Sulley walked back onto the scare floor with a jump in his step, closing the door to muffle the sound of the screaming child as the scream can filled up fast and dinged. Mike gave a holler of approval removing the scream can quickly and replacing it with another. "You are on a roll today Sullivan!" Cody shouted from his station. Sulley waved back at him, a silent thank you. The new comer was awful chummy, not that Sullivan minded but it was a big change from the quiet, grumpy, sometimes insulting Randall Boggs.
The day seemed so perfect, the shine from the sun shot through the window with an amazingly beautiful light, while the still cooling weather kept Sulley from overheating. He sighed leaning against his desk that Mike was sitting at, going through door keys "Someone seems happy today?" Mike said, not moving his eyes from the paper to look at his friend
Sulley repeated his joyous sigh "It's been a good day" He commented, a dim smile across his lips.
"Oh yeah, what's got you all hyped?" Mike asked "Not that I'm complaining" He moved a folder to the side, finally giving Sulley his attention.
"Randall said morning to me" He gave a happy smile, which Mike responded to with a questionable look. "That's all you need to make your day huh?"
"Well.. He's usually not awake at that time; it was nice to see him before work for a change." Sulley's face looked so warm and cheerful that despite Mike's usual self he could not help but feel good for the big lug, and let him have his joy without playful banter. "Alright there Sull, let's get the day over with so you can get home" He got up and swiped his card, although Randall was now gone and no one at Monsters inc was even close to surpassing he still couldn't waist time with chatter.
The door came quickly, inserting itself into the stand as the red light flashed on. "Okay Sull, this one fears bears and loud noises, piece of cake" Mike sad. "So I'll use a stalk and screech?" He questioned, screeching was the loudest he could go after all.
"It would work, but a stomp and roar would be better on this one" Mike explained, deciding to focus more on the fear of bears, Sull nodded to his partner, receiving a friendly slap on the back as he headed towards the door that was white with pink flowers painted on it.
As soon as he entered Sulley stomped his foot on the ground and slammed the closet door shut rather loudly, instantly gaining the startled child attention, who stared at the bear looking creature in horror. It only took a second for Sulley to let out a loud, intimidating roar, his voice cracking as he snarled, which only made him all the more horrifying. The little girl let out a loud wail of fear, screaming as loudly as she could, frozen in her spot on the bed as the monster had its paws raised above his head, claws out.
As the child screamed tears began pooling from her eyes, wetting her pink night gown as he heard the parents talking in the other room as they walked down the hall, "Ohh not again" He heard a woman say "These night terrors have to stop" A male voice added, Sulley was already at the closet door, paw on the handle as he opened it, watching as the girl with brown hair, held up in pig tails continued to cry.
As he left the room, shutting the closet door behind him he thought of how he would be if his child was ever so terrified. It almost made him feel a little guilty, as he could relate to the child's parents.
But the guilt could not last, He loved his job, and needed the money to support himself, especially now that he and Randall were expecting. Humans were seen as less intelligent then monsters, their emotions were dimmer and the screams of their children were needed to fuel this economy. He turned back to make "Got another door?" He questioned, as Mike looked unprepared which was not like him.
"Take break earlier, there's someone here to see you" he said gesturing to the scare floors entrance, noticing Randall standing at the safety line, not allowed to pass during scaring hours now that he was unemployed.
Sulley gave a wide smile, Randall came to visit him? He must have been missed. He blushed from excitement as his cheeks were round from his smile. "Thanks Mike… I'll be at the top of my game when I come back, don't worry"
Mike gave him a doubtful look, Sulley didn't need to make such promises, he didn't mind the early break either, in fact he had his own soon to be wife to see. "Don't mention it pal" he said, Speed walking beside Sulley as the larger monster was walking faster than he usually did.
Sulley stopped in front of Randall who was trying to look around him, annoyed by the blue, furry wall that was blocking his view. Mike walked right passed them both "Randall" He greeted the other, rather rudely. "Wazowski" Randall responded with a hiss, not even bothering to look at the green guy. "I'll see you later Sull" He waved, now walking back words, He noted how impossibly happy the blue guy looked, he just hoped Randall didn't come in to ruin it; but that was their business. He turned around and began to whistle loudly, ready to see his fiancé in all her glory.
Sulley looked at Randall who refused to make eye contact, he noticed the black shirt he wore, one he hated, but accepted none the less. "Hey" He said, feeling bashful at the sudden visit. "I'm surprised you came to see me" He closed his eyes, making a childish joyful expression.
That was when Randall looked up at him, instead of passed onto the scare floor "I didn't come to see you Sullivan" He said, the same bitter tone Sulley always heard, laced with resentment.
Sure, what Randall said was rather disappointing, but Sulley continued to smile, just happy to be in his presents. "That's okay. What did you come for?" He asked, both curious and hoping he could be helpful.
"Waternoose, you know where he is?"
"umm" Sulley scratched his head, trying hard to remember if he had seen him on the floor today, he desperately wanted to be helpful, but honestly could not recall seeing his Boss at all.
Randall rolled his eyes at how hard Sulley was thinking "If you don't know it's fine" He said "I'll just ask someone else" It seemed the most logical thing to do, but Sulley wasn't having it.
"I'll help you look" Sulley said "He works all week, so he should be in, somewhere"
"Aren't you on floor today Sullivan?" He asked "I don't need help" He was surprisingly calm, not exactly rude about his responses, just being honest.
"I'm taking break early, Mike already ran off" He replied "I know you don't need help, but I have nothing to do otherwise" He hoped Randall wouldn't feel inferior because of that, Sulley knew how much the other hated asking for help, or even accepting it when offered.
Randall shrugged and turned away, clearly Waternoose was no on the scare floor, so he had no reason to be there either, Besides, past Co-workers were beginning to notice him, and he defiantly did not want to be seen after leaving without informing even one of them as why.
"What did you need Waternoose for anyway?" Sulley inquired, keeping up with Randall's pace.
"I asked him for a job" Randall said, as if it was nothing. Sulley was surprised, and a little concerned "wait, you cannot work on a scare floor anymore!"
"I'm not going to be on the scare floor, I think I'll be in the mail room" He said simply
Sulley remembered working in the mail room, lots of heavy lifting, running around with paper work, hardly any time to rest. "Don't you think you should take it easy for a while.." Sulley tried to be gentile about it "You don't need to strain yourself, I can take care of us"
"I'm bored at home, and I don't want to depend on you" Randall spoke. Sulley frowned "What's wrong with depending on me?" Of course Sulley wanted to take care of Randall; it was his only role in his unborn child's life, a responsibility that Randall was so cruelly refusing to give him.
"I'm not a stay at home monster, I need to work" Randall said, He had been slowly changing, he could tell. His instincts were getting the better of him; he was passive, agreeable and less confrontational. He was becoming a push over and staying home with Sullivan as the primary bread winner only made it worse. If he could work then maybe he could keep some of his independence and backbone, he couldn't let Sullivan trap him into this degrading role, if he let his guard down for too long he feared he would never get his dignity back.
"What do you do exactly, none of the heavy lifting or strenuous stuff right?" He asked concerned "You're going to be careful?" He finished, Randall looked up at him. "Of course I will be careful; it's not as dangerous as your hyper sensitive mind is making it out to be"
They turned down the hallway that lead passed the Day Scare room, Sulley took a moment to peer in through a window but Randall hardly even noticed the room of rambunctious children. At the end of the hall was their crab like boss , Randall was much more focused on getting to him. But before he could Sulley gently grab his wrist "Hey... soon were going to have to use the Day Scare too.." Randall looked to where Sullivan was looking. His lips hardened in a straight line, unimpressed by Sulley's parental sentiments. "They all look like brats to me" he pulled his hand away and walked down to Waternoose. Sullivan thought Randall had a point, as they all seemed very uncontrollable, but Sulley had no problem with that, they were young and enjoying themselves, like his own kid would.
Randall had made it over to Waternoose who was currently giving Needleman and Smitty a firm talking to, as there have been some complaints of wood chippings left on the scare floor whenever a door is shredded. Randall rolled his eyes, he had been complaining about that for months now, since the two teenagers started. Upon noticing Randall Waternoose looked at the two young monsters "Wait just a moment boys" He said, smiling to Randall as he turned, he had had a uniform in his hand which included a blue visor and white apron Randall would wear over the black shirt he currently had on. Randall didn't look too impressed with the outfit, but it was better than being at home. "So, what exactly will I be doing?" Randall asked, taking the outfit in hand when it was offered out to him.
"I'll let Roz explain it all to you. It's mostly sorting and mail" He said. "Nothing to taxing"
Sulley walked up behind Randall, a friendly wave to his boss before Smitty and Needleman called out behind "Good morning Mr. Sullivan" One said, while the other spoke over top of him "Hello Sullivan sir" making it hard to hear either of them as their voices cracked and squeaked the way they did during puberty. Still he gave a nice smile and a wave "Hey guys"
Waternoose turned back to them "Would you mind emptying the crash into the garbage compactor" He requested, not needing any more distractions. "Yes sir" "Right away sir" They both chimed at the same time, Needleman ran ahead, taking the wheelie garbage bin, as Smitty slowly oozed after him.
Upon noticing the outfit in the purple lizard's hand Randall took the white apron and held it up. "Oh hey, I remember that outfit" He said cheerful "My first job, I can show you some tricks to get things done sooner" He beamed at Randall, maybe this job was a good idea, Sulley could defiantly be helpful here.
Waternoose was surprised to see his top scarer here, but not at all disappointed "James, what brings you here? Whenever I see Randall you seem to be right beside him" He laughed, amused. It was surprising how no one could connect the dots, but then again no one imagined these two rivals would copulate, or that someone as kind and well off as Sullivan would get stuck with an unlikable grouch like Randall, or that said grouch would ever be a parent.
"Yeah, we do bump into each other a lot" Sulley was sure Randall would not be keen on other monsters knowing just yet, and although he had friends he wanted to share the news with, but he could wait until Randall was more comfortable with everything. Despite his lie he gave Sulley a doubtful look. "Well Randall, Roz is waiting for you in her office" He then nodded to Sullivan "I expect to see some of your scaring first hand today James!" He laughed cheerfully "I'll be on the scare floor to look over things after lunch"
"Ohh, I'll be there sir, I won't disappoint"
"No, no, you never do James" He shooke his head as he turned back to a timid Needleman and Smitty, then began discussing bits of paper left on the floor by the trash compactor.
"Give me that Sullivan" Randall said, snatching his new uniform from Sulley's paws.
"Hey, do you want to grab lunch.. I mean not now, but later today? Since you are here."
"I don't know, Might be busy" Randall brushed him off, walking by as he intended to go see Roz now, since he was a scarer and not an assistant he didn't have much contact with Roz at all, besides seeing her work away in her booth, and getting a giddy chuckle when she castrated other assistance, especially Mike.
Fungus mentioned once how she scared him, but nothing out of the ordinary for that overly jumpy monster. Sullivan was still following him though "So if you're not busy then it's a yes?" He asked, wanting a defiant answer. "Sure, why not. I spend all my time with you at home, why not here too?" Randall said, hoping even Sulley would hear his obvious sarcasm, but that was a little too much to expect from the other.
"Ohhh, great" Sulley gleamed "I'll come by around twelve!" Actually he had noticed Randall's sarcasm, but admitting that would mean no date. "Where would you like to eat, there's a place just off site that's nice, we can make it back in time too-" Sulley continued, Randall gave him a look "I'm not in the walking mood Sullivan, the cafeteria here will be fine" why did he have to confuse everything.
"Alright, I'll bring you to the café" He didn't fight the other on it, Randall must have walked here from their home already, and although it was relatively short Randall was being weighed down a bit, not that it was noticeable under the dark, slimming black, but Sullivan had saw it this morning, Randall was looking very round in his midsection. Sulley sometimes had the urge to pat, rub or speak to it, but he knew well enough that would land him in hot water; he flushed a little thinking about it, imagining Randall as a sweeter gentler monster that would allow such a thing.
"Do you feel alright today?" He asked, making small talk with the other, he tended to ask Randall this a lot and always got the same answer "I'm fine" Randall said, more of a reflex then honest truth. Randall didn't know what side effect to expect, what to look for. For all he knew his everyday aches could have been due to the baby, but he had felt nothing that was cause for alarm, so there was no need to tell anyone.
With Roz's station now in sight Sullivan looked to Randall, about to offer a parting goodbye but Randall beat him to it "I'll see you at lunch" His monotone voice rang, Sulley stopping outside the door as Randall entered into the back room, ready for training.
Sulley felt his face warm up and lips press tight, they had made plans already, he didn't understand why Randall's words were affecting him suddenly. Maybe it was due to the other initiating, it was always Sulley for so long, making plans, promising to see Randall, who would usually protest in annoyance, but not now. Randall was promising to see him, although the lizard probably didn't notice it, he was beginning to put effort into this relationship as well.
Just wanted to thank everyone for the reviews, they mean a lot and I do take all suggestions/critiques into consideration. I hope I can start getting chapters out for you on a weekly basis, seeing as I am on break now :)