A/N I have zero clue what possessed me to come back to this. I had to reset my password because it's been so long since last I've touched this site. Yet, here I am. Creating an update for a long-forgotten and long-outdated story. I'd tell you to enjoy, but... Well my writing style has quite evidently changed.
Days. Weeks. Months. Years, even. All passed slowly, yet seemingly in the blink of an eye. Each and every day felt the same for Alex and company, but when they looked back, they realized how much everything had changed.
No longer were they the forefront of animatronic engineering. No, they had lost that claim rather quickly as technology became more easy to produce. Instead of being the go-to location for entertainment, they were now seen as a local restaurant to go to for either nostalgia or boredom. After all, why go to a somewhat run-down shadow of a former glory when you could simply experience what you wanted in nicer, newer stores? Chuck-E-Cheese was a prime example of "Out with the old and in with the new."
That's not to say that they were suffering financially, however. As it turns out, robots that run off of good vibes, pizza, and souls of the dead make for a far more cost-effective attraction than electrically run animatronics. That, coupled with the fact that they still retained most of their regulars, made it come as no surprise that Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria simply wouldn't die.
Closing time soon approached, and before any of the animatronics knew it, it was nightfall. They had some time to kill before Brooke came in to work, and all sat around out in the main room just enjoying each other's company. Over the past few years they'd grown to amass their own personal selection of things to kill time with and stave off boredom. While older models, all the animatronics had their own phone or tablet. YouTube became a staple for the gang. Sharing amongst each other the latest and greatest memes, prank trends, and anything under the sun that piqued their interest.
Midnight came quick, and the telltale sound of the lock of the front door coupled with the door bell jingling meant the arrival of Brooke. "Ahoy, Brookie." Alex raised his hook in greeting as the animatronics all looked up and waved to her from where they sat, glad to see their friend. "Fancy meetin' ye here." Though Alex could claim to have no facial expressions, the grin was audible in his voice. Brooke sighed and smiled back at him.
"Yeah, fancy that." She teased back. She set her bag down on the table that everyone sat at. "What's the latest and greatest that's got the animatronics' attention today?" She asked, whipping out her own phone.
Vixen spoke up. "Well there's a new video from Markiplier, which is always nice." Her voice was as soft and kind as ever, her tail gently wrapping itself around Alex's leg. The action, however, went unnoticed by the grey fox much to Vixen's chagrin.
The animatronics murmured in agreement about Markiplier's new video. Bonnie spoke up. "We were just about to watch it, actually." He hefted his tablet, then gestured to the projector pointed at the wall of the Pirate's Cove. Brooke shrugged.
"Why not. It's not like anything ever really happens here anymore. The only break-ins we have to worry about now is an infestation of mice." She stated wryly, propping her feet up on the table.
As the video played, Alex yawned, his recently lack of sleep catching up to him. He'd shake his head a few times to try and stay awake to no avail. Chica nudged him gently. "Just go to the cove and sleep. We all know you're tired." Alex nodded and stayed out of the way of the projector as he trudged to the cove and laid down in his cozy makeshift bed of blankets and pillows.
Back at the table, Vixen's tail swished impatiently. The other animatronics and Brooke shared a knowing gaze between each other. They could tell she wanted to go to Alex. Foxy sighed heavily. "Jus' go, lass." Vixen jumped at his words.
"W-what? What do you mean? We're watching YouTube together? Where would I go?" She whispered, feigning ignorance.
Foxy just stared at her with a look that read, "Really?"
"Ah... ahaha... right..." She replied, looking around the table. Everyone had the same look of "Just go." except for Brooke, who was working on a crochet piece. She sheepishly got up and also entered the Pirate's Cove, ducking behind the fake old-timey shipping crates and quickly finding Alex getting comfortable on his pile of blankets.
"Alex..." She held her hand nervously against her chest, looking down at him.
"Mh? Lass?" He replied sleepily, looking up at her.
"I..." She sighed, crouching down to him. "Look. We've known each other for a few years now. Isn't it painfully obvious to you my feelings?" She asked, the tip of her tail flitting nervously back and forth.
Alex groggily rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "Yer... feelin's?" He sat up and looked to her. Vixen balled her fists and tried to keep her voice down despite her frustration.
"Gah, you stupid Fox!" She hissed, grabbing him by the neck. "Can't you just love me the way I love you?" She shook him a bit while still staying rather quiet. Alex's eyes went wide.
"Vixen, ye..." He shook his head. "Nay, 't ain't right." He sighed. "I'd love ta, lass, I'd truly love ta, but... why me? Foxy's right thar, an' he's a far better pirate than I. More charismatic an' good wit the kids, too." He looked away from her. "Ye've got better options than little ol' me."
Vixen clicked her tongue and pulled Alex close to her. "I don't care how much better you think Foxy is than you!" She shook him more. "I love you! Only you! Why can't you get that?" She growled, her snout pressed against Alex's.
Alex's eyes slowly locked with hers. Despite them being robotic, there was a twinge of sadness in them. "I understand lass. But... ye've got to understand-" Vixen cuts him off.
"What's there to understand, Alex? Do you love someone else more? Chica? Brooke? Foxy?" Her voice is peppered with sadness and desperation, but still isn't loud enough to be overheard by Brooke and the others back at the table.
"I jus'..." Alex looks down. "I don't think I be worth yer time, lass." His voice is quiet, and defeated.
Vixen heart aches to see Alex think so lowly of himself. She removes her hand from his neck and instead wraps her arms around his back and pulls him against her, so that his head rests in the crook of her neck. "Well, I think you are, Alex. I don't care what you say, so just... please. Let me love you?" She whispers.
Alex's jaw hangs open for a few moments, before he whispers back his answer. "Fine, lass. Fine. It's yer victory. I suppose I'll love ye like I'd care to." He sighs, pulling her down so that the two of them are cuddling while lying down on the mass of pillows and blankets. "Jus'... take it easy one me, will ya?" He mutters.
Vixen smiles, rubbing her cheek against his. "Of course." She sighs contentedly, entwining herself in his hug, her tail swishing happily.
Alex sighs softly and lightly rubs Vixen's back as the pair slowly drift off to sleep in each other's arms. "Cheeky Vixen..." he whispers, a smile in his voice.