#ursine relaxation

[sohannabarberaesque]

This obviously isn't the Wonderland Zoo

So come with me, fellow adventurers, and join the Hair Bear Bunch in a summer road trip across the World-Renowned and Far-Famed Ten Thousand Lakes of Minnesota coincident with the bear mating season at her heighth ...

Our bivouac for tonight will be beside some rather isolated and almost esoteric lake at the end of what's essentially a dirt trail, one not exactly all that known but yet has that attraction of the aromtic qualities of pine and the utterly irridescent blue of the lake's waters. Whether such is named, we know not; however, such will be a rather interesting bivouac for such a madcap ursine trio as has invited Your Humble Narrator along to witness a rather fascinating experience such as the bear mating season can make possible.

Because tonight, as is much the case every night the Hair Bears are on road trip beside some lake, Hair Bear and Square Bear are going into orgy mode, releasing their pent-up inner energies in a way as could be imagined as a commonplace among the tribal societies of prehistory seeing in sexual magic exercises such as these a rather natural form of relaxation combined with sacred ritual.

Which, following quite a dinner of barbecue shredded pork and beans which turned out rather delightful, saw the preparations commence with yours truly helping set up the ritual fire by the lakeside, to be lit on signal from Hair Bear "himself" as will itself signal the start of the orgy, whose attraction begins with the Hair Bears "themselves" going into full nakedness and dancing a sensual hoolee-hoolee with the grass skirts in the Polynesian stylee, attracting in the process no less than six sows from nearby forests still utterly in their heat and more than likely having mated with other males previously. You could just sense an almost puzzled fascination on the sows' part as the hoolee-hoolee got even more fascinatingly sensual, enough for Hair and Square to signal the curious to the lakeside, as if to say "Follow us, and see what awaits!"

The ceremonial fire having been lit, Your Genial Hosts, as it were, decided to go into a rather amusing ritual aimed at "warming up" all for what lay ahead--as in ritually rubbing, unassisted, each other's penises against the groins of each other to the point of sheer and delighted giggling as Hair and Square "themselves" hug and caress each other while the female guests show obvious signs of bemused curiosity at what lay ahead ... which sees both Hair Bear and Square Bear taking turns mating all six sows throughout, the cries of orgasmic delight echoing clear across northern Minnesota skies in a uniquely ursine manner.

But such wasn't quite the end of the exercise: Such are timed to conclude with a sunset swimming and diving session in the lake serving as their rendezvous featuring all participants, mainly to enhance the delight of the whole. Yours truly was invited to join in the swim, and without a doubt, Hair Bear in particular found my interest in such rituals of theirs as these to be rather interesting, even if a couple of the sows participating in the orgy were a little confused as to my presence. Hair Bear, at any event, invited me to plunge into the sunset-dappled waters of the lake ... and boy, doesn't the sensation of wearing but yourself, as well as being encouraged to hug some of the bears underwater as well, feel marvellous, even sensing a soft sand bottom?

Even after sleeping the night away by the lakeside, with but a cooling night breeze to make things comforting, a sunrise swim and dive with our ursine buddies to brace up and refresh for the day ahead (and, know, without soap, yet feeling rather delighted between the legs, to the amused delight of all) was bound to be equally climactic in its own right.

"Obviously, kid," Hair Bear was quick to remark as we left the water following what turned out being a bracing sort of dive into about ten feet of water, "it's not the Wonderland Zoo ... but still, being on the road like this when the bears are 'in their season,' so to speak, couldn't be a more fascinating experience for us, just letting go of our tensions and nerves most naturally, and without anyone leering down our necks unapprovingly!"

To which Square Bear rejoindered, "You can say that again!"

(This as we all had breakfast in their mobile bivouac otherwise known as a rebuilt Volkswagen Campervan. And being witness to such a sensually wonderful show couldn't have tasted better.)

*************

@warnerbrosentertainment @fentoncrackhell @theweekenddigest @iheartgod175 @archive-archives @themineralyoucrave @thylordshipofbutts @princessgalaxy505 @thebigdingle @warnerbros-blog1 @xdiver71 @jellystone-enjoyer @railguner34 @warnerbrosent-blog

[sohannabarberaesque]

Just picture the Hair Bear Bunch displaying the Ursine Pride Flag (to the right in the picture above) on their mating-season road trips, as well as on their Volkswagen Campervan, attracting considerable curiosity in the process.

this rules

[that-ari-blogger]

How Brave Does Character

Brave is my favourite Pixar film, and one of my favourite Disney films. A lot of the reason behind this is how impeccably the film does characters, by which I mean everyone in this film manages to be both a caricature and a very real person at the same time.

Let me explain.

SPOILERS AHEAD

So, let's start with the side characters. The terrible triplets are fun, but I'd like to focus on the clansmen.

These are so interesting. They are, of course, archetypes. They are the overbearing fathers who hate each other and their three sons, but these are remarkably realistic people. They aren't limited to specific actions, and they bring about the nuances in each other through acting as foils for each other.

And, yes, these nuances are used for comedy a ton of the time, but they aren't just that, they develop over time. Their competition between each other actively changes them.

Although, here's something fascinating. The sons show a completely different demeanor when not under the pressure of their parents. Young Macintosh (Right) relaxes and loses his uptight demeanor, Young MacGuffin (Middle) comes completely out of his shell, and Young Dingwall is, well he doesn't change too much, but he is noticeably more aware of his surroundings when not around his father.

The sons befriend each other and develop a rapport. They do this before anybody else in the entire story, proving that harmony between the clans and between individuals is possible.

Fergus and Elinor follow the same line of thinking, but they bring about different sides of each other through understanding. Both characters feel their freest when they are around each other. Elinor is more open to talking out her emotions around her husband, for example. And it is important to realise this, because when she gets turned into a bear, this dynamic gets shifted notably.

Finally, there is Merida, and her relationship with her mother. I keep bringing up these characters in contrast with each other because that is how character gets displayed. If a person is only in the same situation over and over again, you only see one facet of that character.

So, Merida is an aromantic character. This is important to understand because it is part of the driving conflict of the film. Merida has no interest in marriage or love, and her mother cannot accept that. The story explores the search for these characters to understand each other, and while it centres on Merida's confrontation with consequences and fate, Elinor coming to terms with her daughter's identity. Essentially, the story is derived from character conflict.

But these characters also reveal elements of each other through both their conflict and their teamwork. They reveal each other's inability to show accountable through their conflict (Merida insists everything is not her fault, and Elinor is pathologically incapable of directly answering a question), but they also show each other's adaptability and are catalysts for each other's growth.

Brave is a character drama first and foremost, so all conflict is driven by characters butting heads with each other. I say all conflict, and there is one character I am yet to mention.

"Last time I did this was for a prince. He demanded I give him the strength of ten men, and he gave me this for a spell. A spell that would change his fate."

Mor'du features what I like to call the Firelord Ozai school of character writing. He isn't a character, he's a force of nature, an evil thing to overcome. But he is a person, and everything about him can be inferred by the relationships he has. In this case, the thematic relationship between him and Merida. Both wanted to change their fate, both separated themselves from their families in a rage. Merida was able to reconnect with her mother, you can assume by Mor'du's ursine appearance that he was not able to do the same.

Even in the shot above, Mor'du the character is in shadow, because the nuances of his identity don't matter. The important part, and the part that the light highlights, is the axe. His actions are what's important, specifically the actions that mirror Merida's, and we can learn everything we need about him from that narrative symmetry.

At first glance, all the characters in Brave are archetypes. The rebellious teenager, the strict mother, etc. But it is through interactions with each other that these characters become people. And that is reflected in the theme of the film. It is only through each other, that you can express yourself freely and change for the better. Otherwise, you are floundering with the same choices, and you can never, ever, change your own fate.

I might put up another post soon about Brave's use of Scottish mythology and how that works with the theme of fate, so if you're interested in that, stick around.

[freyasilverbough]

The Cave Bear and the White Wolf - First Meeting

Notes: I kinda wrote myself into a corner lmao so I’m going back to Act 1 in my wip. I also restarted Freya’s run because I wanted more Act 2 screens and the other one is honor. Also I realized that I started this story at a weird spot in the game so I just wanted to fix that. Will write more as this playthrough progresses, and as always feedback and suggestions are more than welcome.

Cw for blood, canon typical violence, mention of a severed head.

Halsin dodged as yet another stone came flying at his face. He’d been locked in this cage for days, with no food, trapped in his ursine form lest the goblins learned just who they had taken prisoner. The Archdruid of the Emerald Grove would make a fine trophy for these savages and their leaders.

He came to this place in pursuit of whispers that these “Absolute” cultists had found a way to navigate his life’s greatest regret. The shadow curse that had gripped the region surrounding Reithwin in Shar’s wicked talons for over a century. The curse that had taken his oldest friend captive.

Perhaps he’d been too hasty, joining with the human Aradin and his band. They had turned tail and abandoned him the second things went awry. He supposed an Archdruid should have known better than to trust a mercenary. Halsin had always done his best to see the good in others, no matter how many times it stabbed him in the back - sometimes literally. In all his long life, such an outlook had only truly benefitted him a handful of times, and yet his foolish optimism prevailed each time.

He hardly registered the group of strangers that marched straight up to the goblins throwing stones at him. A tiefling woman, blazing like the sun, her flaming sword strapped across her back. A smaller man with mousy brown hair, his earring marking him as one of Mystra’s wizards. A pale elf of equal stature to the other man, confidence and amusement radiating off of him, daggers sheathed at his sides and a bow slung over his shoulder. They were led by a woman with silver braids and a commanding aura, even with her relaxed swagger. She wore a circlet across her forehead that marked her as a follower of Selûne, with piercings lining her pointed ears to match, but the designation ended there. Her armor was granite-hued steel, not like the other Selûnites he’d come across over the centuries. They typically preferred to reflect their goddess with hues of blue, silver, and white, and rarely did they don a full suit of armor. Few of them were warriors, but he had seen a few paladins among the druids and Harpers he fought with a hundred years before. Rare, but not unheard of.

The woman crossed her arms over her chest and cocked a hip. She assessed the situation there with a discerning glare before her eyes landed on him, still in bear form, and he noticed that her eyes were the purest sapphire blue. Her gaze bore right through his fur, as if she could see into his very soul.

“What in all the sweet hells do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, her tone commanding respect and authority. Odd, that she would take the time to aid a bear in a cage. Most soldiers found the creatures of nature to be beneath them, or simply unworthy of their time.

“We’re juicin’ him up,” the goblin encouraging his assault by the children said. “Boss is thinkin’ of servin’ him to the worgs.” She chuckled, as if it was all a joke to her. Knowing the ways of goblins, it likely was a joke to her.

The silver-haired woman glared at her, before flicking her ocean eyes to the bear once more. “Enough. You’re done here.” The other two men at her back shifted nervously, as if wanting to avoid a brawl, while the tiefling woman seemed to flare brighter in anticipation.

“We don’t have time for this,” the male elf whispered to the warrior. “We shouldn’t even be here.”

“Then leave,” the woman whirled to him with a glare that Halsin had no doubt could cut glass. “See what the fuck I care.” She turned her piercing glower back to the goblins. “Let him go,” she demanded.

Convinced that he now had at least one ally against the mob of goblins that held him captive, Halsin lowered his hackles and growled. A low, menacing sound deep from his chest, one that made the goblins cower in fear. The silver-haired woman only seemed to stand taller while her companions eyed him warily. He slammed into the bars of his cage, knocking the gate down with such force it crushed the goblin female that joked about his impending demise. The woman leading the adventurers drew the longsword she previously kept sheathed across her back, but rather than striking him down, she turned on his foes.

She slammed the pommel into the heads of the goblin children as they ran past her to alert the rest of the camp, knocking them unconscious, while the male elf fired arrows at the goblins that had moved against them across the room. Each arrowhead struck true. The wizard lobbed balls of fire while the flaming tiefling woman sprinted to those leftover with an insane cackle. The silver haired woman calmly strode to the other cage, where the worgs were kept. She pulled the lever to open the door and began her battle with the beasts while her friends fought the goblins in the room. Every swipe of their claws was dodged or blocked with practiced skill, and Halsin ran to her as she battled two against one. He reached her left flank as one of the worgs bit at her while she was occupied with the other. Halsin let out a loud roar as his own maw closed around the worg’s throat.

The warrior woman shoved her sword through her enemy’s throat as the others finished with the goblins, and Halsin shed his wildshape for the first time in days. He stumbled just a bit as he adjusted to standing on two legs. The armored woman before him quirked an amused eyebrow as her companions rejoined them and started at the bear-turned-elf.

“Pardon the viscera,” he chuckled. “One should cherish all of nature’s bounty, but goblin guts are quite far down the list. You aided a bear without knowing if it would savage you? A true friend of nature, or perhaps a lunatic.”

“Who’s to say I’m not both?” The soldier said, amusement lacing her tone.

“Either way, I owe thanks. I am the druid Halsin.”

“Pleasure. I’m called Freya,” the woman said. Freya. A strong name, not one he often heard in this region. Apt, he thought, as he stared down at her. In this form, she was eye level with his chest. The shortest of her companions, but she somehow stood the tallest of them all. Something about her seemed familiar, he couldn’t put his finger on it. He knew he’d remember someone like her if they met before, her hair alone was a distinguishing feature, but he couldn’t place her.

“I’ve been to your grove,” Freya continued, disrupting his thoughts. “You should know your second in command was planning to undertake the Rite of Thorns and force the refugees out. I’m told you would disapprove of such extremes.” She eyed him carefully, as if determining whether what she’d heard about him was true. Indeed, he should have known Kagha would do something like this the instant she was handed the power of a First Druid. He silently cursed himself once more as the implications of his absence settled over him.

“Kagha…I will deal with her when I can.” Something flashed behind Freya’s eye as he spoke, something unnatural, something he’d only seen recently, when walking with Nettie…”I sense, Freya, that you have a problem you need my help with.”

“What problem?” Freya crossed her arms over her chest again and widened her stance, but Halsin meant her no harm. She had just saved him from certain death, after all.

He held up his palm, golden light pouring out of him. Halsin called upon the Oak Father as he reached into her mind with his magic. Freya stiffened, and Halsin confirmed his suspicions as he felt the presence he was looking for. He jerked his hand back as something in her mind bit him.

“That problem. Oak Father preserve you, child, you’re infected aren’t you?” His concern leaked into his tone, and his features. He was never adept at concealing his emotions, and he truly did feel sorry for the woman. She was doomed to ceremorphosis, yet she showed no signs of turning. Something was different, she didn’t bow to this “Absolute” like the other so-called True Souls did. Indeed, he sensed she didn’t bow to much of anything at all.

“I don’t need your pity, druid. Only a cure,” she snapped.

“I studied these parasites up close. I’m sorry to say, I can’t cure you, but I have the next best thing. I know where these tadpoles originate. I overheard the cultists say that they’re sending the infected to Moonrise Towers, and I’ll bet that’s where you’ll find your cure.”

“No.” Her refusal came as swift and hard as a hammer on an anvil as her fury darkened her features.

“It’s either Moonrise, or certain ceremorphosis. I’m sure of it,” Halsin kept his tone level. He had his own reasons for wanting to return to that land, but he couldn’t go alone. For the time being, their goals aligned. These adventurers needed to reach Moonrise to cure their parasites, and he needed to restore the balance there. He was so close, and yet frustratingly far.

“We’ll find another way,” she stated plainly, steel determination radiating from her like its own aura. She turned to leave, but the wizard caught her arm. A brave man, Halsin mused, for Freya looked at him like she’d run him through for daring to touch her.

“It’s worth hearing the druid out,” the human murmured to her. “What if there is no other way? We’ve come this far already, let’s not abandon the one lead we have so quickly.”

“I, personally, don’t find the idea of transforming into a tentacled monster very appetizing, my dear. To each their own, of course, but I’ll have to take the druid’s side.” The white haired elf placed a relaxed hand on his hip as he spoke.

“We face certain death if we travel there,” Freya growled. She knew of the curse, then.

“We face certain death if we don’t,” the elf shot back.

She shook the wizard off of her bicep and turned back to face Halsin. He raised his eyebrows at her and held his breath in anticipation of her verdict.

“You know what awaits us in that place, I assume?” She leveled the question at the druid with no shortage of malice.

“I do,” Halsin kept his tone flat, deciding that it was not the time to reveal his intentions with regards to the curse. “I’ve long sought to return to Moonrise, but I cannot leave here until I put everything right. I’ve no right to ask more of you, but these butchers threatened my grove. If I could ask your aid once more, I’d be free to join you on your journey to Moonrise.”

“What would you have me do?”

“There are three leaders here, eliminate them and nature will restore itself. I need you to kill the drow Minthara, the hobgoblin Dror Ragzlin, and that perversion of a priestess Gut.” Freya relaxed at his deliverance of her new mission. He gathered she held no qualms about killing, he only hoped that her violence focused on the malevolent.

“Leave it to me.”

—-----

Freya returned to him in record time, bloodied and bruised and almost singing with after-battle adrenaline. She carried the head of the hobgoblin by the hair in one hand, blood soaked sword in the other. The warrior tossed the severed head at Halsin’s feet as she approached and wiped the blade of her sword on her elbow.

“The camp is clear. You’re free to go.” Her tone was flat and dismissive as Halsin realized she meant she had cleansed this place of all its inhabitants. He raised his eyebrows at her once more in question, waiting for further explanation.

“The beasts desecrated a temple of Selûne. I purged the rot,” she remarked with a shrug.

“Who managed to hit you?” He blurted, noticing the splotch of purple that bloomed on her cheekbone under all the blood.

“Drow.” She turned on her heel as the wizard started murmuring an incantation, violet light swirling around his arms. A portal opened before the party, and she stepped through it without a care in the world. The fiery tiefling simply laughed before she followed, then the other elf. The wizard looked over his shoulder with an apologetic look.

“I’ll meet you there,” Halsin told him. The human nodded, then bounded through his portal as it closed.

Leaving Halsin to wonder about the strange warrior woman that had just catapulted into his life.

[sohannabarberaesque]

So picture this as Camp Volkswagen, ursine mating season bivouac for the Hair Bear Bunch in their mating season road trip travels as they release their inner desires in the most natural manner known.

(Kudos @railguner34 for coming up with the stylee.)

[ofdarkestdesires]

Closed RP

"Weiss, it's been a very long day..." Rouge Crimson sighed with an irritated growl in his voice. Having found the ice queen standing in front of his dorm room door. Blocking the bear Faunus from entering. "What do you want...?"

@the-rp-corner

@the-rp-corner

“You know exactly what I want, Rouge~” the Schnee heiress replied, a smirk playing across her lips as stared up at the handsome ursine faunus that loomed over her. She crossed her arms under her chest—over the last year, she’d grown a considerable bit, and her arms only made that more obvious. “Besides, I’m pretty sure you want this as much as I do—it’ll help you relax~”

[adoenamedjane]

Fluffy little snippet with Halsin and my OC Ducky the Gith. Featuring two seconds of Astarion.

“Are you certain you don’t want to join us?” Ducky puffs her lower lip out, eyelashes batting full speed.

“My dear, we just LEFT the horrid, insect and mud-filled woods. I’d prefer at least a tenday before there’s so much dirt and grime on my body that I can blend in with swamp hags.” Astarion’s book remains firmly in front of his face as he offers a dismissive wave in Ducky and Halsin’s direction. “Whatever you and the Druid get up to in the woods, do try not to return too drenched in fur and berry juice. They’ve just changed our sheets.”

“I can make no guarantees.” Halsin solemnly replies.

“I think you mean, Bear-antees.” Ducky giggles.

Halsin chuckles, and Astarion groans loudly.

Ducky beams, skipping out the Elfsong’s double doors and down the stairs. Halsin follows after her, albeit at a slower pace. Brown cobblestones, green cabbages, and purple silk curtains flapping in the breeze all blend together as he follows Ducky out into the windy lower city streets of Baldur’s Gate.

A Gith and a wood elf of his size draw more than a few stares and whispers. He presses a large hand to his stomach. The cool leather beneath his palm temporarily stills a pit of nervousness forming inside him. Ducky flits between stalls and people, unconcerned about the whispers and eyes that follow them. He’d like to tell her to slow down or grasp his hand. They had slept together in the forest upon arrival at the Gate, and she’d not indicated it was a one-time event, but he still felt nervous. Air struggles to reach his lungs. His tongue feels heavy in his mouth.

Mercifully, he spots her pink casual clothes at a vendor booth up ahead. She’s transfixed by something in a bird cage. Halsin picks up his pace and joins her at the booth. A halfling with green hair grins up at them. “Well, aren’t you an odd pair?”

Halsin gives a small nod but angles his body towards Ducky. He manages a breathy whisper, “my heart?” Ducky’s eyes snap away from the cage and meet his. Chatter, roasted meats, and a blur of colors rush her senses. “Oh dear. Halsin, I am sorry. This must be overwhelming for you. I do not want you to feel lost. Shall we hold hands?”

Relief cloaks Halsin like a stoneskin spell. “Yes, please.” His calloused hand engulfs hers. With some of the panic abated, he turns his attention to the bird cage. Butterflies of every shape, size, and color flutter in a frenetic swirl. “Why do you imprison these creatures?” Halsin earnestly gazes at the halfling.

“These creature’s wings make excellent pins for a day or so. Fancy types love ‘em.” He smugly replies.

Halsin’s earnestness curdles into rage. Before he can offer a retort, Ducky places a bag of coins on the counter. “We will take all of them.” She looks up at Halsin and squeezes one of his fingers. Cage in one hand, Halsin’s in the other, they begin to make their way out of the lower city once again.

“We shall set them free once we are in nature.” Ducky assures him. Though he assumes she wouldn’t have ripped off their wings for decoration, his large chest heaves a sigh of relief.

Together, their pace is more leisurely as they amble out of the lower city, through Wyrm’s Rock and Rivington, and out into the woods. Scents of roasted meats, sweat, and the sea give way to pine, dirt, and wildflowers.

“You truly did not fish the entire journey or read about it in any of your books at the creche before you met me, my heart?” Halsin asks. He relaxes outside the city walls and begins to look forward to his ursine form alongside Ducky.

“We witnessed all manner of nets and rods on the road here, but never used them. My books on N’Breem were mostly romance and mystery. Does fishing often become involved in such cases?” Ducky curiously stares up at him.

Halsin restrains a laugh at her genuine question, but can’t resist teasing her. “Perhaps, fishing could be part of a romance story today.”

Ducky’s eyes widen even more. “Fish wedding.” She whispers. Halsin nearly chokes on air, but she does not notice.

Wild grass gives way to the sandy banks of a river with a low and wide waterfall running across it. Ducky sets the cage down just before the sand. With a slight pull, the butterflies burst out of the tiny door and into the wilderness beyond. Halsin marvels at their departure, then looks fondly down at Ducky. She sits cross-legged in the sand, and looks excitedly up at him.

“Bear fishing will be quite different from the nets and rods you saw on the way here. I however, find it much more rewarding.” Ducky practically vibrates with anticipation.

With a flash of golden light, Halsin shifts into his ursine form and lumbers into the river and waits at the edge of the falls. Ducky watches with an intensity he wonders if even Vlaakith could have ever broken.

He focuses. Water laps at his paws. A tremor in the current catches his attention. Instinct kicks in. Fur and water blur as he lunges forward. His jaws snap open. White fangs clamp down on a sizeable salmon.

He turns towards the shore where Ducky now stands, jumping up and down and applauding. Even from here, he can see her cheeks flush with excitement.

Lumbering out of the river, he places the fish upon a flat stone and resumes his elven form. “Praise Silvanus for such a catch!”

“What a hunt! You are truly a wonderful warrior.” Ducky stares up are him in awe, and he blushes.

He closes the gap between them, leaning in closer. “We ought to build a fire and honor this life’s sacrifice by sustaining our own through supper. Then, I believe we did not bear-antee a lack of berry juice or fur upon your return.” He lowers his voice. She can feel his breath ruffle her hair, and she leans in to meet his lips.

[sohannabarberaesque]

Imagine the Hair Bear Bunch bringing along a paddleboard not unlike this Malibu longboard during their mating season road trips in their Volkswagen Campervan ... and the paddleboarding hijinks as could ensue out of Camp Volkswagen, as if their mating-season orgies weren't good enow on their own.

[angelofrainfrogs]

Going Back: Ch. 14

~Coauthored by @zeitghest~

Fandom(s): Five Nights At Freddy’s: Security Breach

Description: Things are looking up for Gregory. After putting the soul of a formerly-immortal killer to rest, he and his new family can finally begin their lives anew. Sure, Gregory might have been cursed with mysterious Remnant in exchange for being involved in this mess—not to mention his caretakers consist of sentient robots and ghosts… But there’s no doubt that the bond they share is unbreakable. They love him, and he in turn. 

All in all, life is finally starting to go right for once. 

…Unfortunately, true peace is a hard-won battle. There are other things to contend with besides William’s decrepit soul, and Gregory will learn that his role in the lives of the Aftons and Emilys is far greater than anyone could’ve imagined. 

Rating: T

Read on Ao3

Amazingly, Michael slept until the crack of 3 pm. He left the land of sleep in a daze, barely registering he was awake at first. Rolling onto his back, he stretched his arms out and accidentally smacked Charlie’s face with the back of his hand in the process. It was her retaliating punch to his ribs that fully brought Michael to reality and with a mumbled apology he got out of bed, rubbing his side like it was now a bruised as he meandered to the shower. Clean and refreshed a short while later, Mike headed off to the Pizzaplex. Thankfully he didn’t need to eat and was therefore able to head straight to Sam for an update on the day and to see what was on the docket for tonight’s tasks.

Meanwhile, Gregory stirred a few minutes after Michael left the hotel room. Freddy had been dozing, getting more used to the concept of sleep as time went on, although he immediately perked up when the boy next to him began shifting.

“Good morning, Gregory,” Freddy said, pressing a quick kiss to his son’s forehead. Amazingly, the hoodie was mostly still on, having shifted only slightly during Gregory’s deep slumber. Bleary silver eyes peered up at Freddy from underneath the set of bear ears, making the ursine man’s heart absolutely melt. 

Charlie was lucky Sam didn’t want her in “officially” to work until Monday. That’s when she was supposed to be settled to help Sam out; invoices and directing his calls sounded fairly easy when it came to her more logic oriented brain. For today, Charlie was content to sleep with her now-bruised cheek facing the ceiling.

Gregory had been mindful of Charlie’s slumber in the bed next to them as he quietly greeted Freddy. “Morning, Dad…”

A fast smile returned to his face. He was the luckiest kid—not just statistically. Today he felt good. With no hide nor hair of his foster parents around, Gregory was relaxed and happy to wake up with people who actually cared about him. He rolled over, throwing his arms around his dad as he thought of how close he was to never having a life like this.

***

Sam looked a lot better. The bags under his eyes were beginning to clear up nicely thanks to those strange melatonin candies Moon carried around, the natural sleep aids doing wonders for Samuel’s complexion. Outside the Daycare, Sam met with Michael and instructed him on what this shift was going to look like this afternoon.

“I was going ask you to help me get started on Roxy’s restoration, but Sophie’s going to meet you in the main security hub first,” Sam said, refilling a coffee thermos in a break room behind a Staff Only door. “She’ll show you the security route and protocol stuff. You know, newbie training and everything. It would be kind of unfair if everyone but you had to do orientation and all." Grimacing, Sammy leaned in close and cupped a hand over his mouth. "Plus, between you and me, she's the most suspicious about you guys—best not to give her any reason to make it worse.”

“I understand,” Michael replied, shoving his hands in his pockets. He raised an eyebrow as Sam inhaled the coffee, recalling the days when he too survived mostly on pitchers of the stuff. “I’ll meet her now then, I suppose?” When Sam hummed in confirmation, the guard nodded and headed off to the security hub. He wondered what Sophie thought of all this…

Would she still be mildly terrified of him as the Afton heir, like she’d been during past interactions? Thankfully Mike could now do away with that stuffy persona modeled after his cold-hearted father, although he knew the personality change would probably throw poor Sophie for a loop.

And speak of the devil—she was waiting for Michael right where Sam indicated, staring off into space.

“Hey!” Mike greeted as he approached, giving Sophie a little wave. He lowered this hand and offered it for her to shake with an apologetic smile. “Sammy said you wanted to show me a few things? I, uh… I’m sorry if we got off on the wrong foot earlier this week. I promise I’m not a complete asshole.”

Inside the room, Sophie had paused the video feed she was reviewing. Michael didn’t ask why, so she didn’t explain her reasoning for looking over the tapes. She tried hiding her jump when Mike began to speak, and his suddenly friendly demeanor had her very confused.

This was the same Michael Afton with the shitty attitude and muscle shirts, right? Sophie decided for the sake of their jobs, it was best to throw that mess under the bridge.

“Oh, it was a stressful week for everyone, Mr. Afton. No worries!” she replied with an easy going shrug before reaching out and taking his hand. She shook it firmly, and felt more at ease when she could feel him respond and match the strength of her grip. “But hey! Now that you’re here, I can start your tour!”

“Sounds good,” Michael responded, although he grimaced slightly at the name. “Oh, and no need for all that formal stuff anymore—Mr. Afton was my father. Just call me Michael or Mike; whichever you prefer.”

“You got it.” An easygoing smile returned to Sophie’s face. Perhaps the off-putting behavior had all been caused by stress. Intrigued, Sophie stood and began explaining the typical duties of a Fazbear night guard. “So—if you're doing nightshift, the first stop is making sure the auto locks go off at twelve at night. Starting from there, I'll show you the route we normally take! I personally just like taking a walk down the atrium from the front doors. Then it's just checking the backrooms in the fastest way possible before making it back to the security room.”

Gathering her flashlight and walkie, Sophie was sure to log out of the computer before hitting the door button on their way out of the room. No one needed to know she was snooping through video surveillance...

Michael instinctively patted down his work belt as he watched Sophie get her supplies. Everything was intact and accounted for, as usual. The day Michael Afton forgot or misplaced a piece of security guard gear would mark the failing of his mental capacities—after everything he’d been through, he’d never lose a potential weapon unless it was from throwing it at an animatronic that was after his blood. Hopefully they’d never have to worry about that again, though.

As Sophie continued speaking, Mike managed to pull his thoughts back to the present and follow her out the door. “Auto locks go off at twelve, then case the back rooms and return to the security office—got it.”

His gaze swiveled around as they walked, really trying to take in the building he’d be working and half-living in for god knows how long. “I know there’s multiple offices, though the one by the stage is the central hub. Does the night guard switch between them, or are the others more so there for back up or extra dayshift security?” 

“Daytime security mostly. We used to have... More night guards. And day guards.” Sophie subconsciously reached up and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Yeah, Vanessa had scared off a few newbies trying to learn the ropes. Honestly she was glad that Ness decided to take a wellness trip. Someone that high-strung sorely needed it, especially if she was keeping other people from doing their jobs.

When they hit the atrium, Sophie explained it a bit more thoroughly. “Usually if we had more staff, they’d be helping you out by watching their own sectors while you do rounds. Not many people want to work here these days... Go figure.”

Sophie spoke honestly, maybe even against her better judgement as she knew Mike and Sam must be friends of some kind. Still... Everyone knew this place had a weird history. Sophie was aware before even taking the job, and yet—probably against her better judgement—she still signed the employee contract.

“Speaking of which...,” she began, slowly drawling her words as she carefully meandered around the subject. “Why did you want to work security anyway? It doesn't exactly have the best reputation as a fun job...”

A wistful smile crossed Mike’s face.

“No, it certainly doesn’t,” he agreed, pale eyes flickering to Sophie’s briefly before looking away. “I’ve got personal stake in this place, for one thing.”

He might as well flaunt the Afton name even though he hated it. Maybe he could even reclaim it in time. While he’d never be rid of the dark blot of terror William created that forever loomed over Fazbear Entertainment, Michael could at least do his best to convince his coworkers that not every Afton was evil… or dead.

Kind of.

“Also, like we told you before we came to check in on this place per Sam’s request,” Michael went on as he and Sophie meandered casually through the Pizzaplex. “When I saw the state of things and the clearly overwhelmed night guard, I had to stick around to help. I might not look like it, but I’ve got a fair amount of security detail experience under my belt.”

He stopped himself from rambling more, not wanting to say too much. Michael got the strangest sensation that Sophie might actually understand some of his sordid past if he told her—or at the very least accept it. But that wasn’t a fair burden to put on anyone, let alone someone so young just trying to do their job. For now, Michael would remain the enigmatic Afton willing to help his family friend Samuel anyway he could.

The pair meandered through the Pizzaplex, chattering idly as Sophie explained the standard duties of what security here entailed. Eventually, their trip took them to the Daycare. The closer they got, the more Mike realized that this might not be the best idea. So far, Ennard had done a great job of avoiding dayshift staff, although they’d never been so close to Michael as they would be in the Daycare…

Of course, it was entirely possible that the amalgamation was chilling in the basement with Henry, though with technically two new friends if counting Sun and Moon separate, Ennard was spending most of their time in the rainbow room of fun. It would be too suspicious if Michael asked Sophie to wait outside while he scouted the area. Instead, he opted for loudly announcing their presence, hoping the knowledge that he was with someone else would be enough to send Ennard running for cover if they were around.

“Sophie, have you gotten the chance to visit Sun since he got all fixed up?” Michael asked, speaking a bit louder than might be necessary as they ducked under the garage door leading to the drop-off area.

“Oh yeah! I visited him this morning,” she answered in a perky way, figuring he was just making conversation. She approached the slide, which was honestly one of her favorite ways to enter any of the attractions. “Dude, I felt so bad. I tried asking Sun what was wrong but he just sort of covered his mouth and screamed? I think Sam said he was stuck between personality matrixes. And because he's sort of scared of the dark, it left him freaked out for like the whole weekend!”

Standing aside, Sophie waited for Mike to go down first. “Have you ever taken the slide into the Daycare? It's so much more fun than it looks.” 

Inside, Mari was currently having the time of her life. Running around and chasing after both Sun and Ennard in one of the more enriching games of tags she's ever played, mostly her and Sun were the ones shouting over any attempts at signaling those robots inside the Daycare. 

Well, shit. Michael caught a flash of movement—three shapes, and that’s all he needed to know. Sun and his new friends were playing and clearly didn’t hear his warning. Mari he could explain away: Charlie’s little sister, come to visit the Pizzaplex and Sam. The CEO needed to get some work done, and therefore dropped her off in the Daycare for Sun to watch over. Ennard though… now that would be a tough one.

Michael ran a stressed hand through his hair. As usual, that thing was the bane of his existence. Thinking quickly, he flashed Sophie a grin and took her offer of going first down the slide. Wasting no time, he practically threw himself down feet first, landing in a crash of plastic that instantly caught the yelling robots’ attention. They had about ten seconds max before Sophie made it into the ball pit, and as Michael scrambled out of the way he hissed frantically: “Dayshift guard right behind me! Ennard, GET OUT!”

Ennard briefly caught that flash of muted white and black of the security guard uniform. They were excited to see the human man and shouted a greeting to him.

“MIKEY! I AM WINNING TAG!” They stopped right by the ball pit, leaning over to loom over Michael, excited to finally talk to his friend after some silence for the past few days. But when they felt Mari's strong little hands shove them hard into the ball pit, they knew they were out of the game for now.

“TAG!” Mari shouted at the big old mess of wires and gears. “Now stay hidden you big goober!” She said, clapping the dust from the grody carpeting she had to touch.

Behind Michael there was a shout of joy from Sophie as she slid face first down and crashed into the ball pit, unaware what was lurking just out of sight in the plastic pool.

“Wooo... Man, that never gets old!” she laughed, shaking her hair out as she resurfaced. Though confusion quickly over took her as she saw Mari standing before Michael at the edge of the pit. “Oh—hey? What's your name? Are you lost...?”

Mari was quick to answer, her only downside being that she was a very truthful person by nature.

“No ma'am! I'm not lost; I'm Mari!” she protested, a cheeky grin on her face. Very cute, but Sophie did not quite like being called ma'am. It made her feel far too old. Standing up and wiping invisible dust off her pants, Sophie slowly made her way over to the young girl.

“Well, sweetheart, we've been closed for the past week. Do your parents know you're here?” she said, taking a very gentle approach to helping her. Although Mari looked kind of old to want to hang out in the Daycare area...

“This little angel is Charlie’s sister!” Michael quickly chimed in, scrambling out of the ball pit before a wiry tendril under the surface could fully wrap around his ankle and lock him in place. Once on the padded floor of the play area, he snaked an arm around Mari’s shoulders and pulled her into a side hug. “She came to visit Sam, but he must’ve needed to get some work done and dropped her off in the Daycare. Right, Sun?”

Michael shot a glance over his shoulder to where Sun was stooped, gazing at the interaction with rapt interest. It was a good thing his static face was stuck in a permanent smile, for the way he wrung his hands together indicated his nervousness at the situation. However, he immediately latched onto Michael’s direction, shifting his hands to clap them together.

“Oh yes!” the lanky animatronic exclaimed, bells on his wrists jingling as he swayed from foot to foot. “I’m watching over her until Sam or Charlie comes to pick her up! Ooh, but isn’t she just the cutest little ray of sunshine?!”

In a fit of what could only be described as cute aggression, Sun bent at the waist and reached forward to pinch both of Mari’s smiling cheeks at once, much to the girl’s chagrin.

“Sun?! How could you!” she said, feeling betrayed that her friend played along a bit too well as to treat her like a small child. She reached up, grasping his wrists and silencing the golden bells there. “You’re it now…” Mari said, reminding them that they were still playing a game. Sophie cracked a smile, believing them right off the bat due to the sheer resemblance she saw between all the Emily’s.

“Yes—” Sophie laughed, watching the maliciously compliant little girl interact with Sun. “—she’s cute. Looks just like the boss and Charlie. Are you having fun, Mari?” 

“This is my second favorite place to be. But Sun’s one of my best friends…,” Mari admitted, now rubbing her face into the soft fabric of Sun’s stripped pants in a way that made Sophie's heart melt. 

It took literally all of Sun’s willpower not to scoop Mari up and squeeze her until she was out of breath from the affection. To be called one of her best friends was the highest praise in Sun’s book. He patted the top of her head, slightly mussing up her shaggy waves in a way that framed the cherubic face even more adorably.

“Like Mari said, we’re playing tag!” the Daycare attendant exclaimed, looking to the guards expectantly. “Do you want to play with us?! It’s always more fun with more people!”

“Uh, well we're kind of on a schedule,” Mike explained. It’s not that he didn’t want to play tag—he was more worried about Ennard’s weird obsession that might entice them to stick an eyeball out of the ball pit to watch the fun. If Sophie caught sight of the creature lurking in the depths below, she’d probably freak out. With an apologetic smile, Michael shrugged up at Sun. “Next time, for sure; I’m technically in a tour right now for my new job, but we wanted to check in on you.”

“How sweet!” Sun gasped, completely unfazed by Michael’s denial of playtime. “I’m doing just great! And so is Moon! I’m sure he’d say hi to you both if he could!”

Under the pit, Ennard's wires shuttered and stalled with having almost gotten their prize. It was like Mike had developed a sixth sense when it came to their attempts at grasping for him. Despite his wishes not to play, Ennard knew he would be back later. Then they could chase each other down like old times once more…

As Sophie rose herself out and carefully over the lip of the rainbow river, she told the Daycare Attendant: “I’ll be back before my shifts up, Sun! I’ll bring some Fizzy-Faz to make up for it. We still have to get back to the security office for midday clearance.”

It was a rule from the start that all personnel that clocked in had to be accounted for by midday. A safety precaution that Mr. Emily took very serious. She was hardly worried about the boss’s daughter. The girl was in the safest part of the Pizzaplex. With its own lockdown features and 7 foot tall animatronic, people were hesitant to break rules under their charge.

“WAIT!” Mari shouted, jumping and grasping onto Sophie’s arm which had nearly been enough to make her panic right then and there. “I need your walkie talkie, please!” Before Sophie could answer, the communication device was slipped off her belt loop.

“Dad? It’s Mari! Do you copy?” she asked over the thick static.

A short pause followed by some feedback static was the only barrier between Sam's confused-sounding answer. “Uh—Mari? Yes, what’s wrong?”

“DRINK SOME WATER! You’ve been drinking too much coffee,” she shouted knowingly into the receiver. There was a long pause then after, followed by a heavy sigh on the radio.

“I’ve got water. Thank you, sweetheart,” Sam replied, probably relieved there wasn’t a real issue.

Mari then clipped the walkie back onto Sophie’s belt, leaving the security guard slightly dazed at the young girl’s responsible demeanor. Hell, she might make a good security guard when she’s older…

Michael had to stifle his laugh by turning it into a rather furious coughing fit. It was sweet to see Mari still fully invested in her role as the security bot of her earlier days, but imagining the look on Sam’s exhausted face when she called him “dad” so casually was enough to set off a fit of poorly-disguised giggles. Sophie would never know how absolutely bizarre their whole twisted “family” situation was…

“Thanks for helping keep your dad in check, Mari,” Michael eventually managed to say with a roll of his eyes. “God knows he needs it…”

“She’s so thoughtful!” Sun praised, jumping on the opportunity to shower his new friend in even more affection. This time he did pick her up, gently rubbing his face against hers while being careful of the bright spokes signaling his sunny disposition.

“Best mini-security guard around, that’s for sure,” Michael agreed, flashing a grin up at the pair. He then stretched his arms out, miming the action of cracking his joints as he looked to his coworker. “I guess we should head for that check-in?”

“Yes, yes, you don’t want Sammy to worry!” Sun encouraged, setting Mari back on the floor so she could say her goodbyes. Before she got the chance to though, the Daycare attendant crossed his arms overtop each other and grasped one of Michael and Sophie’s hands in his own, shaking them vigorously. “It was soooo good to see you! We have to play a game next time you both come around!”

Mari looked over the moon. She seemed to love the attention from others, and especially from one of the animatronics she chose to spend a lot of her time with. Until very recently, she couldn't express herself much. A living doll limited to its mask. Thanks to her creator, she could experience the world as the others did and finally share all that she knew. 

Sophie, none the wiser to the twisted monster in the pit could eagerly shake Sun's hand carefree. There was nothing amiss at all in the Pizzaplex today. Sam would be happy to hear that after so many nights of constant stress... which might give her some the opportunity to do some snooping without anyone watching too closely. Though Michael knew his stuff—she would have to be careful around him when maneuvering the security cameras and other employees later.

“I'll bring a board game next time I come on by, Sun,” Sophie promised, knowing soon it would be her turn to watch the Daycare. Turning to Michael, she nodded her way to the door with a casual smile. “We're making pretty good time today—how are you liking the Pizzaplex so far?”

“It's growing on me,” Michael replied with a little smile that was hard to read. With a final wave, he followed Sophie to the exit. As he crossed the threshold of the doorway, he swore his slightly advanced hearing picked up on plastic shuffling from the ball pit, as well as a near-imperceptible “Wait, silly!” from Sun. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes with all his might, Michael picked up the pace until they reached the entrance lobby, upon which he slowed again for Sophie to take the lead.

It wasn't yet time to come out, Sun and Mari had to practically wrestle him back below the plastic balls. Sophie would look over her shoulder at this display with the expectations of seeing them messing around playfully. As Ennard sucked Mari into the pit below, making her break into a giggling fit, Sophie smiled at how much Mari was enjoying herself. Completely clueless as to the happenings of the Pizzaplex, she was quick to guide Mike back out and into the main atrium where people remained busy in order to have the place opened on schedule.

“It sure is eventful around here though,” Michael commented as he saw some staff members bustling around. He knew it was nowhere near what it'd be like when the place was actually open for business, and admittedly he was glad he worked mostly night shift. Over the years he'd gotten used to the relative quiet of darkness.

...Well, when he wasn't cursing in terror from bloodthirsty animatronics at the office window, that is. Soon enough they'd made it to the check-in location, where a few other staff members were milling about. Michael looked around for Sam, wondering if he'd make an appearance—clearly he was awake from Mari's recent short, chiding call.

Currently, something huge was being taken on a dolly and into the freight elevator by a few workers and Mr. Emily himself. Whatever it was had been covered by a large canvas sheet, wrapped in hooking bungee cords to keep the canvas from slipping off the odd shape. Samuel was currently holding the elevator, allowing the people helping it upstairs to fit inside the lift without it shutting on them. When Sam spotted the pair walking in tandem, he waved to them.

“How's the tour going, guys?” he asked, seeming in a better mood than the last week as a whole.

“Good!” Michael replied, staring at the elevator curiously as the large object was finagled inside. Another animatronic, perhaps? There were still a few more to get up and running, after all… 

“Sophie’s been taking me on her daily route,” Michael elaborated, sticking his hands on his pockets and slouching casually to the side. “We stopped by all the animatronics to check in, too—DJ, the Glamrocks and Sun. They seem to be doing great!” A corner of his mouth twitched up in a knowing smirk.

“Also, Sophie got to meet your daughter—Mari’s certainly keeping Sun entertained.” Mike tilted his head. “How’s the coffee to water consumption ratio by the way, boss?”

Sam should’ve known that was the reason he received such a strange call coming from Mari; it’d really thrown the employees he had asked to help him for a loop. One remarked how they didn't know he had a daughter, while the other had spoken up to say they thought he had two. It made answering Mari just the slightest bit difficult. Then again, he was so tired, he could deadpan a lie fairly easily.

Sam chuckled, finding it weird how he had to pretend he had two kids—one being his sister, and the other a robot designed to protect both himself and said girl...

“Was she being good? And I'm drinking more water than I was before, if that's helpful,” Sam replied in a cheeky way.

“Oh, she was just fine. The Daycare attendant loves her, predictably,” Sophie said with a shrug. Sun loved all the kids, of course, but she reckoned he probably had a soft spot for his creator's daughter.

“I think she’d live in the Daycare if she could, to be honest,” Michael chuckled. If Mari could have a permanent slumber party on that padded floor surrounded by all her friends new and old, he just knew she’d be the happiest little robot in the world. While he couldn’t offer her that, Michael could give her a chance to experience something potentially just as exciting… He’d have to stop by on his way out to see if she’d be up for an adventure.

“Anyway, am I allowed to ask what you’re up to, or is it top secret?” Michael inquired, tilting his head towards the elevator as Sam let the doors close after staff finally got the mysterious object inside.

Sam looked around him and as the handy men loaded his project into the lift, he would let the door shut before saying anything—leaving quite the suspenseful beat for Sophie and Michael to endure. Then, he waved them closer and whispered just for their ears only. “It was a project I’d been working on for a while before this whole fiasco started. You guys remember Foxy the Pirate, right?”

Sophie’s eyes couldn’t get any bigger. Another employee passed them by to make use of the lift and Sam gently herded them both away while Sophie asked in awe: “Wait—was that why we couldn’t go to Parts & Service?”

“Mhm; partly,” Sam said, dodging her eye contact by pretending to look at his watch. “We are switching the department, however. I don’t know what we’re going to use that room for next. Maybe a break room—we just need more space for the newest animatronic line.”

The explanation eased Sophie’s conscience a little. The more she learned, the more most of this sounded like it was in the works for a very long time, and not just a spin on last ditch cover up.

“I’ll be powering him on shortly, but he needs to charge. I think someone accidentally left his roaming mode on sometime last week… You guys think Roxy’s ready to meet her brother?” he asked, hoping Roxy wouldn’t take it harshly to have a family member performing in the band with her.

“Holy shit,” Michael murmured under his breath, followed by a whispery chuckle. He knew it was coming, yet somehow the announcement of Foxy the Pirate Fox in the official lineup was still surprising. A bright smile lit up his face as the initial shock wore off. 

“Sammy, this is awesome! And I think Roxy’s going to be just fine.” He snickered, lips twitching into more of a smirk. “She’ll have someone else to get into trouble with."

As way of explanation for his reaction to a refurbished children’s character, Michael told Sophie: “Foxy used to be my favorite as a kid.”

Sophie could see the way Michael brightened when speaking about the character and his hardwired personality. It gave away exactly who Mike’s favorite was. Sophie was interested in seeing how the animatronic was going to stack up against the already established cast.

“Foxy was so cool—” Sophie agreed, seeming to be a big of a fangirl herself of the rowdy cartoon pirate. “—did you tell any of the Glamrocks yet?”

With a finger pressed over his lips, Sam made a soft shushing sound.

“No, keep it a surprise until tonight. I’m going to get the band all together then introduce the old Fox. Mike, come up to my office after you’re done with check-ins.” Sam flashed him a self-satisfied smirk, taking pride in the thing he had created for the brand new line up. “I want you to be the first to see his design. I think you’ll appreciate the work I put into it.”

“Will do, boss-man,” Michael replied with an overzealous salute. He was desperately trying not to laugh, his movements seeming a bit manic for no apparent reason. It was simultaneously so ironic and entertaining that Mike already knew about the Glamrock Foxy model in a more intimate way than anyone but its AI would ever get to. He'd have to explain—and apologize on everyone's behalf—to Sam later this evening why the fox had disappeared from its hidden storage and “free roamed” over the weekend...

But even though they'd been bonded for the better part of twenty-four hours, Michael still hadn't gotten to meet Foxy's programmed personality like he'd done when hitching a ride with Freddy. A flush of childlike excitement filled his eyes as he thought of meeting what was sure to be the friendliest iteration of the fox to date. He had a few more things to do first, though.

“So it's back to the security office after this, right?” Michael asked Sophie, not intending to rush her but simply to indicate he'd like to get a move-on now that they'd confirmed they were still alive and well (to Sam's satisfaction, at least).

Sam may have given him a cockeyed glance. Michael's sudden bursts of mania usually meant there was something strange afoot. Though with nothing else to go by, he departed with an equally ironic salute to his two guards. With Sophie's attention back fully to Mike and her job, she grinned.

“You want to go see the Fox, huh?” she asked almost teasingly. Before he could answer her, seriously or otherwise, she raised her phone from her pocket and checked the time. “Yep—so looking around everywhere, if you're not distracted, should take about an hour.”

It was time to head on back to the main office. Sophie made conversation as she led them back to home base. “I don't blame you, though. You're lucky to be helping Sam work on those things. And I mean you... made it so far; so to speak. He must want your opinion on it as a mechanic.”

Clearly Sophie had paid attention to their introductions during the meeting and was fairly aware of the vast number of safety protocols they normally need for doing work on an animatronic.

Michael's enthusiastic smile slipped into one that was a little more subdued as he followed after his new coworker.

“Well, unlike most franchises, the owners of Fazbear Entertainment have always been rather hands-on,” he said. Contrary to his chipper personality moments before, Michael's tone was relatively flat. Not wanting her to perceive this as him being haughty, he was quick to add: “I learned a lot from my predecessors; probably more than ever wanted to know, honestly.”

He gave a short laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “But it's definitely useful when animatronics go on the fritz like they did this weekend. I really don't mind helping out with that sort of stuff if anyone ever needs it. To be honest, it can get kind of boring sitting in that security office all night...”

Not that I want any action—PLEASE let things stay calm for the foreseeable future... Michael silently prayed to whoever was listening.

Sophie nodded, taking in what he said. It would probably be useful to listen to him about the history of this place given how vested he was in the company from what she assumed was a young age. He was related to the original owners, too.

“Tell me about it. For the most part, the band and everyone else reminds people to behave. The day shift is here pretty much for making sure dads don't get into fights at Monty Golf and throw a putter through the set props...,” Sophie remarked so specifically, one would probably think she was speaking for a real experience. “But usually people behave. Unless they want to get shaken down by a bunch of giant robotic animals dressed like the Twisted Sister front-man...”

“Mm, yeah, I'd hate to be on any of those robots' bad sides,” Michael responded with a little hum. His eyes shifted around, unable to stay on Sophie for a moment as the previous weekend flashed through his mind in rapid succession. Oh how far those animatronics had come from their dirty, broken shambles as they chased down an innocent child with the intent of ripping him apart limb by limb...

A small shiver ran through his body, though Michael ignored this as they stepped into the safety of the central hub yet again. He stretched out his arms with a sigh, then plopped down in one of the swivel chairs and used the momentum to do a 360-degree spin, braking with his foot to grin up at Sophie.

“Thanks for showing me around,” he told her, already stealing a glance at the security feeds as was habit. When there was a set of monitors and live camera feeds in front of him, Michael had to watch them. Managing to reign in his gaze, he leaned casually back in the chair and looked to his coworker again. “I'll be sure to reach out if I need while I adjust to things around here.”

“No problem! I look forward working with you, Mike,” Sophie replied with a thumbs-up, before grabbing her coat from one of the storage lockers. Her footsteps disappeared down the hallway while Michael's phone buzzed in his back pocket. Charlie had been trying to reach him through text. There were several photo attachments.

Mike it's Charlie. How do you use clippers?

Like the electric ones for hair

OK I figured it out never mind.

OK maybe not. duck

I meant Duck not duck

The texts became decreasingly verbose as Charlie panicked. Then, there was an album, a photographic progression of a haircut Charlie was apparently giving to Gregory. There was hair everywhere as a shaggy mullet was now cut into the kid’s head. He stood on the bathroom sink, glaring into the camera as Charlie took pictures of him. She eventually figured out how to take a selfie in the ending photo, managing to get the boy to smile after styling the old school cut.

“No fucking way,” Michael chuckled to himself as he scrolled through the pictures. They were ridiculous, the lot of them...

Out of all potential hairstyles, she'd gone with a mullet? Well, it'd certainly be hard for the Smiths to recognize Gregory at first glance, that's for sure. Plus, Michael couldn't deny his soft spot for the style... Pulling up the virtual keypad, he typed a response as quick as his fingers would go.

Sorry, was getting a tour from Sophie; all done now. Gregory looks adorable... don't tell him I said that

I'm hanging out for a bit then coming back w/a surprise... be there in 1-2 hours, & we can go to the Pizzaplex together for night shift later

With that Michael slipped his phone back in his pocket, though he'd barely gotten to roll his chair into the prime camera-watching position before it buzzed again.

***

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[why-its-kai]

Bear: 1. A gay or bisexual man who has facial/body hair and a cuddly body. 2. An umbrella term that refers to members of a subculture in the gay and bisexual male communities and is often defined as more of an attitude or sense of comfort with natural masculinity and bodies.

source

"Q: What is a Bear? A: The most common definition of a “bear” is a man who is hairy, has facial hair, and a cuddly body. However, the word “Bear” means many things to different people, even within the bear movement. Many men who do not have one or all of these characteristics define themselves as bears, making the term a very loose one. Suffice it to say, “bear” is often defined as more of an attitude than anything else – a sense of comfort with our natural masculinity and bodies that is not slavish to the vogues of male attractiveness that is so common in gay circles and the culture at large."

source

"Superficially, a bear is a chubby, hairy, masculine, gay male who likes beer and flannel shirts. However, according to many bears and their admirers, the bear culture is not so much about physical appearance, rather it is about living a particular philosophy of acceptance, respect, and the celebration of diversity (Bill Picture, SF Gate). Furthermore, a bear is a gay man who rejoices in his masculinity (masculinity of a relaxed and undemonstrative nature) rather than suppressing his true gender identity to assimilate into the pretty-boy standards of much of the gay "community." A bear is, well, a big teddy-bear of a man--gruff and bristly on the outside but mellow and squishy-sweet on the inside. Bears are considered almost universally friendly and likeable."

source

"The Bear concept can function as an identity, an affiliation, and an ideal to live up to, and there is ongoing debate in Bear communities about what constitutes a Bear, however a consensus exists that inclusion is an important part of the Bear Community. Bears (also called ursines) are almost always gay or bisexual men, although increasingly transgender men (transmen) and those who shun labels for gender and sexuality are also included within Bear communities."

source

[sohannabarberaesque]

Now just add the Hair Bear Bunch and the Bear Pride Flag, and things couldn't get more fascinating for an ursine road trip galore. Especially when they declare their camping-ground of the nonce to be Camp Volkswagen.

@railguner34 @funtasticworld @iheartgod175 @groovybribri

binkadventure

[dispersio]

muse ost.

MAIN: Dors mon Ange - Francoise Hardy SILLY: Kara Kara Kara no Kara - Kikuo (yes, for real.) DETERMINATION: newhope02 - Arknights BATTLE: Tenebre Rosso Sangue - KEYGEN CHURCH SAD: Happy Birthday My Dear - Maplestory RELAXED: Song of the Ancients - RafScrap ft. Lyra CONTEMPLATIVE: And Love You Shall Find - Final Fantasy XIV HAPPY: Pas de Deux - P. Tchaikovsky HARD WORK MONTAGE: Daze - Poets of the Fall LOVE THEME: Persephone - Tamino BREAKUP / HEARTBREAK: Lovers' Death - Ursine Vulpine & Annaca FAILURE / DEFEAT: Helvegen - Wardruna FINAL BATTLE: Ave Maria di Caccini (Arr. Dardust) - DiMaio

TAGGED BY: ...forgot which friend i saw this on first, sorry TT TAGGING: @aeniqmata & anybody else interested.

[angelofrainfrogs]

Spend the Night: Ch. 25

~Coauthored by @zeitghest~

Fandom(s): Five Nights At Freddy’s: Security Breach

Description: The familiar melody of Grandfather’s Clock chimes through the echoing halls of the Pizzaplex…

Charlie wakes up in her Puppet’s vessel yet again with one goal in mind: to stop William Afton’s reign of terror for good. She enlists the help of Glamrock Freddy, the emphatic leader of the newest iteration of the Fazbear Band. But there seems to be more to this bear than meets the eye—and the same goes for the mysteriously familiar kid the duo find tinkering with animatronics down in Parts & Service.

With some help from friends new and old, Charlie’s journey into the bowels of the Pizzaplex will unravel mysteries none of them ever expected. 

Rating: T

Read on Ao3

Too late to hide away Too soon for one to repay Why don't you see what's comin’? I cannot stop what's comin’ There is no point in tryin’ Please read my mind, can't decide when I'm broken Every whisper is turning to voices That I only begin to discern in noises

Somebody save

Somebody save

Somebody save me

~Save Me by DHuesta, Chris Commisso~

While Michael and Charlie traveled down to Fazerblast, Gregory and Freddy were looking around the arcade in Bonnie Bowl. It was just a tiny room of random games, none of which seemed to be the one they were searching for.

“I am sorry, superstar—I do not see Princess Quest,” Freddy admitted, using his height advantage to scour the game titles in search of the aforementioned console.

Figures that they wouldn’t find it. With Freddy’s apologetic nature, Gregory couldn’t blame the bear even if he wanted to.

“We’ll find it eventually,” he replied, giving the entirety of the room another visual once-over before shrugging his shoulders. “We could bowl a little! You know, before Mr. Afton and Ms. Emily get back.”

Gregory’s tone was mocking, excited to pick on his siblings now that they weren’t here to defend themselves and retaliate. He glanced up to Freddy, eyes wide with hope that the bear would agree to hang out with him a little and do something normal. The two of them barely got to relax together since starting their quest, and if Freddy was indeed destined to be Gregory’s dad the kid wanted to spend some quality time with his ursine caretaker.

“That is a wonderful plan!” Freddy praised, grinning down at his son as he ruffled his hair. Michael and Charlie had told them to stay put unless they called after all, and Freddy saw no need to go against their suggestion.

Until now, respite was only found in Freddy’s room or the security offices that Gregory chose to nap inside of. If he could offer Gregory another place to associate with comfort, Freddy would jump at the chance.

The staff being in a tizzy over all the crazy stuff happening elsewhere in the Pizzaplex worked to their benefit, for there was no one wandering around the uninteresting bowling alley to bother them. It was completely empty save for the S.T.A.F.F. bots behind the food counter, ready to serve up some unhealthy concoction at Gregory's whim. Freddy was glad for the chance to spend time with his son without worrying about any watchful eyes, and this infectious happiness showed when he suddenly grasped Gregory under the shoulders and threw him into the air. He grinned at the boy's surprised shriek as he was subsequently caught in Freddy's safe, waiting arms.

“To the bowling lane we go!” the bear exclaimed, settling Gregory on his hip as they made their way towards the first available lane.

Gregory’s surprise toss in the air reminded him just how fast and strong his dad was. Thankfully he only had Gregory’s best interests at heart and wasn’t using that strength to try and rip his guts out. After the yelp, he devolved into a mess of giggles before holding onto his father for support that he seemingly didn’t even need.

“I’ve never bowled before! You just knock the pins down, right?” Gregory asked. The game sounded straightforward. Only two chances to knock every pin down, then it’s onto the next person.

Gregory already liked this attraction. The first plus was that it was quiet; the other being that there wasn’t anything lurking around trying to tear the boy apart. He was safe here during the day with his favorite animatronic at his side.

“Correct,” Freddy agreed, setting Gregory down when they reached the lane. “There are a few techniques to help knock down the ultimate number of pins, which I can show you. I will put our names into the scoreboard so it can keep track; how about you pick out a bowling ball?” He gestured to the rack of colorful balls nearby, all with different faces of various Pizzaplex animatronics printed on them along with numbers to indicate their weight. “Try to find one that is easy for you to pick up, but not too light.”

As Gregory did as instructed, Freddy situated himself in the bolted-down plastic chair in front of the lane computer. He plugged in his name first so he’d be able to show Gregory an example of how to bowl, and once the monitor hanging from the ceiling lit up ready for the game to start he met the boy at the rack.

“Any luck, superstar?” Freddy asked kindly, reaching over Gregory’s head to pick out a heavily-weighted ball. He casually tossed this in the air and caught it one-handed as if the thing weighed no more than a cotton swab.

Gregory had been feeling out the weight on many of the bowling balls while Freddy set up their game. But it was increasingly more and more obvious that the kid was… not very strong. The 10 pound, deep purple glitter ball wasn’t the heaviest, but it wasn’t the smallest weight they carried so Gregory saw that as a victory.

He flashed a smile to his dad, showing off the ball. When he caught Freddy oh-so gracefully tossing one up with such gentle cadence, Gregory looked impressed. He needed to get way stronger, or Freddy and the other bots were going to smoke him at bowling!

“Got one!” Gregory announced with a smile. It’d be fun to play with him, regardless.

“Excellent!” With a gentle touch to Gregory’s shoulder, Freddy urged him towards the lane itself. “Now, the basic things you should keep in mind are to line up your shot and try not to twist your wrist as you release the ball to ensure it travels in a straight line.”

Freddy demonstrated this, holding the sparkling red ball to his chest as he lined up the angle. He cocked his arm back, the ball hooked by the tips of his bright blue claws, then simultaneously took a step forward and released in one smooth motion. It sailed down the lane and smacked into the pins with a satisfying crack, knocking over all but a cluster of 3 standing on the leftmost side.

“You get two chances per turn to knock down all the pins, unless you hit them all in one go and cause a strike,” Freddy explained as he waited for his ball to shoot out of the return track.

Gregory was mimicking Freddy, all but letting go of the purple orb to watch Freddy expertly down seven of the pins. The screen over the alley showed exactly which ones remained as the track cleared the fallen pins away.

“Easy!” Gregory scoffed, figuring the game was fairly straightforward. It also seemed relaxed and casual, unlike the competitive streak he and Michael had earlier in the East Arcade.

Discretely, while Freddy was lining up his second shot Gregory reached into one of the roomier pockets. He’d rolled up the monster slice of pizza as to not stain his cargo pants with grease, and munched upon it as he watched the bear concentrate.

Another perfectly-angled throw, and the last three pins were down.

“Spare!” Freddy cheered, throwing his fists in the air as he watched the cheesy animation play out on the monitor above their heads. He turned to Gregory, his grin faltering into a mild look of confusion as he caught him chowing down on the pizza slice. It wasn’t a great leap in logic to figure out where it’d come from, and despite the questionable hygiene of eating pocket-pizza, Freddy opted to let it go this time. If anything about that hefty slice of topping-laden dough were to make Gregory sick, it wasn’t going to be the way it was transported…

“When you are ready, it is your turn,” Freddy said, stepping aside and gesturing for Gregory to take his place in front of the lane. Gregory was quick to abandon the pizza, sure it’d still be waiting for him on the tabletop when he got back. 

“Okay... So, keep your wrist straight—” Gregory aimed down the alley and hurled the ball as hard as he could.

It sure did go!

…And it continued, veering left before finding itself loudly clanging into the gutter. Gregory's jaw hung open, blinking as the ball passed every single pin to go straight for the return. When Gregory turned to glance back at his father, he gave the robot a thumbs-up.

“Now I know what not to do,” he said, trying not to be a sore loser.

“It may take a little practice, but I am sure you will get your skills up in no time!” Freddy said reassuringly, giving the boy a smile. He didn't feel the need to point out that his AI was designed to excel at games like this, nor that he just so happened to be the second best animatronic at bowling, beaten only by the rabbit the attraction was themed after. Their friendly bowling rivalry had been a major aspect of their relationship, and despite how worked up the usually-composed bunny could get when he lost, Freddy always knew it was in good fun.

Sparing a glance towards the closed, star-studded curtain by the food counter, Freddy allowed a wistful smile to cross his face. What he wouldn't give to have those days back again, before Bonnie went “missing” and this horrible virus infested the very building they called home...

Freddy flicked his gaze back to Gregory, who was watching him closely. The bear let out a huffing laugh, stepping forward to ruffle his hair. He really was too observant for his own good sometimes—although in the current circumstances, it didn't hurt to be overly cautious. Before Gregory could ask what was wrong, Freddy let him know:

“I am alright, superstar—just reminiscing. You still have one more try before your turn ends!”

He was sad about Bonnie...

Gregory could tell in the forlorn glance Freddy sent to the stage. They were made to be best friends, and that friendship was taken away in the blink of an eye so that one man could have a disguise. If the Glamrock bear hadn’t been gifted such realistic emotion, the secondhand hurt might not’ve felt so bad.

Even so, Gregory knew when not to meddle, instead leaning into his father's wholesome head-pats to try cheering him up instead. “Okay, watch me, Dad! I'm gonna knock 'em aaaall down this time!”

Today was their fun day, after all! And despite the fact he couldn't stop his siblings from crying earlier, Gregory may be able to at least keep Freddy from feeling any worse. Besides, Gregory was confident in the future after all the reassurances Charlie had drilled into the group.

They were going to beat William. And when they did, Bonnie would be back! Back on his stage, back beside Freddy and the Glamrocks, together again.

Gregory… couldn't relate. The only good friends he had were all right here, under this roof.

He thought about how close they’d all gotten while chucking the ball down its lane. The orb once again veered left, managing to take out a pin in its spinning whirlwind of destruction. Gregory would still celebrate this with a fist pump. Even the small victory was still a win to him.

“Well done, Gregory!” Freddy exclaimed, giving the boy a high-five as he moved past to switch places. A bit of an exaggerated celebration for one pin, but Freddy couldn't help it—he was more so cheering for the fact that his son was genuinely having a good time. As Freddy got into position, he gave Gregory some additional instruction. “See those little triangular markers on the lane in front of where you stand? Try and line up your shot with those—carry your arm through as straight as you can, and the ball should go in the direction you intend.”

With another well-positioned throw, Freddy's ball rolled forward in a rush of red sparkle. This time, he hit the pins square in the center, knocking them all down at once. The monitor proclaimed he'd gotten a STRIKE! in overly-animated, exaggerated text.

Gregory was a little jealous, but mostly impressed. He stood with his arms crossed as he watched his dad's technique. He'd have to hurry it up; Freddy was too good and was going to wipe the floor with him and this whole game soon enough. When Freddy explained the meaning of the triangular markers, Gregory sounded out a long: “Ooooh. That makes sense,” as he catalogued the tip away.

When Gregory's ball came back he had patiently waited for Freddy's turn to be over before lining up his shot. Every bit of advice from Papa Bear helped—this time Gregory's shot had hit the pins dead on! Though his throw did need some work, as he’d only put enough force behind the throw to knock down five out of ten.

“See? You are getting better already!” Freddy hummed softly as the boy waited eagerly at the ball return. “I wonder if Michael and Charlie are any good at bowling...”

Surely the pair had spent their fair share of days in a bowling alley back in their youth, though that didn't mean much for their current states. Still, it put another grin on Freddy's face to think of them joining their brother for a game, staring a friendly competition between the group that he had a feeling Mike and Gregory would get way too into before the day was over.

Michael and Gregory were sure to butt heads during a little friendly competition. Then while they’d be distracted trying to one up the other in the scoreboards, Charlie or Freddy would gain a leg up over the both of them. It was bound to happen, and Gregory could see himself falling into that trap.

“Guess we'll have to see when they're done!” Gregory remarked, looking towards the entrance as his voice took on a jaded affect. “I hope they didn't get stuck at Fazerblast. That was a freaking nightmare.”

“I am sure they are just fine,” Freddy reassured, willing the statement to be true. He handed Gregory the glittering purple sphere once it rolled back to them. “Your turn again, superstar—good luck!”

***

At that moment, three things happened simultaneously: Gregory's bowling ball struck down the remaining five pins, earning him a spare and ardent praise from Freddy; Michael finally completed the last area in Princess Quest III, freeing the princess from the glitching, shrieking rabbits; and Vanessa jolted upright in bed with a gasp as if she'd been submerged underwater for a very long time.

The night guard had been trapped in a nightmare—a strange, 8-bit style world where she was a little princess made of yellow blocks having to fend off purple rabbits that snapped at her everywhere she went. She'd had these dreams before, though this was the first time she remembered them. Usually she'd just wake up screaming, sweat drenching her pajamas and sheets as her heart hammered against her ribcage. She never knew what scared her until this moment, and while most of the memories were still vague and floating just out of reach, she was sure of one thing: she'd done something bad.

“Oh fuck...,” she breathed, pressing a hand over her mouth as a few memories made it through in flashes: a strange rabbit standing in an old Pizzeria—

No, it was virtual. Not a real location—at least, not the one she’d seen.

Vanessa used to be a beta tester. She... something went wrong, and she... she got infected.

Since then, she'd never been herself—she saw things through a purple lens, all false happiness and the need to bring a certain “family” back together, though at the moment she couldn't recall any names. And to do that, she'd been commanded to capture children, and—

Vanessa bolted out of bed, rushing to bathroom and promptly throwing up the contents of her stomach into the toilet. Groaning from the physical and mental weight suddenly thrust upon her, she coughed out a faint cry.

“O-Oh god... what the fuck have I done...”

***

“I did it!” Michael exclaimed, the furrowed lines of concentration on his brow relaxing as the console played a victorious jingle. This was quickly covered by an inhuman screech of pure rage that made him and Charlie flinch back, before the screen flashed ERROR in bright red text three times before shutting off completely. Glancing at Charlie out of the corner of his eye, Mike gulped. “I... hope that was a good thing.”

Charlie approached the console with a hand outstretched. She jiggled the joystick, pressed the start button. Suddenly the air became thick with a tension she only felt when William was around—specifically when he was angry or upset.

And yet, they were completely and totally alone in the neon attraction.

“Uhhh...” Charlie blinked, her brows furrowed at the now powered-down arcade game. “I... I don't know if that did anything...”

That wasn't what she expected to happen. Then again, what should’ve happened? Some blinding flash of light, or a sudden message from Vanessa thanking them for helping her?

When it became just their reflections staring back against an infinitely black backdrop of the game screen, Charlie moved away. Shuffling about the messy office instead, Charlie looked at the various notes on Vanessa's desk before grasping a yellow post-it. This had a list of passwords on it, something they needed to gain control of Fazerblast with.

“We totally left Sophie down there way too long,” Charlie pointed out. She twitched her head towards the exit, silently suggesting they leave.

“Yeah… time to go,” Michael agreed, grabbing her arm as grounding reassurance to both of them as they exited the watchtower. From their vantage point, he scanned the arena for any sign of pissed-off purple rabbits, and upon finding nothing quickly ushered Charlie down and back to the room where Sophie awaited them.

“Sorry—that office was a mess,” Michael said as way of an excuse when they arrived at the guard’s side once again. “We found the password, though.”

Before entering the game's lobby Charlie made sure to let go of Mike, still trying keep up the professional illusion. However, she was sure to give her best friend a reaffirming pat between the shoulders before parting ways to walk alongside him. Sophie raised a bushy brow at the pair, accepting their excuse of having to navigate the messy room easily.

“That reminds me—I should email Ness and tell her to straighten out the offices tonight,” Sophie thought aloud, taking the password from Charlie's silent but helpful fingers. “It's the least she could do for leaving us with all this other junk to clean up.”

It was probably how she ended up getting hurt, tripping over the cans and piled trash inside her office space. Plus it was always so dark in the Fazerblast location Ness seemed to favor... What the night guard saw in that tiny space was anyone’s guess.

“Yes—good idea.” Charlie pretended to know exactly what email was in order to give Sophie a nod. “Unfortunately, Mr. Afton and I have to make a run back to Bonnie Bowl and pick up his little cousin. Thank you for your help today, Sophie.”

“Yep—” Sophie turned, her attention now focused on logging into the terminal. She could just email Vanessa from there. “—I'll catch you guys later!”

“We’ll check that elevator damage on the way out,” Michael added over his shoulder, not wanting Sophie to think he and Charlie forgot the reason they’d gone to Fazerblast in the first place. By the time the androids trekked to the elevator in question Sophie managed to log into the computer and disable the attraction, letting it run on backup lighting and eerie silence. As they approached, the doors slid open a bit jerkily.

“Oof… they definitely can’t buff that out,” Mike commented with a grimace, examining what he could see of the dents and scrapes left by his last frantic escape with Gregory. He didn’t realize he’d caused that much damage—they’d need to replace the entire doors at this point.

Oh well… just another thing for maintenance to add to their list.

“I hope the other two are having fun, at least,” he said, pressing the button to take them up to the lobby once they were inside the elevator. He smiled, shoving his hands in his pockets as he looked at Charlie. “Do you think Freddy’s bowling fair and square, or do you think he’s letting Gregory win?”

Charlie had to take a moment to appreciate how Michael massacred the elevator doors. It would do well to remind Charlie that the same logic still applied from when he was a scrappy teen—never pick a fight with him. He was akin to a trapped animal in a battle, personified with his previous disguise as Foxy.

Charlie stepped into the lift after her friend and replied with a shrug. “Who’s to say he’s not beating Freddy? After all, he kicked your butt at Faz-Fighters.”

She may not ever feel inclined to enact physical violent on Michael (anymore), but sometimes it was too hard to resist poking fun at her best friend. Thinking on it, Charlie remembered Gregory saying that he desperately wanted to play at any of the attractions. The poor kid likely didn’t have much experience to against someone designed to be good at the themed games.

Charlie shook her head and replied seriously this time. “I’m sure Freddy’s going easy on him! Ooh—” Her eyes lit up with intrigue and a bright smile graced her features. “—I forgot Bonnie Bowl was where we got that pizza slushee! How do you feel about stealing another one with me?”

“Hell yes!” Michael readily agreed, eyes lighting up at the thought of yet another pizza-themed monstrosity. “Man, I’m so glad we can finally taste things again… I don’t know how I would’ve carried on knowing there was such a nasty drink just out of reach.”

Michael gave a dramatic sigh, doing his best to distract from the heavy air in the arena that faded with every foot the elevator climbed. They were soon deposited in the winner’s lobby, which hadn’t yet been replenished with a new Fazerblaster. It was unfortunate Mike hadn’t thought to snatch their old one from Foxy’s chest after he’d switched bodies… but then again, he’d have immediately shot at Ennard when they busted through that basement door, so it was probably for the best overall.

As much as Michael was loathe to admit, Ennard had been nothing but helpful this whole time. Creepy as hell… but helpful nonetheless.

A short walk and a few more elevator rides later, the sound of bowling ball impacting pins echoed through the air as Michael and Charlie slipped under the metal gate to Bonnie Bowl. Freddy and Gregory stood at the farthest lane, and Mike felt a smile tug at his lips at the sight of them. It was a weird sensation to see family that he actually loved after all his time of self-isolation—and he wasn’t ever going to give that up again.

“Hey, guys!” he greeted with a wave. “How’s the game going?”

Gregory was sitting on the bright plastic bench, turning around and gripping the backrest as he smiled to them.

“I suck at bowling!” he replied with a laugh. “It's been pretty fun though!”

“Glad you're having fun! I'm going to grab a drink, then I'll join!” Charlie said, ruffling his hair with a grin. Then she skipped over to the snack counter in search of the pizza slushee dispenser she found yesterday, ignoring the S.T.A.F.F. bot incessantly reminding her that customers weren’t allowed in the back.

“Bet—I got to find a bathroom,” Gregory announced, ready to wander off on his own for a moment. With things going so well, he’d gained a sense of ease that he knew would be sorely missing during night shift. Gregory was determined to take advantage of it, even for something as simple as a trip to the bathroom without worrying about being snatched by murder-rabbits. He opened his Fazwatch and glanced at the map, cross-checking the closest restroom on the bright interface as he began to walk.

“Gregory—” Freddy began, reaching a hand out towards him instinctively. He didn't like the thought of the boy wandering anywhere by himself, dayshift or not. Their overarching threat was far from gone, and it made Freddy uneasy to think of Gregory defenseless and alone without any of his family to help should something go wrong.

“I'll tail him,” Mike promised, immediately understanding the bear's distress. He echoed Freddy's unspoken sentiments to a tee, and though he figured Gregory might appreciate two seconds of peace without someone fretting over him, Michael wasn't quite ready to let him have that either. Still, he didn't have to stick close—just trail behind Gregory at a casual pace and keep watch.

“Let Charlie know we'll be right back, okay?” Michael told Freddy, giving him a reassuring pat on the back. He flashed the bear a grin and began lazily strolling after Gregory as the boy rounded a corner, for once feeling like he wasn't in rush to complete some potentially-traumatizing mission.

There was a customer's bathroom on the total opposite end from where they’d been bowling. It was closer to the counter, but Charlie had apparently decided to be nosy and snoop around the back out of sight. Shrugging to himself, Gregory pushed open the door with a Freddy silhouette and entered the boy’s room. He shot a cursory glance around, eying each stall as he passed—just in the spirit of being careful when Gregory perceived himself to be alone.

But then, he spotted it.

Sitting on the corner of the farthest sink, tucked against a long mirror was a plushie. Not just any plush random one that could be found in the Pizzaplex, either. No, this doll was clearly special.

The color scheme was different to any of the normal Glamrocks. This particular Freddy's satin was a pretty golden hue, accent stripes a vibrant purple instead of blue. Its shape differed as well, looking heavier with a sagging body like it was filled with more cumbersome stuffing. The sight of it had distracted Gregory from what he came in to do, all attention pulled to the toy.

It was odd—certainly out of place as well. When its eyes followed Gregory ever so slightly, he blinked and stopped in front of the sink.

No way is this an animatronic, Gregory thought. It was far too small. Though down the opposite trail of thinking, DJ Music Man shouldn't logically exist either.

“Uh… hello?” Gregory asked, hoping for the small robot to respond kindly if it even had a voice box.

***

Michael had parked himself just outside the restroom, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed as many a parent did when waiting for their kid. He wasn't worried about following Gregory inside, as there was only door and he doubted there was anyone waiting in there that aimed to do his little brother harm.

And there he waited, completely unaware of Gregory's discovery and what was about to happen.

***

The little plushie was tracking Gregory's movements, having eagerly awaited his arrival. It wasn't quite an animatronic—at least, not one with full, working limbs. It had some moving parts, but those weren't supposed to be revealed yet; not until the time was just right. The best it could do for now was swivel its eyes back and forth, which was enough to get its target's attention. It couldn't even open its mouth to simulate talking, the plastered on smile remaining still as a voice responded:

“Hi!”

The voice was... strange. Like someone trying to intentionally pitch themselves higher, and also putting on a weird accent. Or maybe trying to hide their original one? Either way, it was enough to keep Gregory's attention, and as the boy's eyes widened the bear beckoned him closer.

“I'm Fredbear! Do you wanna be friends?”

Oh, Gregory thought, taking a step closer. Not an animatronic in the traditional Freddy's sense, meant to sing and dance upon a stage. It was consumer grade—so small and harmless that a child could pick one up and bring it home with them. Probably even operated on double-A batteries. It was cute.

This must be the prototype, Gregory thought as he cocked his head to the side while listening to it. Its voice box left much to be desired, and he couldn’t help but wonder with a pang of sadness why this little guy was left alone in a gross bathroom of all places.

“Heh. I don't know,” Gregory replied with a smirk. “I've already got one Freddy to deal with... But I don't have a Fredbear.”

Even if the moniker was simply a nickname for his favorite bear, they were surely different. Still, he hesitated in picking it up. What if he was stealing this from some poor kid who lost their toy in the bathroom?

…He probably shouldn't have left it in there to begin with, then, Gregory concluded in his mind. He snatched the toy, holding it out at arm’s length to inspect it.

“Sure! Let's be friends, Fredbear!”

And this was the trigger the little toy needed.

Gregory had been so distracted by its novelty, he hadn't noticed the seam running straight down the center of the bear's golden torso. The squeeze to the plushie's sides upon being picked up spurred the internal mechanisms to action, which first prompted two sharp pincers to grasp the inside fabric of the bear's tummy and rip it apart, popping the seam’s stitches in less than a second. Before Gregory had time to react, the main function of the plushie was revealed.

It wasn't a toy at all—merely a device to serve another of William's twisted goals, as evidenced by the hypodermic needle full of glowing purple that shot out of the bear's stomach cavity and straight towards Gregory. The syringe immediately went through the boy's shirt and implanted itself painfully in the center of his chest. Not giving him time to struggle free, one of the metal pincers whipped out of the bear's torso and depressed the plunger, sending the Remnant directly into Gregory's body.

The long, medically sharpened tool had pierced through Gregory's sternum, beveled hole stabbing straight through towards his heart like a shot of adrenaline.

Gregory was forced back as the air involuntarily left his lungs. There wasn't even time to scream as the fluid from the hollow sharp emptied its contents inside his torso. It didn't take long for a reaction to happen after that.

Gregory's back hit the tiled wall and he fell onto the seat of his pants, silently grappling with the shooting pain throughout his body. Unable to move save for involuntary twitches and desperate gasps, Gregory met his own gaze in the mirror and watched as he floundered for air on the ground. He sucked in painful lungfuls, but the oxygen only seemed to set his body ablaze in a paralyzing burn.

Was this what dying was like? And did he really have to die alone on the bathroom floor…?

It was a moment before the needle slowly extracted from his chest. As Gregory slouched over, finally able to abandon his grip on the bear to now clutch the minute hole in his body, he ground his teeth down hard. The kid closed his eyes, trying to get a hold of himself and the pain that felt like it was ripping his very cells apart. After a bit longer, he could finally stand to breathe normally again. With painful tears pricking the corners of his eyes he opened them—only to find steely, devoid, silver irises staring back at him in his reflection.

This wasn't him.

At least, not the way he used to be.

***

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Or check out the entire Wires that Bind Us Series on ao3!

[sohannabarberaesque]

We never knew the ursine romances of the Hair Bear Bunch could get this far in terms of the sensual experience ... and we understand that such matings can get to be rather drawn out and ecstatic!

[roll-da-credits]

The Bullet's Mark Dabi x reader 1.7k words

Before we start I'd like to give a warning this has Dabi's reveal spoilers and that for those reading I'd recommend reading whilst listening to Ark Ascending by Ursine Lupine and Her and Her Sea by The Clann

You sink your teeth into the inside of your lip, ignoring the metal taste of blood erupting from it. You had to stop the trembling of your hands somehow, if you didn’t you wouldn’t be able to pull the trigger, you would miss your shot. And there was no room for mistakes, no room for second chances, not when the target is standing right there, leaning against the wall of a rundown building, a cigarette in his lips.

He looks relaxed and calm. But you knew the moment your finger pulls the trigger, not even the fast reflexes of his quirk can save him. You had made sure of it, made sure your bullet was fast enough to even catch the red-winged hero off guard when the two of you trained. What’s a burnt villain got on the fastest hero alive?

You knew the bullet was fast enough, you knew you had enough skill, and yet maybe those were the exact reasons you hesitate even now. Even when your rifle, almost as long as you are tall, is pointed directly at him, your eyes on the optic, him right in the middle of your crosshair. You don’t pull the trigger. Hell, your finger was nowhere near the trigger.

Your hands rested on the grip of your rifle, the other on the short walls of the roof you were situated on. You couldn’t bring yourself to even put it anywhere near the trigger.

It doesn’t usually take you this long to take down a target, especially not when you’re dealing with someone as dangerous as him and about to be rewarded with the largest sum of money you have ever seen in your life. It would change you completely. That amount of money would allow you to stop your career as an assassin forever.

Yet would you ever stop? Would you ever stop aiming your rifle towards those to who you’ve been given a target? You wondered for a moment. Would it be worth it?

“What’s the hold-up?”

You hear from the two-way radio you had placed right beside you, from there the voice of your boss cut you off from your train of thought. You pulled your eyes away from the optic, picking up the radio in your hand, the other still on the grip, to make sure your rifle is still aimed at the man. Taking in a deep breath to calm yourself, you spoke.

“Wind conditions not optimal, I won’t be able to land a killing blow.”

You spoke with usual monotone, displaying no emotions. Contrary to the emotions fighting in your heart.

“The target shouldn’t change locations until an hour time, don’t waste your shot. He’s a criminal that needs to be disposed of.”

You ignored him this time as the click of your radio signalled the end of your conversation. After putting down the object you situate yourself back to your original position. Eyes trained on him again.

Your work knows no bias. You kill for the sake of money, whether that’s corrupt CEO’s, rival businessmen, villains, small-time heroes. You do the heroes’ dirty work, letting your fingers get stained with blood as they’re praised with attention and celebrity status. You don’t mind it. Death and killing have never phased you much.

Not until you were given him as your target.

That’s because as the red crosshair hovers on top of his chest, right where his heart is. You don’t see the criminal your boss had given you the chance to kill. You didn’t see a man who’s killed more than any other serial killers you have heard of.

No, you saw him, Touya.

The same boy you used to play chase all around the school. The boy who you patched together when he burned himself every time his father got a little bit too rough. The one who told you he would be faking his own death.

You saw the man whose scars you remember so vividly after all the nights you had spent together.

Your work knows no bias.

And neither do you.

The lines of good and evil all greyed out. You could spend the night with him and the morning training with your red-winged friend. For a short moment, your mind travelled to him. What would he think of you if he had found out about your relationship with the criminal?

Though his reactions wouldn’t be of much relevance to you.

You know he knows you’re there. He knew the moment he never came to the spot that night, something he had never missed to do every other night, that you’d come chasing after him. Instead, this time, not with your heart on your sleeve, but a rifle filled with bullets.

And yet he still stood there, relaxed, calm, playing with the cigarette in between of his fingers. He knows you can’t pull the trigger. You cursed him for knowing that small tiny detail.

It would’ve been easier if he feared for his life right now, perhaps that would show you how pathetic he could be and rid you of your feelings. Instead, he still looked attractive, his dyed black hair, messy and disorderly. The same hair you’d give up many things to just run your fingers through again, letting your nails drag against his scalp as he caresses your skin.

You’d give up many things to be in his arms again, feel his warmth seeping into your own body, but one of those things was not your career.

It took you long enough to get to this point in your life, to be able to hold a rifle with much confidence, to have the bluntness of saying you will never miss a shot.

If you failed, it would spell the end of your career.

Failing to kill such a dangerous criminal and let him know the heroes were desperate enough to call in the assassins that lived in the grey area of justice? In normal circumstances, it would’ve made the criminal more elusive. But with Touya or Dabi you guessed, that name never sounded right on your tongue, he knew from the day he met you again, rifle on your hands. He will always be chased by you.

Maybe that’s why he decided that night to not come to the spot, nor the night after, nor the week after, nor the month after. He knew no matter what he did, you’d come chasing him, albeit now with a different goal in mind.

He knew you’d always be right behind him.

You knew he loved the chase, loved the feeling of you pining after him, he loved and basked in the attention you gave him. Even if that attention was one of murderous intent. He loved it, and you, you loathed it.

Loathed that every time you looked at him the same feelings would erupt in your chest. Hatred and passion. Your body ached to be close to him, to feel him against you, to feel his dry lips ghost over yours again, showing you the gentleness, he had never shown to anyone nor been given to by anyone except you. Yet, anger and determination coursed through you as well.

You wanted to see what he’d be like writhing in pain as your bullet hit his heart, right between his ribs. Giving a new meaning to the heartache he gave you when he left.

You have to finish the mission.

There was no room for failure, because failure, means your end.

It will always be either you or him.

So, you closed your eyes, let the darkness and the bitter cold of a November night envelop you in its brittle hug. Letting your mind push your thoughts aside much easier. Forcing one to stay in the middle. Your task at hand.

Eliminating Dabi.

When you opened back your eyes, the conflicting feelings inside you dissipate, your breathing even and trained. Your hand, the one on the concrete roof, move towards the trigger in a robotic motion, experienced and normal. The cold ground against your stomach does nothing to phase you.

Your eyes focus on the target, the one finger ghosted over the trigger as your senses double check your surroundings. The wind wasn’t too rough, the angle of your shot was perfect, your hold was steady and strong.

You will not miss the shot.

Everything zeroed in, you couldn’t hear the soft sounds of the faraway city, not even your breathing nor heartbeat reached your ears. The only sound that reached them was the silent click of your trigger. Followed by the loud deafening boom of the bullet releasing from the rifle, rippling through the air, cutting through like a blade against skin. Hitting its target right where you aimed it to go.

The sound was louder than you remembered.

Then, you saw him, the man you felt so many emotions for, love, passion, anger, fear, devastation, closes his eyes as the cigarette fell from his fingers.

“I heard the gunshot, did you hit the target?”

Your body trembled as you reached over towards the radio, your hands were shaking as you clicked the button to let him hear your voice.

“Yes, I hit my target.”

Yet your voice, as always, held no shakiness to it. Never shall you show any emotions than needed to anyone other than him, the one to who you gave your heart. And now, the one you gave your entire life and career for.

As you looked back to the crosshair. Dabi stood there, a content smile on his face. His lips worded four simple words.

“I’ll see you later.”

You would never lie to your superior. And this event was an example of that. Curse his choice of words. Because you did hit your target.

The wall right behind him.

It was always your target, sure your crosshair ghosted over his body, debating to ripple the bullet through his flesh. But it was never supposed to stay there, it has always stayed on the wall behind him.

And as he walks away silently.

You heaved out a sigh of relief. This was the end of you as an assassin. But the start of a new life with him. The man you’d bleed and cry for, the man you’d chase after till death due you both apart. Because you know he’d do the same for you, he’d burn hundreds of heroes, and yet he would never let a lick of his flame touch your skin.

He’ll chase after you just as you chase after him. A never-ending romance filled with passion and devastation.

He has your heart, as you do his.

This was heavily inspired by Ereschkigal's One Piece one shot compilation Golden Velvet, specifically Bartolomeo's one! I really liked writing this one and I actually thought of making it a sad ending, something like Dabi killing you afterwards or you actually killing Dabi and him saying thank you for it. But I literally couldn't bring myself to do so

[starfallvalley]

The Bachelorettes

I’ll be doing overviews of groups of the villagers at a time. My goal is to eventually get a post up for each individual, along with a short blurb or story; got a long way to go for that, though. First two groups will be the marriage candidates, so let’s get right into it! I’ll put a tl;dr at the bottom of each post. Also the tags for these are going to be a mess because I’m going to try to properly tag everything (since I eventually want to make a masterpost with links and stuff, let’s hope I get that far).

  Abigail - Demon

Interested in the occult, Abigail has more than just a oujia board, but she kept it all well hidden. Despite her mother’s warnings, she continued to practice late into the night. Of course, in a place so rife with magic, one is bound to attract attention after that much ritual. Abigail found herself face to face with a demon and threats of death, destruction, and eternal damnation. Not one to be intimidated, she reminded the demon that she was in charge. Unfortunately, due to the power of the being and the ritual she’d used, deals had to be made, and Abigail is quite a bit more infernal now. Perhaps she should have listened to Caroline, but... well, we’ll get to that.

  Emily - Dryad

Emily has always been considered a strange one, even by her sister, Haley, but she’s never an unwelcome face. She may be a bit more liberal than the rest of the town, but no one has ever held issue with that (save for maybe George and Jodi). Lifestyles do tend to catch up to you, though. She picked up a particularly strong strain of “relaxation herbs” from the traveling merchant, and next time Haley found her, she was more connected to nature than ever, having been granted the form of a dryad. Chill as ever, Emily keeps up her job at the saloon, much to the delight of the townsfolk who reap the benefits of her extensive herbal knowledge in their drinks. Her new horns are made of sage, and one is frequently smoking, providing a calming effect for those around her (except for Sam, who can’t get near her during the summer due to his allergies).

  Haley - Hulder (modified)

At the behest of her sister, Haley has been begrudgingly branching out and trying to form connections with the other townsfolk. Surprisingly, she starts to hang out around Marnie, Jas, and Shane, and especially around Marnie’s cattle herd. Emily’s change was made easier on her due to her sister’s innate calming abilities; however, the proximity to so much magical energy from Emily, combined with being present at the... incident at the ranch, has left her quite changed. If you saw her from the front, you might mistake her for part of the herd, but look at her back and you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between Haley and a mossy boulder!

(Unfortunately I can’t find much about hulders, although I’m planning on doing more research. Haley is a bit of a different take on them; imagine a humanoid cow, with her whole back covered in mosses and plant growth.)

  Leah - Ursataur

Leah knows everything that goes on in Cindersap Forest. Living just outside of its boughs, that’s where she spends her time, admiring the trees and searching for wood she can work with. It’s also, unfortunately for her, where she sources most of her food. After the farmer opened up a path to the deep woods, she began exploring on her own, where the flora grow wild among marble ruins and secluded ponds, and the fauna even wilder. A berry salad made from deep woods forage, while delicious, has quite the effect on the one who dared to steal from the deep woods. Leah ended up stuck in her cottage for almost two full days after growing too large to fit through the door, far more ursine than when she’d fallen asleep, and with an extra pair of legs to boot. Fortunately, she kept her hands, and bear claws are shockingly good at carving fine details, so she’s not too upset.

  Maru - Cyborg

“My greatest invention.” That’s what she’s been claiming to be working on for ages, now. Demetrius and Robin have no clue what it might be; even that robot in her room only seems to be part of it. Maru is quite the intelligent person, everyone can see that, but she’s been so secretive about it all that no one knows what to think... until she calls everyone to the town square to reveal her greatest invention ever: herself. Fortunately, after the ensuing fiasco, things calmed down, but Robin might need some help from the other moms in town to figure out how to be a good parent to her half-robot daughter.

  Penny - Gargoyle

The museum always felt like her real home. The fireplace burned all winter, and the books were constant companions. Penny didn’t have to feel alone there; she didn’t get into arguments, or clean up after anyone (except for Vincent and Jas, but that was different). For all the time she spent there, you’d think she would have noticed the small door at the back of the library. Considering it opened into a space far too large to fit into the floor plan of the building, though, perhaps there was a reason she hadn’t seen it. The thought was exciting—she spent so much time engrossed in story, maybe this was her chance to make it real. One should never let yourself get too carried away, however, or you might just find yourself trespassing forbidden ground. Picking up the wrong book, Penny was struck with a petrifying curse that twisted her form into something awful; but with the arcane section opened, it needed a guardian, too, and who better than her? Penny spends even more time around the museum these days; during rainstorms, you can see her perched above the entryway, wings blocking the rain as she reads.

  And those are the bachelorettes! Feels good to get a first post written out. Expect more soon! Some may be blank where I don’t yet have good ideas (this is all a wip after all). Shouldn’t be toooo many of those though.

  tl;dr Abigail summoned a demon and got turned into one. Emily blazed it too hard and became a dryad. Haley is a mossy cow due to overlapping magical exposure. Leah forged too deep in the woods and ended up an ursataur (with her upper body ursine as well). Maru made herself into a cyborg. Penny opened an ancient section of the library and was cursed to be its guardian gargoyle.