Total Insecurity

Steady as a Drum

The steady pace Freddy had set was nice, calming even. It was only about two forty-five, and Gregory was tired. He curled up in Freddy's arms, allowing himself to relax into the warmth the bear provided. This was the latest he had ever stayed up, and on any other occasion, he would be proud of himself. But right here and now? Gregory just wanted to sleep.

The excitement from the beginning of the night had long since disappeared, leaving a cold sense of reality.

Gregory was trapped here, locked in with dangerous animatronics until the doors opened. Unless he was caught, of course. But the thing is, he can't even die! He had felt his life fade, his blood flowing from his open wounds. He had felt the way his throat and windpipe had been crushed, starving him of air and life. He had felt it, and he knew it was real.

He knew it was real because it had to be.

It was real. It was real. It was real .

Gregory whined, shoving his face deeper into his new blanket. Sundrop had been so nice to him, even after Gregory had been so mean. Sundrop had let him cry and sob, he even helped him with his hand after! Gregory didn't deserve that. Gregory was bad, he deserved to hurt. He had snuck into Freddy, he had lied to Freddy. He had to have lied. He had to be deceiving Freddy in some way for the bear to be so nice. He had to.

He was bad.

Gregory looked at his hands, staring at the bandages that covered one and the small bruise forming on the other. Freddy had been so worried when Gregory came out of the daycare, no doubt hearing Gregory crying. He had taken one look at the boy and he had smiled.

He smiled .

Freddy had looked at him with so much love and adoration that Gregory simply didn't understand. Why would someone love him? What was there to love? He was there, alive, and only living to spite the gods that cursed him with life. He had nothing to lose, nothing to gain. He was there, and he was gone, and he was cursed and blessed. He didn't want this, but was forced with the hand he had been dealt.

Gregory took in a deep breath, feeling the air rush through his lungs and fill his chest. He was alive. He was alive, and he died. He had felt it all, and it had been real.

He was alive.

"Gregory, are you alright?"

The boy had flinched at the sound of Freddy's voice before forcing himself to relax. "Y-Yeah, I'm okay, Freddy."

He could feel the animatronic shift, his pace slowing ever so slightly. "I can sense your discomfort. Are you sure?"

Gregory whined, pouting with a huff. "Yes, I'm sure. Don't worry about me."

Freddy hummed, the sound ringing deep in his chest, making Gregory shudder. "It is my job to worry, son. I know we only met a few hours ago, but you mean very much to me. It... It would break my heart if anything happened to you..."

'I died .'

Oh. That was right. He had told Freddy about dying. He had almost forgotten. "Forget what I said earlier. It-it doesn't matter."

Not anymore.

Freddy stopped and entered an elevator before speaking. "It matters to me, Gregory. You matter to me."

"You don't even know me!"

"You're right..." Freddy sighed, and the quiet elevatory music was all Gregory heard for a moment. "Why don't you tell me about yourself?"

"What?"

Freddy looked down, a twinkle in his eyes. "You're right in the fact I don't know you very well, so why don't you tell me about yourself?"

"O-oh. Uhm, okay..." Gregory looked away, staring at the glowing button next to one of the elevator doors. "I-I like the color blue, and I like dragons... And I like turtles. They're cute."

Freddy nodded along as the boy continued to list things off. "My middle name is Emily, after one of my cousins. I like the smell of rain and fresh grass, and I like chocolate."

"And?"

"... And you, I guess."

Freddy chuckled, walking through the open doors with a smile. "You guess? With how you're curled up, I wouldn't think anything else!"

Gregory blushed, pulling his blanket up further, almost covering his nose. "Yeah, yeah. Keep talking, silly bear."

"Alright, silly boy." Freddy poked the tip of Gregory's nose, smiling in victory when the boy laughed. " I like the color purple and bunnies. My favorite songs are usually acoustic or folk. I like red bowties and guitars too."

"Guitars? Aren't you a singer though?"

Freddy looked down to Gregory, a fond smile on his muzzle. "I am, but there is someone I'm very fond of who plays the guitar."

"Is it Chica?" Gregory asked, making a face.

The bear had to stop for a moment to laugh, almost drawing Roxy's attention away from the stage. "No, no. Not Chica. As lovely as she is, she's nothing more than a friend."

Gregory frowned. "Then who is it?"

"Someone who has long since passed, son."

They were quiet after that.

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https://discord.gg/S7KN4m72