"Okay, that should do it."

Henry dusted off his hands, looking at his work. He never really messed around much with the sleeping area of the safe house but he figured it didn't hurt to change things up this time.

After all… things are different for some reason. Especially Boris… Still haven't gotten an explanation yet.

Henry had set the cots up with stuffed mattresses, trying to make it more comfy for him and Boris. Took him a bit but he had managed to find enough stuffing from the toy department to fill two whole mattresses. It had been dangerous to leave the safe house without Boris but seemed the rules were different too. Mainly he had been able to get things from there thanks to a new vent path Boris had shown him. Came in handy for the stuffing and for the soup he knew Boris would want.

I better get on that.

Henry went to the bathroom to wash up. As he ran his hands under the cold water, he looked up at the broken mirror, frowning at not being able to see his reflection. It drove him nuts some days but he knew why he couldn't see himself. Or at least he had a good guess.

Haha, I'm a ghost. Thanks, Devil Drew. Is it why I don't leave footprints either?

Henry lowered his head.

Then again… with how things are I might as well be.

He closed his eyes, memories of home flashing before his eyes.

Linda kissing him on the cheek as he came through the front door, Mary hugging his leg while Elias hugged him around his neck, their laughter echoing in his ears.

"Daddy's home! Daddy's home!"

"Dad I gotta show you my crazy little animation I worked on today!"

"Only after he eats. He's had a long day, Elias."

"Think we could play with my doll house together after you're done helping Eli, Daddy? And after you eat?"

"Anything for you, my little angels."

Henry sighed.

Please let them still be there when I figure out how to get out of here… if ever.

Henry straightened up as he heard the door to the safe house open.

Guess Boris got back sooner than I thought he would.

Henry dried off his hands, heading to the main area.

"Boris, that you-"

Henry stopped short as he saw Boris had something in his arms… or rather, someone. Someone Henry had never seen in ink in all his times of running through the studio.

"B… Bendy…?"

Bendy's eyes widened, as he sat up more in Boris' arms.

"Henry…" He floated up, tail swishing.

Henry took a step backwards.

"Wait… The heck is going on!? This wasn't part of the cycle before… You were… You weren't like this."

Bendy frowned lowering his gaze.

"I wanted to help you, Henry."

I don't blame him if he's mad. I'd be mad at me too.

Henry looked him over, taking note of the details… in particular the tail.

"You're not the monster."

Bendy looked up, giving a sheepish look.

"Just… a devil darling."

Henry came closer. He looked to Boris for a moment, who gave an encouraging look.

"Henry… I didn't want to hurt you… I thought it was just a game but then what Joey made me do… I'm so sorry… I… I didn't want to hurt you… he doesn't want to hurt you… we don't want to hurt you but… I… I…"

Henry silenced the devil darling as he brought him into his arms, hugging him close.

"Shhh…."

Bendy froze up, before curling up against him, his tail swishing.

"I'm sorry, Father…" He whispered.

Henry stroked his back, resting his head against his. He recognized this voice. It was faint but he knew it.

"I heard you call to me." Henry whispered back. "You pulled me from the void."

"Couldn't leave ya… I… I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"

"Shh…I got you…"

Bendy nuzzled him, a small purring sound leaving his throat. Henry smiled softly, rocking him gently.

"It's okay now."

Boris came over, placing a hand on Henry's shoulder. Henry looked up at him.

"Thank you, Boris… I'm not entirely sure of what is going on but… thank you for this."

Boris nodded, looking to Bendy.

Bendy rubbed at this eyes before pulling back.

"I'll explain everything that's going on but… first, there's something I brought for you… or rather… someone who can help."

Henry gave a puzzled look.

"That so?"

Bendy nodded, looking to the still open doorway.

"You can come in now."

Footsteps were heard as a young man came through the door. Henry's eyes widened as he came closer.

The young man had dark curly hair and wore a cardigan and slacks with baseball knee pads and elbow pads on top of it. While his eyes were black and pie shaped… there was no denying who was standing before him.

He wore the same shocked look as Henry as he stared at him.

Bendy floated out of Henry's arms, keeping quiet.

Henry moved closer to the young man, his eyes misty as he clasped his shoulders, looking him over.

"... Elias?" He asked. "Is… Is that you, kiddo?"

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak, a few tears getting out.

"... Yes." He smiled, relief in his eyes throwing his arms around Henry nearly knocking him over. "It's you! It's really you!" He laughed.

Henry was frozen in place, unable to process exactly what was happening.

His eldest son was hugging him.

He was here.

He was laughing and crying tears of joy.

He was here.

He was really here.

Henry unfroze, bringing his arms around him, tears of his own escaping as well as laughter.

"Eli… Oh, Elias!" He hugged him closer, burying his face into his son's hair. "My son… You're here…!"

Elias buried his face in his shoulder, sighing happily. His father was alive.

He was right there in his arms again.

"I'm here to bring you home. I wasn't gonna leave you behind." He tightened his hug. "Never."

Henry kissed his head, stroking his back.

"Let me get a good look at ya."

Elias moved back as Henry looked him over, taking in the new changes. After a moment, he grinned.

"Even as a couple of living toons, you're still a chip off the ol'block."

Elias chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You think Liz'll mind?"

"Nah. You're perfect."

Henry hugged Elias close again, sighing happily.

"My boy…"

"Dad…"

They remained silent, enjoy each other's presence for a moment before speaking again.

"I have a lot of questions." Henry started, pulling away from his son. "But I think we can discuss that over some food and a little rest."

Elias nodded, taking off his back pack, digging around till he pulled out a can of chicken soup, offering it to Henry.

"Will this do?"

Henry stared at it in shock, covering his mouth.

"... Dad?"

Henry pulled him in for a side hug.

"I… love you so much."

Bendy busted out laughing.

"BAHAHAHAH! I TOLD YOU!"

"No more bacon soup for awhile?"

"Nope! And we got more too!"

Henry looked between them stunned.

"... I'll ask more after I eat. Let's make with the food!"

Yep, he was not kidding. I don't think I've seen Dad look this happy to get food since that time Thanksgiving went late at Grandma's.

Elias nodded, following his father to the kitchen area. Boris and Bendy kept quiet, watching the two interact. For a moment, all the insanity outside didn't seem to exist with just seeing how happy the two were.

"We're making progress, Boris… If anything, I'm just happy to see the two happy, ya know?"

Boris nodded, a gentle look in his eyes. He grabbed a notebook jotting down something.

"I understand. Henry's been so sad without them… and from what you said, Elias was miserable too." The note said.

Bendy nodded.

"Yeah… The kid needs his dad and Henry needs him too. I think together… They really have a chance of making it."

Boris nodded again, jotting down another note.

"And we're here to help them as much as we can."

Bendy nodded.

"Darn right we are… Won't be long before Devil Drew finds out but, we'll still make it work."

The two nodded to each other, going over to Henry and Elias, leaving all the insanity on their minds behind them for now to enjoy this moment of peace.