Chapter Text
In the sitting room, Vanessa and Gregory's house, on Christmas Eve morning ...
"Mum! Could you help me, please!" Gregory asked, straining his arms and standing on tiptoe. "I can't quite reach ..."
The little boy was standing on a chair next to a huge, decorated Christmas tree; with a big star in his hands.
On the opposite side of the room, a tall man in a purple suit puts down his book with an irritated sigh.
William Afton, the Man Behind the Slaughter, condemned phantom, and terror of the Fazbear Franchise ... glared across at the excited child.
He never quite understood why children got so excited and annoying around Christmas, particularly on the day itself.
The little brats screaming, running around chaotically, whining when they can open their presents ...
William shuddered at past memories, and turned back to his book. Just ghastly.
There was also the fact that this time; he couldn't just distract himself in his workshop, or go out drinking with Henry.
For a moment, the phantom pondered whether he had enough time and opportunity to give Gregory's chair a slight 'nudge'.
That would be far more entertaining, particularly if the brat broke something.
Then Vanessa came in, all dressed in Christmas cosplay ... and the thought swiftly vanished.
"What is it, Gregory?" the security guard asked, walking over to her adopted son.
She was dressed as 'Mrs Claus': in a red and white coat, dress, and a Santa Claus hat.
"I can't reach the top of the tree, I can't put the star on", Gregory explained, pouting a little.
Vanessa nodded slowly, turning and shooting a sharp glance at William for not helping. His only response was to raise the book to block her gaze.
Vanessa scoffed and turned back to Gregory. At least the 10-year old was more mature than some people.
"Is that so? Come on, up you go!" Gregory's mother said soothingly, hoisting her son up with little effort.
The aforementioned boy grinned and placed the star where it belonged: on the top of the Christmas tree.
With a flick of a switch, the whole tree lit up ... lighting up the whole room as well: with a cheery, Christmas-sy, iridescence.
"Wow! This looks incredible!" Gregory cheered, clapping his hands together with delight. "Can we open presents now?"
Vanessa's head shake was accompanied by William's quiet scoff; as the woman shook her head.
"No, not until later", she said ... and winked as she saw Gregory wilt in disappointment. "We're doing something SPECIAL first!"
The young boy instantly perked up again at the word 'special'.
"Special? Are we going out for lunch?" Gregory asked, eagerly. "Ice-skating?"
His mother grinned impishly as she put the boy down, and took out her phone.
"Not as such", Vanessa replied. "We're going to the Pizzaplex, for the Advent Christmas Celebration they're hosting today!"
Vanessa showed Gregory the advertisement for the event on her phone.
"And guess who's got free passes ..."
"WOOHOO!" Gregory whooped, beaming and bounding around the room in delight, ignoring the increasingly-annoyed William who had lowered his book.
"When does it start? Can we go soon? Can we go now!!" The security guard chuckled as she quickly caught her son, and gave him a calming hug.
"Calm down, little gremlin ... we can go as soon as we get our coats", Vanessa assured the boy.
The security guard then paused, a thoughtful frown on her face. Should she, or shouldn't she? They WERE supposed to be keeping an eye on him after all.
"William?" Vanessa asked, her expression souring slightly. "Would you like to come out with us?"
The aforementioned 'Purple Guy' closed his book with a sigh, and looked over at her with a mixed expression.
Pride, utter derision, and cold amusement were all there ... along with a 'slight' glimmer of genuine surprise and acceptance.
That glimmer was gone in a flash, and a theatrical groan ... as William rolled his eyes and stood up from his chair.
"Ugh, all right", the ghost said, feigning disinterest and boredom in the prospect. Vanessa knew that it was a complete farce though.
William Afton had been subtly begging her of late for casual trips out of the house, if only out into the garden.
He was just as eager as Gregory, except better at hiding it ... and for a far different reason.
"I suppose the little brat needs proper adult supervision while we're out", the man quipped, sneering down at Gregory. "Pizzerias are dangerous places after all. Anything could happen in them."
The young boy scowled up at the 'Purple Guy', knowing that fact all too well. Vanessa quickly intervened to stop the brewing quarrel and bullying spat, her hands on hips ... water pistol at the ready.
"Woah, woah there! YOU'RE having supervision as well while we're out, Afton!" the security guard snapped, narrowing her eyes. "That's the rule."
Vanessa was not going to have any metaphorical loose ends in this situation. Just a security issue, like the other ones at her job.
"You want to come, you agree to being supervised!" she stated firmly, her stern eyes meeting William's calculating gaze.
The purple-suited chap inwardly sighed, as his mind went over the sole condition. William expected that there would have been some sort of catch or disadvantage to it.
Vanessa was not a fool after all; that's why William had been so interested in her in the past. He supposed that maybe he could 'behave' this time ... while looking out for any 'opportunities' that may arise.
After all, Afton had faced the torments of Hell, and painful imprisonment in a springlock suit for decades. How bad could the supervision possibly be?
To be continued ...