After Show (Springtrap x Reader)

Chapter 3

On the big day, an inconvenience occurs.

.
.
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You've been trying to turn on the animatronic for an hour or so. You opened up its torso and tried to find out what was wrong, checked the cables and everything, turning the power switch on and off several times. Your patience was running thin quickly. You were on the verge of taking it apart and putting it back together again, piece by piece and wire by wire.

Why today?!

This problem could've occurred a few days ago, maybe when you weren't planning to introduce your robot to the public yet!

Then you remembered Nick's words, to get Springtrap ready. Oh God, it was probably needed for something, and with you being in its charge, you were going to get an earful regarding this. You've been given enough time for this project.

Not to mention, you were the one insisting on launching it earlier because you couldn't wait to see it in action.

Your fingers are clenching into your palms to the point of bruising them. You sigh as you loosen them, leaving your hands and head hanging limply in defeat. You take a step back from the hunched-over animatronic.

You bite on your nails. Endless thoughts rush through your mind rapidly. But you fail to catch a glimpse of any of them.

Your stomach growls as if to break the painful silence and give you a temporary distraction from the dreadful reality.

Maybe, you should join Nathan for a bite in the cafe. It might clear up your head and then you can think of a solution. Yeah, you should do that.

You get out, pushing the door close mindlessly. With small, wobbly steps, you hesitantly make your way towards the stairs to the ground floor. Your head is filled with thoughts about the animatronic. How it's not moving. How the project's deadline is today. How you're a failure.

Turning around a corner, you come face to face with Nathan. You both halt seeing each other. You stare at him, unblinking, as he gives you a surprised Pikachu face, holding two brown bags of what you assume is food for you two.

He hurries to your side. "Hey...?" He hesitates before handing you your bag, sensing the tension in the air.

"...ellooo? Earth to Ray?"

You flinch, noticing his hand waving right in front of you. You can't zone out right now, get yourself together.

You mumbled a quiet "sorry" before turning around and walking towards your assigned lab. Nathan, who has already guessed half of the situation, decides to pry softly.

"So... how'd it go?"

You halt. Nathan stops a step ahead, looking back with concern lacing his features. A defeated sigh escapes your lips and your head drops shamefully.

Your fingers unconsciously clench over the brown bag, crumpling it up with an aggressive 'crunch'. Nathan reaches out to squeeze your arm gently, making you take in a deep breath.

"He isn't working, Nathan." You say through gritted teeth, frustration crippling up on you.

He freezes, "What?" He slowly turns to fully face you.

"Springtrap...," your voice cracks, "he won't turn on."

Before Nathan can respond, a tear rolls down your cheek, then another. You look down in shame to hide your face scrunched up in pain. A choked out sob escapee your lips.

What did you do wrong? Why won't it turn on? Did someone mess with it? Or was it actually you who messed up?

You've been working so hard for thing, for as long as you can remember. Maybe you should've listened to everyone when they told you to stop this nonsense. Maybe this meaningless and pointless fantasy is, really, just a waste of time. Maybe, this wasn't worth it.