This is just something I do for fun. It is a bit of an AU and the things written may not fit with the cannon as more Chapters gets released.

Also the names given that are not cannon are what I have come up with. Same with description of looks, history, personality and relationship.

I do not own Bendy and the Ink Machine it belongs to TheMeatly Games

The King Porter Stomp was composed by Jelly Roll Morton.

Back at the studio

Bendy had entered the swing hall, somehow managing to sneak pass the doorman when he was distracted by one of the ladies. Bendy now inside stood there at the entry to the dancefloor. The jazz band playing the bouncing beat as the base fiddle and trumpet where the main event.

Bendy's smile spread across his face, he may never know heaven, but if this was anything near it. He could understand why people wanted to get there.

With a bounce in his step he made his way to the dancefloor. It didn't take long for Bendy to find a dance partner, a cat not much taller than him was so into the music and dance that she barely noticed that she had switched dance partner. Bendy not really caring who he was dancing with decided to enjoy the dance in itself.

Too bad the Tom that had been the girls previous dance partner realised that he was dancing with thin air and to both his chock and later ire he noticed the demon that was dancing with his girl.

Making his way over to the dancing pair, he then angrily and tapping the small demon on the shoulder when Bendy didn't react. He did it once again, causing Bendy to look at the bigger cat now annoyed and grabbed Bendy by the bow and …

"Cut, cut, cut, Fulton you missed your beat!" The music director shouted at the guitarist and temporary sound effect maker. Everyone knew it mean one thing, they would have to redo the entire score AGAIN. It wouldn't have been so bad if they weren't already on their sixth try.

The only response Sammy got was a huff that confirmed that the man had heard him. The music department had been playing the King Porter Stomp since they had arrived. Considering the fact that it was half past ten, everybody was starting to get a bit tired of playing it over and over.

Norman stopped the projector once again, there seemed to be a lack of focus today. The reason behind it was unknown. But if he had to guess Fulton wasn't giving it his all. Despite knowing just how difficult it was out there to get a job, it didn't stop the guitarist from acting like a prick when things didn't go his way.

Sammy was just glad that this episode would be made without lip-sync. Because just timing the noises and the music to the beat was a nightmare as it was. That didn't mean that Fulton wouldn't get an earful.

Clem kept strumming on his instrument focusing on how his fingers held and hit the string of the base fiddle. Loosing himself in the music with his goofy smile still plastered on his face. Humming the rhythm to the song they just played.

Until he was interrupted that is.

"Earth to Clem. Ya done daydreamin'?" The trumpet player said to his brother.

"Fine. Sammy ready to get startin'?" Clem said to his brother after rolling his eyes at him.

"Yeah. Soon." Chris said before putting the trumpet back in place. Clem let his mind wonder and when his eyes landed on the projectors booth he knew something was off.

Norman noticing the man gazing up at the projectors booth.

"He ani't dead. If that is what you wonderin'." Norman answered back in the same knowing tone.

"You know where he is?" Clem asked.

"Price's office." Norman said with a shrug.

At that everyone temporarily stopped what they where doing. Every member from Bailey to Webber was no curious just what their second boss was doing meeting up with the fat cat that was Godfrey Price. It often meant there was bad news, and the studio didn't need any more of that. There was a depression still going on for Christ sake.

But almost all of the musicians shared the same sentiment.

'Hope he gets back here alive.'

Sammy was out at the front of Joey Drew studio. It was lunch hour but he decided to sacrifice just a few minutes of his precious lunch for some much needed fresh air. Even if the music department was just as cold as the outdoors a break from the confinement of the lower levels where needed.

After several trial and errors they finally managed to get everything done and recorded for the episode. Sound effects and music lining up to a T. He felt the cold February breeze ruffle the sandy locks he was proud over, even if the cold at times stung and caused his grey eyes to water.

Looking down the road Sammy noticed a familiar figure making his way back to the studio. A smile formed on his face.

"So, the Prodigal Son returns." Sammy said in a half mocking tone. Before taking another drag on his cigarette.

"Good morning to you too Sammy." Henry responded back to the music director. A smile upon his face seeing his college. After what he had experience that morning something as simple as the bantering between the employees was welcomed.

Henry was glad that the entire meeting with Price was over. If he would be fair it was more akin to a lecture that one used to receive in school. Henry barely got a word in and Price decided that once Henry was back at the studio he would give a message to Joey. So he now had a letter stuffed between the space of his shirt and waistcoat, he would lie if he said he wasn't curious.

"Clem wondered if you were alright, as did the rest of them when Norman told them you went into the lions den." Sammy summarized the morning for the animator in question. He would never admit it, but he had been a bit worried too once Norman told them.

"There was something Joey and Price needed to discuss but apparently Joey sent me instead."

"Typical. He makes plans but others have to make sure they get done." Sammy said as he ran his hand through his hair, cigarette still placed between his middle and index finger.

"It was just a one-time thing." Henry tried to convince Sammy, but by the look of the music director's face he wasn't buying it.

"All I'm saying Henry is that you need to be careful. Especially with men like Price, one slip and he might ruin you for good." Sammy's warning

"Trust me, if I could avoid it I would." Henry tightened his grip on the wicker basket. Sammy finally noticing the basket decided to have a go at embarrassing the animator.

"What did you need to do? Romance his secretary to a date?" Sammy said smugly and watched how the man before him turn very red.

"Of course not, I would never do that!" Sammy let a mirthful laughter slip through his lips. But it then soured as he looked at Henry's eyes there was a look of hurt that flashed across them.

"I know that, hell the last time you even talked about a girl was Lina."

"Linda, and since when has my love life been of any interest of yours?" Henry rose one of his eyebrows in suspicion.

"It isn't. But your actions have come into question if there is someone in your life." Sammy said as he took the last drag of his cigarette before tossing it on the ground and putting it out.

"Better get back to work, Drew will have our heads if he see us 'slacking off'." Sammy said opening the door to the studio with Henry close behind him.

"Agreed." Henry said feeling how the content of the basket began to stir, good thing he was back in the safety of the studio. Because at the safety of his work desk Bendy could roam around and easily hide. He just had one more stop before that, the studio's namesake's office.

Joseph A Drew was a character.

He has always been and always will be quite a character.

No one knew what really went on it that head of his.

To be fair sometimes he could barely keep up with himself.

But if there was one thing that could really make Joey loose his cool, it was when things didn't go according to plan.

"So you are telling me, that someone outside knows about HIM?!" Joey said as his fist hit his desk.

Henry felt how a small demon hid behind him as Joey continued.

"How could you have been so reckless?" Joey continued now out of his seat and he began pacing. His cane in hand and a noticeable difference in his footfall.

"Joey, NOTHING happened." Henry once again had to clarify. Even if that was only half-truth and there had been quite a moment where all three individuals involved had been emotionally drained from the event there was no need for Joey to shout at them.

The only thing that was doing was upsetting Bendy, and who was Joey to call him reckless when he more or less didn't plan ahead and put Henry in a situation he had no idea how to handle.

"Do you have ANY idea what danger you have placed him in?!"

"It was your idea to have him meet Price in the first place. The fact that Miss Troost found out about him was an accident. Besides are you saying that NOONE could know about him?" Henry was getting fired up. Once again glad that he had caught Joey that fateful night a week ago.

"Not until the time is right. And it if far from the right time." Once again was Joey using the same word from when they spoke earlier regarding Bendy.

"He needs to be socialised Joey, not locked away like some kind of damsel." Henry's comeback had a level of bite that he rarely used. Normally Henry would try to compromise with Joey but on this topic, on the little devil that clung to his leg in hope of protection, Henry would not budge.

"What do you suggest we do then? Let him run loose in Belmont and see how it goes?" Joey snarked back.

"No we get more people into his corner. By this time next month most of our staff should know about him." Henry stated and he watched how Joey's face turned white. Why didn't Joey want anyone to know about Bendy? If anything it would have given Joey a new reason to brag and boast. That HE had something none of the other studios had.

"Are you insane? Do you know how much of a gamble that is?" Now those words where definitely not the ordinary 'Joey Drew'.

"Funny, didn't I say the same thing just before you convinced me to begin this studio with you?" Henry smirked and even unintentionally Joey's lips flickered into a smile.

After another five minutes of arguing Joey finally stepped down from the argument. He had given Henry the responsibility of taking care of Bendy, so he had to trust him. Even if he begrudgingly did so right now.

"You are playing with fire Henry. If anything happens to him, it will be on your head." The boss finally let the animator go.

"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way." Henry picked up the upset demon and cradled him. Giving the small demon a kiss on the forehead. Smiling down on the toon and holding him close. Bendy responded in kind with grabbing hold of his waistcoat, before he pulled out the piece of paper from it.

Because of how frustrated Joey had been when he arrived back Henry had temporarily forgotten about it. But not really wanting to spend any more time with his partner and friend when he was in this foul mood. Henry quickly slammed the letter back onto the desk before turning to leave. Henry's next stop before returning to his work desk would be equally important.

So tracking back to the breakroom with Bendy still in his arms he rang the old telephone and waited until he got through the line. That didn't stop Bendy from entertaining himself with making the telephone cord swing wildly.

"Yes could you connect me to…" Bendy only hearing a series of numbers after that didn't really pay any mind. He watched the man that held him. After a beat he saw how Henry's smile became wide and he spoke once again.

"Hey, Harvey! Listen I need a favour."

Henry spent the rest of the afternoon cartooning and keeping an eye on Bendy. Luckily for him, Bendy was content with a sketchbook a few pencils and words of encouragement when he showed the doodles he made. They were still crude and looked more like a collections of circles and lines but the pride the little demon had whenever he showed it you might have believed he just created the Mona Lisa. It kept the little demon entertained for hours but once 7 PM rolled around it was probably time to head home.

It was a bit strange that none of his colleges had swung by earlier, but even if Sammy was here it was no guarantee that the rest of the studio knew he was back. Or it could have been that someone had heard the argument going down at Joey's office and decided it was safer if everyone stayed clear of both Joey and Henry.

Henry once again looked at the little demon and found two dark eyes staring back at him. Henry had just finished the cells for another short. He could send it down for inking tomorrow, after all he was pretty sure he was one of the few people still left at this hour.

"Ready to go home Bendy?" Henry asked the little demon as he kneeled down to get closer to the demons level. Bendy through for a short while before he shook his head.

"Why not?" His tone was lovingly and only a small amount of surprise.

"You think we could play something first?" Bendy said shyly pushing his index fingers together before. Twirling them around one another. A light grey shade of blush upon the demons cheeks.

"Of course, anything special you want to play?"

"Hide and seek? That would be fun." Bendy's hopeful tone made it impossible for Henry to deny his request.

"Alright let's play hide and seek. You hide and I count to twenty. But you need to stay on this floor, deal?" At that Bendy nodded excitedly.

Pleased with himself Henry placed his hands over his eyes and began to slowly count.

"One, two, three…" With an excited giggle Bendy took off looking for the perfect hiding spot. He kept his eyes and ears peeled for any other worker that he haven't meet, he was still new to this world, there was so much he needed to learn and wanted to learn. But these giants or people that Joey and Henry often called them as where still scary to look at. They towered over him and he didn't even reach Henry's knee at full height. So he needed a little longer until he would start greeting people. Bendy stopped to think of a hiding place. Once he thought of the perfect place he snapped his fingers and took of his cheeky smile still pasted on his face.

"Eighteen, nineteen, twenty. Ready or not here I come. "The animator's voice echoed through the studio. He knew that Bendy had left his work space since he had heard tiny footsteps growing fainter with every number he counted.

He already knew there were some spots that Bendy would prefer over others. He started with the workroom, the space under the table, when he found nothing there he looked in front of the projector he felt on the handle to Joey's office. It was locked, with Bendy's basket standing outside. He realised once he was back at his desk that he forgot about it.

He picked up the basket, placed it back by his desk and continued his search. The next place to search would be the Art room. There were a lot of places for someone as small as Bendy to hide.

But no desk, nor drawer or space behind all the furniture had a devil darling. But Henry did get one clue, he heard a small giggle. It was coming from a different room, but he was close.

Then it struck Henry. He knew where to look. So he made his way to the sculpture room. Then it was all up to acting.

"Oh, where could he possibly be? I mean he wouldn't be in here by any means." Henry heard the same giggle and knew exactly where he was.

"I better leave, perhaps he is in that old office." Henry faked leaving the room even going so far as to change the sound of his footfall to fool the little one. Once he heard the giggle again he snuck back to the wardrobe as quite as a mouse making sure Bendy couldn't see him through the crack. Then with a quick motion he popped up before the demon.

"Found you." Henry said playfully at the small inkblot that responded in a delightful shriek. Bendy started to make his way back out from behind the wardrobe when he heard someone coming. But it wasn't the sound of Joey's footsteps. These ones where a lot noisier. So Bendy backed into the middle of the wardrobe.

"Hi Henry!" The youthful voice of the studios janitor could be recognized anywhere. Turning around Henry gave the young teen a smile.

"Good evening Wally, ready to head home?"

"Soon, still have to clean up here. But what are you doing here? Did you drop something? Want me to use my broom?" The kid asked. Moving in to use the trusty broom between the wardrobe and wall.

Wally was however surprise by the horrified expression that flashed across Henry's face.

"No, no, no, there's a … a kitten behind here." Henry stumbled over the last part.

"A kitten?" The younger man asked a bit suspiciously.

"Yes, poor things been sneaking around the studio for a few days now." Henry kept spinning the story. If he was going to tell a lie, this one needed to be convincing.

"How do you know that?"

"Well I have been taking care of it since I found him." Henry said with sense of pride in his voice.

"Do you think I could pet him, please?" Wally asked giving his best puppy dog impression. Henry through of it. It was still too risky, it was too early for it.

"You'll meet him, but he needs some more training before that." The older man felt a bit bad as he watched Wally's face fall, he was disappointed but he would get over it.

"Alright. I better get back to work, then I'm outta here!"

"Have a good night Wally, see you tomorrow." Henry said as the janitor left the room. The animator turned his attention back to the little toon. He had listened to it all transpire, and he was currently not very happy.

"I'm not a cat!" Bendy pouted.

"I know that." Henry said in a light-hearted tone.

"Then why did you lie?" Bendy's voice was quite stern even if he did squeak at the end.

"I know what I did was wrong, but it will only be temporary. Once everything has settled down you will be introduced to the other workers here." He calmly explained. Bendy still had some hesitation on his face.

"I'm not going to be forced to use a litter box, am I?" Bendy's sincerity in that question once again reminded Henry about how young the toon really was.

"Of course not. But I need to ease the workers into the idea of you being here before I tell them." The man's smile just as sincere as his words.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"You being here? No, definitely not. People have never met a toon, so they don't know how to react to you."

"Oh." Bendy seemed to take some offence to that. His eyes now cast on the floor.

"Don't worry, it will be fine. We do it once you are ready. I'll be there with you."

"You promise." Bendy said as he made his way out the narrow space.

"I promise." Henry held out his hand to the toon. Quickly catching on a glove covered hand wrapped around his.

Then a familiar gurgling sound entered their ears.

"Alright I think it is time to head back home. You need to get something to eat." Henry said as he picked up the demon.

Then it was the animators turn to make noise.

"And me too for that matter." At that Bendy giggled.

Henry quickly went back to his workstation and gathered up his coat and basket before leaving the studio. Henry turned around and shouted a good night to Wally one last time before heading out.

The sky was dark and there was a light mist. Bendy was in the safety and comfort of his basket. Henry began to walk down those well-known streets.

"Let's go home Bendy."