Mable: Hey there! So, recently I've gotten a few comments, very nice comments, that seemed worried that I was going to not complete the story. I suppose it's because the last two updates were much slower than the five or so before it. I'm delighted to assure that this will not be the case! The updates slowing down is sort of a delayed holiday effect, so everything's still very much on schedule, planned, and the fic will still go on until its ending at chapter one hundred. Then… Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. ^-^
Anyway, I hope you Enjoy!
Can't Go Home Again
Chapter Eighty-Three
The Minireenas didn't react well to being told that Jeremy was going to be staying out all night. He didn't know why he had assumed that the Minireenas wouldn't process the information, but they did, and they were frantic. The massive tantrum that the Minireenas began to throw was unlike anything that he could've ever expected. Daisy began to make her fussy 'uh!' noises and ran around the room. Rose climbed up his leg and became almost entirely inconsolable. Forget-Me-Not began to hiss and yanked the pillows off the couch. Max watched silently, largely unenthused by the behavior.
It became clear that the Minireenas were not going to let Jeremy go quietly, and it took longer than expected to calm them down. The only way to calm down such frantic dolls was to cave in to their demands. Thus, Jeremy drove to Foxy's with a cardboard box in the back that hid the Minireenas. The last thing he wanted was to interrupt whatever Foxy had planned for the evening. He let himself in the back and discreetly stepped into the office before Foxy could appear.
"You three stay in here, okay? And don't throw anything," Jeremy requested as he set the box down on the couch and opened the flaps. Rose started to climb out before Forget-Me-Not yanked her down and climbed over her. To which Daisy reacted with a dissatisfied noise and yanked at the blue clad Minireena's dress. "And no fighting!" Jeremy whispered in exasperation as he quickly reached in and separated the dolls apart. "Please be good for tonight?"
"Jer'my?"
Jeremy jolted at Foxy's voice from the hallway. His eyes widened and he plucked the Minireenas one by one before shoving them underneath the couch. "Hide, hide!" Jeremy whispered frantically. The Minireenas responded appropriately and hid underneath the couch. He then hurried back to the door and stepped back out. "I-I'm here! I was just-!... I was just… Foxy?" He looked down the hall, noticing the closet door open. "Captain?"
"In here, Lad!" Foxy announced as he backed out of the closet, dragging with him the only television in the Pizzeria. It spent most of its days stuck on its roller in the closet and collecting dust. The intention was to have it nearby so that it could be used if needed, but thankfully it had never gotten to that point. The animatronic grabbed a tape off the edge of the roller and showed it to Jeremy. "Look at this ol' hunk a junk Foxy had hiding in the way back," Foxy showed off as he offered Jeremy a video tape. "Yer never gonna find one o' these anymore. It's a Fazbear Entertainment original."
He pushed the tape into Jeremy's chest before turning back to the television to move it. "What is it?" Jeremy asked as he turned over the tape in his hand. There was a smeared scribble on the side that looked like it said 'Fredbear's Saves the Christmas'. Jeremy furrowed his brow at the seemingly mislabeled title. "Is this like that Freddy cartoon?"
"Oh, I could only wish, Lad. Nah, this is somethin' much worse," Foxy forewarned as his voice lowered. He then continued to push the roller out into the main room and plugged it and the VCR in beside the stage. "We'll stay over 'ere. Don't want anyone lookin' in on us," the captain pointed out. He took the tape and slid it into the VCR before setting it on rewind. "Yer gonna love this."
"A movie's a good way to start the night," Jeremy awkwardly answered. Honestly, he wasn't too sure what he could say that didn't sound as nervous as he was. Something about this felt different than usual, even though Foxy swore it was just a normal night. At least he sounded a little happier than he did earlier that day. "So… How old is it?"
"Old as dirt," Foxy answered partially. He then added, "Don't remember the year, but it was a long while back. Before ol Foxy was the great captain he is today and before you were ever workin' at a Freddy's." This managed to pique Jeremy's interest and he was almost excited as the tape stopped and Foxy pressed play.
Then Jeremy watched the movie's intro start to play and his excitement almost immediately vanished.
Foxy had suggested it wasn't animated, but he had never said that the first shot of Fredbear would be of a man in a poorly made Fredbear costume. It wasn't a Springlock suit either; it was just an overinflated head, big gloves, a swollen fake belly, and large feet that were obvious over a pair of sneakers. Unfortunately, Fredbear was probably the best costumed of the group, as the Bonnie and Chica suited characters looked less detailed. Bonnie was even orange and Jeremy never remembered him being orange of all colors.
"Merry Christmas, Freddybear!" Chica gushed as she came skipping- stumbling- into the dining room. "Oh, are you just excited for the big Christmas show?!" she asked as she patted at her mouth in excitement.
"Sure thing, Chica!" Fredbear laughed in a voice that sounded about ten years too young to be appropriate. "Bonnie's gonna be bringing the kids in at any moment… There they are!" The camera turned to show Bonnie now in the doorway with a group of 'poor' children. They were dressed in what looked like potato sacks, but most had on colorful shoes, hats, or hairclips, which nearly ruined the illusion. "Where've you been?"
"Bad news, Fred!" Bonnie lamented as he waddled his way over to the two poorly disguised humans. "Some old Scrooge stole all the money from the orphan's collection box!" He looked back and shook his head at the kids. "Now the orphanage doesn't have enough money to buy any Christmas gifts. Who would steal from orphans?"
"I bet it was that dastardly pirate, Captain Foxy!" Chica accused as she tried to cross her arms. "He's always stealing our pizza and our music, and he could've stole from the orphans to!"
"You steal music?" Jeremy asked in a slightly mocking tone. "Oh wow, that doesn't even make sense. Foxy, we don't actually have to watch this, right?" Foxy turned his head towards him and Jeremy swore he could feel a smirk in the look. "…I don't like this lack of an answer." He was interrupted when Bonnie suddenly proclaimed that they would go save Christmas themselves, followed by heavy background music that signaled that they were about to sing. "Foxy, please."
"Come on, Lad! It could be worse; this is just the beginning," Foxy pointed out. "Don't ya wanna see yer Captain in his own film?... Sure, ya do. Don't start poutin' on me yet." Foxy was smirking now and it was obvious that he had no intention of changing their plans.
"You make it sound like the movie's going to only get worse from here…" Jeremy doubtfully pointed out.
"At least wait until I get me big moment! We ain't even seen me yet!" He then scooped his arm around Jeremy, pulling him closer and nudging him playfully. "It'll put ya in the Christmas mood, an' ya don't want to be labelled a Scrooge, right?" If this was an attempt to tempt Jeremy with peer pressure it was not really working as intended. However, Foxy's desperation to watch the video was starting to win Jeremy over. "Please, Lad?"
"Alright, alright. Fine," Jeremy agreed in defeat. He almost immediately regretted it when he realized that Fredbear and the gang were doing a rendition of 'Jingle Bell Rock' that sounded extremely off-putting. With an inward groan, Jeremy let down his guard and continued to watch the film.
Foxy was right; it only got worse.
About fifteen minutes into the movie and Fredbear, Chica, and Bonnie were travelling through a bitter snowstorm to get to Foxy's Cove. Or, in reality: three people in suits were walking through a poorly disguised parking lot through a mix of actual snow and fake snow being blown on a fan that was too low to be believable. It was bad, but it only could get worse.
"So, Fredbear and his friends left the warmth of the pizzeria to brave the snow outside," the narrator introduced the scene, "but the trip to Foxy's Cove was harder than they thought."
"I'm so c-c-cold!" Chica shivered dramatically. "Oh, I wish I would've flown south for the winter!"
"I should've stayed home and hibernated!" Bonnie added in as he rubbed his paws together. "Fred, how much further?"
"I don't know… I can't see anything…" Fredbear worriedly remarked as he looked over the scenery. He then looked back with a shrug, "This might be it guys."
"Oh Freddy!" Chica cried out and hugged onto the bear. "If we're gonna become snowbird and snowbear, then I want you to know the truth before we freeze. The truth is, Freddy, I… I-!"
"Hey, look!" Bonnie pointed. "I think I see a pirate flag!" He hopped up and down a little bit, pointing. "We made it! Hurray!" He gestured to the others dramatically. "Come on, guys!" As he ran past a poorly disguised dumpster, Fredbear and Chica paused to stare at each other. Then Fredbear turned and started to hurry after, with Chica in tow.
"…Was that Scott?" Jeremy bluntly asked. "Please tell me that narrator was Scott."
"Aye, it be the Phone Guy," Foxy agreed. Jeremy tried to hide laughter behind a choke. "Alas, he ain't in any of the suits." He was at least pleased to see that Jeremy was taking some form of enjoyment out of this, even if it was at the film's expense. Then again, it wasn't as though the fox thought this movie was even good in a laughable way. It was a train wreck, positively unbearable, and yet it was important. Jeremy would see why soon enough. In the meantime, Foxy kept his arm around his shoulder and his first mate close by.
"He sounded so young! He's never-." Jeremy couldn't hide a guffaw when 'Foxy the Pirate' appeared on the television. Foxy himself had forgotten how terrible the costume was on whoever was playing the role. It was like the others, but the colors were faded, and the head looked large, clunk, and resembled a hippo much more than fox. "Is that supposed to be you?"
"Yar har har! Lookie whose come into Ol' Foxy's Cove!"
"…At least the voice sounds close enough," Jeremy mumbled over, watching the film a little more closely and with an amused smile stretch on his lips.
"Foxy! You return that money! That's to go to the orphanage's Christmas presents!" Fredbear pointed out with discouragement. "Surely you can't be that cruel!"
"Ah, they'll get more gold somewhere," Foxy partially waved off. Both of his hands were gloved paws and he lacked a hook, but he made the gesture rather easily.
"No Foxy, they won't!" Bonnie snapped out and shook his fist at him. "They're orphans Foxy, duh! They don't have parents to buy them gifts."
"Hmm…" Foxy thought about it for a moment. "Maybe ya have a point…" Fredbear stepped in closer and offered his hand to shake.
"That's great, Foxy!" Fredbear encouraged with a warm tone. "Now, if you could just-."
"Hold yer dolphins, Fredo!" Foxy snapped back as he drew out a plastic sword and pointed it at the bear's nose. "I ain't just gonna do nothin' fer you… Unless ya beat me in a duel!" Fredbear stumbled back where Bonnie caught him and rubbed his shoulders.
"I think you can take him, Fred," Bonnie encouraged as he spurred him on like a boxing coach. "Foxy's got a pretty big blind spot, so all you have to do is duck and weave!"
"But he doesn't know how to fight with a sword!" Chica clucked in horror and covered her cheeks. "Is there no other way?!" It was at this moment that Fredbear himself raised a finger, as though showing that he had an idea. A doorbell chime rung out as well to punctuate it.
"Say, Foxy, I'd love to have a duel… But sword fighting? Why don't we do something fun instead?" Fredbear suggested to the captain. Foxy tilted his head quizzically. "I challenge you to a game off at the pizzeria!"
What came next was a montage of Fredbear and Foxy playing arcade games at the Pizzeria.
"…This was all an ad, isn't it?" Jeremy quietly asked. Foxy responded by breaking down in sudden laughter, bowing over and nearly falling off the stage, and almost taking Jeremy with him. He just hadn't expected the man to get it; as though Jeremy was too naïve to even consider the fact that the movie was made strictly for advertising. Which he got a slight smile of amusement at Foxy's reaction, Jeremy was more or less completely deadpan following the revelation.
"Nooo. Of course, it be the real thing," Foxy answered mockingly. "This be the finest actors in show business all decked out in Freddy's finest suits. Course this is an ad, Jer'my! They used to sell this blasted thing to unsuspecting kids!" He straightened and patted the man on the back. "And yer lucky ya know one of the actors, cause everyone else prob'ly burned these things." At this, Jeremy looked a little exasperated. Probably because Fredbear and his friends were now singing with the orphans, abruptly ending the montage section.
"Foxy, come on, you don't have to always be in character. We know that guy in a Foxy suit isn't you. That's barely a Foxy suit at all," Jeremy pointed out. While he wouldn't say it out loud, he had sort of assumed that getting together alone would allow Foxy to ease out of character again. It had been so quick last time that he wanted to see more of it, but Foxy was obviously reluctant.
Or he seemed like it, until Foxy suddenly announced, "That be the real Captain Foxy? Ha! He wishes, maybe. I meant- here, look." He pointed at the scene of Fredbear singing with the orphans. "Yer gonna love this, Lad. See that boy with the backwards baseball cap? That's me." This resulted in a lingering pause as Jeremy stared at the boy in question. Foxy waited with what almost felt like baited breath for a reaction.
As casually as he had pointed it out, this had been something that Foxy had been dreading. Part of him had willingly submerged itself into the full character of Foxy without much issue. He hadn't had a choice, so it was easier to fully let go of his human identity and become the pirate. In a way, pretending that he really was just Foxy, character and animatronic, made it easier to deal with the less pleasant things. Pretending that it was someone else, a completely different being, almost made it more bearable. He hoped that Jeremy knew what he was giving up for this.
"That's… Really? That kid there?" Jeremy was surprised and pointed to the child, to which Foxy nodded. He then looked back at the boy, watching as he stood silent amongst the orphans. Only one of them really got lines while the others would just make simultaneous sounds of happiness, surprise, or sadness depending on the scene in question. Really, the child didn't stand out that much from the crowd, but just seeing who Foxy was really was an eye opener. "That's… I didn't even realize… You, uh, you were a cute kid."
"I looked like a fish caught on a line," Foxy pointed out.
"Well yeah, but look at who you were acting with," Jeremy added, getting a playful smile. He looked back between the animatronic and the television. "I can't believe this; you were so little!" He was almost giddy at the finding, looking at everything he could, but then got a different thought. "Umm… I don't- I don't really want to ask this, but…" He looked over to Foxy, considering it, and then finally asked. "Is he one of them?"
Foxy quickly understood who he meant. "Nah, just me. None of me siblings either, so don't get all uncomfortable." He looped his arm back around Jeremy and hugged him closer, "Thought ya might get a kick out of it." It was the only reason why Foxy would agree to watch such a subpar example of his own character stealing from orphans. That, and it was amusing watching the young man visibly cringe at some of the moments. With a light chuckle he looked back to the movie.
It was the worst time to look back.
"I don't know if you noticed, Freddybear, but we're standing under something," Chica suggested as she swayed with her hands tucked behind her back.
"What the rafters?" Fredbear asked as he looked upwards. His eyes landed on the green sprig hanging above their heads. It was mistletoe, a cliché and expected twist of fate. "O-Oh! I see! Well… I guess it is tradition."
Jeremy felt uncomfortable when he saw the foam heads trying to 'kiss' on the screen. He supposed Foxy was too, as he gave a strangely out of place laugh at the sight of the scene. In a way, Jeremy was glad that one of them found it amusing, because it would make the evening awkward if they both reacted to it with gawking. Or it would make Jeremy feel awkward, as he did while watching the kiss. It gave subconscious suggestions that he only partially recognized and almost entirely wanted nothing to do with while he was stuck alone with Foxy.
"Ya know, this reminds me o' somethin' that happened earlier," Foxy pointed out. If anything, Jeremy's eyes only widened, but he didn't look away from the screen. The pirate moved his arm and stood up. "Here, lemme show ya. Forget the video. This be the end anyway."
"Gee, I wonder what makes him think that," Jeremy murmured as he watched the camera slowly pull away from the pizzeria and into the snowy parking lot outside. Doing as told, he stood from the stage and followed the excitable animatronic towards the prize corner.
"So, there I was on stage an' you were off fetchin' a pin, and I look over an' see Mari all flooded with kids. Mike's with 'em, you remember," Foxy began as he stepped under the doorframe. "An' there standin' about here… Yer gonna have to come closer, Lad. I can't do the story with ya over there." Jeremy sent Foxy a confused look. They were only about six feet apart as it was. He did as suggested and came closer, standing beside him in the doorframe. "Perfect. So, there I was, watchin' 'em with the kids, then one of 'em looks up and sees that." Foxy pointed upwards.
Jeremy looked upwards at the doorframe. He stood there for a moment, blinking, and then asked, "What? The track?" It was only now that Foxy looked up at the doorframe.
…And sure enough, there was nothing there. Yellow eyes widened in confusion as he realized that what he was expecting to be there was gone. As though Marionette had taken the mistletoe with him; Foxy didn't even want to guess why. Foxy was suddenly speechless and Jeremy looked back down at him, silently questioning the odd behavior. Foxy's ears lowered as he quickly changed his plans accordingly.
"…The track is bent. Damndest thing, Lad," Foxy excused. The man looked back upwards and Foxy quickly stepped forward to lead him away, putting his arm back around him. "Storytime's over. Fancy a game?"
"I don't know how to break it to you, Captain, but that wasn't a story… I don't even think that counts as an anecdote," Jeremy pointed out. There seemed to be a light edge of suspicion on his voice, but he wasn't too surprised that Foxy was continuing to act strangely. After all, that was the entire reason he was here, was to find out the mystery behind Foxy's behavior. He decided to take the bait, "What game?" It was at this moment that Jeremy suddenly felt the gears clicking in his head. "…Hide and seek?"
Foxy turned to him in surprised; startled that Jeremy would bring up the game with how it went last time. Indeed, Jeremy wouldn't have normally tempted Foxy with the game again. Tonight was different. Tonight, Foxy was acting strange. He was hiding something, being dodgy, and probably would never come out with the real reason why he wanted the security guard staying the night. That is, unless Jeremy could coax it out of him another way. Perhaps he could loosen his tongue by giving Foxy what he wanted; a way to hunt willing prey.
"You sure 'bout that, Lad? I mean somthin' else… We got cards in the office," Foxy suggested. The human immediately flinched at the mention of Foxy going into the office.
"No, no, uh… I have my stuff in the office. Don't go in the office," Jeremy excused a bit too quickly. He forced a faux confident smile, "But sure! Yeah, uh… It's worth trying it again, isn't it? You like it."
"Doesn't matter if I-… I don't like scarin' ya. Yer my first mate, I don't want to scare ya, and I don't want to run ya ragged like I did," Foxy insisted with a slightly guilty tone towards the end. "I, uh… I didn't control myself too well. Wasn't actin' like a good captain, and I'm just gonna do it again. Me programmin' is just gonna run amuck again. I'll be no better than the crew at Hickory's… Or me own predecessor, robbin' orphans. I'll be robbin' you, Lad!" He continued to feverishly protest; it was obvious that he wanted to do this.
"Hey, no, it'll be okay! We'll just… One round?" Jeremy offered to the captain. Foxy averted his gaze, considering it. "I think I can survive one round."
"If yer sure, Jer'my," Foxy finally submitted. His ears perked and a whirring in his chest signaled growing excitement. "What better to do to pass the time than a late-night hunt fer me favorite prey?" He pulled the human into a one-armed hug before giving him a push towards the kitchen. "Into the galley with ya! Give yer captain thirty seconds and we'll start." Foxy's sharp teeth always looked so much more intimidating when he was doing his impression of a smile, but as nervous and skittish as Jeremy always was, he was never afraid that Foxy would bite him.
That was saying a lot. Jeremy trusted Foxy in a way that almost seemed nonsensical, but he didn't fight it.
As soon as the door swung shut, Jeremy heard the scrambling, rapid thumping of Foxy's footsteps as he rushed off to hide. "…I'll just go get him," Jeremy decided as he opened the door and stepped out. "That's what he wants anyway… Maybe he'll be willing to talk after this." Hopefully he wouldn't get too startled by the fox. It wasn't like he hadn't been jumped by an animatronic plenty of times in the past. Compared to Hickory's, this should've been a piece of birthday cake.
He started down towards the stage and approached the slightly waving curtain. He only paused to glance at the TV, which was now showing static since the tape ended. It wasn't immediately obvious if Foxy had tampered with it, otherwise that would've been a clue that he was on the stage. Jeremy reached forward and griped the curtains, then took in a deep breath and threw them open. Nothing. He closed them again and headed to the prize corner, checking under the tables as he went. The prize corner didn't have too many hiding spaces, so he was able to tell even quicker that Foxy wasn't there.
"Maybe he went into the closet now that there's room in there…" This thought concerned him, because the closet was just beside the office. Foxy was currently too close to the office and clearly in hearing distance of the Minireenas. All they would have to do was make one out-of-place giggle and they would be caught. As such, he headed over there quickly with the intent to cut the animatronic off. The hallway light was off, which he hadn't noticed earlier and was a clear sign that Foxy came through.
He approached the closet door, took a breath, braced himself, and swung it open. Again, there was nothing but a dark closet. "Huh, he hid better than I expected…" Jeremy turned to check the bathrooms. "Maybe he's back in the men's-."
With a sudden bang, the office door flew open in front of him. Jeremy shirked back with a cry and a flinch, his pulse racing, as Foxy popped out of the doorway. Before he could even register the animatronic's presence in the office, he suddenly had Foxy's arm thrust out at him. There, with her dress hooked on Foxy's hook, was Daisy. She dangled before Jeremy kicking her legs and making her fussy noises.
"Looks like ya got a couple of stowaways, Lad…" Foxy began, paused, and then continued with a slightly more impatient tone. "What were ya thinkin' smugglin' them in here? They coulda wrecked the joint!"
"T-They're not going to wreck anything! They just-…" Jeremy cut off as he reached out to pluck the Minireena off. Daisy followed by curling into his chest needily, then turned her head once comfortable and hissed at Foxy. Jeremy blocked her face with his hand to hush her. "They didn't want to stay home alone. So, I brought them with me."
"It was just one night," Foxy pointed out. "If ya spoil 'em, then there gonna always be tryin' to play tug 'o war with ya. If you start playing tug of war, all that's gonna happen is yer gonna lose somethin'- prob'ly an arm." Jeremy wasn't even entirely sure if this was a joke with how annoyed Foxy sounded at the situation.
"Well, it was kind of short notice, Foxy," Jeremy excused as his own boldness started to step in. It was almost hypocritical for Foxy to suddenly be so upset by Jeremy hiding something when he himself was obviously hiding something as well. "You didn't give me much warning to brace them."
"If it was that much of a problem, ya didn't have to come," Foxy pointed out. His voice grew quieter and his irritated tone fizzled into somberness. If anything, it only riled Jeremy even more.
"It wasn't a problem, Foxy. I like spending time with you. I just… I just wish you'd be honest with me, for God's sake!" Even Daisy jumped a little at Jeremy's outburst. While he somewhat reeled himself in, only because Foxy looked alarmed at being called out, he kept going. "Something's been wrong since Hickory's. Maybe before that, maybe we didn't notice, but something's been wrong. I'm not- I'm not just here to watch old movies and play games Foxy. I'm here because I'm concerned… So no, I wouldn't just 'not come'."
Almost immediately afterwards Jeremy regretted what he had done. Dread washed over him as he looked to Foxy for a reaction and received a largely vacant look back. He stumbled over a few half words, trying to continue but being torn in doing so. Half of him wanted to take it back. The other half wanted him to stand his ground.
"Fine," Foxy finally responded. He turned and yanked the office door open again and went to step in, only to be blocked by the remaining two Minireenas, who immediately began to hiss at him. Forget-Me-Not jumped onto Foxy's leg and defiantly started to climb him. "Fer cryin' out loud," Foxy muttered before turning his body and kicking out his leg. The Minireena dropped off onto the floor before scampering behind Jeremy's legs with Rose. Foxy then strode into the office, obviously wanting Jeremy to follow.
The man set Daisy down and scooted her back to the other Minireenas. "Wait out here, girls." They made protesting noises, but this time it didn't work to stop Jeremy. He was too wrapped up with the mystery of Foxy and closed the office door behind him, watching as the animatronic approached the couch and crouched down in front of it. Foxy avoided using furniture most of the time, but only now did Jeremy start to wonder why. He sat down on the couch and looked down at the fox, who slouched on the floor.
They sat there for a moment without saying a word. The quietness was strange around Foxy, but Jeremy decided against rushing him. He just waited, listening to Foxy's pieces click, waiting for them to 'talk'.
"This is all really hard fer me, Lad," Foxy admitted out loud. "It was all fine an' dandy when we were huntin' and not havin' to think. You don't have ta ask those big questions- specially 'bout things like Mike and Mari be doin'. It ain't important, it don't exist. We just characters, animatronics, suddenly alive an' fightin'. We ain't human. We ain't those kids who died… An' then ya start seein' things, like at Hickory's. Ya start actin' human again and ya start entertain' people, and…" There was a brief pause. "…It's so much easier being Foxy than it is being me again."
Jeremy was almost reeling from how quickly the accent dropped. As though with the flick of a switch, Foxy had completely fallen out of character.
"I was thinking about it a while ago. I think it was the night I stayed over at your apartment. I was sitting there in the dark on the floor, didn't want to sleep, thinking about what Max said, saying I was acting too human. I think to myself, 'I don't act too human. I can't act too human. I'm Foxy the Pirate- scourge o' the seven seas and plunderer of treasure as far as me eye can see!'" For a moment, Foxy lapsed back into pirate talk, raising his hook. Then, slowly, it fell back down onto his leg. "…But I'm not Foxy the Pirate."
"O-Of course you are, Foxy," Jeremy quietly protested, not liking the trail they were going down. "You might not be the first, but you're the best."
"What you said earlier, about me not always having to stay in character… It's not true. I have to stay in character, because when don't I'm some guy in a suit," Foxy disagreed. He turned to look at Jeremy, his gaze just as intense as earlier but now for a different reason entirely. "I'm just Dad."
Foxy looked away and turned his head down, seemingly content with leaving it on that dismal note. Jeremy wasn't that willing to let it drop. He instead slid down from the couch and onto the floor beside the animatronic. He slowly slid his arm around his shoulders, returning the gesture from earlier.
"Foxy-," Jeremy began, but then cut off. "…I don't have to call you Foxy."
"No, it's fine," Foxy insisted. "I rather be called Foxy than my old name. Even if I'm not really him."
"I… I don't think it matters if you're the character or not," Jeremy pointed out. "That character in the movie, the dolls, the posters, none of that is really real. There isn't a real living breathing Foxy out there… Except for you." Foxy lowered his head further and Jeremy leaned in, trying to keep the animatronic from burying himself completely. "You are the closest thing. You are the only thing, the real thing, and if you put on a swashbuckling performance there's nothing wrong with that! As… As long as you don't lose yourself to it."
He drew back a little, growing more sheepish. "…But I don't just want 'Foxy', you know. I don't want you to hide yourself behind what Foxy would do, o-or even what Foxy should do! You mean more than that, and maybe- maybe I pushed this all, maybe I pushed you to be more human, but it's because I want to see it."
"You don't want to know the human I used to be," Foxy affirmed. He turned his head so that he could look upwards at Jeremy. His golden eyes always managed to show the most expression, and even now they were mixed between somberness and piercing. "I wasn't a good person, Jeremy. I hurt people. I was an angry, bitter person."
"I'll believe it when I see it," Jeremy fought right back. "You know, I wasn't perfect either. I… I did a lot of stupid things as a kid… And I like to say that it was because I was 'with the wrong crowd', but I egged them on just as much. I really screwed up."
"It's not the same thing," Foxy tried to defend, seemingly defending Jeremy more than he was defending himself.
"No, it's not," Jeremy agreed, "because I was older than you, and I had a fine family, and I had no excuse to make the stupid decisions I made." His voice grew softer and he let the sympathy show in his expression, "Mari loves you, Foxy. If you were that much of a terrible person, then Mari wouldn't love you as much as he does. I don't know what you were, but you are a good brother. You're a good performer. You're a good captain."
He then fell silent and they sat for a few moments on the office floor together.
Then Foxy suddenly interrupted it with a small, almost forced sort of chuckle from Foxy. "You're really something else, Jeremy," he praised. "You're willing to sit here and listen to all my problems when we were supposed to be having a good night together." He straightened his back and slowly, carefully, wrapped his arm around Jeremy's back, returning the gesture.
Jeremy's smile eagerly returned at the change in tone. Even if he didn't fix everything, it sounded like he had made it a little better. "I came for you, Foxy... It- It doesn't really matter what we're doing… I-I mean, I'd rather you not be upset, but I- That doesn't mean I don't want you to tell me… I should've quit when I was ahead." This got a more honest chuckle from Foxy. Jeremy patted his back, "Feeling any better?"
"About myself? Not really, no… But we might still salvage the evening, Lad," Foxy suggested. He seemed to slowly be edging back into character, which Jeremy didn't know if he was fully content with or not. He didn't want the animatronic to bury himself down, but he didn't want him to fall into another pit of self-loathing. "…Maybe a little better. I'm glad yer here at least. Ol' Foxy couldn't've pulled through if it weren't for his first mate." Jeremy's face scrunched in amusement as Foxy pulled him against his chest.
"At least I'm your first mate again," Jeremy remarked.
"Ya sure are, Lad," Foxy remarked. "If I was all human then you wouldn't be me first mate, would ya? Guess there's some perks to this whole thing." He said it all in a joking tone, but then faded back into honesty. "I don't know what I'd do without you as my first mate."
Jeremy's curiosity won out and he asked, "What would I be if I wasn't your first mate?"
Even though he didn't ask the direct question- how they would be if Foxy was human- Foxy apparently understood it was there. For a moment he stared at the human, then gave another low chuckle and leaned inwards. Jeremy's eyes widened for a brief second and his pulse spiked as warm fabric brushed his cheek. Foxy's hand moved to his cheek to hold him still as he lightly nuzzled into the crook between his neck and shoulder. Jeremy could only tremble at the sudden closeness and the warmth.
"That's one of those 'big questions' I shouldn't answer," Foxy rumbled as he turned his head and took in the softness of Jeremy's skin. So, this was why Marionette was so physical when it came to Mike; he forgot how much softer humans were in comparison to animatronics. "No wonder you've got me feeling all mixed up."
"I thought you said it was Max," Jeremy squeaked out. His face was burning hot and he was sure that a blush was going to be visible soon enough. Foxy chuckled against him and turned further against him, his hand releasing his face to move to his shoulder, and his ear unintentionally nudging Jeremy's glasses askew.
"Max? Nah, Lad. He ain't fit to be Captain Foxy's anything… You're the one whose got me feeling alive again," Foxy dipped in and out of character with little care to either. If anything, it only made Jeremy more aware of how close they had suddenly become, both emotionally and physically. He reached upwards and pet over the back of Foxy's head, then broke down and wrapped his arms tightly around Foxy's chest. All questions fell to the wayside.
Eventually, Foxy detached himself most of the way from Jeremy. He drew back from the embrace, Jeremy's arms dropping down, and sat back on the floor beside him. He kept one arm around the human.
"Lad…" Foxy started, falling fully back into character. "Thanks for all this. Thanks for coming back." Jeremy was almost trembling after the excitement of everything and his heart was still racing, but it didn't feel unpleasant in the slightest.
"I'd- I would do just about anything for you… Captain," Jeremy shyly admitted. Foxy pulled him tighter and he shuffled closer, sitting with him longer.
They were like that for a little while before Jeremy lost track of time. By time he roused again, things had changed. He was now slumped against Foxy with his head awkwardly bent on his shoulder. Apparently the Minireenas had gotten through the door as Rose and Forget-Me-Not were currently curled in his lap. He sent them a tired smile and reached down to pet over the latter's back. She moved a little in her sleep, curling up tighter against the other doll. Not wanting to wake them, he left them be and looked to Foxy.
Foxy was prone, but Jeremy couldn't tell if this was because he was asleep. He reached for his arm, which were both now folded across his chest, and lightly nudged one. "Foxy?" he whispered. The animatronic tilted his head, showing that he was still awake. "What time is it?"
"Hmm… 'Bout four, Lad," Foxy answered. He had fully returned to his 'pirate' persona once again. He didn't even need to check the clock to know what time it was; one of the few, strange quirks about being an animatronic. He shuffled a bit almost uncomfortably and turned more towards the human expectantly.
Jeremy should've stayed awake. He immediately lamented falling asleep so early, practically wasting away their night. Not that he wanted to stay awake all night or had any idea how they would've filled the night, unless it was with other old Freddy movies. He gave a weary hum and dropped his head back onto Foxy's shoulder, "You want to do something?"
"Lad, I don't think yer up to doin' anything," Foxy pointed out. He proceeded to lightly nuzzle into Jeremy's hair. "Ya oughta get what sleep ya can… And move onto the couch if ya want."
"I don't want to wake them," Jeremy murmured as he sent a tired glance back down at the dolls. "…I'm fine here with you." They sat there silently for a few moments.
"…Before you go back to sleep, there's somethin' I need to tell ya," Foxy revealed. His voice was softer than earlier, and the tone was unreadable. "…It's prob'ly gonna weird ya out and it ain't gonna be the highlight of the night, but we need to deal with it before it gets outta hand." He followed with a mechanical sigh while Jeremy felt his pulse quicken again. He roused the rest of the way. "I don't think it can wait 'til morning, but if yer tired…"
"No," Jeremy choked out. "No, please… Please. Go ahead." Part of Jeremy had a suspicion of something going to be said and he didn't know how he would react. He just knew how Mike reacted, what it led to, and how it eventually led to what they were now dealing with. He turned towards the animatronic. Foxy turned back; his yellow eyes staring into Jeremy's own.
"Lad…" Foxy began, "Yer doll climbed into me suit an' I can't get her out." To punctuate this, he shifted his body and a faint giggle could be heard from his chest. One that obviously did not belong to Foxy. Jeremy stared at the fox for a few moments.
Never mind; he should've stayed asleep.
Mable: Because if anything knows how to kill a night, it would be a Minireena. XD Sorry again about the delay and I will be working to get the next chapter posted a bit quicker. It's preparing to freeze where I live so I'll be homebound for the next couple of days. It's the best time to get writing done; when you're suffering cabin fever. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!