Another call-back (...call-forward?) to a scene from Ghost in the Machine!

Also, quick disclaimer-the next entry will have a lot of song references in it, so, to avoid violating ToS, I won't be uploading it here. You can still find it on AO3 under the same username!

"Guys! Over here!"

Richard dropped the wrench in his hand into the toolbox, turning and facing Fritz with a tired smile. "You sure 'bout this? We're kind of busy…"

"I know, I know…" Fritz rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "But management said it'd be a good idea to get a few shots of the team, for promotion and stuff. Besides-" and Fritz grinned shyly at this part, "This is my first real project, a-and I want something to remember it by."

Richard hummed, shooting a look at his brother. Fritz couldn't see what Daniel was working on, but he was seemingly far into it, ignoring both Fritz and Richard. "Alright. I'll see if I can get his head out of the damn robot long enough for a picture."

"Thanks, man."

"Alright, you win. This is impressive."

Thomas grinned, nudging Ross with his elbow. "Told you!"

"Yeah, yeah, no need to be so smug." Ross couldn't help but smile, watching the way Thomas's face glowed like a kid on Christmas morning. Ross had originally just taken this job to quell his own stupid fears, but… well, he couldn't exactly hate those things, as much as he wanted to. And judging by the kids waiting outside the front door for the grand opening, Thomas wasn't the exception to the rule.

"Hey, guys!" The two looked over their shoulders, catching sight of one of the mechanics-Fritz, right?-with a camera in his hands. Ross flashed a peace sign, while Thomas just waved.

As soon as the photo was taken, Ross muttered, "Here's to new beginnings, I suppose."

"Y-yeah, I guess."

"You're fidgeting."

"Ah, s-sorry."

"Doesn't bother me any. Are you alright?"

"Oh, uh, yeah!" Thomas rubbed the back of his neck, hoping his red face would just appear to be because he'd worked his rear off, and not because Daniel Maddock was talking to him, arms crossed and a tired half-smile on his face and those stupid green eyes focused on him-

Oh, I'd better get over this, Thomas scolded himself, before he cleared his throat. "Just, uh… busy day, y'know?"

"Yeah, tell me about it." Daniel sighed, leaning against a nearby wall. "Though I guess most of the hard work is done now, at least for me."

Thomas smiled shyly, settling into place besides Daniel. "Hey, uh, th-thanks for joining the team. I-it sounds like you were a real help."

"No problem. Happy to help."

"Just leave me alone."

"Oh, come on. We have to behave for the cameras. This is a big deal, after all."

"...If I do, then you'll stop stalking me?"

"You think I'm the time to start trouble?"

"Don't mock me."

"You are a nerd."

"Hush, I'm your nerd."

Ross snorted, eyes flashing between Fritz and Melody. He'd only known the two for a combined few hours, but he was already finding himself enjoying their company. It made him wish that he wasn't stuck working the night shift. Well, that and how creepy the building got at night. And how twitchy the animatronics were, but Fritz swore that was normal-some leftover but ultimately irrelevant bugs that hadn't gotten stomped out yet. Ross just hoped that he would get used to it-it had only been one night so far, and he had to admit, he wasn't a fan.

"Thomas!" He froze when Fritz called his name, looking up from halfway down the hallway. "C'mere!"

"Hun wants one more picture before we leave Ross alone for the night." Melody leaned against her boyfriend's shoulder, while Fritz crossed his arms and looked away.

"Look, this is… it's kind of a big deal, y'know? I want something to remind me of this." He looked around the room at his three coworkers, before finally admitting, "And… you guys, you mean a lot to me. Even if I haven't known some of you that long," with his eyes moving to Ross and Thomas at this, "I think… I dunno, maybe I'm being dumb-"

"Nah, I get it, honestly." Ross leaned back in his chair. "You've worked for this, Fritz. Be smug."

"Yeah, I'm just teasing," Melody said, wrapping one arm around his waist.

"H-hey, do we, uh, need to get someone to take the picture for us?" Thomas asked, gesturing to the camera in Fritz's hands.

Fritz shook his head. "Nah, this thing's got a timer. I just gotta set it up-"

While he propped it up on a pile of boxes, he listened to the other three chat behind him.

"Uh, Melody, I-I don't think you're supposed to sit on the desk-"

"Hey, nobody's gotta know!"

"I'm literally going to be working there in a few hours. Somebody's gonna know."

"Alright, nobody who doesn't already know."

Fritz smiled to himself, shaking his head. He didn't know how he'd gotten so lucky-working this position, at a relatively young age, with this group of people. He wasn't sure what'd he done in a past life to score this one, but he was grateful nonetheless.

"Fritz!" Melody called, shocking him out of his thoughts. "The thing's beeping! Get over here before the pic takes!"

"Sorry! On my way!"