Chapter 1: Benji's POV
I was ecstatic about this weekend, or tomorrow that is. Freddy and the gang and I are finally going to the Mega Pizzaplex! We were invited to the annual Christmas party that happens every year when it closes for Christmas Day. Even though it was a Friday this year. Mike was invited too! That's because when Scott returned from Michigan, the animatronics and I gave him some good words about Mike, and he became our new night technician! We did fix Vixen's mess from that night literally before Scott came back and Mike secretly gave Vixen the upgrades the Originals had before the rest of the Toy animatronics.
"I'm so excited!" I was jumping with joy.
"Why's that?" Vixen looked confused.
"Tomorrow we're going to the Pizzaplex for a holiday party!" My smile was immense.
"That sounds like so much fun! Am I coming too?" Vixen was intrigued by this party.
Shit. How do I tell her this without breaking her mechanical heart? I pondered warily.
"Well, you see—you guys, as in the Toys, haven't been announced to the public yet, well, re-announced yet. So, you can't come this year," I sheepishly smiled, while my heart sank into my stomach with guilt.
Vixen went silent, as if I couldn't even hear any whirring from gears within her.
"I'm sorry, I really wish you could Vixen. Next year I know you'll be coming with us to every event!" I tried to lighten the mood.
"That is true, I guess", Vixen mumbled with a sigh.
Suddenly, I had a lightbulb go off inside my head! I quickly ran out into the freezing cold with my jacket on to my car. I quickly grabbed Vixen's present, locked my car, and ran back inside.
"Since you won't be there tomorrow, I decided this is the perfect time for me to give this to you!" I held out a small, carefully wrapped present that had a hot pink bow on top of it.
Vixen was taken aback, "F-For me? But I didn't get you anything, Benji!"
"That's totally okay with me. I gave all of the others gifts as well!" I softly smiled as Vixen took the present from me.
Vixen carefully unwrapped the present, her metallic fingers moving with precision as she peeled back the tape. Every motion seemed deliberate, as though she were savoring the moment. When the wrapping fell away, her optical sensors widened, and the subtle glow of her eyes brightened. Nestled inside the small box was a necklace—a delicate silver chain with a pendant shaped like a star. The engraving on one side read "Vixen," and on the other was a tiny, etched snowflake.
She stared at it for a long moment, her synthetic gaze almost reverent. "Benji…" Her voice wavered slightly, a rare quirk of her programming that made her sound as if she were on the verge of tears. "This is… it's beautiful."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest, seeing her reaction. "I thought it'd be perfect for you," I said softly. "You're just as much a part of this family as the rest of us, and I wanted you to have something special."
Her fingers brushed against the necklace as though testing its texture, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare moment of solemnity. She gently picked it up, holding it close to the smooth plating of her chest. For a moment, I thought I saw her optical sensors flicker in a way that reminded me of how humans' eyes glisten when they're holding back tears. If she could cry, I was certain she would have.
"I don't know what to say," she said finally, her voice a soft whisper. "No one's ever given me something like this before."
"You don't have to say anything," I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Just wear it and remember that you're important to us. You're important to me."
Vixen's lips curved into a faint smile, one that seemed to carry a mix of gratitude and longing. "I'll treasure it forever," she promised, her voice more steady now but still imbued with emotion.
"Good," I said, relieved that she liked it. "And hey, don't let this get you down about tomorrow. We're going to make next year even better. You'll be at every event, I promise."
She nodded, her smile growing more genuine. "You better take pictures for me," she said, her tone lightening. "I want to see everything—the lights, the decorations, and especially Freddy in a Santa hat. You can't leave out any details."
I chuckled, relieved to see her playful spirit returning. "Deal. I'll document the whole thing. It'll be like you're there with us."
The weight in the room lifted, and the tension I hadn't realized I was holding in my shoulders eased. Vixen held the necklace in her hands for a moment longer before carefully placing it back in the box, as if it were the most precious thing she'd ever owned.
The rest of the night buzzed with anticipation. Freddy was humming a low, jolly tune as he shuffled around his stage, and Chica was practicing Christmas carols with a bright, peppy energy that filled the pizzeria. Bonnie plucked at his guitar strings, adjusting them to the right notes for a festive melody. Even Foxy seemed unusually cheerful, his sharp grin softened by the holiday spirit.
I spent the rest of the evening running through my mental checklist. Camera? Packed. Gifts for the gang? Sorted and labeled. Freddy's Santa hat? Laid out on the counter, ready to be packed. I couldn't shake the growing excitement in my chest. Tomorrow, we'd be at the Pizzaplex, surrounded by holiday magic. For a moment, I glanced back at Vixen, who was now sitting quietly with the box in her lap. She caught my eye and gave me a small, content smile.
Morning couldn't come fast enough.
The pizzeria felt alive with an energy that was rare even for us. The decorations we'd put up earlier in the week glimmered under the soft glow of the stage lights. Garland wrapped around the support beams, and strings of multicolored lights framed the windows, casting a festive hue across the room. A small, artificial Christmas tree sat in the corner, its base piled high with neatly wrapped presents. Most were for the kids who visited regularly, but a few were for the animatronics, gifts I'd picked out with care.
Chica was in the kitchen again, this time experimenting with gingerbread. The sweet, spicy aroma wafted through the air, mixing with the faint smell of pine from the tree.
"Do you think I overbaked this one?" she asked, holding up a slightly darker gingerbread man.
Bonnie leaned over, squinting at it. "Nah, it's got character. Call it toasted," he said with a grin, plucking it from her hand and taking a bite. "Tastes fine to me."
Chica beamed, her feathers puffing out slightly. "Thanks! I've got a whole batch cooling if you want to help decorate."
"Sure," Bonnie replied, grabbing a chair and pulling it up to the counter. "Just don't expect me to be as artsy as you."
Meanwhile, Foxy was testing out a new hat I'd found for him—a pirate-themed Santa hat complete with a skull and crossbones design stitched into the fluffy white trim. He struck a dramatic pose in front of the mirror, his hook raised high.
"What do ye think, lad?" he asked, turning to me. "Does it suit me holiday spirit?"
I laughed, giving him a thumbs-up. "You're definitely the most festive pirate I've ever seen."
"Aye, that's what I like to hear," he said with a hearty chuckle before returning to his makeshift stage in the corner.
Golden Freddy lingered near the edge of the room, his gaze drifting toward me as he pretended to inspect a string of lights hanging on the wall. He was always quiet, but tonight his silence felt different—as though he was lost in thought. He watched me interact with the others, his glowing eyes softening when I laughed or smiled. There was a tension in his posture, a stiffness in the way he held himself like he was carrying a secret too heavy to bear.
Across the room, Chica was putting the finishing touches on a massive gingerbread house, after Bonnie was bored with decorating. The structure was impressive, with candy cane columns and gumdrop accents. She stood on a stool, carefully placing icing icicles along the roofline. Golden Freddy joined her, silently offering a steadying hand as she reached for the top.
"Thanks, Goldie," she chirped, glancing down at him. "You're a lifesaver."
He nodded, his voice low and measured. "It's nothing. Just don't fall."
They worked in companionable silence for a while, the room filled with the sounds of carols and laughter. But as Chica adjusted a peppermint swirl on the front door of the gingerbread house, she noticed the faraway look in Golden Freddy's eyes.
"Hey," she said softly, tilting her head. "Something on your mind?"
He hesitated, his golden form shifting slightly. "It's… complicated," he admitted, his tone guarded.
Chica set down her frosting bag and crossed her arms. "Come on, you can tell me. It's not like I'm going to blab to everyone here."
Golden Freddy's shoulders sagged, and he glanced around the room to make sure no one else was listening. Finally, he sighed. "It's about Benji," he murmured, so quietly that Chica had to lean in to hear him.
Her eyes widened, and a sly grin spread across her beak. "Ohhh, I see what's going on here. You like him, don't you?"
Golden Freddy's eyes flickered, and for a moment, he looked like he might vanish into thin air. "Keep your voice down," he hissed, glancing nervously toward me. "I don't even know why I… I shouldn't feel this way. It doesn't make sense."
Chica's grin softened into a kind smile. "Feelings don't have to make sense, Goldie. They just… are. And honestly? I think it's sweet."
Before Golden Freddy could respond, Chica's gaze darted upward, and her grin returned to full force. "Oh, would you look at that?" she teased, pointing above his head. "Mistletoe."
Golden Freddy followed her gaze, his golden features darkening with what could only be described as embarrassment. Someone had indeed hung a sprig of mistletoe above the gingerbread house. He shot her a look, but Chica only laughed.
"Relax, I'm not going to tell him," she said, nudging his shoulder. "But maybe you should. He deserves to know how you feel."
Golden Freddy didn't respond, his gaze drifting back toward me. For a moment, his expression softened, a flicker of longing passing over his features before he turned back to the gingerbread house.
"Maybe someday," he murmured, more to himself than to Chica.
Chica smiled, giving his arm a reassuring pat before returning to her decorating. And though Golden Freddy stayed silent, his gaze lingered on me a little longer than before, the weight of his unspoken feelings settling heavily in the festive air. I just smiled at him with my tongue out. It got him to chuckle a bit.
Freddy was the last to join us, stepping down from his main stage with a careful, measured stride. He already had his Santa hat perched neatly between his rounded ears, and he carried himself with the air of someone ready to lead a festive celebration.
"Everything looks wonderful, everyone," he said, his deep, soothing voice carrying over the chatter. "Let's make sure the Pizzaplex knows just how much holiday cheer we can bring tomorrow."
His words were met with a round of cheers, and for a moment, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. This wasn't just a team—it was a family, one I was lucky to be a part of. And tomorrow, we'd be taking a piece of this warmth and joy to share with the world.