Without Warning (FNAF/UT)[Freedom AU Book Five]

Small Steps

Ballora gently rubbed her hand along Mina's arms, after she'd been tucked in beside Tina. The 'Minireenas' were all still young enough to share two beds with each other. "How are your arms feeling?" She quietly asked her. "They don't huwt awot anymo', mama." Giving her daughter a gentle smile, Ballora leaned down to give her a goodnight kiss. "That's good."

After giving Tina a goodnight kiss, the sisters heard their mother then say, "Goodnight girls. I love you." Which was followed by quiet 'I love you's in return. With that, Ballora stood up from Mina and Tina's beds and left the bedroom.

On her way out, she pulled their door closed, but not all the way. Waiting for her in the hall, was Puppet. He was simply giving her a loving smile from where he was leaning cross-armed against the wall.

"And how are your arms feeling?" Uncrossing one of his arms, he held it in front of himself. The stitches had been removed a week ago, leaving behind small scars that were still healing. The surface of his arms weren't hurting anymore, but that didn't keep them from aching the odd time. "They feel fine." Puppet simply answered, before holding out his hand for Ballora to take.

Taking hold of the offered hand, Ballora felt her husband pull her towards himself. She then found herself in his embrace. "We'll be okay." He assured her, before Ballora reached up for a kiss. "Just don't push yourselves." She responded. "We'll take small steps, don't worry." Puppet added, before kissing her again.

Just in the 'Minireenas' room, Tina turned over to her left side to look at Mina. "Was it scawy?" She quietly asked. Her and the others had avoided asking for a while, as they noticed how their sister didn't seem like she wanted to talk about it. But, the other three were very curious. Mina slowly looked to her sister, looking a bit hesitant. She then eventually gave a bit of a shaky and slow nod.

Tina scooted closer to her sister, and hugged her. "We'we(we're) happy you're back." She quietly said, before Leena added from the other bed, "We'll make sure nothing happens to you again!"

"Yeah!" Rosette spoke up. Mina smiled, as she hugged Tina back. "Thank you." She quietly said, before trying to fall asleep for the night.

~~~

"Are you sure you can do it?" Chica asked, as she saw the nervous look on Carl's face. He was standing by the cash register in the cafe, which was on the 4ft high countertop. He was trying to steel himself to prove he was going to be fine. It had only been a couple of weeks since being home and Carl was sure he was completely over the whole debacle of that night at the circus! Without question!

And yet, despite himself, Carl was still shaking a little as he slowly moved to the center of the countertop--so he would be unable to see the ground. Chica seemed to notice. Putting a hand around the little cupcake companion, Chica gave him a sympathetic look. "It's okay if you can't, Carl." She tried to tell him. "I'll be just fine!" Carl tried to say confidently, his golden eyes meeting Chica's violet ones. His faux confidence dissipated the moment he saw the disbelief in her expression.

"You can stay on my shoulder, with me, if you'd like?" Chica instead offered. That was something he could handle. Staying perched on Chica's shoulder, where it was safe. With someone who had years of experience in balancing the little buddy on her shoulder, as opposed to only an hour atop one's head, before having to walk a tightrope 40ft from the ground. The sudden thought caused a look of fear to flash in Carl's eyes.

Before he knew it, Chica had already scooped her friend up and placed him on her shoulder--where he immediately huddled against the feathered neck. "... Yeah." Carl finally answered, feeling some of his nervousness leave him. "That's okay. Little steps, Carl."