Work Text:
Walking in a few hours before the place was set to open Henry was prepared to help get everything set up before he disappeared. He's pleasantly surprised to see that everything is nearly perfect already however.
He looks around and spots Michael by a table with a white bear mask set down to the side. As requested, he's dressed in the light colors reminiscent of Fredbear's Family Diner. He wasn't sure if Michael would agree to it and he wouldn't have been upset if he refused.
It was a big ask Henry knew.
His nephew is cursing to himself lowly as he taps a wrench on the table and squints at a small animatronic bear while chewing on something. Henry knows it's nothing he's made which…well that doesn't leave a lot of options for where it came from. He walks closer to get a better look and recognizes the design as a miniature version of Williams old Funtime Freddy.
Though that still answers none of his questions, he isn't quite sure he believes William would have built anything like the bear he is looking at now. He’d always scoffed at the mere idea of making anything easily breakable and ‘useless’. Henry was half convinced it was because he tried to downsize something once and failed, so he called the whole idea a wash.
“What did you do to have your servos locking up?” Michael asks and the little bear who shrugs. Henry blinked in surprise. An AI personality chip had also not been expected.
Henry suggests a common flaw he's experienced and fixed many times confident he isn’t going to startle the man because he hadn’t hidden his arrival. Michael just shakes his head without looking up, “Already checked that.”
Michael grabs a flat head screwdriver from the table and pops off some more plating and starts poking around some more. Henry has no idea what he's looking for and doesn't even get a chance to ask before Michael makes a triumphant sound.
“Knew it.” He mutters before grabbing a few other tools scattered around. And a few minutes later he popped the plating back on and asked the little animatronic to test it out.
The little bear walks around for a moment before looking back to Michael and giving a thumbs up. Michael smiles and gathers his tools before picking up the bear and putting it on his shoulder. Henry just watches on in disbelief.
“Helpy I swear I have to fix you once every few days.” He mutters exasperated as he stashes his tool kit away and retrieves his mask clipping it back to his belt. The bear, Helpy apparently, just pats the side of Michael's head in seeming apology.
Michael smiles and rolls magenta eyes. He's clearly not that upset, and the fondness in his voice is impossible to miss.
Henry finally asks the question he'd been dying to since he walked in. “Who made it?”
Michael looks up finally looking straight at Henry, and Henry still can't get over how he looks. He looks just alive enough that it might fool you. His skin being deathly pale, but the purple tint is impossible to miss. Especially with it being highlighted under empty eye sockets and in his hollowed cheeks.
The left side of his face being torn open showing mummified muscle and the inside of his mouth also didn't help. Despite it all he seems uncaring as if the fact he's dead and still walking around was trivial.
“I did.”
Henry blinks caught up in his current observations as he tries to take in the answers and apply it to the question he'd asked. Helpy, Michael had made Helpy. That was quite the revelation. He hadn't known Michael was that skilled with animatronics. He didn't know a lot about Michael actually.
“That's impressive. Compact work is sometimes harder than making the big stuff.” Henry observed.
The man just shrugged, “Wouldn't know, I just wanted to take a shot at making something of my own. Had to prove not everything an Afton touched was doomed for evil.”
Henry blinked and took a moment to form a response. Eventually, he came up with one, “How long did it take you?” He steers well away from the latter half of Michael’s statement.
“Years I've worked on him on and off for a long time. Finally got him finished up a few weeks ago, perfect time really, he gets to help out here before everything goes up.”
It's a shame is all Henry can think. That little bear is a wonder of ingenuity, and it won't last a month. Michael too, despite trying to sound uncaring can't quite hide the somberness in his tone.
Henry wonders if in another life he might have been working with him one day to make children's dreams come true.
“Well, I'm happy to say it's far better than the first thing I ever made.”
Michael chuckles, “Well, it's not like I was going off of nothing, I had the schematics and experience. Just changed and downscaled things to fit what I wanted.”
“Don't downplay it Michael, it's still very impressive.”
The man huffed but didn't fight the point anymore. He just picked up Helpy from his shoulder and placed him on the ground.
“Go show Uncle Henry around. I still have things to set up.”
The little bear just nodded and started walking leaving Henry to follow after the unique little animatronic. Dutifully the little bear showed him everything Michael had set up so far and Henry had to admit he was impressed.
Eventually they circled back to where Michael was doing his finishing touches before the day started.
“I'm thoroughly impressed, you've done a great job.”
Michael just waved him off, “It's not hard.” He grumbled as he put the mask on and Henry is just now realizing it matches Helpy.
Henry refuses to fight him further, just reminds him about the big party on Saturday, wishes him luck, and takes his leave.
oO0Oo
It's that Saturday, that destined day when Henry appears one last time. He's not sure If he wants to confirm that they're doing the right thing or just to see his nephew one last time. He walks through the door only to see Michael hurrying towards Helpy, who is balancing precariously on one of the attractions.
“Helpy no no NO!” With a crash the animatronic falls onto the ground.
Michael runs a hand through his grey-streaked hair and lets out a sigh as he goes and retrieves the little bear. “Damn it Helpy, you need to stop getting hurt.”
He carries him to one of the nearby tables and puts him down carefully, making sure not to break him further. Henry watches as Michael retrieves his tool kit and begins to fix the bear once more while chastising it for not listening to him.
It's…well, it's almost parental.
Henry wants to remind him it's useless but can't bring himself to. Michael loves this little bear dearly, and he's not about to tell him he can't fix it one last time.
He says nothing, just watches until the bear is back together again and looking thoroughly cowed by Michael’s reprimands. Michael doesn't stay mad however, just picks the animatronic up and cradles it carefully to his chest. The bear in return tries its best to hug him by throwing its little arms as far as it can around his neck.
Michael freezes at the attempt and his eyes flash to pinprick white dots as he stiffens up. He quickly reciprocates however by patting the animatronic on the back lightly.
He's shaking and Henry isn't sure what to say. The only thing he can think is that he thought this would be easier.
“You good Michael?” Henry asks because what else could he ask?
Michael nods and closes his eyes as he takes a breath, “Fine just…” He trails off. “Let's get this done with.” He finally says, opening his eyes again. They're a brighter magenta than Henry had ever seen.
“Is everything ready?” Henry asks as he looks up at the stage where Foxy and Lefty, who was jerking around erratically, were prominently placed in the center of the stage.
“Everyone is accounted for.” Michael confirms.
“Good.” A pause then he adds on because he means it, “Thank you, I couldn't have done it without you. And I hope to see you again.”
Michael scoffs, “I doubt you'll ever see me again. I'm going to the same place my father is.”
Henry shakes his head. “You're not your father Michael. Besides I'm just as guilty as him, maybe we will see each other again either way.”
Michael gives him a hard look like he can't quite believe Henry would say that.
“Guess we'll have to see then, but either way it's been a pleasure Mr. Emily.”
“It sure has been son.”
With that Henry takes his leave before either of them can say something stupid. It'll be over soon enough and then they can rest. Until then, well…they both still had jobs to do.