Listen. When Sun becomes active, just help him get to Monty's room, ok? Don't question him! Just help him!"
"Wh-what? I don't… understand what…"
With a loud flash, the lights turned on above them and Moon took a step back. His body shifted and he switched places with Sun, who stood still for a moment before becoming active. He looked around, seemingly very confused.
"H-huh? Where…? M-mont?! Monty?!?" His voice sounded so shaky and quiet as he very quickly started panicking. He started turning and shaking, scaring the pirate really bad. He walked over and gripped his shoulder to get his attention.
He didn't even get a chance to speak before Sun let out a scream and shoved him away.
Foxy was shocked as he stumbled back and watched Sun crumble down onto his knees, holding the back of his head.
"NO!!! DON'T HURT ME!!! MONTY!!! MONTY HELP!!!"
"... … … Sunstone…" he spoke quietly as he slowly walked over to him, getting down on his knees.
The shaking robot peeked over at him, whimpering in fear. He seemed to finally recognize who it was that touched him and uncovered his head hesitantly.
"F… Foxy?"
"Aye lad. It's me. Don' be scared. I won't hurt ya."
He stared at him for a moment, sniffling and sobbing still as he continued shivering on the floor. Foxy offered him a hand to help him back up. But Sun just whined and recoiled from it, shrinking together on the floor.
"Matey… Ye be wanting to go to ye boyfriend, yes? Moon told me."
He let out a hiccup as he hugged himself, looking really unsure.
'Hey, Sundrop. It's ok. It's Foxy. Our captain. Our friend. You can trust him. He means no harm. He'll keep you safe, right?'
"Y-yar! 'course I will! I won't… let anythin' happen to me mates."
Sunny looked up at him, still holding his arms as he shakily got back onto his feet. He sobbed softly still as he kept his eyes on the floor.
"... What happened to ya, matey?"
'Foxy!'
"N-no… it's… it's fine, Moony… it… I feel better… g-getting it off my chest…"
Foxy walked closer and carefully ushered him to start walking, so they could get to Monty's room. It was quiet to start with, until Sun gathered his thoughts and could finally speak.
"I… it was… … … I was attacked."
" WHAT!?! "
"It… sniff it was one of the techs. H-he… he was… tr-trying to lure me to p-p-parts and services so… … s-s-so…" he shivered at the memory of the situation. At the thoughts that intruded into his system, theorizing what might have happened if he went along.
"I-I d-didn't. He scared me. So… he tased me in the arm… … … he chas- ssss ed me and… oh my god."
The pirate looked horrified. Someone had attacked and chased him?! For what purpose?! He didn't get to that part. Most likely because… it was too scary to even think about.
He reached his hand out again, still in an offer for comfort. Sun stared at his paw before shaking his head vigorously.
"N-no… I… I can't… touch is… too triggering for me right now. I… only feel comfortable with Monty…"
His face dropped and so did his paw. He had no idea Sun could… get like that. He had kinda figured out that he and Moon had some problems going on, what with the room situation and the subtle hint down in his hideout that day. But… he looked so broken and helpless.
"... … … Heh. Stupid, right?"
"Huh???" Foxy looked at him in shock, that sudden tonal shift and unfitting comment having him very concerned.
"I was supposed to be a pirate… a tough and hardened adventurer. I was supposed to be cool… and… now? I can't even defend myself against verbal abuse. What a fucking downgrade…"
'Sunny! No! That's not true at all-!'
"Yeah. You're right. I was probably never meant to be cool…"
"Sunstone!" Foxy cut in, making him tense slightly and turn to look at the other robot. He looked very serious, his face scrunched up into a frown.
"Ye be as tough as they come! Ye be here right now, nay? Never beat ye-self up over an ambush! Ya made it out wit' all ye limbs attached! That be a victory in me book, lad!"
Sun muttered a weak 'yeah' before looking back down on the floor.
"But what now? I can't even walk around the 'plex alone without having a panic attack… that's not very tough… I can't even… … … be in the daycare… if he could get me there… then…"
Foxy suddenly had a realization as he said that. One he didn't even consider until then.
Sun and Moon wanted him to stay with them in the daycare. If he had accepted their offer, then he could have…
…
…
He could have prevented it.
He could have protected his crew.
He could have saved Sun.
"Laddie… I… I'm truly sorry… if… if only I could have…"
'No. Don't go down that rabbit hole. I already did and it's done nothing but hurt. We can't blame ourselves.'
But he couldn't help but put some responsibility on himself for what happened. He knew how bad those humans were. They literally told him how badly they treated them. Sun was begging for him to stay.
But he still left. He still went back to the sewers and left his crew to fend for themselves.
That's the opposite of what a captain should do! A captain should always be there to protect and guide his crew, keep them safe. What he did… was the opposite. He betrayed both of them and his own title.
He should have known better.
"... … … Sunny. I'm… I'm so sorry for… not listenin' to ya…"
"Huh…?"
"When… when ya asked me t' stay… I should have listened. Ye both needed yer captain… an' I failed. I'm so sorry."
Sun was dumbfounded as he stood frozen on the spot, not even walking anymore. He was confused and worried.
"I… I swear… from now on… I'll be a better captain to you two! Swear on me honor! I will not be leavin' me crew again!" He sounded so serious, so passionate and sincere. His voice was that of someone who would fight to the death if he had to in order to protect his friends.
The daycare attendant couldn't help but to be in awe of it. Sure, it sounded so dramatic and over the top, but still said with all the conviction of a soldier on the battlefield. It made him feel something in him. This feeling, not too different from the one Monty gave him, but not the same either.
It felt like safety. Like true loyalty. Like someone with such unconditional love and care, watching over and supporting him. Almost like… the other side of his feelings towards the daycare children.
He cried softly before throwing himself against the fox's chest, burying himself in his fur. Foxy looked taken aback by the sudden attack, yet instinctively found himself embracing him and rubbing his head. He was nervous it might trigger another panic attack, like Sun said. But he seemed more than happy to hug him back and sob into his chest.
That made Foxy feel so grateful and relieved. That he was an exception to his trigger. That he trusted him. After letting both of them down, he wasn't sure he deserved such trust. But he wouldn't turn it away. In fact, he would do everything in his power to earn it.
'Foxy… … … you… it's not your fault.'
"I know, Moon rock. But I still feel ye deserve an apology. An' I will still be here fer ye both! So… better make space fer a guest in yer room!"
Sun cried louder at that, his grip on Foxy only growing tighter. He was so happy to hear that! He was overjoyed!
And so was Moon, if the restrained whimper he made was anything to go by.
Foxy sighed and rubbed their head sweetly. Then he pulled back slightly to look at them.
"Now… let's get going to ye boyfriend, yar?"
Sun sniffed and nodded, moving back a bit so they could continue walking. But he kept a grip on his arm, which Foxy did not bring attention to. He was just happy to help.