GLAMROCK FREDDY

The first thing he noticed when he woke up was the odd assortment of smells in the garage.

He smelled blood first and foremost; like, dried bloody napkins and rags in the garbage can and the lingering aftermath of a burnout. His motor felt fine now; his Hud reading that nothing was amiss or wrong. In fact, it told him his system was updated and he'd been maintenanced. He didn't feel that oppressive, painful heaviness anymore; nor did his emotions feel like they used too...

Huh. Curious. Something did feel different, on that note. He wished he can say! But he was sadly lacking in context and his emotions felt certainly surer than they did before he-

Oh! He passed out, didn't he?

Freddy felt himself getting jostled; and a ton of happy noises was squeaking around in his ears. Paws and hands gripped him; and the smell of the children filled him with the expected contentedness and giddiness he couldn't get enough of. He cracked open cerulean optics; locking eyes with Gregory and Cassie and getting a faceful of tears and squealing youngsters. Gregory was practically throwing himself into Freddy's arms; clambering all over the armature's seat just to get into his lap and throw his skinny arms around Freddy's ruff. The bear hummed and wrapped an arm around him in-turn. Cassie was soon doing the same; Freddy helping to hull her up and sitting in the chair like Santa was waiting to hear their Christmas wishes.

"I thought you wouldn't wake up," Gregory mumbled into his breast fur.

Freddy sighed, rubbing his chin upon the crown of his head and stroking Cassie's scalp with an absurd gentleness that coaxed her further into his arms. "Do not worry, cubs. I am fine now! I promise-" He chuffed once; nostrils flaring and puffing. The garage was stupidly cold but its never had a vent feed into it. He looked around and noticed his friends too; jolting when Bonnie butted his fluffy head with his own. Then, Roxy did something similar and started grousing her nose along the underside of his bronzed jaw. Freddy chortled and then pondered, "What is going on? I mean- I am confused? I do not recall much-"

"You don't?" Bonnie asked from his position in Freddy's fluff. One blue arm found itself around the bear and pulled him closer; the rabbit's whiskers tickling and forcing Freddy to sniffle.

"Hm... not really? I mean-" He frowned, searching that weird space in his noggin for what happened. Then, his jaw slipped looser in his visage; clenching and unclenching in succession as he weighed what he experienced up until this moment. Freddy squinted at a space beyond his friends, feeling something odd in him. He just couldn't put a talon on it!

"Actually... I do not know," He admitted lowly; baritone a rougher timber than usual. "I recall needing to stand outside... I felt hot, and upset... and I was... I was recalling how I was glad for my life but I could not help but worry for something- oh biscuits. I cannot remember too well. I was being hit with a ton of emotions and... I suppose that within itself was strange..."

Bonnie pulled away; the rabbit's expression now serious and hardening right before his eyes. "You suuurreee you don't recall anything else? ANYTHING in particular after passing out?"

"Hm... should I have?"

The kids pulled from Freddy's jaw just to look up at him. They also passed each other looks. Pretty much everyone in the room; and yes, everyone was in here, was confused.

Bonnie pulled on his chair and folded his arms, "Fredster, I need details: You sure you can't recall nuthin'?"

Freddy was giving him an odd look, then glanced helplessly at his lap. There was a puzzled scratch at his noggin, "Well... hm. Maybe something-? More like... how can one describe this? Its not really a memory so much as it was something else-?"

"A feeling?"

"Yes. Something along those lines... but it wasn't like anything I've ever experienced before. Or rather..." Freddy frowned at Bonnie and immediately backtracked upon himself, "Excuse me, but no. I HAVE felt it before, but never to such a caliber. It was so powerful! But beyond that, I'm afraid my memory is a tad lacking. I was hit with a plethora of sensations akin to it; like I was being bombarded by all the emotions I've ever felt in my conscious life at once. I could not give more detail beyond that... Or-" He put a paw to his chin. "Well, no. Oh dear- this is so confusing!"

Bonnie was nodding slowly to each statement, reaching up and scratching at his torn ear once out of habit. His expression took on an unblinking quality as he said, "I think you dreamt. Like, for real. And you're just not processing it too well. And the emotions you feel are a bit more 'colored' now. Vibrant, fuller, and more extensive. Your little bot brain is just trying to absorb what the full scope of sentience brings. Don't worry! You'll get used to it."

Freddy now passed his longest standing friend a hard and somewhat nervous expression. "Yesss... that is a good way of describing it... but... how- wait-" He pointed a talon at himself, his nose once again registering the smell of blood. "I don't- I mean, Bonnie... I do not understand. What happened to me exactly? I am struggling to properly uh... articulate that experience."

Bonnie shrugged, "Dreams don't make sense. They never do! Also-" He pointed a crimson claw at him, "You just had your first real dream. Congrats on that! You have officially joined me in the 'actualization' department! Want your membership license and free gift package containing your one-month supply of exotic butters?"

Roxy stared coldly at him for the sarcasm. Monty only giggled nearby, finding the whole thing obviously hilarious. Chica gakeled disapprovingly. Vanessa meanwhile smacked him upside his stupid head with a tap that bobbed his ears forward. He 'oomphed'! at the surprise attack and scowled, but did nothing beyond that. Its not like it hurt so much as it was chastising.

Freddy's paw lowered and he slumped back into his seat. He blinked rapidly as if struck. He stopped registering the people around him, his face taking on a haunted quality as he felt something in his core flip around. His jaw clenched again; then a paw found itself over his face and simply holding it there. He felt Gregory lean on his chest again; with Cassie rubbing gently at his arm.

"I... we... I'm like you now?"

"Yuh! Howzit feel?"

Freddy blinked again. Blink blink blink. Then his paw flopped to the arm rest and he was scanning each of his friends' own worried expressions. He focused back on the floor in front of his feet, then shut his eyes. He mulled over those sensations again; and one in particular stood out:

Loss.

"I hate it," he dead-panned at Bonnie immediately. "I absolutely hate how it made me feel. I cannot believe I'm using that awful word- hatred... but there it is! I HATE it!"

Monty held up his hands and whooped, "Now hol' up! Hell musta frozen over cuz Fatbear's learned to actually hate something for once! Praise be, my people! PRAISE BE! He LEARNED!"

Chica shot him a look that could stop even a steadfast heart; stomping hard on his feet and hissing at him. "Shut IT," she snapped her beak.

Bonnie found the words interesting, then even he laughed! Everyone shot him a look, the rabbit merely guffawing away like it was the most hilarious thing in the world. He put a paw on his gut and chortled; then said, "Holy shit, my man! Wouldja lookit that! Now you know how I feel every time I take a nap!"

"Why do you take so MANY naps, on that note? I hated it!" Freddy slapped his paws to his chest pointedly. "I really hated that! That confusing, horrid onslaught of nonsensical CRAP! I could not tell who I was or what I was doing or- is it really that funny to you or am I missing a punchline somewhere?"

The choice of words only made Bonnie laugh harder- and he wasn't the only one! Monty started bellowing his own amusement too; slapping a clawed hand to his eyes and throwing back his huge head. Vanessa was passing both bots odd looks, meanwhile Roxy was looking at Freddy like she didn't know him. The kids passed each other shrugs.

Bonnie slapped his friend on the shoulder and gripped, his expression warm despite the odd nature of his bemusement. He leaned his head against Freddy again and sighed, "I'm just glad you're not pushing daisies. You'd been out cold a whole day! A full 24 hours!"

"I WAS?"

Bonnie's claws dug; and boy they felt good! Freddy didn't push them off as the rabbit seemed to coax some ease back into him, "Yeah... but at that point, I assume its just different for every bot. I can't imagine it'd be the same if we're talking different souls and shit. And... seeing as we had to be put under observation back when we were naked endos for any signs of sentience, I wager our rate of 'actualization' and capacity to learn certain emotional triggers is different per bot. I woke up in a few minutes... you a full day. So strange... but I think there's a reason for that beyond it maybe just being different for everyone. Now let's see-" He put a paw to his chin and tapped, "I wonder if the other Freddy knows? I wager he can answer these questions!"

Freddy blinked rapidly, then slowly nodded. Better this bear and not Vanny, he figured.

"You want to ask that psychotic roid-riddled weirdo for answers?" Roxy spat now. She spread her arms and cut the air as she did; the gesture a show of 'no-way!'. "Like hell we'd let you go back there after what he did, rabbit!"

"Excuse you!" He turned and squinted at her, "But it ain't like we got much choice!"

Chica gakeled for the millionth time that evening; the hen throwing back her head and stomping over. Now in mother hen mode, she seized Bonnie by one of his ears and tugged painfully. He flinched and wriggled against her vice, swinging his arms and yapping obscenities that couldn't be discerned too clearly.

"Ain't no way in hell or heaven, hun, that we're letting you go back there!" She asserted with a steely authority that stopped all resistance. "You'd hafta KILL ME before I letcha go back! Every time I let you out of my sight, YOU GET HURT OR WORSE!" She pulled again, the rabbit squeaking indignantly as she did.

"DUDE! LAY OFFA THE MERCHANDISE!" He prattled. He glared rebelliously at her, then yanked her white hands off, "For carrot's sake, Chica! I'm a BONNIE? HELLO? I promised a Freddy I won't let him down! And I ain't gonna break that! EVER! Its bad enough that poor bear got disappointed the way he was cuz of shit I did! ME!" He emulated what Freddy did before and smacked paws to his breast; his white shirt stretching with the motion. "And I can't help the fact that I'm programmed to help a Freddy! ANY of them! Especially if he's lost or alone or- I can't ignore that! I just can't!"

"Dude-" Roxy passed him a piteous expression, "Ain't like what happened to his Bonnie really is your fault! That was the executives decision to do that! You can't be tying that shit to you! That's just stupid. And beyond that, you could just program that character trait so it ain't so bad!"

Bonnie shot her a look. "Why would I wanna? And even if I did... I wager I'd still feel the same! And that Freddy back there-" He pointed dramatically as if to indicate the white bear in person. "He loves his Bonnie as much as I know our Freddy loves me! He's got no one to help him! Yeah, he's a hot mess-" His face scrunched up there, "But I really don't think we can go to anyone else better! Not only to help him, but to get answers! And as a Bonnie, I ain't gonna back on my promise! Its bad enough I broke any others I've made with you all. I feel terrible for it and regret it every day!" He gazed at Chica especially, "I couldn't be more sorry for it... breaking your hearts the way I did. I ain't gonna keep doing that to you, or anyone else I come to meet. Surely you get that?"

Chica gave him a bitter expression but said nothing there. Her gaze simply narrowed and she 'bawked' to censor out a dirty word.

Freddy meanwhile passed Bonnie a sad look and sighed, "Well, whatever the case, my friend... Roxy's right about one thing: What the executives and our former bosses decide is their own fault and never our own. His Bonnie's loss isn't any of our faults. I'd have to agree with Roxy there."

Bonnie sighed again, then glanced away. He leaned back onto Freddy's shoulder, his gaze solemn. "In the meantime... you feeling okay now? Not remembering anything else?"

Freddy worked his jaw again, then inhaled gustily. "Not beyond the incredible amounts of frustrations a 'dream' instills... oh... actually-" His gaze narrowed. "Well... there is one detail but... I assumed I just recalling my time when I lost you."

Bonnie blinked once, twice, then pulled away to stare at him again, "How do you mean?"

"I remember... the PizzaPlex. I wrote that part off as normal since we all tend to revisit that memory more often than we care to admit-" Freddy passed all his friends a look there, finding their own expressions matching in inflection. "We all seem to have never left the PizzaPlex behind in the truest sense... I recall wandering around inside of it; looking for something and feeling a despairing sense of loss that accompanied me? I was looking everywhere for someone! It literally gave no other detail beyond that- it simply... fogged up after a while. I could not tell you more!"

Bonnie raised a brow and shook his head, "My first dream I wandered around a white void and I was surrounded by this sense of empathy. And I heard Cassie's dad's words... He told me, 'You will never be alone again. And never let Cassie be alone again, either'. It couldn't be clearer who I was talking to at the time! And the sensations we both felt? We were unified in them. I guess maybe that attributed in me waking up quicker-? Perhaps you aren't like... connected? Or something? To this other soul or... whatever? You couldn't sound more uncertain-" He sighed, "Its why I wanna talk to the dang bear... I think he can tell us more."

"Perhaps... but, for now, I'd rather worry about what I missed in my sleep? Er, if you can call it that," Freddy shrugged off.

"Oh... not much..." Bonnie's gaze now arrested onto Gregory with a sternness that had him gulping, "Except, you know... Gregory's in trouble for the shit he pulled today."

"Snitch," Gregory sassed.

"Hellion," he retorted with a smirk.

Freddy felt his stare harden and he stared at Gregory with that same intensity that'd make anyone buckle. "What did you do NOW?" He asked in his stern paternal tone.

Vanessa chortled and waved off, "Welp! At least Freddy's okay. I'm going back to bed! Greg, have fun being grounded for the millionth time today."

"Oh my god you guys already took my computer away! What more can you do?"

Cassie shook her head and went to get off; but not before hugging Freddy. "I'm glad you're okay," She told him. "We were all super worried!"

"No more of this fretting, Cassie. I'm good now!" Freddy smiled gently at her, nosing her in an affectionate manner. "Just hop off to bed and please do not stay up again!"

"I won't!" She gave his nose a smooch and slipped off; gliding over to Bonnie to pass him a kiss on the cheek too. Then, she grabbed Roxy's paw and pulled her, "Sleep with me?"

Roxy passed her a warm smile and got up. She gave Freddy a lingering stare, harrumphed, then butted her head with his one more time. Another canid-based tic that Freddy had learned was typical of a she-wolf. Affection being shown through body touches wasn't unusual for her nowadays; and she knew better than to open her mouth when she felt particularly sensitive.

Freddy watched the group break up; but Gregory, Chica and Bonnie stayed. Chica finally had her turn to hug him; crooning and purring at him. He always loved it when she made those sweet chirps! They were adorable, if he do say so himself.

"Give Greg an earful, then join us by the fire?" She tried.

"That sounds wonderful! Honestly, let's just get out of the garage-" Freddy urged Gregory to get off and braced his weight on the chair so to push himself up. "Its too dang cold in here!"

Bonnie turned to glance at DJ, then back at Freddy, "Yo uh... Fredster. You wager now that you feel better, you think maybe we can wake DJ like... soonish?"

Freddy paused, turning to look at the four-armed bot contemplatively and recalling that he'd been helping Bonnie with the project prior to passing out. He hummed and folded his large arms, "I think... yes. We keep waiting around, but I do not think we can be more ready to waking him up. Perhaps we could try it tomorrow or next day?"

Chica burbled and stared uncertainly at the white-faced, four-eyed bot and then back at her bear. She was tugging at her wrists now, "I'm still nervous about it... I mean, that code-"

"I know. But I have confidence in M.X.E.S, Bonnie, and all of us," Freddy gently assuaged. "We've all worked together to help build and reprogram him... I cannot see that, with all that we've done in 2 years, that he isn't ready to join us. Our own anxieties and fears are what's keeping our happy family from growing."

Bonnie worked his jaw, with Gregory passing uncertain glances between all the bots. He shivered eventually, rubbing his arms up and down on his pimpling skin and moseying out towards the door, "Let that be tomorrow! Cuz I ain't stayin' in here anymore. Too cold!"

Freddy nodded, then went to follow Gregory out. Meanwhile, Bonnie waved him off, "I'll stay and check the fluids in DJ- make sure nothing crystallizes or needs replacing. Chica? Turn on the space heater for me? Dunno why I didn't think to do so earlier."

"Sure!"

Freddy nodded at them, then followed Gregory out. "In the meantime, I'd like very much to know what you're grounded for now, Mister! Do not leave out any details!"

To which end, Gregory can only groan.

~The Next Day~

CASSIE

The morning following Freddy's awakening was filled with some activity.

Vanessa checked in with some realtors, so she was unavailable a lot of the day; simply making phone calls and the like. Chica kept to herself and maintained the kitchen and floors. Monty had gone out to help Luis bring back some firewood. Sun was outside with Roxy shoveling more snow and removing ice from the roof. Freddy talked with Bonnie about DJ and finished mulling him over, and the kids meanwhile- well, they had to prepare for their little meeting at school.

It was Saturday- so it was sad they had go back to school even on a day off. Hopefully, the meeting will be fast and not take too much time. Cassie wanted to take the day to herself for once, and maybe help maintain the bots. She enjoyed the work; believing that, in a way, her ability to help them kept her dad close (beyond it being literal in a way) and she found a passion with tech. So, before they went anywhere, she sat Bonnie and Sun down so she can check them over with Gregory before heading to school. Gregory mussed over Sun's code; seeing as his various personalities can sometimes compound how he felt and how stable he was. Bonnie's heightened motor, being stronger than most everyone else's, required more care sometimes, and it gave Cassie something to do.

At one in the afternoon, the sun a pale, fragile, ghostly disk in the cloudy sky, the group piled into one of the party buses and drove off. There was errands to run beyond the meeting at school; and Vanessa wanted to bring back some dinner items for their eventual Christmas dinner. They'd also get some new clothes for the bots too; as Bonnie commented on looking less like a 'nude' rabbit for this get-together. And yes, while he technically wasn't nude with that artificial skin and fur over his Glamrock chassis, he thought his appearance not proper attire for the occasion.

Sun meanwhile was dressed rather smartly himself; wearing bright yellow shirts with the squared off shoulders and orange stripes. His slacks were a charming shade of navy; and yes, he was even wearing normal and polished office shoes. He was, as far as the group was concerned, perhaps over-dressed. But his enthusiasm and willingness to go overboard was no less an endearing note, so no one said anything.

They went to a clothes store and very briefly went in; only grabbing something for the rabbit and then promptly leaving. Bonnie put it on in the back of the van; grousing about his size as a bot. He managed to fit the articles though, and no tears were heard, so he counted that as a win. As to his appearance, Bonnie admittedly looked more like Cassie's dad if he had a mid-life crisis; wearing a red and collared shirt with dark blue sweats. It was vaguely reminiscent of his Glamrock style before. The additional fuzz and whiskers on his face almost gave him an unshaved quality; something Vanessa definitely ribbed him for. Bonnie bit back at her during the ride; the two slinging playful insults back and forth.

Still, they were presentable, at least. And no one complained or said anything as they went on to the school and parked out front. Bonnie and Sun hopped out the back and cautiously looked around, a little curious about the grounds itself now that they were here. Bonnie's ears flexed and swiveled constantly; his tiny nose flaring rapidly as he took in the plethora of scents no doubt assailing his olfactory sensors. He sniffled a lot; keeping close to Vanessa's side as they went in.

They passed the front office and desk, inquired to the attendant within (who definitely stared at the bots), and then were directed from their to the counselor's office. All the while, Bonnie's nose remained quite busy and Sun looking around like an owl; his head literally on a swivel, rotating his disk-shaped head to take in the sights of an otherwise plain looking facility. Cassie and Gregory found their curiosity somewhat adorable.

They found the office in short order; Cassie had known where it was. She'd been in here a couple times already throughout the last year; having had to bring up Marvin's behavior more than once. The fact that she was doing this again was certainly annoying. Couldn't the school do something about him and not have to sit on their asses? She didn't say this aloud, but Cassie wasn't expecting anything to change today. Marvin tended to ignore discipline; so indeed, Cassie wouldn't expect any improvements to be made unless Marvin got expelled.

They sat at the office; the girl seating herself beside Bonnie and Vanessa. Bonnie's blue ears kept zipping everywhere; his maroon optics arrested on the office beyond and his head tilting. "Marvin's mom is here already," He murmured to the group. His torn ear pivoted again, "And boy... she sounds like one of them helicopter moms. Oh this is rich..." He smirked, then muttered in a small, especially horrible, wheezy impression of a woman's voice, "-'Oh my angel has never done anything wrong! How dare you insinuate he'd do such a thing!'"

Vanessa reached past Cassie to elbow him, "Don't listen in! Geez! Its rude!" She said this, but she was fighting a giggle the whole time. Cassie meanwhile was smirking at the terrible impression he made. Gregory had to shove his hand partially into his mouth to stem his own laughter. Sun just straight chortled unashamedly.

"I can't help it, okay? Sorry my ears can pick up all the times when you fart on the toilet," He rolled his eyes, but his smile was endless.

Vanessa fought a snort there; one hand slapping her face to stop the embarrassed smirk from growing there. "Bringing you was such a bad idea," She snirked.

Bonnie harrumphed at her, "Admit it; you'd need my wonderous, dazzling and rapier charm to help blow this over! Bringing me along was the smartest thing you could do!"

"Oh my god I'm going to smack you if you don't shut up."

Gregory gestured to Cassie meanwhile, the two kids rolling their eyes. How were the adults acting more like kids than they were right now?

Just then, the group jolted when Marvin's mother (as well as her child too) stepped out of the office. The woman had a severe, pointed look to her; like age was hitting her quicker and earlier than it should be and stress lines had formed across various regions of her visage. She had brunette salt and pepper hair; and sharp green eyes that looked more aquiline in nature than that of a human. She stared coldly at the bots; immediately judging them upon laying eyes upon them.

Marvin's nose looked awful- not that Cassie expected it to look too good after Gregory had pretty much smashed it in repeatedly with his own head (Gregory wasn't much better off if you consider that ugly bruise in the middle of his forehead and how BIG it was). Its no doubt been broken and it would take time to heal; the boy sniffing in an adenoidal way as he seated himself beside his raptor-esque parent.

Mrs. Gordon was now eyeing Bonnie with a plain disgust that could not be disguised, even if she tried. No doubt his animal-like appearance and the disheveled nature of his attire had set something off in her head, but she said nothing as she placed a hand on Marvin and studiously scanned him and the attendant. She raised a sharp brow at Sun too; no doubt noticing that with his proportions and the lanky nature of his body, it seemed impossible for a human to wear such an elaborate outfit. Bonnie can pass off being a human in a giant costume, but not Sun. His thin neck, thinner limbs, and generally over-long proportions were thrown entirely out of whack when one tries to picture there being a human in there puppeteering the bot.

Mrs. Dunewright stuck her head out and smiled at the group, then waved them in. "Your turn! And, please. Go ahead and grab those extra seats if you need to," She gestured to a table near them with some chairs around it.

Bonnie and Sun grabbed the seats and went inside her office; although it felt a tad crowded already. Bonnie even whumped his ears on the doorframe; wincing when he got static feedback from the impact. He didn't know it, but Marvin was especially eyeing him as they vanished within.

"Its so good to see all of you today," Mrs. Dunewright began, waiting until they closed the door to speak. "I apologize about it falling upon a Saturday, but I'm afraid I'll be too busy next week to set up a meeting otherwise. Oh, take some candy, if you wish-" She pushed a bowl forward.

Sun took a piece; you can bet on that. He popped it in; further astounding Mrs. Dunewright as she watched a robot actually take her up on it. She blinked, then stared between them.

"My my... this is different. I wager its an interesting life you lead if you live with robots," She candidly pointed out. She blinked as she watched Sun chew and swallow; having not known they could eat.

The former attendant then waved a merry hand like he was waiting his turn in class. The counselor gestured at him, and he giddily asked, "Oh! Mrs. Dunewright, can I have another? The butterscotch are amazing! I think I have a new favorite flavor!"

Bonnie smirked beside him, "You may hafta tell Chica about that, my man. A butterscotch pie though... that does sound right nice."

Vanessa shook her head beside them, but no doubt she felt the same. She glanced back at the counselor, then the kids.

Mrs. Dunewright waved at the bowl, "Go ahead! I'm just... blown away by the fact I have one of the Glamrocks and the daycare attendant in my own school right now. Didn't expect this week to end on such an interesting note-" She tented her hands together and now gazed at Cassie and Gregory, "I wager it feels like a dream come true, huh?"

"Yes ma'am," Cassie politely nodded.

"No trouble at home?"

"I told you the last time I was here that I've had no trouble. Why would I have any?" She gesticulated to the bots as if for emphasis.

The counselor hummed, then her expression slanted into something a bit more serious. "Well... it sounds pretty crowded in that home of yours... I mean, Chica too?" She blinked, having obviously not forgotten about hearing the name. "And let me guess: Glamrock Freddy too? Or Monty?"

"And Roxy," Cassie smirked pleasantly.

Vanessa sighed beside her. Cassie glanced at her but couldn't parse out the expression on her face. The older woman then said, "If you're wondering about the 'conditions', we're fine! We were thinking of moving though before they start high school. And we're thinking of a larger house. And, even with the house we have, no one actually seems to mind. It feels comfortable-" She shrugged. "Like a home should be."

"Its snug," Sun hugged himself like he embracing the air; wriggling in excitement.

The counselor gazed at Gregory now, as if pointedly. "If I may ask... weren't you seeing some therapy? I'd like to know how that is going for you-" She turned her attention towards the kids now, no doubt trying to route out the source of their troubles.

As if Marvin isn't the source of it?

"Its fine," Gregory said, arms folded and his expression bored. "Miss Howler's been good."

Cassie added on, "We both enjoy miss Howler. She's been super invested in us too. And really, we don't have much we should be upset about. Its just-"

"-Marvin," Gregory dead-panned.

"Yeah. Him."

The counselor blinked and tapped her fingertips together, "I talked to them, as you've no doubt noticed. Mrs. Gordon seems insistent her child did nothing wrong-"

Gregory leaned forward there, instantly spitting, "That's a bull-faced lie! He's been going on for MONTHS and-"

"I know! I know I know I know-" Mrs. Dunewright waved her hands submissively, hoping to allay Gregory's anxiety. "Its just- I'm under the impression that Mr. Gordon is troubled and... he'd need a certain kind of patience-"

Bonnie glanced away. Then he passed the counselor a brief and solemn look, "If I may, Mrs. Dunewright?"

"Hm?"

The rabbit shifted in the seat; which noticeably groaned underneath his 440 plus pounds of weight. "I have reason to suspect Mr. Gordon is just taking his frustrations out on these kids due to the incident at the PizzaPlex a while ago-" He frowned. "I am not trying to place blame! Do not get that misconstrued. But now I cannot help wondering if Marvin said anything suggestive of that?"

"You think you know why he's like this?" She tried.

"Yes ma'am. Did he ever mention his father?"

She blinked there, then shook her head.

Bonnie snapped his fingers, "Figures. Looks like he's burying it and never got to cope with it... that isn't a heathy thing to do-" He glanced askance, his maroon optics now on the door leading out; as if to catch sight of Marvin and his mother.

"Burying what, exactly?"

Bonnie dipped his head; the motion both reflective of his solemnity and respect, "Mr. Gordon, Marvin's father, I did not know him too well... but my coworker, Monty, knew him better. He vanished a few years ago after reporting a sinkhole at the raceway-"

Sun went on now, his nervous hands moving all around, "Marvin's father was a Fazbear contractor that tended to build or repair things across the PizzaPlex. And, seeing as Marvin was apparently close to his dad, well, we think he simply never took it well after he vanished. And seeing Cassie and Gregory here being brought to school by us, we figure its just his way of trying to deal with it after internalizing it for so long."

Mrs. Dunewright raised a brow here, then slumped into an open palm to support her chin with, "Mrs. Gordon never told me about her husband... and Marvin certainly hasn't mentioned him. Very interesting that you mention that. Mrs. Gordon seems insistent that everything at their residence is fine!"

Gregory snorted there; prompting a sharp glance from both Cassie and Vanessa.

Mrs. Dunewright was staring at Gregory now, as if pointedly. Now she raised a brow at the rabbit, "By chance, Bonnie. You say you only caught the tail-end of the fight, yes?"

"Uh, yes ma'am?"

She pulled out something from her drawer; then placed it on the desk itself so they can see it. Vanessa's expression hardened at the sight of it.

"This is a list of all the detentions Gregory has gotten ever since he started here," Mrs. Dunewright went on to say. "And they all involved Marvin. I find this all very interesting that while Gregory's gone to therapy and Marvin hasn't... Gregory was reported to usually swing first. And Cassie-" Now she turned to the girl in question. "You claim that, this time, you swung first?"

"Yes ma'am," she nodded.

Mrs. Dunewright passed a look at the family, "Other kids who watched say differently. Most say it was Gregory who threw himself at Marvin. And considering the severity of the damage to his nose and his trend to start fights first most commonly, I wonder how valid that is myself. I'd like the truth, if possible-" Once again her hands tented. "Bonnie, I know you have better hearing than that. I am submitting a request for a proper security report, please. And I know you bots don't like lying."

The key words seemed to click something to him; the rabbit's brows ascending and his expression slanting into one of shame and annoyance. He sighed, then passed Cassie a look. Cassie's heart sank.

"Gregory did it," He said, his tone low. "I heard it but... again, I do have to remind you that I only heard it. Not seen it."

Mrs. Dunewright turned to Cassie now, "Now then, miss Cassie. Can I ask for the story again? What is true and what isn't?"

Cassie felt her shoulders sag and she shrank upon her seat, "Marvin walked up, he started taunting us, and he brought his friends with him. Every time that happens, a fight breaks out. He wasn't going to let us leave the grounds without getting us in trouble-" Cassie unashamedly went on. "He won't fight us alone- and hasn't throughout the months, as you know. So he deliberately prodded Gregory and me about our family- knowing its the quickest way to our nerves. He started making a comment about my dad- who is deceased, may I remind you- and Gregory warned him to stop. He went on, and Gregory got him in the nose when he kept goading us." She passed the counselor a look, "But Mrs. Dunewright! I swear- I'm sorry about the lie. I just don't want Gregory in trouble again! I don't want to see him expelled or-"

She held her hands and waved her off, "Its alright, Cassie. I know you mean well, but I still have to comment on the fact that you shouldn't let those comments bother you-"

Gregory then snapped in, "I wasn't gonna sit there and wait for him to swing first, Mrs. Dunewright. The insults aren't what always start it- if you look back, you'll notice he's just as bad about picking fights first! Sorry, but I ain't waiting until he hits me or Cassie to fight back. Its bad enough he finds it funny to push Cassie off some stairs sometimes after her operation. I could swear we told you that and no one ever does anything to make Marvin stop?"

"Yes well..." She looked away, as if in submission, "Still, did the violence ever resolve anything?"

"...No."

"Does it not only escalate?"

"...Yes."

"Okay. So, here's what we're going to do-" The counselor waved at the kids, "I know you want to finish the year in peace. And I'm sorry that everything we've tried with Marvin doesn't seem to work. I'm going to call them back in and talk to him- maybe gently mention his father. But Gregory, you cannot continue to do this, no matter what he says. Okay?"

"So hit him only in self-defense?" The kid dead-panned.

Vanessa elbowed him and hissed through her teeth, "You not hearing her? She doesn't want you participating in anymore fights PERIOD."

Gregory waved dramatically, then said, "DUDE! Why the heck would I wait until Marvin seriously hurts Cassie just to swing at him?! That's total bull! He almost legit killed her when he pushed off that flight from the second floor! He didn't get expelled for THAT! I ain't gonna wait until he actually-!"

Mrs. Dunewright waved at him, "Its okay, Gregory! I'm sorry that we haven't done anything to properly prevent this from going on. I will talk to Marvin again, and then we can peaceably resolve this. And yes, Marvin cannot be allowed to continue this behavior. I agree with you completely. But now I need to ask one more thing in regards to this fight of yours-" She waved a hand at him, "Gregory, you were still going to seriously hurt Marvin. And while I definitely understand your frustration, the injuries he got from your last scrap with him is almost enough in terms of expulsion. You must not, underneath any circumstances, fight with him anymore- this is for your own safety. I don't wish to see you leave this school- you're a bright boy and very talented. And now, I have to ask one more thing-"

She looked at Vanessa now, "I apologize for it being a difficult and sensitive question, but, is Gregory medicated at all?"

"He is... he takes a couple antidepressants-" Vanessa put a hand on Gregory's head and rubbed. Gregory pushed it off but Vanessa took no offense. "Me, Cass, and all the bots have to remind him to take them though. Freddy's the best with him- Gregory tends to listen to him more."

Mrs. Dunewright raised a brow, then she smiled. There was even a small chuckle. "Of course! Glamrock Freddy... of course. So, Gregory, by chance, you don't miss any doses, do you?"

Gregory blinked, then glanced away. Cassie shot him a look.

"I missed one yesterday..." he admitted. "We were worried about something else and... I forgot. We all did."

"Did something happen?"

"Little family emergency," Vanessa admitted. "We were all walking on eggshells that day because Freddy, speaking of which, was running into system problems and he was shut down temporarily. His motor burnt out and its always serious whenever that happens. Its like, akin to a robot heart attack?" Vanessa waved a hand around, "See, Greg and Cass here, they're super smart. They know how to fix the bots already! They wanted to help Freddy because his heart, essentially, burnt out on him and he wasn't quite right. He was literally puffing smoke. They were very concerned for him and everybody was upset when he didn't get up after repairs. He's okay now! Just, yesterday was a little touch-and-go."

Mrs. Dunewright nodded, her smile remaining. She passed them a sympathetic look, then glanced at Gregory, "And Freddy, he's that important to you?"

"Course he is," Gregory snapped. "I wouldn't be where I am right now if it wasn't for him. He's there for me, all the time. It doesn't matter if I do right or wrong- he always does what he can to correct me the times I'm wrong and praises me when I do right-" he kicked his legs in the chair, "I was scared for him yesterday. He was all I could think about. Marvin didn't help matters whenever he starts ribbing us about them- like we should be ashamed." Cassie caught a foreign shift in his expression then, the boy then finishing in an undertone, "He reminds me of my own dad- who I haven't seen in years."

"Ah, I understand. Alright," She nodded and clenched her hands there. "Now I know what I should be submitting. You had a family emergency, you were stressed, and your bully kept pestering you on a bad day- and especially after you forgot to take a dose of your antidepressants. Is this not correct?" She looked at Gregory there.

"Yes ma'am," He nodded, expression brightening up.

"Alright. Just make sure not to cause anymore fights, and I will personally make sure Marvin is properly dealt with so he doesn't stress you out. After all, you are being medicated and he's compounding that. Meanwhile, it sounds like Marvin's having a hard time himself dealing with the loss of his own parent- which in-turn allows him to lash out at you two since you don't have any biological parents left. Wow, this is some situation!"

Cassie hung her head again, then said, "I'm sorry for lying earlier... I really am."

Gregory looked away, "I'm sorry too."

"I apologize as well," the counselor nodded, "Your situations are too fragile to be doling out so many detentions slips. Honestly, I wish I've known sooner that Gregory was being medicated! It could've taken a lot of those slips off his record. At least this time around, we can write you up with a warning and nothing else."

"Thank you, Mrs. Dunewright," Vanessa said.

"I thank you for clarifying. And... huh-" she focused on the bots again, "I find it interesting still that the children help with your maintenance. That can't be easy!"

Bonnie's paws found themselves on both Cassie and Gregory's shoulders, "They're little geniuses in the making! We owe them everything- them, and miss Vanessa here for tolerating us. We're not exactly low maintenance."

"I enjoy the work too," Cassie told her, straight up. She put a hand over Bonnie's own as she went on. "It keeps my dad close! He showed me how to tinker and I quite liked how busy it makes me. And I suppose, in a way, it paid off-" She turned and smiled at Sun and Bonnie- who in-turn smiled back. "Its not stressful, if that's what you're thinking."

Gregory shrugged, "I thought it makes me feel useful. I don't tinker, but I do the programming part. I know code. And it helps if we're able to remove whatever glitches in their systems. Cassie fixes hardware, I fix software. And our mom here does both and helps teach us how to do it. Kinda like a team effort."

"The fact you do that is impressive," She smiled, her tone reverent. "And, seeing as you two are helping maintain some of the world's most expensive and sentient animatronics ever built thus far is a talent all on its own. Truly remarkable. And I mean that- The Glamrocks, of all things? Fazbear Entertainment's most powerful and intelligent bots ever? With an intellect like that, I bet you two can get very far in life. I wager there's some colleges around you can start looking into ahead of time. It'd be easy for you two to get into one. I just don't wish to see you get your record in school botched by any bullies!"

"We know," Cassie nodded. "Just... I'd like to go one day without hearing about my dad screwing an animal bot, please."

The counselor nodded grimly. "Of course. With this said, we can wrap this up. But Gregory, Mrs. Gordon is expecting an apology- no matter whose fault it is."

"Aw man..."

"Just go along with it, will you? And I'll make sure Marvin does the same," she encouraged.

Gregory rolled his eyes, "I don't want the apology for me. I only want to hear it if its directed towards Cass. Those comments he makes about her dad is really aggravating- not to mention his thing about stairs and her head."

She nodded, "I will have to bring this up to them. Anyways, off you go! Wait in the other room, and then we can work on apologies and getting you out of here. I know you want to enjoy the rest of your Saturday, after all."

"Thank you, Mrs. Dunewright," Vanessa was up first; urging the kids and bots out.

"Anytime!"

GLAMROCK BONNIE

The group couldn't have been happier to be leaving after that.

Turns out, Mrs. Gordon hadn't been keen on making her boy apologize... Bonnie had been right in saying she was one of those moms who'd spoil her only son rotten. But, the counselor managed to get the kids to apologize and she pulled Marvin aside privately; without interference from his mother. She dismissed the group after that; with Vanessa eventually saying she needed to stop inside the store for a couple of small things for their up-and-coming big Christmas feast.

They visited the store, then, on a whim, they visited the park briefly- seeing as they were passing right by it. It seemed to be a harmless enough idea; a way to get the kids out of the house and enjoy themselves. In fact, one can say, this day would pay off in a different way.

There wasn't a lot of people here right now; a bit too cold for that. But it was also because of that reason that the bots were allowed to sit outside in the park too; no through traffic and no people to disturb them. Most tended to stop and stare at them or make weird comments. Bonnie himself got tired of hearing some of these barbs; and sometimes, he wondered why people besmirched the idea of being a giant, anthropomorphic character like its insulting. Frankly, Bonnie thought being a rabbit character was charming! Kids loved it, and they've all made that known to him throughout the years.

He was leaning on the bench; legs crossed over each other and head craned back like he was nodding off. Sun was running around after the kids; cartwheeling with Cassie and catching Gregory every time he wanted to climb a tree. Bonnie smirked with Vanessa beside him; the two giggling as Sun inadvertently continued his job as an attendant and kept a close eye on them. But, it seemed Sun enjoyed just watching the older children and not the younger; and it wasn't lost on Bonnie that Sun was no longer as much of a twitching, jittery wreck.

"Seems little kids and tater tots aren't his thing to begin with," Vanessa bantered beside him.

"He seems to do fine with the older ones... yuh," the rabbit shrugged. "I wager if he was told to babysit older kids, his programming would've been more okay with it? Its a shame the techs at the PizzaPlex never bothered with helping him deal with his own programming's glitchiness. Just damn pathetic." He passed a soft smile, "Although, Sun tells me Cassie's always been behaved in the daycare. He enjoys her a lot. I mean, lookit that-" He waved a paw there, watching as the once impatient, frenetic jester rolled like a child himself in the snow with her.

"No doubt," The woman sipped her water; then paused when she realized it was starting to freeze on her. She glared at it like it offended her. "Aw piss. I wonder if there's any vendors here who can make some hot cocoa?"

Bonnie put a paw to his chin, "Hot cocoa does sound nice... Wish I had a little maker in my stomach hatch for it... maybe brew some up on the go? Hahah!"

Vanessa elbowed him, "Don't tempt me into making one for you. I'll make you wear it every day if I did."

Bonnie raised a brow at something, "Yunno something? Probably wouldn't hurt to have a portable maker in our stomach hatches for different things. Could make us a couple extra bucks if we sold cups of stuff on the go?"

"You serious?" She snorted.

"Totally serious! Imagine how much money we'd get selling ice cream during summer break? And nearer to the beach? Dude, it'd be an easy $100 a day in the right spots. Maybe more!" Bonnie smiled, "Come on. You can't tell me that ain't easy money? I mean, we do have that basic ice cream maker but... imagine if it was repurposed for us like Circus Baby's own feature? It'd be hella useful! And for the winter season? Hot cocoa or coffee or something!"

Vanessa nodded, then glanced away, "Well, there's always the idea you can take up being an ice cream truck driver!"

Bonnie blinked, then gawped at her, "We can do that? Seriously?"

"Sure, I don't see why not?"

They turned back towards the kids meanwhile, watching Sun cartwheel out of range of Cassie's reach when she went to chase him this time. He encouraged her to keep going; the girl red-faced and puffing but definitely enjoying herself. Gregory meanwhile was once again climbing a tree- to which Sun noticed and went to immediately tell him to stop. Gregory proceeded to ignore him and kept climbing, smiling like an imp and waggling his legs teasingly at him once he got to a branch.

"You not concerned?" Bonnie goaded.

"Nah. If he falls, that's his own fault. He knows better by now. If he gets a boo-boo, that's cuz he asked for it at that point," Vanessa smirked. "-'Sides. Sun's got him if he does fall. And frankly, Gregory's rather sure-footed so I don't think he'd fall unless he wanted to. He gets places pretty well."

"Eh... true enough. I mean, he's had practice evading you, a bunch of killer bots, and a serial killer. Climbing a tree ain't shit for him."

The two continued to watch placidly as Sun tried coaxing Gregory out of the tree, but it didn't work. He stayed out of Sun's reach; in fact, he even started goading the bot to follow him up. He sneered down and kept waving; with Sun eventually getting huffy and started climbing up after him- and boy he can climb well. Gregory flinched when he saw the speed in which he can scale the tree; and even he couldn't get away once the jester caught him. Cassie merely laughed at them from her place at the base of the tree.

"Well wouldja lookit that-" Vanessa waved. "Gregory got caught for once! Now if only it was that easy that one night."

Bonnie merely threw back his head and laughed; only to pause when his ears swiveled and caught something. He frowned, then turned around fully and looked beyond the head-rest of the chair-

Just to catch eyes with another child who was definitely gawping at him.

Behind this older boy was a woman and what Bonnie assumed was her husband; they both had the rings on the proper fingers. Neither looked like the boy though, but they were watching as what he assumed was their son made his cautious way towards Bonnie himself. The rabbit frowned, then felt something within him tick when he registered the boy's features in his facial database; he recognized him. Small town, he wagered.

The boy was dark-skinned and even darker of hair. He was also taller than when Bonnie saw him last; looks like he'd been growing like a weed, on that note! His curly locks wanted to grow into natural dreads; his eyes richer in color than dark chocolate and his expression plainly slack-jawed.

The woman behind him called out, "Jacob! Don't talk to strangers!"

Bonnie stood up. Vanessa followed his movement and watched as the rabbit paused right before Jacob, unable to tear his eyes off of the boy's face and the plush toy he had tucked under arm; a Glamrock Bonnie plush. And, the very same one Freddy gave him all that time ago. The rabbit himself bent until he was on one knee, leveling the boy an affectionate and warm look.

"Jacob! Howzit been?" he smiled.

Jacob squealed and wobbled through the snow, as if all hesitation and wariness was gone. Its as if hearing his name was some sort of cue. He pumped his arms and shouted, "NO WAY! No way no way no way no way! NO WAY, so cool! Oh my god, best day ever!" He ignored his mother's warnings and ran towards Bonnie full-tilt; slamming right into him and throwing his arms around his neck. He squealed in a pitch so high that Bonnie had to fight a wince. "I can't believe it! You remember me!"

"Course I do! I can't exactly forgot how brave you are," The rabbit dead-panned like it was the most obvious thing.

Vanessa leaned over and huffed, "And who're we talking to here?"

Bonnie sat up with the now fairly large and gangly limbed child in his arms, the child's parents now walking over. "This is Jacob! He's a very brave kid- he actually survived one of Vanny's er... more exciting challenges."

"Oh... oh wow," Vanessa passed him a look.

Jacob was smiling so brightly, one would think the sun would come out just to see it, "You remember too! That's gotta be you! Oh my god! SO COOOL!"

Bonnie smirked, glancing at the parents and saying, "You got adopted? I think I recall you were taken by the police back to the orphanage?"

"I did! I didn't stay at the orphanage for long-" Jacob motioned to his adopted parents as they finally managed to wade through the snow to get to him, "After I got adopted, I asked if I could come back to the PizzaPlex- but then I learned you got decommissioned! And I was so BUMMED OUT. I wanted to see you again!" He held up the plushie, "I kept this! Freddy gave it to me, remember? After you both saved me and that one little girl, Brigid, I think it was?"

Bonnie couldn't forget that awful incident where Vanny tied him and Brigid to knife-covered karts and drove them on the track at full speed. And worse, how she drove Brigid's car backwards temporarily. Bonnie still thought about that sometimes, nearly wincing at the memory. He rubbed Jacob's back, then gently put him down. "I retired," He told the kid gently. "We can say that the bunny lady kinda discouraged my erm... my interest in show business. After what she did, I don't think I could play anymore with a clear head."

"Aw... I'm sorry about that!" Jacob grabbed Bonnie's hand and clenched it. "I'm just happy to see you! You look different... I like the fur!"

"I like the fur too! It keeps my motor warm and my ocular fluid running smooth in my cranial casing. And, it makes my hugs better! Although its not functional when I have to deal with preparing food and warm weather... but hey, its works when you're out in the cold!"

"I think it looks great on you! Oh- Momma! Momma!" Jacob went back over to the fair-skinned woman and tugged, "This is Glamrock Bonnie! The same rabbit who saved me? Like I told you in the story? Same guy! So AMAZING!" He pumped his arms up in the air and whooped loudly at that.

Bonnie expected this; Jacob's parents didn't believe it. They looked at him funny and frowned. They saw Vanessa too, but said nothing as they sized him up. Bonnie huffed, then dipped his head politely at them, "It may be hard to believe, but I AM him. Its a pleasure to meet you, mister and missus-?"

"Wilson," the mother said. "I'm Brittany, and this is my husband John. So uh... a Glamrock. And a missing one is standing before me?"

Here we go.

He opened his mouth, just to turn and catch the sight of Sun, Gregory and Cassie coming to join them. Bonnie smiled and an idea clicked to mind.

"Jacob! I'd like to introduce you to a very sweet girl here- same way I saved you, she saved me! This is Cassie-" He pushed her forward, "And even Chica has called her the sweetest treat on any side of ANY bakery ever! Her dad was actually a tech at the PizzaPlex and she and him are close personal friends! She's pretty much family to me, on that note. And this little upstart here is Gregory! Don't let his surly looks deceive you."

Gregory rolled his eyes.

Cassie blinked helplessly between the boy and Bonnie. She made a shy little wave at Jacob, "Hullo. Um... Nice to meet you?"

Jacob was starry eyed as he watched Cassie, pumping his arms and looking up at the rabbit, "Oh my god! NO WAY. No way you actually hang out with Bonnie all the time, right? DUDE. Did he ADOPT you?"

"I-

Bonnie finished for her, "I did! I adopted this little darlin'. Oh... and maybe Vanessa helped-" He teased, elbowing her in the ribs. Vanessa waved him off.

"SO COOL!"

Bonnie snirked and murmured in Cassie's ear, "He's had a run-in with Vanny too. So... believe me, this kid understands you guys. I think you two will get along quite well." Cassie gave him a piteous look there; no doubt not believing herself capable of making more friends still. Bonnie gently rubbed her back and braced her shoulder, bumping his nose against her cheek, "Go on now! He won't bite."

Jacob had walked up meanwhile and held out his hand, his expression a vivacious excitement that can practically be felt. He kept his plushie close to his heart, "Nice to meetcha! So you guys like-" He glanced at Sun now, no doubt finding him cool too. "No frickin' way- you guys all live together?"

"Yup," Bonnie winked.

"COOL. By chance, is Freddy around?"

Gregory answered there, "Yeah? I mean, he's not HERE at the moment, but yeah?"

"Can I come visit and see him too?"

Finally, Jacob's mother had enough, "Okay! Enough of that. We don't even know for sure if they are... well, what they say they are?"

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Wilson," Bonnie dipped his head. "I understand your reservations. If you'd allow me to prove that I am what I am?"

She folded her arms, she and her husband passing looks. There was a nod.

Bonnie nodded and lifted his shirt- much to the woman's shock. After which, he pulled the velcro flap that covered his torso; lifting it to unveil his metallic stomach hatch. Now with room to open its doors, Bonnie did just that and opened them; only to unveil his motor, artificial gut (which looked like a nondistinctive white container that was sealed very tightly at the moment) and part of his endoskeleton. Beside him, Sun rotated his body in ways that left no doubt that there's no human beneath the elaborate get-up; twisting and contorting in ways he was known for. He also opened his stomach hatch for good measure and to help sell it.

Jacob giddily motioned at his adoptive parents and crowed, "Told ya! ACTUAL ROBOTS! SO COOOOOL!"

Bonnie let them check out his internals for a second longer then closed his stomach hatch, letting them also briefly see his Glamrock shell as he started to pull the artificial skin back over it too. Once it was tightened, his pulled his button-down back over and tucked it into his pants. His appearance was definitely questionable to them, but he decided to supply for their benefit, "I am Glamrock Bonnie... just, retired. My friend Vanessa here-" He motioned to her, "-Has been kind enough to let us stay at her residence ever since the PizzaPlex came down. We bots didn't have anywhere else to go; and our options at that point was to shut down or... go back to Fazbear Entertainment. Obviously, we didn't want to do either."

Mrs. Wilson raised a brow, she and husband likely finding this portent very hard to believe. "How come?" she queried.

"Would you believe me if I say Fazbear Entertainment is just as cruel to its bots as it was to its employees? I'm sure you've heard of the rumors that its conditions were unfavorable to its workers as a general rule of thumb," Bonnie easily supplied, paws tucking into his pockets. "If we returned to them, they'd likely dismantle us or melt us down for something else. Frankly, I quite like having my body to myself, thank you very much. And they went through the extra mile to make us sentient so... surely we have a choice in the matter, do we not?"

John and Brittany passed each other looks, taking the moment to absorb that. Why was it so hard for humans to believe that robots could have disagreements about their lives and live complex, humanoid ones too? Bonnie wished he knew, and once again he was posed with the idea that maybe, coming out in person today was about as good as it was bad. Thankfully, it seemed Mrs. Wilson decided she'd accept this as truth and waved it off.

"So long as you don't hurt my boy..."

"It is within my programming to protect all children, ma'am. Surely Jacob had regaled you with his tale?"

"A million times, actually," His father said this time. "He goes into excruciating detail. Said something about a vicious 'bunny woman'," He air-quoted that part.

"Yes. A serial killer your boy was lucky enough to escape," Bonnie hung his head. "She was taken care of, I'm happy to say!"

"You got rid of her?" Mrs. Wilson asked.

Jacob BEAMED at that; jumping onto Bonnie again and hugging him to death, "I knew it! I knew you wouldn't let her get away for long! You and Freddy are too cool for that!"

If only you knew.

Bonnie patted his head, "We do have security protocols, Mrs. Wilson. We try to do our best to deal with any threats as accordingly. At the very least, this bunny-suit wearing menace will no longer pose a threat to anyone ever again. She was-" He picked his words carefully here, "She was brought to justice. You have my word on that."

Jacob turned back to his parents, then at Vanessa and the bots, "Can I come visit? Huh huh? Please?" He looked at Cassie and Gregory next, "I wanna come visit!"

Mrs. Wilson clicked her tongue, arms folded. She looked at Vanessa, then the kids, then the bots. "I don't want you to just go, Jacob. If its possible, maybe we can come visit briefly instead? To make sure?"

"If you didn't make such a suggestion, I'd question your judgement," Bonnie nodded. "Vanessa? What do you think?" He made sure to gesticulate to Cassie and Gregory there, catching the woman's eyes as if to tell her of the chances they can take here. More friends for them to have would open up worlds for them, he figured.

Vanessa nodded, "Why not? The kids and the bots are always happy to meet people- old and new. We can invite you guys over for dinner too, if you want? We don't live too far away- give or take 15 minutes."

The Wilsons once again passed each other looks. Brittany nodded, "If you're doing a dinner... maybe I can bring some deviled eggs? Or maybe some Christmas pudding?"

"Oh my god that sounds so GOOD," Gregory smirked.

Cassie licked her lips at the idea of it.

"Why not do both?" Vanessa told them, "And bring some recipes you like to share! Chica will especially love to see it."

"SO COOL," Jacob said again. "Glamrock CHICA too? Best day ever!"

"And Roxanne. And Monty," Bonnie told him.

Jacob was screaming at that point; his excitement so tangible that it felt contagious. He looked like he was going to vibrate out of existence from sheer and unbridled enthusiasm- the sight only bemusing the group.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wilson said, "We'll bring both then. What day do you want to do this?"

Vanessa smiled, then turned to Bonnie and Sun. They agreed on a day from there; then Vanessa relayed, "Can we do next Saturday or Sunday?"

"That'll do," John nodded.

All the while, the kids excitedly bounced on their heels in shared merriment. Jacob rushing forward and gesturing, "Let's go play! Can we? Can we, mom?"

"Go ahead- and stay where I can see you!" She told him as soon as he ran off with Cassie and Gregory.

Vanessa passed looks at Sun and Bonnie; no doubt elated to see the children with what could be their first real friend.

After a couple hours of play, they exchanged numbers and further dates and parted ways.

It turns out, Jacob went to a different middle school; but he would be going to the same high school with them (given they don't move out too soon). The thought that their friendship would be brief hurt, but Bonnie figured it'd be worth it to see Cassie with a friend besides Gregory. It could only improve their demeanors too.

They got home thereafter; greeted by another dazzling series of smells floating across the house. Bonnie was thanklessly relieved to find Freddy was being himself; the bear receiving the children with his usual chipper cheer and buttery smile. He even smelled relatively normal... something that Bonnie found odd but decided not to question- for fear of jinxing it.

Chica sat the group down with their usual lunch and had to step over the giant grey-green metal and leather-clothed pancake on the floor; said pancake grunting whenever claws grazed. Monty was plugged into the car battery spare they owned; the very same device that they used back at the PizzaPlex a couple years back. He was currently in rest mode so to help along the charge and make it a bit faster.

"I wish he'd just go into the garage to charge instead of choosing to be an absolute pain in my tail feathers by lying in the middle of the floor," Chica bit. "Snicker-doodles that's annoying!"

Freddy was wearing his apron and helping her; eyeing Monty with good humor, "Pay no mind, Chica. Maybe if we sing, it will annoy him in to leaving?" He chortled there, cerulean optics shining.

Chica smiled deviantly, then immediately picked out the most annoying song from the top of her head: "OOOOOH~ When you're feeling the 'ew!" in your teeth, give it the good ol' goo and until you're feelin' peachy keen~! OOOOH~"

The toothpaste commercial jingle. Absolutely evil and great choice.

Monty immediately got up and snatched the car battery. He even flipped off the hen on his way out- leaving she and Freddy to laugh in his wake.

Roxy snarled, "Couldn't you have picked a better tune? Now that's gonna get stuck in MY head!"

"Well too bad, Rox. Maybe you should help get him out of the way, once in a while?" Chica raised an innocent brow at her there. She turned to Freddy, "And man, I wish I thought of that sooner!"

"Me too, honestly," Freddy shrugged.

Luis wasn't present; but Bonnie heard him upstairs. Just as he recalled the man's presence, Luis peered down from the stair way and fixed his glasses in place. He waved merrily at the arrivals and called, "Hey, Ness! I think we got a couple more houses to look at? And I managed to submit that call for another flip! Could net us another $50,000 if its done quick enough!"

"Oh shit! I'll be there in a sec," She told him. She snatched a home-made tart the hen just now made; grabbing a second for Luis and making her way up.

Bonnie meanwhile sighed and flopped into the kitchen chair, throwing back his head and huffing. Cassie and Gregory left his side to go dry off and throw their soggy, snow-covered clothes into the washer; leaving him alone with Freddy, Chica and Roxy-

Scratch that; Roxy was seen clearing out to head to the main room, "I wanna see the next Nascar event listings. Ya'll have fun. Smelling all that food is making me want to eat it now."

"Wait 'til its done," Chica encouraged.

"Can hardly do that," Roxy grumped as she left.

Bonnie snirked at the wolf, considering messing with her but deciding he'd much rather make lazy in the kitchen itself. Meanwhile, Freddy turned to look at him, "Did everything go well at the school? And really, tell me what it looks like in the inside! I'm curious about it."

"Ain't much to look at, my brother. But I guess I can send you some of the pics I took anyways," Bonnie told him and did just that; sending both hen and bear the visuals he took in during the excursion.

Chica frowned, "Huh. I woulda thought school would be more... grand, in scale? I mean, its a learning establishment. And the tables and graphs and pictures they have are a bit dated... innit? Ew... is that gum on the undersides? Whose neglecting to clean that!?"

Freddy was frowning at them too, "It is a little... uh, lackluster. The school system I know is flawed but... to such an extent? And its disgusting! Why?"

"Honestly, what Vanessa's been teaching them is better," Bonnie agreed. "Her, and us."

"Greg and Cass are definitely too smart to be wasting time in a place like that... its bad enough that their social life seems to impact performance," Chica mumbled.

Now there, Bonnie smirked, "That changed today! Cuz guess what? They made a FRIEND! And to make things better, he's gonna come over next week!"

Freddy and him were waving their arms gaily, the bear settling in front of the rabbit and goading him on, "We're having GUESTS? Goodness! I don't think we've actually had any beyond Luis! I'm so EXCITED!"

Bonnie thumped the counter in his own excitement, "I know! And Freddy, I gotta say... Do you remember Jacob at all? Oh wait-" He frowned as his memory ticked back. "Shit... you may not remember much at all thanks to our manager but... Jacob is a kid Vanny got a hold of- BUT, we saved him! Him and Brigid. Vanny had them tied into carts and drove them around the track, with knives attached- oh dear. You definitely don't remember..."

Freddy was certainly giving him that horrified expression; and Chica was right alongside him. Both of them had their jaws on the floor.

"The story ended happily!" Bonnie waved at them, "See, I met Jacob today! He kept the Glamrock Bonnie plush you gave him? He expressed a desire to see you too! And he and his parents, who adopted him by the way, are gonna come over and hang out with us and the kids! Our Winter Break is gonna be banger!"

Freddy nodded, his smile tentative but he no doubt still found the story horrifying. "I keep forgetting that there's some things I wouldn't be able to recall thanks to the circumstances of that week... You will have to refresh my memory on it so I'm not caught off guard by it should Jacob mention it in a conversation."

Bonnie nodded, then shrugged, "At least Jacob's got a family now too! He was an orphan when we saw him last. So he got a happy ending and he played with Cass and Gregory for a full 2 hours today! And Gregory didn't chase him off, HAHAHA! I couldn't have been happier to see it!"

Chica balled her hands together, beak crooking into a smile as she likely pictured the sight in her white noggin. "About dang time they got one friend! Can't believe it took them so long to get one!"

Bonnie rubbed sheepishly at the back of his head, "Its just kinda sad that the one friend they do make is connected through the fact they all experienced Vanny... Nobody else will ever seem to understand them."

Freddy nodded, "Well, even if we move away, I still do not want to see Gregory and Cassie lose out on a friend. We will have to let them make video calls and establish a week where they can stay with him for a bit! Like a long sleepover? I'd be willing to make the long drive for them! Anything to make sure they have a chance at a life long friend."

The other two nodded and agreed on the same sentiment, with Freddy and Chica going back to cooking. Bonnie slumped back in his chair and propped up his leg on the table- to which Chica HISSED at him and swatted him. Bonnie winced when a frying pan collided with his head.

"OW? GEEZ, NUGGETS! CALM YOUR- your... you know what I mean!"

Chica gakeled at him, lavender optics narrowed and her beak flapping with every annoyed lilt of her vocalizing. She looked like she was going to claw his guts out if he tried it again. Her downy feathers ruffled and puffed up around her neck; indicative of her annoyance.

Bonnie didn't dare try it again, but he did pull a kitchen chair out and rested his feet on that instead. Chica thankfully didn't deem it needed to wail on him that time; returning to the stove to finish their lunch and get dinner pre-baked. He smirked at her back though, always finding her displays amusing. If Roxy wasn't going to oblige his teasing anymore, he knew he'd have Chica to prod. He always loved it when his friends got fired up; showing that they were more of themselves than they could be.

Bonnie frowned at the recollection of Chica back then; how distant and nervous she was. How withdrawn, insular and volatile she'd been. He still couldn't forget the nights he spent looking for Chica so he could get her out of the garbage and clean her up. The employees got impatient with Chica whenever she went dumpster diving; having stopped cleaning her up after a point. Bonnie and Freddy had to do it some of the time. Freddy also told him that Chica's eating habits worsened in the wake of his disappearance; and how she refused to talk to him some nights.

But now, seeing her like this was more than just a reassuring sight. Chica no longer bugged out or twitched or showed any jittery behaviors. She didn't glitch out her speech, her words didn't slur, she wasn't eating garbage anymore. She refused pizza on principle, and she enjoyed cooking and the experimentation it offered. One can say, beyond her guitar, cooking had become an active hobby of hers. She tried everything! She even made mochi balls one evening with him and they were a roaring success.

The improvements she made and the fact nothing of her volatile personality remained was reassuring. She was confident and competent in herself now; no longer locking herself up in her room just to shred at her guitar in a vain attempt to get her mind off things. She played now because it pleased her; not to drown out the dark thoughts in her mind. She floated everywhere across the house, showed a willingness to go out into public despite her reservations. She was braver now, and she didn't let any of the boys bully her aside. There was once a time where she wouldn't say anything if somebody bugged her.

Bonnie indeed smirked as he watched her, watching her and Freddy cook together in perfect synergy. He remembered when they did that at her bakery too, a memory that was sadly so long ago. At least now, he can revisit that memory and not feel sad about it. He was watching their true selves at work here; Freddy singing a merry tune and Chica joining in; all the while prepping their dinner and finishing lunch.

Now Bonnie focused on Freddy in earnest; recalling all the times that, from the viewpoint of the wet floor signs across the PizzaPlex, how the bear refused to revisit the bowling alley anymore. How he desperately tried to reconnect with his glitching friends; but Vanny's damage to their personalities only served to distance him from them. How Freddy would, on very rare occasions, lock himself up in his room and cry. He tried stopping Chica from eating garbage, but the hen tended to stop listening after a point. And, every time Freddy tried talking to their friends and encouraging them to join him in Merry-Go-Cade, they ignored him.

All the spirit left him, and Freddy became a noticeably lonely soul in the whole PizzaPlex. He let people walk all over him. He tolerated any sort of abuse in stride. And when Gregory came along, it wasn't missed on Bonnie that Freddy was so willing to follow the kid to the ends of the earth so he wouldn't suffer anymore. He'd rather have that kid and be in pain then be alone and in pain. He took the upgrades, went along Gregory's shenanigans, he even left the PizzaPlex in the following morn even though it wasn't characteristic for Freddy to leave his friends behind.

The recollection of their suffering had Bonnie sighing now; the rabbit getting up from his place in the kitchen chair and moving over to them. He paused right between them, stopping whatever they're doing with the food. Chica and Freddy passed him odd glances, but didn't say anything or move away as Bonnie pulled them both to himself and leaned heavily on them. He put an arm around Chica's waist and one across Freddy's huge shoulders; pulling them as close to himself as he could. Before he knew it, he was making those weird rabbit sounds as a sign of his own contentment.

Yes. Those little grunts. The tiny ones. A somewhat rapid series of grunts that had Chica giggling at him and acquainting them with baby pig noises. She didn't say anything here though; instead leaning on him and burring and crooning back at him. Freddy chuffed; his exhalation a huge waft of heated air as it brushed fur and raised hairs. Both leaned on Bonnie in-turn; the rabbit suddenly feeling a bit too vulnerable right now as he mulled over where they once used to be compared to how they were now.

"You alright?" Freddy gently asked, after a moment of standing like this.

"Couldn't be better, my soul fam. Couldn't be better," he grunted.

"...Your face is running again," Chica dead-panned.

"...God dammit. Bah, whatever. I don't care. Just know it means I love you guys intensely and I ain't sorry for it," Bonnie said.

Chica put the pots down fully now, turning and wrapping her white arms around Bonnie and Freddy. She burbled; the chicken purring a sweet noise that Bonnie and Freddy would never get tired of hearing.

Once upon a time, she never made such a noise. Bonnie just now recalled that he's never actually heard it too many times before back at the PizzaPlex; and if he did, he hadn't understood the noise or was able to acquaint it with something in particular. He hadn't known chickens can purr, or the noise meant something good. Its only until after they left he learned what it was.

Bonnie butted his head against Freddy next; but then, paused when his nose caught something odd. He sniffled, grunting stopping as he felt something in the bear stir. He passed Freddy a wary glance; frowning when he caught a vague waft of copper from him instead. The rabbit raised a brow when he saw what appeared to be the smallest, tinniest trickle of fluid peek from the bear's nose-

Bonnie blinked rapidly, taking an arm off Chica so to bring a paw to his nostrils and wipe it away. Freddy jerked at the surprise motion; blinking at sight of the blood on the rabbit's paw and frowning when he realized where it came from.

"...Oh... oh my. That's from me, isn't it?"

Bonnie worked his jaw, shrugged it off, and took a paper towel sheet so to remove it. "Yeah. But like I said before, you'll get used to it. Its just annoying when the blood soaks into your fur though. I'm gonna go wash it off of mine before it sets. You should do the same- and while you're at it, probably wouldn't hurt to make sure the head piece stays separate from the body so you can wash the pieces as needed."

"Hm. Fair point," Freddy had a talon to his nose now, poking at it and crossing his eyes as if to see it. The expression was pretty funny looking; prompting a snigger from the buck and hen.

Bonnie gave them another tap on their sides and moved away, "I love you guys. Sorry for the sudden weirdness."

"I'm not sorry for it," Chica shrugged at him. "Who doesn't like a surprise hug?"

Freddy watched Bonnie carefully, then continued to dab off his nostrils. He frowned at the flow, but it stopped just as fast as it came. Chica raised a brow at him.

"You okay there, sugar cube?"

Freddy nodded, then waved it off, "Allow me to spot treat this, then I'll be back to finish this."

"Nah. Its okay- I got it," Chica waved him off. "Its a one-person job now. Food's done for lunch, and all the dinner stuff is prepped. Just go on and relax! Maybe have your turn at my guitar? Wouldn't mind a song!"

Freddy nodded, smiled, then turned to do just that. His expression tensed however once he left her sight, still dragging a digit beneath his nostrils and chuffing loudly.

Bonnie watched his vexation set, still finding it hard to believe that his best friend was now like himself. The rabbit mashed his jaw and ground his teeth, then once again wondered about what the white bear may know. Moreover, he wondered how he could find out who was inside of Freddy's body now. Didn't Vanny say something about having a method to it? He wagered Polar Freddy could perhaps know; and even if his friends discouraged it, Bonnie planned on seeing him again- and soon.

To which end, Bonnie merely shelved this for now. No need to spoil the good vibes here, at the moment. After all, they had DJ to wake up next; and that will be their next goal. He could only pray that all their work in the last couple years wouldn't blow up in their face.