Forever And Ever

● Chapter 8 ●

It was hours spent on an empty dirt road. They moved further inland in hopes to find somewhere to rest.

Freddy was carrying a heavy bag plus helping Bonnie to walk. But his sprain was getting worse.

Bonnie whimpered in pain for the fifth time and stopped for a second. At this rate, it could take them a day or two to make it.

Freddy moved his bag to the front of his body and knelt down in front of Bonnie.

"I'll carry you on my back. It will be easier." He said.

Bonnie crossed his arms.

"I'd rather break my leg than get help from an officer."

Freddy scowled in frustration. He was unaware of how cheeky Bonnie could be. It made helping him especially difficult.

"If we do not hurry, we'll be spending the night in the middle of the forest." He warned.

Bonnie finally relented and climbed on. Freddy stood up and was surprised by how light he was.

He did not pay it any mind until a few minutes later when he heard the bunny's stomach growl.

"It's nothing. Just keep walking." Bonnie insisted.

Freddy continued, not wanting to waste anymore time, but now he worried for Bonnie.

"When was the last time you ate...? You're all muscle and bone-" he asked in concern.

Bonnie sighed. "I don't get to eat so much..." He muttered.

Freddy had to contain his rage the more he heard about Bonnie. Someone was hurting and starving him, but it did not seem like the bunny wanted to tell him yet. He would need to earn his trust again.

Freddy quickened his pace, hoping to find somewhere soon for Bonnie to eat.
.

It was late noon when they finally found another village. This one was heavily populated and buslting. The bear searched for an Inn or diner for Bonnie to rest in.

He found a small, rundown building and settled for that. He had no trouble paying for a room and brought Bonnie to bed immediately.

To both of their shock, there was only one bed.

Freddy gently set Bonnie down and helped him sit up. He took one of the pillows to elevate the sprained ankle and offered his cantine for Bonnie to drink.

"So... about the bed situation..." Bonnie started awkwardly. Freddy brushed it off.

"Do not worry. I can sleep on the ground."

Bonnie tried sitting up more, but Freddy stopped him.

"But I'm used to sleeping on the ground, I can." Bonnie suggested.

Freddy almost wanted to question why Bonnie slept on the ground so much but decided not to.

"But you have an injury. You need the bed." Freddy argued.

"But your back is hurt. You need a matress." Bonnie fought back.

Freddy grew frustrated at his stubbornness. "Do you have to argue about everything??"

Bonnie rolled his eyes. "You're the one making this difficult. I'm offering you the bed. I'm worried for your back!"

"You will sleep on the bed. You're in no condition to sleep on the ground right now."

Bonnie scowled and leaned back again, crossing his arms. Freddy sighed in relief that he finally won.

"I'll get you some food." Freddy gestured to the door before leaving.

He returned rather quickly with a plate of warm vegetables on a tray and bread on the side. He set it down on Bonnie's lap and pulled a chair up to the bed to sit down.

"Here. It has corn and beans. It will help boost your energy."

The bunny stared at the plate longingly but would not move. Freddy furrowed his brows in confusion.

"...what's wrong...? Do you not like it?" He asked.

Bonnie hesitantly lifted his fork but turned to Freddy fearfully.

"I-I can eat it...?"

Freddy stared in amazement. "Of course! You don't need to ask to eat. I got it for you!"

Bonnie finally dug in. The first few bites were still hesitant, but he started eating rather quickly and aggressively.

He stopped halfway through the meal and handed the plate back to Freddy, much to his confusion.

"You didn't eat today, I saved half for you..." Bonnie reminded. Freddy was oddly flattered by that.

The fact Bonnie looked as though he was starving, yet he was still concerned for him. He shook his head.

"I'll find something for myself later. It looks like you haven't eaten in days. You need this more." He insisted.

Bonnie was shocked by that answer but hesitantly kept eating. He scarfed down the food rather quickly, confirming how hungry he must have been.

When he was finished, Freddy removed the tray from him and put it aside.

.

When night fell, Freddy used his coat and blanket to build a makeshift bed on the ground for himself while Bonnie slept in the bed.

"Are you sure you want to sleep on the ground?? That can not be comfortable." Bonnie turned to him.

Freddy sighed. "Where else am I supposed to sleep?"

Bonnie scooted over and gestured for the bed.

"We can share it, but this is as close as you're gonna' get. No touching." He ordered. Freddy wanted to refuse, but he also did not want another argument.

And besides that, he definitely would not mind sleeping by Bonnie.

He stood up and laid down on the empty side of the bed. Bonnie scooted as far away from him as possible until he was nearly hanging off the side.

Freddy felt slightly amused by his sass and pulled the blanket over himself.

"Goodnight." Bonnie stated.

"... Goodnight." Freddy responded.