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“Freddy... Are you alright?” Gregory asked, turning his head towards the bear animatronic, or at least his head, that was beside him on top of his desk.
While Gregory was drawing away in relaxation and joy, his best friend didn't seem to be feeling the same way. He had been pondering to question it for an hour now, but wasn't quite confident. It didn't feel right to pry, which made him uneasy. The bears usual cheerfulness was gone though, unusually silent, his eyes full of sorrow. There wasn't a single flicker of happiness that Gregory spotted on Freddy that day. And he made sure to observe the robot head to ensure he didn't miss any signs by accident.
Freddy's eyes moved away from the paper that Gregory was drawing on, shifting towards the young boy to meet his gaze. Despite trying to assure Gregory as usual, it definitely didn't work with how unhappy he sounded. “Of course I am, superstar...”
Gregory sighed, frowning with a pouty expression that made his disbelief and childish disappointment clear. “No you're not! Tell me what's bothering you!” He demanded, firm and annoyed. Realizing his mistake, he added a quick “Please?” at the end, waiting for Freddy's response.
“Are you sure Gregory? I would not want to burden you with my troubles...”
“Freddy, it's fine! Tell me what's up.”
“Alright then...” Freddy began before taking a deep breath. “It is about my friends...” Gregory's hand around the pencil tightened, hovering over the paper that he originally drew on. “I am concerned about them... Of course I do not regret helping you escape the Pizzaplex, nor do I regret exiting the facility with you! It is just... Do you think they are alright? Do you think... They hate me?” Gregory opened his mouth to respond, though he didn't know what to say, so Freddy proceeded with an even more sorrowful tone. “I miss them Gregory...”
Gregory dropped the pencil, letting it fall on the desk with a small sound, not wasting a second to deny his best friend's insecurities. “Of course not! They wouldn't blame you! It's not your fault!” Gregory exclaimed with confident insistence despite the anxiety that bubbled up inside him, making him anxious since he was very aware that he himself was responsible for the damage he caused the animatronics. Freddy didn't even know... Did he? Gregory didn't really remember telling him.
“Do you think so...?” Freddy asked clearly still conflicted and uncertain, to which Gregory replied without hesitation. “Yes! I'm sure.”
Freddy, though hesitant, slowly smiled. Just a slight bit. His eyes still showing his worry and fear. Gregory chewed on his bottom lip, his gaze falling to the drawing he made. It was about Freddy, hugging Gregory, calling him a superstar.
And that's when he knew what he had to do.
“Freddy?” Gregory asked with a soft tone, his lips turning upward to a smile while he turned his head to meet the bears gaze once more.
“What is it, Gregory?” Freddy responded with a raised eyebrow. “There's that thing again... That thing that says that you are up to something.”
Gregory let out a slight snort at Freddy's observation, shaking his head to turn down his amused grin. “I just wanted to say...” He paused, raising his now free left hand to place it on top of the bears head. “That you are my superstar!” he energetically petted Freddy's head as if ruffling hair, returning the supportive cheerful gesture that Freddy always resorted to when Gregory needed his spirit to be lifted.
Freddy, on the other hand, only stared wide-eyed in shock by the change of treatment. He required a moment to process what was happening at this moment and what he was told by the boy, until his expression lit up at last. “I—Gregory—” he began, though ended up laughing since he couldn't find the words to respond. If he could cry out of joy, he probably would have. “Thank you. So much...”
Gregory kept his smile brightly on his face, retreating his hand to pick the pencil back up. “You're welcome Freddy. Just remember... You're friends might be at the Pizzaplex... But your family... Is here.”