Author's Note:

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Chapter 97

The Adults talk about the Children

Goldy and Puppet were staying well out of Hedy's way since she had that expression that said 'Imma stab you with a screwdriver with a smile'.

The bots weren't sure if Ruby had influenced Hedy or if Hedy had influenced Ruby with that particular expression since Ruby had a similar one. Jeremy knew that expression and wisely kept his nose buried in the incomprehensible manual.

The teen was still gone, occasional bangs telling them she was still playing around with the two foxes. The other bots hadn't returned yet. Spring had relaxed a little in the emptier room though. The loud noises Ruby made thankfully didn't seem to bother him much.

"Should we be worried that the others didn't come back?" Goldy whispered to Puppet while Hedy was focused intensely on Spring's side.

"I'm leaning toward nope," Puppet said. "And I'm not convinced I want to ask."

"Yeah you do," Goldy deadpanned.

Puppet glared at her slightly.

Like always, she wasn't affected by his glare in the slightest. It was annoying. At least the Originals still got uncomfortable under his glare.

"You're as curious as a cat Puppet. That hasn't changed."

They weren't back to how things used to be, but Puppet and Goldy found themselves talking like they used to often. It was likely because of Spring, with them subconsciously trying to fill in the void of what he should be remembering.

Puppet was aware of it, a little uncomfortable by the peaceful way Goldy talked to him sometimes as if the pain he had caused her was faded. It bothered him. He also found that he was more willing to stay outside of his box and, for lack of a better term, socialize.

Jeremy wasn't too happy about that but didn't complain.

Puppet saw the man's slight discomfort though. If anything it encouraged him to stay out of his box.

He wondered if Goldy was aware of the changed dynamic.

Probably.

He couldn't even be annoyed that she was smug because she wasn't. She was just genuinely happy and he'd always been so damn weak to that. Goldy was one of the most genuine and earnest bots so it was honestly hard to be mad at her for anything.

He shook his head. He could distract himself with the definition of Spring, Goldy, and his relationship later.

Goldy was right, he couldn't leave it well enough alone.

"What happened?" he asked Hedy.

She didn't look up from her work for a minute and even Spring stared at her curiously.

"Hedy," Goldy said after they got no reply for a few minutes. "What's going on?"

Hedy muttered something.

"We've just..." she finally ground out without looking up. "Finally gotten sick of the bickering."

Goldy blinked in confusion.

"The bickering?" She sounded baffled.

"The Originals and the Toys. It was getting out of hand."

Spring shifted guiltily.

"It never bothered you before?" Goldy still looked confused. "Ruby always encouraged it too."

Hedy was quiet for another minute. She glanced at Spring.

"I'm pissed because it's upsetting Spring," she finally admitted.

Spring stiffened, his ear twitching. He ducked, looking more guilty.

Goldy frowned and looked at Spring. "Why didn't you say something Spring?" She asked gently. "I would have teleported them across the building if it was bothering you."

"Oh...it's not that," Spring said. "They weren't...really bothering me I just..." He glanced at Hedy.

Hedy huffed. "They aren't at odds because of you, Spring."

He ducked his head.

"They've always been fighting," Goldy was frowning. "Did you think it was your fault? No Spring, they've got...they've got history. Foxy and Mangle are the only ones who got past that. It's got nothing to do with you."

"Ah...well. I couldn't blame them if that was the case," he said. "Freddy, Chica, Foxy, and Bonnie said they used to know me but with everything that happened to them I could see why they might be upset with me..." He trailed off. "But...ah...Mangle mentioned that she and the other Toys didn't know me that well. If all they remember is..." he made a face but hid it, not fast enough that they didn't see it, but before they could comment. "If all they remember of me is S-Springtr... Michael...Then maybe I was stressing them and..."

"Spring..." Hedy said softly, interrupting him. "I'm going to cut you off there. Those are a couple of thought out assumptions, but that's what they are. Assumptions. You not able to remember any of..." Hedy glanced away for a moment. "..Of us might be a little stressful, but them fighting was put on pause before you showed up. With all the quietness, things have just calmed down enough for them to get back at it."

"And things kind of built up while they weren't fighting so when it was safe to argue again...they must have gone a little overboard. I didn't notice," Goldy admitted. "But it must have been bad if Ruby got annoyed." She glanced at Puppet.

Puppet shifted. "I haven't, eh, really noticed either," he admitted. "I've been too distracted."

"By me..."

Puppet rolled his eyes. "Not very well apparently if I didn't pick up you were bothered by the others."

Jeremy peered over the book and squinted at Puppet. It was weird to see him caring...

"Careful Mari," Hedy smiled as she dug around in her toolbag for clippers. "I think you might have admitted a shortcoming. Are you feeling well?"

"Shut up Mechanic."

"Oh shush. You love her," Goldy said.

"That's a strong statement."

Goldy saw Spring and Hedy's confused expressions. "Ooh. Distraction from the others being a bunch of arguing toddlers. Hedy you know you used to come to the pizzeria a lot when you were very little?"

"Goldy!"

"Shush Puppet."

Jeremy flinched a little.

"...yes? I..." Hedy glanced at Spring. "I don't remember much. I do remember Michael making some comments that Spring was my favourite." She glanced at the rabbit a little nervous, perhaps of what he thought about such a shared lost memory. "How though? Wasn't he in storage? This was while the Toys were working wasn't it?"

"The Originals and then the Toys actually," Puppet muttered, his eyes sliding to Jeremy for a moment.

Spring was just quiet as he listened.

"Even my memory from that time is a bit fuzzy," Goldy admitted which made Puppet look at her in surprise. "I mean, I remembered you but it took a bit before I did."

Puppet stayed silent as he tried to think and realised he had some... spots in his memory too. Strange.

"But I'm pretty sure you found the room where Spring was by accident. And then you were there practically every day." Goldy giggled a little. "He tried to get you to leave and play with the other kids, but you were stubborn. Puppet was so mad at first because he lost track of you."

Puppet stiffened a little. He remembered that part. Somewhat. He was a little disturbed how fuzzy that time was. That didn't make sense to him. All their memory should be near photographic.

Hedy cocked her head, listening intently. She glanced at Spring then looked back at Goldy. "Did I ever talk to you?"

"Hmm?" Goldy asked.

"Did we interact? It sounds like I wandered around on my own a lot. You could have gotten away with showing yourself."

"Oh, no." Goldy looked away. "I never showed myself to anyone but the bots. And the Toys were uncomfortable around me and the Originals were..." she trailed off. "I only really spoke to Spring and Puppet back then."

Hedy looked disappointed and for a fraction of a second Puppet saw a little tow-headed girl again.

He frowned. "You and Spring were close. I don't think..." he paused. "I wasn't happy about you not out in the customer area, but I was glad Spring had some company during the day." He looked at Spring. "You talked about her at night quite a lot."

Spring shifted awkwardly. "I did?"

"You talked about her to me too," Goldy agreed.

Both Hedy and Spring looked hurt by their loss.

"What sort of things did I say?" Spring asked, eyeing Hedy sadly while she cracked a weak smile at him.

"How kind she was. And smart," Goldy said softly, noticing the small smile Jeremy tried to hide without looking up.

Hedy ducked her head a little.

"Oh well, I still think that," Spring said matter-of-factly. He looked at Hedy as she made a strangled noise. "Hedy? What? Are you okay?"

"Oh. Look," Puppet said dryly. "She's blushing. Never seen that before."

"Shut up Mari. I can't handle compliments." But she was half-smiling (half-grimacing awkwardly).

"Clearly."

Goldy giggled. "Aw we love you Hedy. Puppet does too, he's just grumpy."

Spring smiled slightly while Hedy looked a little more embarrassed.

Puppet growled while Goldy just smiled at all three of them.

"Spring, I think you should give Hedy a hug to make her feel less embarrassed."

"That's not how it works," Hedy complained.

Spring perked up a little. "Can I give you a hug, Hedy?"

Hedy groaned but leaned toward him anyway, the young woman still looking a little red in the face.

"I'm not very touchy," she muttered over Spring's arm. "That's more Ruby's thing."

"Thank you for your sacrifice," Puppet deadpanned as he watched Spring's weak smile as the rabbit awkwardly chuckled.

Still, Spring felt a little better.

"Brave words," Goldy said mischievously.

"No. Stay away. Change of subject," Puppet said. "Hedy, how long are you leaving the others in the...where did you put them?"

"The office," Hedy answered, still hugging Spring. "And I'm prepared to leave them there all night."

"You locked them in the office?" Jeremy asked, bewildered, finally giving up the pretense of reading. He might be feeling a little bit of petty satisfaction at that. He'd been stuck in the office many times. Seemed fair it was their turn. He didn't have much to add to the talk about his sister as a child. He remembered more than she did and he didn't really want to talk about it. But he was glad the others were giving her something, if he had to admit it. It was a bunch of mixed feelings actually.

Before Hedy could answer, Goldy suddenly teleported behind Puppet and grabbed him in a hug. "No changing the subject Puppet," she said smugly as he flailed and yelled.

"What did I just walk in on?" Ruby asked with Foxy and Mangle right behind her.

They were all covered in paint and glitter but they looked pretty happy.

"These are hugs. Why was I not invited to the hugs?" Ruby demanded.

Hedy's eyes widened as she saw Mangle's smirk, the determination in Ruby's, and the amused resignation in Foxy's. "No! You're covered in paint! Stay away! Spring, I don't want paint on me!"

"It washes off though, doesn't it?" Spring asked innocently, not releasing her just yet as she started to squirm a little.

"Goldy let go of me!" Puppet shouted, struggling to slip out of the yellow bear's grasp. "Goldy!"

Goldy had a mischievous smirk on her face.

"Group hug!" she declared and in unison, Mangle and Ruby jumped forward, Ruby dragging Foxy along.

Mangle made sure to smear as much paint in Hedy hair as possible while she hugged her and Spring.

"Why are you hugging me?!" Puppet's voice rose an octave.

"My hugs are weapons," Ruby answered, a touch of menace to her voice.

"This night is topping the list of weird nights," Foxy muttered.

Hedy just moaned and squirmed more as Puppet's protests continued.

"This is weird…" Jeremy stared at them all in horrified fascination.

Until Mangle reached out and snagged his shirt, dragging him into the hug.

"Ack! No! Not my jacket!"

"Weapons," Ruby hissed.

"What is wrong with you?" Puppet snapped as he was squished beside Jeremy.

"Want a list?" Ruby smiled a nearly too-big smile.

Puppet and Jeremy groaned in unison and then glared at each other while Mangle cackled.