SpringBonnie paces across the Parts and Service room, his eyes cast down as his mind wonders.
He's done this before, plenty of times. Fredbear's Diner has been open for almost a full year now and there have been countless birthday parties among that time, so why is he so nervous this time around?
No, he knows why. It's because this child wants him to bring out the cake. It's going to be a big party and they asked for SpringBonnie superficially. He has no idea why. Fredbear's the one that always brings out the cakes when it's not a parent or something. And they never want the animatronic either. This is the sort of thing his creator will handle. That's why they put the stupid springlock mechanisms in!
"Bonnie?" Fredbear's voice comes from the door and SpringBonnie stops his movements. He turns to his partner and practically throws himself at him. He's caught easily. "What are you doing in here? They're about to get ready for-"
"I can't!" SpringBonnie sobs, his hands shaking with nerves. "I've never done this before! Why can't they just use the suit instead?!"
Fredbear doesn't answer for a long moment. They just stand there, wasting more time that SpringBonnie should've used preparing, but he didn't because-
"Why are you so nervous? You'll only be holding the cake."
"That's the problem!" SpringBonnie looks up at him with a desperation for understanding. He isn't crazy, is he? "What if something bad happens?! There are so many kids and they could start crying! Then what do I do?! I can't comfort them all! And what if I drop something!"
Two hands land on SpringBonnie's shoulders and the touch forces him to relax. Fredbear gives him a sweet smile, his eyes clear of judgement. "Bonnie, you'll be okay. You've been programmed to do this. Just forget about everything else."
He falters, his mind still clouded with worry, but it's less pressing now. Fredbear's always has that affect on him. "You make it sound so easy. If I mess up, then it'll ruin the whole party."
Fredbear shakes his head. "If you mess up, then it will be a moment. The children will move on quickly." SpringBonnie gives him a look. "And if anyone cries, then I will take care of it."
He thinks on it for a moment. "Are you sure it'll be okay?"
"Promise."
Well, there's nothing more he can do about it now. He'll have to trust his partner, but that's okay. It's easier than trusting himself.
After a moment, the two of them leave together. They run into William almost immediately get shoved into the main party room. SpringBonnie waits back, however, as his creator hands him a large party cake and then motions for him to get out there already.
SpringBonnie takes a moment to clear his building nerves. He's already holding the cake and the table is roughly two yards away. He can walk that distance carefully. It'll be fine. And they asked for him specifically, so no one should be crying. He looks out of the doorway, watching all of the excited children wiggle in their seats. Fredbear's words from earlier come to him and finally, he's ready
"Hey there! I heard someone was having a birthday!" SpringBonnie smiles as he walks out, his eyes now set on one child only. He can't focus on all of them, so he'll leave that to Fredbear. All that really matters is getting to the table.
He's a yard and a half away now.
"Now, which one of you is the birthday boy?" He takes a quick moment to scan the others before returning to the one. The little boy begins actually jumping in his chair, his smile wide. SpringBonnie's heart melts at the sight.
"It's me!" He shouts and his mother tries to keep him quiet, but it's useless. Nothing can make this child calm down anymore.
Half a yard away.
SpringBonnie feels his smile widen at the thought of being loved so dearly. He's not jealous of Fredbear's success -after all, he is the mascot- but he's never really had the experience of being a child's very favorite. Even when they draw him, Fredbear is usually with him. But this child wants just him and it's good to know he's not always just a companion. They love him just as much.
As he reaches the table, SpringBonnie feels something pull and his body loses function. His arms give out, dropping the cake right in front of the table. He can't hear anything as his legs buckle and he falls to the floor. He lands, then he shuts down.
Springbonnie wakes up a few times, but they're only for a second or two. First, he opens his eyes to Henry standing over him. The man is crouched over his midsection, curses filling the room as he works.
The next time, he's in front of both Henry and William. They smile when he locks eyes with them, but then that same pull comes and he shuts down again.
The last time, he stays awake. He's still in Parts and Service, but he's alone now. SpringBonnie looks at the darkness around him, unsure of what just happened. Why did he shut down? He's afraid to move in case he pulls something for a third time. Is he broken?
Despite the worry, SpringBonnie slowly sits up. He waits for that sensation, but it never comes. He sits up fully and looks out again. It must be night, now.
He ruined the party.
"Bonnie?" SpringBonnie turns and sees Fredbear rush to him. They embrace a little awkwardly, but it's comforting to have him there. But the comfort leaves soon after when he's reminded, again, that he ruined everything.
"Fredbear, I messed up!" He cries, already beginning to panic. "I dropped the cake!" He was right to worry about this. Why did anyone let him do it?! Why didn't they just use him as a costume?! William wouldn't have dropped it!
"Bonnie, it's okay?" Fredbear whispers, his arms still tightly wrapped around him. "It wasn't that bad, actually. They managed to catch the cake."
He doesn't want to ask for his own sake, but he needs to know. Slowly, SpringBonnie looks up and stares into his lover's soft eyes. "Did they cry?" Did he traumatize them forever? Will they never return because of him? What if they demanded a refund because of it? Not only will he be costing his creators their customers, but he would've takes right from their pockets as well.
Fredbear smiles like he's sorry and SpringBonnie already knows the answer. "Yeah, there was some crying. It was mostly because they thought you died, but then William explained that you just slipped and will need some repairs. And he was right. You're fine now." SpringBonnie looks away. "They calmed down after that, though. Everyone was nice and they just wished you luck in your recovery. It was really sweet, actually. They even made you a card." Fredbear shuffles around until he pulls out a get well soon card and hands it to SpringBonnie.
The font is swirly and there are beautiful pink flowers behind it. SpringBonnie hesitates to open it, but once he does, he sees all of the little messages from the children and adults alike. Most of them are difficult to read, with wobbly letters and spelling errors, but he still gets the general message. They still care.
He reads the parent's sections too and is beyond surprised to see that they offered to pay for his repairs. SpringBonnie can't help but smile at that, even though the thought of them paying for him makes him uneasy. Henry and William wouldn't let them do that.
He hands the letter back to Fredbear, who sets it down on top of a table before helping SpringBonnie to his feet. From there, they walk out of the room and head toward their stage again, ready to play for the next day.
Just as they make it into the main area, SpringBonnie looks out the front windows. They're large and wide and let him see the wilted tree in the yard. He's seen it so many times already, but something has always pulled to him. He feel Fredbear's presence beside him, but the bear doesn't say anything. "Do you think we'll go out there someday?" He asks, his eyes not leaving the dark sky. Thousands of little dots sparkle like glitter on black paper.
"I don't know." Fredbear sounds contemplative as he answers. "We aren't really made to be out there, but maybe it would be nice. Then you could see the moon up close."
SpringBonnie nods, his eyes already going to the moon. He remembers hearing that it's just cheese once, from a little kid, but he doubts that's true. If it were, then why didn't the astronauts bring some back with them? Henry could put it into their cheeseburgers or the pizza.
Without another word, they leave the window and return to their stage, the silence wrapping around them like a warm blanket. SpringBonnie may love to sing and chat all night long, but for now, he'll enjoy the peace he has now.
Maybe Fredbear's quiet lifestyle actually has something to it.
Spring stares at his reflection in the full body mirror. He had high expectations for this repairs project but now that he can see the result...
He looks the same. It's almost terrifying to see after so many years of rot and damage. He hasn't looked back at this version of himself since...well, since before Fredbear's closed. His casing no longer has giant holes exposing his endo. His fur isn't a sickly green, but a vibrant gold. His dull eyes are now a sharp green with the matching lashes he lost. His ears are both whole again and most of all, he's able to stand upright without issue.
"Wow," He can practically feel the others looking at him. The Glamrocks all decided to visit for the big reveal and since seeing him, they've been quiet.
"So...he wasn't supposed to be green?" Roxy whispers loudly and Spring guesses his moment of self reflection is over. He still touches the purple bow, almost afraid that the illusion will disappear with any wrong move. But he can feel it under his fingertips. It's really there.
He turns to the others, gives them a full view of himself. Freddy's eyes are sad again, but he ignores the reason in favor of looking at the others. "So, what do you think?"
"You look old!" Chica smiles and Spring guesses they would still think that, given how shiny and high tech they are. He is glad they didn't alter any parts of his design. The only real upgrade was to his AI, letting him take song requests and make free movements, instead of the basic ones he was programmed with. Anything more than that would've gotten him upset and he still is sad to see them change Henry's original work, but there really wasn't a way around it. He has a show this weekend to prepare for.
"Why are you gold? Rabbits aren't gold?" Roxy asks, her tone just bordering on mean, but Spring has come to find that it's her natural voice.
Bonnie gives her a look. "They aren't purple either." She glares at him but doesn't argue. "I think you look amazing, Spring. They really did a good job at keeping your design."
Freddy seems to gather himself enough to answer the question. "It is like the diner never shut down. The only thing missing is..." Spring prepares for it. "Um, your banjo of course! Have they given you one yet?"
Oh. Spring relaxes and nods in confirmation. "Yeah, they said they'd give me one to play around with until the show. They also said I don't have to stay here anymore, since I'm not on the edge of breaking." It's a nice thought, being whole again. He hasn't felt this sturdy for years. It's almost completely new after so long of being Springtrap, and then just Spring.
He does know for certain that he will never miss his time with Afton. He doesn't wish that on anyone.
"You'll end up at the theater's backrooms, since no one's allowed in there but staff." Vanessa says, her smile giving him a clear idea of what she thinks about his new look. "They really want to keep you from the customer's eyes and that is a pretty open space to hide an animatronic. They'll hopefully clear out those endo first, though."
Spring nods. He's not exactly excited to be so far from everything else, but he'll have to deal with it until the show. Maybe after that, they'll give him an actual room to be in. Or maybe this is more permanent. Either way, he'll gladly leave Parts and Service.
Vanessa grabs his banjo for him and Spring takes it with careful hands. He holds it by the neck and carefully slides the strap over his shoulder -his ears get in the way but after a moment, he learns how to move them again. Then, he plucks at the strings, already itching to play.
It's been so long. So, so long. He wants to go on stage and sing again. He wants that life back and now, he'll finally have it. He'll be able to fulfill his purpose again.
Just without Fredbear.
The thought dampens the mood, but he shrugs it away quickly. He already knew that and there's no changing it. Fredbear would want him to have this, even if he can't be here to see it. He always wanted Spring to be happy and the rabbit will forever love him for it.
"Let's get you settled." Vanessa starts toward the exit. "And for the rest of you, the Pizzaplex opens in thirty minutes! Get your little butts into Rockstar Row before someone yells at your for leaving."
"You're the only one who would yell at us for that." Chica sighs dramatically, but she does as told. Roxy follows her, her tail wagging slightly as she does. Bonnie gives him a final thumbs up before pulling a still shocked Freddy away. Spring smiles at their backs as he walks behind them. Maybe the show will be okay after all. Maybe he won't have to be so nervous.
"Watch me, Fredbear." He whispers just low enough to not be heard. "Watch me play our songs for them."
I really loved writing this chapter, even though I didn't finish it in time to post yesterday. Also, get ready for some Sun and Monty next chapter! I promise I didn't mean to shove them aside for so long!