How Am I Supposed to Live Laugh Love in These Conditions?

Chapter 2

Fire was spreading all around him. The only way out of the room was blocked, and the flames were inching towards his feet, threatening to burn him alive. He screams, pleading for someone, anyone, to hear and come save him.

Smoke is filling the air and claws at his lungs, bringing tears to his eyes. His throat burns as the flames scorch his shoes and legs. Nobody hears him, but he continues to scream for help, waiting for Freddy to come stomping down the hall.

Gregory shoots up into a sitting position, his blanket pooling in his lap. He is not aware that he is crying until he feels a large thumb gently wipe away his tears, and realizes that Freddy is holding him, petting his hair in an attempt to soothe his cries. Gregory wraps his arms around the bear's neck, trembling slightly, and stays there until his breathing has slowed and the tears have stopped.

"Are you feeling a bit better, Superstar?" Freddy's soothing voice vibrates faintly against Gregory's chest, and it helps ground the young boy.

Gregory nods and pulls back, wiping his cheeks. "I'm fine. Just another nightmare, nothing I can't handle."

Freddy hums and sets him back down onto the couch, sitting next to him. "Would you care to talk about it? You know I am always happy to listen." Gregory says no, as always, and Freddy's ears droop for just a second, clearly concerned about his not-officially-but-might-as-well-be-adopted son. "That is alright, Superstar. You do not need to tell me if you do not want to. Now, what would you like for breakfast this morning?"

Gregory gives the bear a small smile and thinks for a moment. "Hmm... can we have french toast and eggs?"

Freddy grins back at him. "Of course! That is a great choice." He stands and walks over to the small dresser that the S.T.A.F.F. built for Gregory, and picks out an outfit for him - a red t-shirt with Monty's face on it, and blue shorts. After Gregory gets changed and does his morning bathroom routine, they walk to the cafeteria for breakfast. Chica and Monty are already waiting for them, and Gregory sits with the latter while the other two get breakfast.

"Nice shirt, little guy," Monty smirks. Gregory rolls his eyes and the two talk about the golf competition they will have later that day. They moved on to talking about what action movie they should watch together next by the time Roxy walks up and plops herself down next to the boy, ruffling his hair a bit.

The other two come back with two plates of scrambled eggs and french toast, Freddy sitting on Gregory's left and Chica sitting next to Monty. Gregory sits back while the four animatronics talk, laughing a bit whenever Chica talks in between mouthfuls of eggs. Monty cringes and shifts away when she starts making a mess, and Roxy laughs at him.

Gregory ends up getting syrup all over his face and hands, and turns to Freddy, holding his hand out expectedly for a wet wipe that the bear usually keeps in his chest cavity. Oddly enough, Freddy does not move, and Gregory notices that he had actually been silent for quite a while now. He had been staring off to the side, his head resting in one of his paws.

Chica notices as well and asks after she shovels another forkful of french toast into her beak, "um, Freddy, you feeling alright? You seem kind of out of it."

Freddy seems to snap out of it and looks back to see the other four staring at him. "Oh, yes, my apologies. I am just... distracted this morning. It is nothing to worry about." He smiles reassuringly. Gregory only slightly believes him, but chooses to say nothing, and continues to eat once the conversation continues. He pays attention to Freddy being uncharacteristically quiet for the rest of the morning.

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After breakfast is over and guests start to enter the Pizzaplex, Gregory spends his time wandering around, as usual. He plays around in the arcade for a couple of hours, listens to a few songs with DJMM, plays a few rounds of Fazerblast with some random kids, and eats pizza with Chica when Freddy sends him a reminder with the Fazwatch.