Between the Moments {Freedom AU} (FNAF)

ℜ𝔬𝔶𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔶 𝔉𝔯𝔢𝔢 𝓐𝓤 #3 (𝔉𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔰𝔶 𝔉𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔡𝔬𝔪 𝓐𝓤)

    "Good, everything is here." Fredrick confirmed, having counted the crates that were in the back of the wagon. Nodding, Freddy went to finally undo the ropes holding everything down, just as the two bunnies accompanying him helped unload everything to be brought into the castle's kitchen. Seeing as the butler was going to stay behind and supervise Springtrap and Bonnie while the two worked, Freddy decided to take it upon himself to go inform the kitchen staff of their arrival with the week's extra delivery.

Standing in the stone archway of the kitchen's servant entrance, the bear paused. He took a moment, scanning the kitchen crowd slaving away to prepare the various meals that were to be served that day. Surprisingly enough, Freddy was noticed first by who he was trying to find. "Freddy!"

"Chica?" Looking towards the voice, he saw his wife approaching him—wiping her hands off on a rag before tossing it aside. The bear held his hands out for her to take, and once she did, did the two share a brief kiss. "The crates are here, Bon and Spring are unloading them." Freddy told, still holding Chica's hands in his. "Good. All the cooking for the next couple days will start tonight after supper gets cleaned up. We have to prepare a big breakfast."

"So then, you'll be staying in the servant chambers tonight?" A small, apologetic look was seen on Chica's face. "Unfortunately." With a small sigh, Freddy pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "That's alright." He assured her, however, the bear sounded just as disappointed as his wife looked. "I'll request a day's rest once the guests leaves, and then I'll be all yours."

"I'd like that." Freddy answered, smiling warmly. "I'll have something lovely planned for you then." He told her, to which she also smiled. "I can't wait." The two fell quiet, simply locked in each other's loving gaze for a moment or two. As though they held each other in a trance that neither wanted to break from. "Hey, Fred! Help us!"

"Wha-? O-Oh, sorry!" Looking over his shoulder, Freddy saw Bonnie and Springtrap carrying in the obviously heavy crates into the kitchen. He looked back to Chica. "Well, duty calls." Chica reached up for one more kiss, before their hands separated. "I'll see you... when I see you." She said to her husband, as he nodded to her. "I love you." 

"I love you, too!" With that, he went to help finish unloading the crates.

Across the room, Gold had watched the whole exchange from the main kitchen entrance. Watching as his brother and sister-in-law walked away from each other, the golden bear remained quiet as he watched the kitchen staff open and unload the wooden crates. After a while, he went over to watch over everyone's work, taking note of what each crate contained. Once they were all emptied, he hummed to himself, satisfied, before going to catch up with his Majesty.

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Another day over. The moon slowly rising into the sky, stars beginning to dot the vast, cloudless expanse. Standing by one of the chamber's large windows, the King watched as the night rotation of Royal Guards did their rounds of the castle grounds. He was unable to sleep, too anxious for the following day.

The rulers of both Homeland and Meodana were to arrive for business, and were arranged to stay for two days. At first, the King had been mistrustful of having the human king staying in his castle again, but now, after being told what he'd been told from Bonbell, the King was seriously worried.

Sighing, the King's gaze fell. Turning around, he looked to the small table by the bed. He'd been served Valerian Root tea some time earlier to try and help him sleep, but it felt like it wasn't doing anything. Slowly, he made his way over to the tray. Picking up the crystal tea pot, the King poured more tea into the glass. It was probably cold by now, but he didn't care. He'd drink cold tea if it meant not looking dead on his feet in front of guests.

More time went by. More tea had been drunk. Still, the King remained restless. Sitting on the edge of the soft bed, a passing thought came to him. Maybe he should request wine instead? Not like that had ever helped, to his memory, but it might be something to consider. After going over that thought for a minute, the King was about to call for a servant, when one came knocking on the chamber's door. "Enter."

The door was slowly opened with a low creak, as Vixen entered. Walking into the room, the fox paused and gave a short curtsey out of respect. "Good evening, your Majesty." She greeted. When she looked back up to the King, he already had a concerned look on his face. He was already assuming the worse, seeing as one of the servants appointed to the Queen's care had come to see him in his chambers. "Is... she okay?"

"Yes, your Majesty." Vixen assured him, with a small, subtle smile. The King's shoulders instantly slumped, as a sigh of relief quietly escaped him. "Thank heavens..." He mumbled, before looking back up to Vixen. "What brings you here?" The King asked her. "The Queen's asked for you."

"... She has." A nod from the fox. Standing up, the King straightened himself—easily towering over Vixen. "Thank you." He told, beginning to leave the room. "You can be excused for the rest of the night, unless otherwise called upon." Vixen nodded in thanks. "Thank you, your Majesty."

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Ballora was quietly fussing with some of her violet hair that had fallen out of the loose bun Vixen had put it in that morning. She'd sent the fox off several minutes ago to go fetch her husband, as she'd begun to think he wasn't going to show up—despite saying he would again that very morning. She knew all too well how it pained him to see her so sickly, especially since she seemed to fall sick easily in the past.

But in turn, she hated being unable to see the rest of her family like she normally would. That was one of the worst downsides with being bed ridden. She'd miss everything that involved her whole family. Having meals together, sitting in while her daughters tried on newly tailored ball gowns, mindlessly wandering the castle gardens with her husband arm in arm. How she missed all of it.

Ballora was pulled out of her thoughts when she felt someone's eyes on her. She looked over to see her husband standing by, having just entered the smaller bedroom chamber. He opened his mouth to say something, but promptly hesitated. "I was... worried you... wouldn't... come." A look of guilt came over Puppet at hearing those words. "I'm sorry, I... had forgotten."

"It's... alright." Ballora assured him, though, she could tell part of that sentence held a small lie. Shakily, she held a hand out towards her husband, as he approached her bedside. He took her hand in his, and gently kissed her knuckles. "I hope... Vixen didn't wake... you." Puppet shook his head 'no'. "I couldn't sleep, so I was awake when she fetched me."

"I see." Ballora picked up on her husband's nervous energy, simply telling by the way he was caressing her hand. "You're... worried about... tomorrow, aren't you?" A small, hesitant nod. "There's no... proof it was... Meodana, 'Mare."

"I don't need proof to confirm it." He began, a small bite in his tone—not directed to her, however. "I just know it was them. It's too much of a coincidence, Bal'." Ballora gave a small sigh. "Well... with all the... security measures your... taking, you shouldn't... worry, then." She commented, trying to assure him. "Hopefully."

"Hey," Ballora began, gently pulling her hand from Puppet's grip. "Sleep now... you'll need it." Despite having it in his head that sleep was impossible at this point, the Marionette slowly laid next to his wife. He adjusted the sheets over both of them as she snuggled closer to him. Putting a hand under her chin, Puppet tilted Ballora's face towards his own, and leaned in for a soft kiss.

"Goodnight." She quietly told, laying her head back down. "... Goodnight." He quietly parroted. A few moments later, Ballora glanced back up to her husband, only to find he'd fallen asleep surprisingly easily—arms wrapped around her. Smiling, Ballora finally let sleep come over her.

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A.N. I've got other stories I'm supposed to be working on, why did I just updated this again 

(。_。)

Welp, until next time~