Chapter Text
It was over. Afton was defeated. The glamrocks and Vanessa were finally free from his control. Vanessa had taken the previously hacked animatronics down to parts and services to be repaired once maintenance arrived. Gregory wasn't in danger anymore. At least, not for now.
To say Gregory was exhausted would be an understatement. His hands were bruised and bloody, his lungs still full of smoke from the fire in the old basement pizzeria. Thankfully, Freddy was able to pull a fire alarm on the first floor and activate the sprinkler system before it was too late. If he hadn’t, Gregory believed they may have died. The whole building would’ve been engulfed in flames. He tried not to think about it too much, just grateful to be alive. The weight of the night had finally set it. All of the near death experiences, all the terror, and all of the frustration was finally hitting him. All he wanted to do was rest.
But there was no rest when you lived in a cardboard box. I’m fact, Gregory didn’t know the last time he felt truly relaxed. He knew that once he left the mega pizzaplex, he would be in even worse shape than ever before. It was hard enough to fend for himself but now he had to do it with all these injuries?
“Before we head to the exit, let’s stop at first aid. I want to take care of your injuries before you go home” Freddy said softly. Gregory felt his heart sink.
There is no home
I have no one
“Climb into my stomach hatch and I’ll carry you there, you seem exhausted” Gregory wanted to argue but just didn’t have the strength to say no. He quietly climbed Into the stomach hatch and curled himself into a ball.
As terrifying as the night had been, he was glad to have met Freddy. For the first time in a very long time, Gregory felt like he had someone.
Not for much longer
His thoughts were interrupted when they made it to first aid. He climbed out of Freddy and sat on the small bench. He was silent while Freddy tended to his wounds. He was somehow lucky enough to not receive any serious injuries just a few cuts, bruises, and a few burns.
“Alright superstar, you’re all ready to go.” No. He didn’t want to go. It was funny to Gregory how he’d spent the entire night trying to leave and now suddenly he wanted to stay.
Pathetic
Freddy will be glad that you’re gone.
He won’t miss you
Just like everyone else.
“Uh.. Freddy?” He weakly said, his voice no more than a whisper. “Would it be okay to go back to your room first? I want to rest for a minute or two.”
“Of course Gregory, you’ve had a long night. I’m sure you must be tired. Would you like to climb in my stomach hatch again?”
“Can you carry me?” Now he was pushing his luck. Freddy was stuck helping him all night and now he wanted to be carried? Gregory’s thoughts we’re interrupted by Freddy picking him up. Gregory laid his head on Freddy’s shoulder and nuzzled into his neck.
He was warm and surprisingly comfortable to lay on. Gregory began to map out his game plan for what to do when he left the pizzaplex. Where he would go, where he would sleep, maybe he could grab a few clothing items from the gift shop before he left. Before he could realize it, he was drifting off to sleep.
____
There was fire everywhere. He couldn’t escape it. It filled his lungs until he could no longer breathe. The fire licked at his feet. He could feel his shoes melting.
“Freddy!!” He yelled between coughs, trying desperately not to choke on the smoke. No answer. “Freddy help me!” He shouted again. Freddy wasn’t coming. He was on his own.
“You are nothing!” He heard a voice from somewhere in the distance. Roxy. He began running through the smoke, trying desperately to avoid the flames. He needed to find Freddy.
He shouted for Freddy again, hoping the he would magically appear and save him. He felt his tears being singed off from the flames. With a large cracking sound he watched as the ceiling began to give way. He screamed and watch as it began to fall on him. Slowly engulfing him along with the flames.
___
“Gregory! Wake up, it’s okay!” Gregory shot straight up from the couch he had been laying on. His breathing was rapid and heavy as he took notice of his surroundings. He was back in Freddy’s room, laying on his couch. There was no fire. He was okay. He tried to slow his breathing but the sense of panic still remained.
“You are having a panic attack, Gregory. It’s okay, take some deep breaths.” Freddy was kneeling in front of him, a look of concern on his face. Gregory took a few breaths, trying his best to calm his anxiety.
I’m okay
Freddy is here
When Freddy is here, I am safe.
As his breathing began to calm down, he realized he was holding a Freddy plushie. Freddy must’ve given it to him. He squeezed it tightly against his chest. The tears he had been holding in started to fall. He couldn’t hold back anymore. He began sobbing.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Freddy sat down next to him and rubbed his back while he sobbing. He stayed like that for several minutes. Gregory eventually began to calm down. His sobs started to quiet down, turning into small hiccups.
“I’m sorry.” Gregory said, his voice barely a whisper. Why was he being so emotional? He felt small and fragile. He wasn’t used to feeling this way.
“It’s okay, Gregory. I believe you had a nightmare, but you are okay now. You are safe.” He rustled Gregory hair. “Soon you will be home and safe with your parents” Gregory’s heart sank. He needed to tell Freddy the truth.
“Freddy…” Gregory began, trying to work up the courage to tell him. “I don’t have parents. I don’t have a home. I don’t have anyone who cares for me.” He attempted to blink back the fresh tears forming in his eyes. “That’s why I was in your stomach hatch. I snuck into the pizzaplex so that I could maybe find some leftover food. I was so hungry. I got paranoid about the security guards following me so I climbed in your stomach hatch to hide. I never meant for all of this to happen.” The tears he had attempted to hold back we’re not falling freely down his face.
“How about you stay here with me then? I care for you” Gregory's eyes shot up to look at the animatronic. He couldn’t be serious. Him stay in the pizzaplex? That was too good to be true. “I will take care of you.” Freddy continued. “I know It may sound strange to live in a mega pizzaplex but I think you will be happy here. I do not want you going back out onto the streets again. Please stay here.”
The offer sounded too good to be a true. Could he be happy here? Of course, it would take a while to get through the trauma of the night, but at least he had Freddy with him. He nodded his head quickly while tears poured out of his eyes again. He felt Freddy’s arms pick him up and sit him in his lap. He later his head against Freddy’s chest and allowed himself to be held.
Freddy held onto the child tightly and let him cry. He hadn’t realized before just how small the boy was. He vowed at that moment to care and protect him no matter what. He put his hand on his head and rusted his hair.
“You’re safe with me, superstar”