What A Puppet Sees As Beautiful (!!!REMAKE VERSION BABY!!!)

Chapter 4: Close As Can Be

Puppet was in a dark room, staring at a wall, head completely devoid of all thoughts but one:

"What happens next?"

It didn't help that he found out what's really going on.

They were stored there to be selected, redesigned, and shipped off to one of the many Fazbear establishments. When? He didn't know. Why? He didn't know. Where specifically? He didn't know, and he hated it. All he could do is just sit in a dark room and ponder.

"Hello?"

The familiar voice of the ballerina broke the lanky mechanical marionette out of his trance. He looked over to see her standing behind him.

"Are you okay? You were in here for a while."

Puppet kept staring but spoke up.

"I'm just... Thinking..."

"About?"

Puppet looked away.

"What would you do if you had to leave a place you didn't like, but it was the only thing you knew for so long?"

Ballora was puzzled by the question. Though, she already had an answer in mind. So, she walked over and sat down next to him

"Well, what do you think I'd do?" Ballora asked.

Puppet looked at her, "What makes you think I'd know that?"

"Exactly," she replied, " I didn't know. I just showed up and things happened. It's okay to not know, even when it's harder to admit it."

Ballora scooted in more, until they're shoulders touched. She then held his hand and looked at him.

"So, if it makes you feel any better, we can just not know together."

Puppet's eyed lifted slightly and then looked down at their intertwined hands. He removed his hand from hers to do what he did last time they talked and put his arm around her to pull her in more. She could tell he really needed it, so she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"Feel better?"

"... Yeah..."

They stayed together for a while.

Later

Puppet felt better after that. Even tried to talk to some of the others earlier. It went well. Though, he wanted to be around Ballora more. He already knew why, but he also knew that he simply just felt more comfortable around her.

"Hey, you!"

Speak of the angels.

"Hi."

She sat beside him once he scooted over and made some room.

"How are you feeling?" She asked him.

"Decent," he answered quickly, "I don't feel like hiding in an empty room anymore."

"That's good."

"I guess I just missed you, is all."

"Hah hah! Don't just blurt that out, silly!" She exclaimed, lightly shoving him.

"True, but I can tell you liked it," He retorted.

"Fair enough," she replied.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. It wasn't bad though. They enjoyed their presence and, while there was no physical contact, they liked it. Ballora then spoke up.

"Um... Puppet?"

"Hm?"

She looked down at her hands.

"Do you think we're gonna be okay?"
she asked, "like... We'll stay together, right? I don't... I don't know if I wanna say goodbye to you, after all this."

Puppet looked at her before leaning his head onto her shoulder and held her hand.

"We will..." he answered, "I don't wanna be separated after this either."

"Thank you."

"No. Thank you."

They knew that they were robots, but they liked this unexplained warmth between them.

A little more later

While it's true that they couldn't sleep, they could pretend to. Ballora and Puppet were together, Puppet being the taller one and hugging her from behind, which she liked. It was a comforting feeling, considering their situation. They had a conversation to break the silence. Ballora started.

"Hey."

"Yeah?"

"This feels nice."

"It does."

"Did you ever hug anyone?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Just curious."

"I have."

"Do you remember their name?"

Puppet thought about that. Only one name came to mind.

"Charlie."

"Hm?"

"That was her name. Charlie."

"That's a lovely name."

"She was a lovely girl."

"Were you close?"

"We were best friends. We went through a lot together."

"She was lucky to have you. You must've been a great friend."

"..."

"Pup?"

"I was... But I lost her too."

"Oh..."

"Yeah..."

The silence came back. Ballora, however, simply turned around a bit to hug him. Puppet tightened the hug.

"I bet she was wonderful."

"... She was... She was the best..."

"I bet."

"... It's hard, y'know?"

She looked at him.

"What is?"

"Trying to make sense of all this."

"I personally just try my best not to think about it."

"I can't stop thinking about it."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not used to this. Not having her around. Not having someone help me. Things used to make so much sense to me. I used to be so good at this, but now, I'm not."

She stared in sadness, before holding his cheek and turning his head to face her. She put a bittersweet smile on her face.

"Maybe she is gone, but... Maybe I could be there for you like she was?"

Puppet blinked.

"Nobody can replace her."

"And I don't want to. I just want to be there for you."

Puppet's eyes bexame just a bit brighter.

"Okay"

Maybe this wouldn't be all that bad.

They looked at each other in the eyes.

Maybe I can get used to this.

They inched closer.

Maybe we can get through this.

They stopped when their foreheads were touching.

... Maybe I'll be okay.

They closed their eyes, allowing this comforting, welcoming feeling.

They felt a lot better. They felt like they'd stick together, no matter what. Ballora was willing to, so was Puppet. They both would then continue to relish in their time together.

This was peaceful. This felt great. This was sweet.

This was What A Puppet Sees As Beautiful.