or13m

[or13m]

to get back into drawing (and possibly a rewrite), I tried a different kind of art technique. Took me forever… Also tried to mimic the FNaF title art.

[or13m]

Baited Breath, a FNaF story chapter 019

You drifted lazily through the currents of the main tank, fascinated by the newest additions to your home. Tiny, luminous jellyfish bobbed gracefully through the water, long tentacles trailing behind them like ribbons in the artificial moonlight. With a gentle flick of your tail, you inched closer, eyes wide with wonder as you slowly reached out curious fingers.

Tap. Tap. TAP.

The noise caused the fins on your ears to twitch. Exploration interrupted, you glanced over at the glass only to see Sun pressed against the side of your tank. His blue optics were focused sternly on you.

“Star, don’t you dare!” his muffled voice commanded, shrill and tight with panic. His rays were twitching so rapidly that it looked like he might short-circuit. “Those things sting! Keep your hands to yourself!”

You frowned before looking back at the creatures floating innocently through the water. They were beautiful…how could they possibly be dangerous?

The golden animatronic read your expression loud and clear. With a dramatic groan, he threw his hands into the air. “Oh no. No no no. They’re gonna do it! Moon! MOON!”

But his dark counterpart wasn’t there yet. He had left Sun to watch over you while he dealt with his security rounds. This is how the daycare attendant was forced to watch as your fingertips brushed against the delicate flesh of the jellyfish.

A fiery, painful sting shot through your wrist, provoking a startled gasp as you instantly snapped your arm back. With your injured hand cradled to your chest and fins flashing in alarm, you retreated to the safety of deeper water.

“SEE?!” Sunny smacked the glass in frustration, faceplate pressed against the tank. “I told you! Didn’t I tell you?!”

You pouted, refusing to look at him and give him the satisfaction that he’d been right.

From the corner of your eye, you watched as Moon strolled into the daycare theater. Your muscles tensed when his gaze flicked from Sun’s exaggerated distress to your obvious sulking.

“Do I even want to ask?” he rasped with a playful smirk tugging at his teeth.

His golden twin jabbed a finger at you from the other side of the glass, exasperation lacing his voice. “They touched a jellyfish!”

Amusement filled the lunar animatronic’s scarlet optics at the accusation. With a shake of his head, he approached the edge of the wading pool surrounding the base of your home. “Of course they did.”

“It’s not funny, Moon!”

“Oh, it’s a little funny,” he countered with a lazily grin before shifting his attention fully to you. “Come here, Starlight. Let’s get you fixed up.”

Reluctantly, you swam down toward the connecting edge of the tank to the shallows beyond the glass. Bioluminescent speckles and fins pulsed gently as your tail effortlessly glided you to the surface, bringing you close to the pair of celestial bots who had quickly taken up the duties as your personal caretakers. Sun was already there, hands hovering over your skin with an anxious tremble as he studied your injury.

“I warned you, didn’t I?” he fussed with a click of his silicone tongue. Despite his scolding, he gently took your hand in his, the metal casing warm against the wet skin. “Look at this! You’re worse than the daycare kids! Curiosity gets you stung!”

A smirk played about Moon’s sharp-toothed grin as he took a seat beside the pool’s edge. “Sunshine, the kids do exactly the same thing.”

“Not the point!” Sun grumbled, carefully drying the area around the small red welt with a towel he’d pulled from…a pocket perhaps? You weren’t really paying much attention to what he was doing. You were still too busy pouting. “Star should know better.”

Lifting your eyes to his worried expression, you managed to catch his gaze. He faltered mid-dab, rays twitching at the embellished puppy-dog expression you were giving him. “I mean—I’m glad you’re okay, but please don’t scare me like that again?”

Amusement twitched your lips, softening your theatrical display as warmth blossomed in your chest. His fussing made you feel safe, even if he was a little dramatic about it.

Beside you, Moon extracted a small medical kit from his pant’s pocket before handing it to Sun. His counterpart took it gratefully, still muttering under his breath even while spreading the ointment over the tender skin. The cool stickiness of the gel felt like heaven after the initial burn. Your muscles relaxed at the sense of relief.

“You need to listen better,” he continued with a gentle, calm tone that was rare with him. “Jellyfish aren’t toys. They sting, they hurt, they’re awful—”

He probably would have continued on had Moon not interrupted him with a gravely chuckle. “You’re fussing again, Sunshine.”

Sun paused, optics widening as realization hit him full force. His entire system seemed to glitch, rays jerking before beginning to spin around the grooves of his faceplate in response to his emotions. “I—what?! No! I’m not—I’m not fussing!”

The naptime attendant grinned wider at his denial, clearly entertained. “You’re practically mother-henning them.”

With a hard flinch, Sun became acutely aware of just how close he’d gotten. His face was mere inches from your own, his towering form—even while sitting down—was practically curled over you like his own body was trying to protect you from further harm without his brain realizing it. He could feel your breath—warm and sweet—brushing against the smooth casing of his arm. His rays twitched nervously as embarrassment threatened to overheat his core before he quickly dropped your hand. “Oh—uh—I mean—well…”

Moon’s chuckles increased at his counterpart’s obvious fluster, the raspy laughter making your own lips curl into a shy smile. Cautiously, you reached out to brush your fingers against Sun’s retreating hand, trying to reassure him. He froze, words failing him, as the small gesture tried to compute in his near-to-frying chips.

“Careful, Sun,” Moon teased with a knowing smirk. “You might combust.”

The solar bot made a strangled noise, rays spinning faster than you’d ever seen them go. “I—I was just concerned!” he protested, blue eyes flashing bright and arms flailing in his typical exuberant fashion. “Not fussing! Just concern! Regular, perfectly normal concern!”

Moon laughed outright this time, chuckles evolving to full-on hysterics that toppled him to the ground. Lying on his back now, he didn’t even bother to respond to his irate twin, clearly having too much fun with what he saw as the perfect entertainment.

Sun huffed, rays still spinning and face growing red from a heat he was still attempting to deny. He nearly missed the subtle nod you gave him as thanks. Unfortunately for his dignity, he couldn’t prevent the small puff of steam that escaped from a hidden vent in the edge of his faceplate. A sign of fluster that his darker half most certainly did witness.

“You’re glowing, Sunshine.”

Sputtering indignantly, Sun tried to deny it, but his protests this time lacked any real substance. You smiled at the display, settling your chin on your folded arms at the edge of the tile to simply bask in the warmth and comfort you’d happened to find in your new life here.

[or13m]

Feline Feelings, a FNaF story chapter 015

You were pretty sure you were losing your mind.

It had been two days—two long, painfully awkward days—since you’d discovered that the two kittens you’d spent weeks showering in kisses and cuddles had actually been the daycare attendants all along. Now, every interaction felt stiff and uncomfortable, layered in an embarrassment you could barely hide. It didn’t help that Sun would stumble through every conversation as panic flickered in his white optics whenever you caught his gaze.

Somehow, despite everything, Moon remained infuriatingly smug. He glided around the daycare with a confidence that was both insufferable and endearing, constantly teasing both you and Sunny whenever he got the chance.

Until today.

Today, the lunar animatronic finally experienced his own version of emotional devastation. Even though you hadn’t realized it at first.

You’d just finished reorganizing the art supplies, carefully sorting colored pencils into the labeled containers, when you heard someone clear their throat behind you. Turning at the soft, nervous sound, you found an employee you’d only ever interacted with briefly during clock-ins and breaks in the employee lounge.

“Oh,” you breathed, surprised with his appearance in the daycare. You were pretty sure that he worked in the arcade. “Ethan? What’s up?”

“H—Hey, Y/N,” he stammered with a furious blush, eyes darting between your face and the colorful play mats on the floor. “I, um—I wanted to ask you something. If that’s okay?”

Tilting your head curiously at his nervous shifting, you got to your feet with what you hoped was a comforting smile. “Sure. Go ahead.”

Across the daycare, Moon’s scarlet gaze immediately narrowed into suspicious slits. Unbeknownst to you, his entire frame stiffened before silently creeping closer to observe the conversation with laser-focused intensity.

Ethan’s blush deepened, but he took a shaky breath and finally blurted out, “I wanted to know if maybe you’d like to…go out with me sometime? Like, on a date?”

You froze, eyes wide. You could feel your heart fluttering beneath your ribs—not because of Ethan’s question—but because your first thought was of Sun and Moon. Their faces flashed into your mind and you couldn’t help what you said next despite the uncertainty coloring your words.

“O—oh,” you mumbled, your own cheeks beginning to burn. “Ethan, that’s really sweet, and you’re wonderful, really, but I—” You swallowed your nerves as you struggled to find the right words. “I’m kind of…seeing someone?” ‘I think,’ you added silently, mind filled with red and white eyes and gleaming metal.

Moon, previously tense, felt something twist within his core. The smug confidence he always carried faltered. Seeing someone? Had you actually meant them?

Your coworker’s smile became sheepish, embarrassment softening into understanding. “Ah, sorry, I didn’t know. Thanks for being nice about it, though.” He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Guess I waited too long, huh?”

“You didn’t know, it’s okay,” you reassured with a smile, relieved that he didn’t push it. “But thank you for asking me.”

He gave an awkward wave before slipping away. Pink still clung to his cheeks when he left the daycare but his expression was as warm and kind as ever.

As soon as he left, your eyes drifted upward automatically only to meet Moon’s narrowed and unreadable gaze. As silently as ever, he’d moved to stand directly behind you, towering over your smaller form. You were so used to his ability to sneak up on you that you barely flinched anymore. His arms were crossed tightly across his chestplate and the red lights that made up his pupils glowed with a dimmer intensity than you were used to seeing.

“Moon?” you asked quietly, concerned. “You okay?”

“Perfectly fine,” he answered, voice colder than usual. He turned sharply away from you, clearly sulking. You doubted that he’d ever admit it though, even under threat of permanent deactivation.

A worried frown slipped onto your face as you took a step closer. Placing a comforting hand on his arm, you pressed further. “Moon, seriously, what’s wrong?”

He paused before responding—an uncharacteristic hesitation that you picked up on immediately. When he did speak again, his voice held a note of irritation and, beneath that, vulnerability. “I didn’t like him asking you.”

Your eyes widened at the admission, heart jumping in your chest. “Wait…are you…jealous?”

“No,” came the naptime attendant’s childish growl. It slipped out before he could stop it, eyes flashing briefly in denial.

“Uh-huh…” you bit back a smile, not believing him for a second. Despite your playful tone, feelings were building up fast behind your carefully-constructed walls.

With an agitated static-laced grumble, he snapped his head away to glare at a random Monty plush on the floor. “Maybe. Slightly.”

Your stomach flipped. Realization finally dawned—terrifyingly-clear and dangerously-overwhelming—causing a searing heat to rise to your face. Moon was actually upset—jealous—because he genuinely felt something for you. Not just playful teasing or a strange possessiveness, but something deeper. Something real.

And, you finally understood, you felt it too…

“Oh, god,” you whispered, taking a step back as panic suddenly flashed—white-hot and stinging in its clarity. “Oh, no”.

Moon tilted his head, confused by your reaction. “Y/N?”

“I—I think I have to go,” you scrambled for an excuse, heart hammering beneath your colorful nametag. “I just remembered—something—I need to check something—”

Without another word, you turned and practically fled, leaving Moon staring after you with a bewildered expression on his faceplate.

Nearby, Sun approached, cautious and confused. “Moon?” he asked, voice soft and optics flickering after your rapidly-retreating form. “What just happened?”

With an irritated rumble, Moon flashed a look at his golden twin. “Apparently, Sunshine, I have feelings.”

Sun’s optics flickered in a combination of amused sympathy and understanding. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

“So am I,” Moon sighed, slumping to the padded floor in melodramatic despair.

“Welcome to the club!” Sun giggled with a pat to his counterpart’s nightcap.

[or13m]

A Reprieve, an Undertale story chapter 017

Your new flower shop was a home away from home.

A warm haven tucked safely away from the bustling city outside, music playing from an old jukebox Red managed to get working again. The soothing scent of roses, lavender, and lilies wrapped comfortably around you as you worked. Flowers and plants of all shapes, sizes, and colors filled the shelves, their vibrant blooms a striking contrast against the glow of fairy lights strung around the assortment of pots and vases.

You stood behind the counter, wiping soil from your fingers onto your apron. A fond smile played about your lips as you watched Ash and Red get into yet another animated debate about floral arrangements.

“i’m tellin’ ya, ash,” Red grumbled, eyeing the gardener’s meticulous bow-tying methods, “bouquets don’t gotta have fancy ribbons all the damn time.”

Ash merely shook his head, grin wide with his own amusement. He adjusted the delicate silk ribbon on his flowers, admiring the blue sheen. “it’s called having taste… something you wouldn’t understand.”

You smothered the snort of laughter the best you could. Their antics always caught you off guard no matter how many times you witnessed them. Red zeroed in on your silent amusement, crimson eyelights narrowing with playful menace.

“you can’t seriously be sidin’ with this snob, sweetheart,” he drawled, golden tooth glinting in the late afternoon light. He nudged your shoulder. The scent of smoke and cinnamon curled around you like a welcome breeze. “back me up here, will ya?”

You pretended to consider for a moment before signing, eyes dancing with mischief, “Actually, I like the ribbon. It’s cute.”

The sharp-toothed skeleton groaned at your answer. He pressed a skeletal palm to his chest like you’d wounded him. “betrayal! you’ve cut me deep.”

From his perch at the register–comfy chair and all–Sans cracked open one lazy socket. “maybe ya both should stop ribbin’ each other an’ get back to work,” he poked, amusement coloring his exhausted tone.

“your jokes are killin’ me, vanilla.” Red turned to glare at the “light” version of himself.

Sans just shrugged, not a care in the world. “c’mon, don’t be so sternum. it’s unbecoming.”

His edgy counterpart’s eyelights promised murder, but your silent laughter stopped him. A warmth spread through your chest at the silly banter. You could see Red’s irritation already softening into something more playful and impish. His grin sharpened and he moved, without warning, to trap you against the counter. You knew that you could push him away if you’d wanted to. He never forced anything, staying a gentleman through every date you’ve had these past several months.

His gaze dropped pointedly to your lips and you felt your soul jump in response, excited.

“ya got somethin’ right there, sweetheart,” he teased, voice low and intimate. “let me–”

A sudden flash of blue magic announced Sans’s arrival from the other side of the counter. He gently grasped your chin, leaving you time to pull back if you wanted before pressing a quick kiss to your lips. Heat rushed to your cheeks before you could blink. You felt just as stunned as Red looked.

Sans smirked lazily at the other skeleton, a self-satisfied gleam in his sockets. “heh. snooze ya lose, pal.”

“you sneaky bastard!” Red sputtered, though there was a flicker of amusement behind the bravado.

“gotta keep ya on your toes.” Sans shrugged again, eyelights twinkling.

Ash chuckled, entertained by the interaction while Red continued to spout off false outrage. You joined the kind-hearted skeleton, cheeks still warm from the unexpected affection.

A gentle chime from above the door interrupted them. All eyes turned to see Blue and Nox enter the shop, holding flowers and looking effortlessly composed. Blue crossed the room with confident but hurried strides, grin large and warm as he presented you with a vibrant red rose.

“DARLING!” he greeted cheerfully, brushing a kiss across your knuckles like a knight from a fairy tale. “I do hope you haven’t forgotten about our date tonight?”

The blush in your cheeks reignited at the echo of his touch on your skin. Before you could reply, Nox stepped neatly beside Blue, handing you an elegant but striking black rose. His eyelights softened at you before he spoke. “NEITHER OF US WOULD FORGIVE YOU FOR STANDING US UP, DEAREST.”

Your soul fluttered in your chest, warmed by the promise of your three’s date tonight. Accepting the roses, you signed with a shy smile, “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“GOOD,” Nox responded with a satisfied grin.

The tender moment shattered when the door opened once more. A group of noisy skeletons and one singular human among them entered the flower shop.

S/N and the Papyruses–Stretch, Rus, Papyrus, Edge, and Poplar. They chatted, crowding just inside the entryway until Stretch raised his voice.

“so, when’re ya all gettin’ married? Or–better yet–when are we expectin’ little bones?”

You choked at the words and the deadpan way he had delivered them, fingers freezing mid-sign. Heat rushed to your head and trickled down your neck as embarrassment held you in thrall.

“REALLY, STRETCH? NOW?” Edge hissed, sharp and irritated. He shook his head, sockets narrowed at the poor timing.

“STRETCH!” Papyrus sputtered, scandalized. “THIS IS HARDLY THE APPROPRIATE TIME–”

Nox interrupted smoothly, voice dry but edged with sarcasm. “CONSIDERING THAT WOULD REQUIRE A VERY SPECIFIC ACT FIRST, PERHAPS THE QUESTION IS SOMEWHAT PREMATURE…”

Involuntarily, your gaze flicked nervously toward Ash. Your eyes briefly locked in a panicked instant before hastily looking away. He was doing no better than you in the blushing department. You resembled a strawberry while he looked like a blueberry.

Unfortunately for you both, that fraction of a second hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Red’s sockets widened before his grin turned positively wicked. “holy shit–you two already–?”

You ducked your head, embarrassment radiating from every inch of you while Ash suddenly found something incredibly interesting on the ceiling.

“OH MY STARS!” Blue gasped. His own grin widened in delight while a teasing sparkle entered his gaze. “HOW DELIGHTFULLY SCANDALOUS!”

Nox merely shook his skull, though his sockets danced with a quiet amusement. “WELL NOW, THAT’S CERTAINLY NEW INFORMATION.”

S/N burst into laughter. “Wow, sib,” they teased, a mischievous smile playing about their lips, “didn’t know you had it in you.”

Face burning hotter, you signed rapidly while trying to hide behind Ash’s broad frame. “Please stop!”

“what’s wrong, sweetheart? cat got your hands?” Red leaned in closer, teeth wide in his characteristic smirk.

You shot him a half-hearted glare, even as Ash chuckled at how you’d both been caught. He pulled you in closer to his side, thumb rubbing your shoulder in an effort to soothe you.

With a resigned sigh, you accepted defeat.

“c’mon, sweetheart,” Red continued to poke and prod. His voice was teasing but loving. “admit it–you love us.”

“Maybe just a little,” you signed with a huff, unable to keep your sass from seeping through. Genuine affection filled your expression when Sans chuckled at your response and Red’s smile softened just slightly.

After months of fear and uncertainty, you’d finally found your forever. Who knew this was where your path would take you when a big, burly skeleton monster had come into your yard to ask about tomato plants?

[or13m]

Feline Feelings, a FNaF story chapter 014

You stared blankly at the two kitten bots perched atop your cluttered coffee table, your entire existence unraveling in real time. Memories flashed through your mind. Weeks upon weeks of gentle kisses, cuddles, and whispered affections—all directed at two adorable and seemingly-harmless felines who turned out to be anything but.

“Oh my god,” you whispered, voice cracking as realization struck. “I’ve been kissing you both. Constantly. For weeks.”

Moon tilted his sleek, dark-blue head, ears tilted forward with rapt attention. His red optics shone brightly with unrestrained amusement. “You can keep doing that.”

A strangled sound left your throat at the suggestion, cheeks burning hotter than the surface of the sun. “ABSOLUTELY NOT!”

Delight brightened the lunar kitten’s gaze further. The tip of his tail flicked behind him. Your existential crisis was clearly entertaining to him. “Are you sure? I rather enjoyed—”

“STOP,” you shrieked, flinging both hands over your burning face as if you could physically block the embarrassment from reaching your brain. Your voice rose several octaves. “Weeks! I kissed you both every single day—oh my god! I cuddled the daycare attendants—my coworkers—!”

Sun—curled into the tightest, tiniest ball physically possible—whimpered. Shame radiated from him like a physical wave as the white of his optics flickered in rapid succession. “Moon, please—please stop talking!”

His darker counterpart ignored the desperate plea, opting, instead, to stretch languidly beside him as if this was little more than a friendly chat. “It was hardly unpleasant. If anything, you could certainly do it more.”

An agonized groan left your lips before you collapsed onto the couch cushions. Curling around an overstuffed pillow, you prayed for strength–the strength to not dropkick the naptime bot straight through your window. “This can’t be happening…”

“W-we’re sorry, Y/N!” Sun’s voice cried from his crumpled form where he was trying to take up as little space as possible. “We didn’t—we didn’t exactly plan—”

“Speak for yourself,” Moon snorted with absolutely no remorse.

Sun hissed at him, humiliation fueling his indignation. “Moon! Shut UP!”

Your head shot up. Pointing an accusing finger directly at Moon, cheeks burning bright, you snapped, “Do either of you have any idea how mortifying this is?!”

“A little embarrassment never hurt anyone, Starlight,” the naptime attendant—who had been masquerading as your pet cat this whole time—practically purred in that raspy voice of his you had annoyingly been growing attracted to.

Ignoring the deepening flush heating your skin, you narrowed your eyes at him. “YOU don’t get to talk! You don’t even know the meaning of the word!” The accusation didn’t seem to deter him. If anything, he looked more smug than ever, tail sweeping playfully over the coffee table.

Sun dropped his nose back to the wooden grain with a metallic clank, paws covering his face. “I—I think I’m going to permanently deactivate now…” he muttered miserably.

“My life is officially a disaster,” you moaned with a dramatic flop to your back so you could mope at the ceiling. You stared hard at the popcorn texture as if it could offer some magical escape from this nightmare that you’d stumbled into.

Moon leapt from the coffee table onto your stomach. As if staking his claim, he settled himself squarely on your abdomen, metal body curled up and warm. “Oh, please,” he crooned. “You’re enjoying every second of this.”

You narrowed your eyes to glare at his smug little face. “I’m seriously considering returning you both to Cassie.”

“No, you’re not.”

You scowled, blush burning hotter when you realized that Moon was absolutely right. With a defeated sigh, you let your head fall back against the cushion. Your dignity was officially shattered beyond recognition and the feline using your body as a throne was all too smug about it. He flicked his tail as the weak glow from your tableside lamp reflected off his pretty metal plating.

His golden counterpart, on the other hand, was anything but flippant. Sun whimpered from his spot on the table, paws still hiding as much of his face as possible. While your pride had vanished in the blink of a certain crimson eye, his reputation had taken a devastating blow.

You and Sun were positive that you were never going to recover from this. And Moon clearly intended to make sure neither of you ever forgot it.

[or13m]

Baited Breath, a FNaF story chapter 018

You weren’t sure how long you stayed curled at the edge of the wading pool, nestled into the pillows and blankets Sun had piled around you. Their warm scent still lingered—familiar and comforting—clinging to the soft fabric. Unfortunately, it didn’t chase away the unease still twisting in your chest. The theater was quiet now, peaceful even, but your thoughts felt loud.

In the security office nearby, Moon’s long fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard. You could faintly hear the soft clicks of keys through the slightly ajar door—a steady rhythm that matched the nervous flutter of your heart. Vanessa stood just behind him, arms crossed and usual casual stance now rigid. Concern, perhaps, or curiosity? Either way, her presence gave the whole scene an added sense of urgency.

“You sure you’re gonna find something useful?” the blonde security guard asked, voice low but audible to your sharp ears. You may not fully understand what your lunar-themed friend was looking for, but you knew it had something to do with you. Your past, your secrets, things locked away behind firewalls and encryptions.

Moon paused, his faceplate tilting thoughtfully before continuing his search as he worked through layers of security that had stumped his internal systems before. Even from your spot near the water, you felt the tension rising. He was close—close to answers neither of you were sure you were ready to hear.

Finally, a quiet chime from the computer signaled success. He was in.

There was a beat of silence before Vanessa spoke, her voice suddenly tight with apprehension. “You actually got in?”

Moon remained silent for a moment before leaning forward as the data flooded the screen. The glow of his red optics narrowed as they swept over the documents. You lifted your head from the blankets, tail curling tighter around a fluffy star-shaped pillow as anxiety clawed at your throat. Your earfins flicked, straining to hear their hushed exchange drifting out of the office door.

“Most of it’s redacted,” Moon rasped, voice edged with frustration.

The woman behind him sighed, taking a step closer to read over his shoulder for herself. “Figures. Anything useful at all?”

He didn’t answer at first. Scrolling through the endless files at a speed that no human could hope to follow, he saw that every page was littered with thick black bars that concealed whatever secrets they’d once held. You couldn’t see what they were reading, but the tension was palpable even from here. You could tell that it wasn’t good.

Vanessa’s voice dropped low when Moon happened to pause just long enough on a document that her green eyes caught on a familiar word. “Wait, there! What’s that?”

The animatronic froze, hand hovering above the keyboard and gaze locked on a single, exposed line of text that stood out starkly amidst the redactions.

Subject 042: Prior status — HUMAN.

“They were human?” the blonde gasped, eyes wide.

Moon’s silence stretched unbearably long, as if his servos had stalled. Your own heart pounded from within your makeshift nest. Confusion flooded you. Human? You couldn’t have heard that right, could you?

But Moon confirmed it, voice wracked with a guilt that he had no part in creating. “Yes.”

You pressed your fingertips to your tail, the cool black scales suddenly foreign and unsettling. A sick feeling tightened in your stomach and your glowing speckles shimmered in sync with it beneath your touch.

Human. You’d once been human?

Your head spun with the possibility, but you struggled to fully comprehend it. Fragmented memories… That strange sense of familiarity with things you shouldn’t… Was this why?

Vanessa’s voice was quieter still, barely audible to your unnaturally-sharp hearing. “Forty-two trials. They were the only survivor…”

“Yes,” Moon’s voice was tight, strained. The claws of his hands dug into the desk, uncaring of the damage. “They were.”

Your body trembled in response to the revelations. If you’d been human once, then what had happened to the others? The chill running down your spine answered your question before the naptime attendant could voice it.

“Then what happened to the rest?” Vanessa spoke your question aloud.

Silence filled the room. Moon didn’t have to answer her. He couldn’t. You heard the splintering of wood as his fingers tightened their grip on the desk. The weight of his own unanswered questions hung heavily between them.

Did you remember who you’d been before? Did you want to?

You burrowed deeper into the comforting pile of blankets and pillows, hiding within their shadows. Dread built steadily beneath your skin as the truth that had been uncovered made your heart race.

The answers you sought might be more painful than you’d ever imagined.

[or13m]

A Reprieve, an Undertale story chapter 016

The silence that Sans left in his wake was crushing. A heavy pressure sank deeply into your chest where your soul throbbed, radiating pain outward. It was sharp, but not completely-unbearable. You pressed so tightly against Ash’s chest that you could feel each individual rib bone through his clothing. The nearness of his soul to your own was all that kept you from flying off the edge…

Before anyone could attempt to gather their thoughts, a knock at the door broke the oppressive quiet. Without waiting for a response, the door swung open, and Alice stepped inside. Her usual dramatic flair was gone, her once-confident footsteps were now hesitant and cautious while she glanced around the room.

Everyone stared at her in stunned disbelief.

Alice paused, arching an eyebrow with faint amusement. “What? Cat got your tongues?” Her gaze softened when it landed on you. The sarcasm died, making way for genuine concern. “Okay, look—I know I was kind of awful before,” she admitted with a sigh, “but I was worried. And I may have…accidentally overheard pretty much everything.” She gestured toward the open window near the porch.

You blinked, hardly able to believe what was happening right now. You may have been unconscious for most of it, but it had hardly been a couple of days since you were consoling a drunk Alice at the bar. She seemed almost like a normal person now, rather than the giddy high school girl persona she had put on before.

“you were eavesdropping?” Ash chuckled in his deep baritone of a voice, sounding more amused than annoyed.

The redhead—how many bottles of dye did she go through in a month, seriously?—shrugged, entirely unapologetic. “I prefer to call it ‘accidental information gathering’. Either way, you’re all clearly a mess.” A few offended huffs from the prouder skeletons in the room responded to her accusation, but no one voiced any argument. “Believe it or not, relationship chaos is kind of my specialty. Plus,” she smiled as she made her way further inside, “I’ve recently met a couple of monsters who swept me off my feet. Turns out that does wonders for my attitude.”

You vaguely recalled that she coordinated weddings for a living, particularly monster ones. You heard Red snort from where he was leaning against a wall nearby and turned to look at him.

“two? didn’t think you had it in ya,” he grinned, golden tooth glinting in the low light.

The woman flipped her hair with a theatrical flair, smirking. “You’d be surprised.” She then turned her attention back to you, expression thoughtful. “But seriously, why does it have to be Sans specifically? You’re all soulmates, right? Can’t one of the others step up and stabilize their soul instead?”

Her question sparked unease as every single person in the room turned it over in their mind.

Ash’s hold on you tightened, expression darkening. “it’s not that simple,” he sighed, annoyance edging his tone. “my magic is too unstable. i’d risk shattering their soul.”

Anxiety twisted in your stomach at his words. You squeezed his hand despite your own concern, trying to reassure the gardener that had managed to get closer to you than anyone ever had before.

Blue’s own features were tense. “MY SOUL’S POWERFUL, TOO. I DON’T WANT TO HURT THEM ANY MORE THAN THEY ALREADY ARE.”

“SAME HERE,” Nox admitted, his purple eyelights narrowed in frustration. “WE’RE ALL STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE. EXCEPT TWO.” His gaze shifted meaningfully toward Red, then to the empty space where Sans had stood moments earlier.

The two who’d always been the most hesitant.

Red’s boney expression immediately shifted into a scowl. His eyelights dimmed as he looked away from the scene to stare at the floor, uncertainty wavering in his sockets. You studied him, realization dawning. You had watched him for weeks—months, even—strut around with a confident swagger that made you slightly envious. While his flirting with Alice had made you uncomfortable, the genuine warmth and care he’d directed at you had quickly endeared him to you. He had managed to carve a place into your heart without even trying, just like the others, but he was more distant. Always keeping himself just out of reach…but never out of sight.

“You don’t think you’re good enough,” you signed, knowing that his gaze was still on you despite his facade of avoidance.

Red’s jaw clenched, clearly uncomfortable at being exposed, but he didn’t deny it. No clever quips to shake off the accusation. No sharp insults to poke holes in the theory.

Just a quiet acceptance.

Alice sighed dramatically, successfully regaining the spotlight. “God, you’re all ridiculous! You’re literally destined to be together, and you’re making it way harder than it has to be.” Before anyone could say anything, she leveled you with an impatient look. “What do you want?”

You hesitated, anxiety mounting as all eyes fell on you. With a steadying breath—and a comforting squeeze from Ash—you forced your fingers to make the signs that were the bare truth for these past few months, “I don’t want to hurt anymore.”

That was all the motivation Red needed.

“fuck this,” he growled suddenly, pushing off the wall and striding toward you with fierce determination. Without hesitation, he grabbed your wrist—firm but gentle—to pull you up and into his arms. “we’re done with this bullshit. right now.”

No one stopped him when his magic surged, warm and vibrant crimson enveloping you both as it whisked you away from the living room and into the void.

.::Elsewhere::.

You stumbled when you reappeared, briefly dizzy from the sudden teleportation. You steadied yourself against Red, chest tight when you recognized the sounds of water flowing and leaves rustling above. A familiar clearing met your eyes when you got your bearings. A beautiful spot of nature not far from the cabin you all had stayed at. Your soul thumped against your ribs, pulling your attention to a spot near the river’s edge.

Sans sat hunched over on a fallen log. His shoulders were slumped and blue magic sparked around his fingertips. He stiffened immediately when he sensed your presence. “red,” he muttered, voice rough and strained. “what the hell are ya doin’?”

Red huffed, impatience etched deeply between his browbones. He released your wrist but stayed close. “ending this pity party. you’re hurtin’ them more by hiding here.”

“it’s not that simple,” Sans sighed, gaze fixed blankly on the rippling water. His eyelights had reappeared, but they were dim—distant.

You stepped forward, cautious, as if he would up and disappear again at the wrong move. Carefully, you settled beside him on the log, hand hovering for a moment before finally resting it on his shoulder. Sans flinched beneath your touch, the depth of his guilt almost palpable. You could hear Red’s shoes crunching the leaves behind you as he inched closer, but kept your focus on the skeleton by your side.

“Do you know what fully soulbonding means?” you signed, gentle but curious.

Sans exhaled, breath shaky and eyelights dim with a doubt that you could faintly feel through your half-bond. “do you?” He flicked his gaze to your face, but made no move to retreat this time.

You offered him an understanding, albeit sheepish, smile. “Not exactly, but I’d rather not endure another soul attack to find out.”

A dry, humorless chuckle left his teeth at that. He finally turned his gaze to meet yours fully. Seeing the quiet resolve in your eyes, his expression softened. “heh. guess ya got a point, kitten.”

You smiled, feeling the heat blooming in your cheeks at the pet name. Behind you, Red cleared his throat in an exaggerated manner, breaking the moment. “so? what’s it gonna be, vanilla?” There was a teasing lilt to his voice, as if he already knew the answer.

Sans held your gaze, studying you closely. Fate had tied you to him—the one he’d tried so desperately to protect, knowing how fragile your soul had been the moment he’d met you. But he had only ended up hurting you more… A weary sigh escaped him, shoulders slumping in defeat.

“i guess,” he finally admitted, voice heavy with resignation and hope, “i can’t keep running from this.”

His edgy alternate let out a loud snort, shaking his skull in mock exasperation. “bout damn time! it was getting tibia-breaking watching you two mope around.”

“really, red?” Sans groaned, pinching the bridge of his nasal bone in long-suffering annoyance. “right now?”

Red just shrugged with a smirk. “someone has to lighten the mood. you two were getting way too bone-deep into your feelings.”

Despite yourself, your shoulders shook with silent laughter, warmth softening the tension in your chest. Beside you, Sans’s mouth finally quirked upward into a genuine smile, relief evident in the way he relaxed.

For the first time since this all began, the path forward finally seemed clear.

[or13m]

A Reprieve, an Undertale story chapter 015

The comfort that had finally settled over the room was brief as the front door violently slammed open. It rattled the house like a thunderclap and sent a bolt of panic rushing through your chest.

“SANS! WE’VE GOT A BIG PROBLEM!”

Undyne’s voice tore through the house with her usual subtlety. The edgier skeletons–and you–calmed slightly at the familiar monster, but still kept tense. If she was here, then that had to mean that Alphys had news. As if to prove such a point, the fish monster stormed inside, her single eye blazing with determination. Alphys clung desperately to her back, white lab coat flapping behind her, glasses askew, and looking to all the world like a startled bird that had got caught up in a hurricane.

It would have been amusing if the situation wasn't so dire.

“what the hell–?!” Red snapped, irritation spiking.

Undyne ignored him entirely, rounding on Sans instead. “It’s Y/N!” she growled, fangs flashing in the lamplight.

The shift in atmosphere was immediate. The tension suddenly came back–sharper and heavier than before. Sans stiffened visibly, eyelights dimming and posture going rigid.

“what about them?” he mumbled, cautious. The forced calmness in his voice had grown dangerously-thin. He was already walking a tightrope, soul taut as a bowstring and ready to snap from the stress of keeping you safe.

Alphys scrambled down from her girlfriend’s back. She barely managed to keep herself upright as she adjusted her glasses with trembling hands. “W–We figured it out! We know exactly what’s damaging their soul!”

The silence that followed felt suffocating. Your heart was slamming against your ribs while dread pooled low in your gut. It may be the answer you were seeking, but you still weren’t ready to hear it with the way they were eyeing Sans like he was the culprit.

Ash’s arms tightened around you. The scent of soil and plants helped to ground you. On reflex, you grabbed his sleeve, breath hitching in anxious anticipation.

“It’s you, Sans,” the yellow lizard said, her voice small but firm. Her eyes held clear sorrow in their gaze as she watched her skeleton friend digest the news. Clearly, it was not a conclusion that she had wanted to come to, but it was necessary to voice it aloud.

The lead of the house stilled. His eyelights petered out, casting the sockets into black pits like his soul had stopped beating altogether. Not one bone so much as twitched as the heaviness of the moment weighed heavily down on him.

Ash’s growl was low, dangerous, and threaded with barely-controlled frustration. “what?” The uncharacteristic ferocity coming from the gardener barely registered in your mind as you, too, struggled to process the revelation.

Alphys flinched but pressed on bravely. “It–it’s your magic, Sans,” she admitted, twisting the hem of her lab coat with anxious claws. “When Y/N defended S/N, your magic reacted and formed a partial bond. But now, without completing that connection, your magic is trapped inside their soul. It’s ricocheting constantly, damaging them more every moment.”

Your chest squeezed painfully tight, nausea rising sharply. With trembling hands, you signed, “So…that’s why it’s getting worse?”

Alphys nodded, her expression softening with guilt. “Yes. Normally, soulmate magic flows freely, stabilizing both souls. But since your bond is incomplete, it has nowhere else to go. Y/N’s soul is absorbing constant blows.”

Sans didn’t speak. He stood frozen, shoulders tense and eyes hollowed. It was as if Alphys’s words had gutted him entirely.

Nox finally broke the unsettling atmosphere. His purple eyelights cut through the unease, and he took a meaningful step forward. “THEN HOW THE HELL DO WE FIX IT?”

Alphys hesitated, the intensity of their stares eating away at what little courage she had managed to scrounge up. “There…there are only two options.”

“SPIT IT OUT ALREADY!” Edge snarled from his position near the back of the couch where S/N sat. Impatience etched into the line of his jaw while his eyelights flicked down to his own soulmate–your sibling–as they clung desperately to your hand.

Alphys drew in a shaky breath, steeling herself. “Either complete the bond…or destroy it altogether.”

No one spoke, the unvoiced question lingering in the air:

What happens if you destroy a soulmate bond?

Alphys cringed, clearly distressed. She didn’t have to hear the words to know what they were all thinking. “Soulmate bonds are legendary, mysterious even to us monsters,” she launched into a brief scientific ramble–her way of coping with the situation. “We barely understand their true nature. Severing the connection wouldn’t erase that they’re soulmates, but it might permanently damage both their souls. Possibly beyond repair.”

Your pulsed hammered in your chest, blood roaring in your ears. That did not sound great. Hardly much of a solution…

Red’s voice was low and dark. His next words voiced your thoughts aloud. “so, you’re saying their only real choice is to risk something we barely understand or fully commit right now?” The crimson of his eyes sizzled with agitation at Alphys’s helpless nod.

“then we complete the bond,” Ash declared with zero hesitation, tone final. You could feel his grip tighten around you–protective and defiant–as if daring anyone to disagree.

“Wait!” the scientist protested, eyes wide and hands held up in the universal sign to stop. “Humans have never soulbonded fully with monsters before. We have no idea what the consequences might be!”

“THEY’RE ALREADY SUFFERING,” Nox snapped, patience frayed beyond repair. “WHAT THE HELL ELSE CAN WE DO?”

“We have to think carefully!” Al insisted, voice desperate. “If we rush this, we could cause even more damage!”

Throughout the rising chaos, Sans remained silent. He had withdrawn deep into his own thoughts, not a flicker of that familiar white appearing in his sockets. You glanced toward him, anxiety clawing at your insides. You were concerned for him, well-aware of how he always carried all the weight on his shoulders. He always took responsibility for everyone else, even at detriment to himself. Carefully, you signed his name, hands trembling. Despite the lack of eyelights, you hoped that he could still see you.

He didn’t move. Didn’t acknowledge your hesitant motions.

Your soul squeezed in your chest as if in response to whatever he was experiencing. Without thinking, your fingers rose to fidget with the edge of your eyepatch. The nervous habit barely registered before Ash gently caught your wrist to guide your hand back down. You shot him an apologetic glance, trying to breathe through the rising panic.

Heart racing, you tried again, expression pleading openly. “Sans, please–”

He flinched, shoulders trembling. In the next instant, blue magic crackled to life. The air shimmered with a flash of void for a brief moment, and then–

Sans was gone.

In the wake of his abrupt departure, silence fell once more–thicker and more suffocating than ever before.

[or13m]

Ink Wells and Dark Spells, a BATIM story chapter 018

It was almost surreal how much had changed in just a few short months. Gone were the endless corridors of dripping ink and dark nightmares of Joey Drew Studios. In their place stood a warmly lit tavern that practically burst with life and laughter.

Your tail flicked nervously behind you as you carried a tray filled with glasses, weaving between tables crowded with both humans and toons. At first, it had been overwhelming—so many people and so many voices—but now it felt like home. You caught sight of Alice effortlessly balancing her own trays loaded with drinks and appetizers. Her angelic smile drew adoring glances from the patrons despite the corrupted half of her face she insisted was a “horrendous flaw”.

You and the others maintained that it was a battle scar that she could wear proudly. She was slowly, but surely, starting to see it that way.

“Keep up, Mouse!” she teased as she breezed past, halo practically sparkling in the cozy lighting.

“Easy for you to say!” you huffed with a playful flick of your heart-tipped tail. A smile lingered on your lips despite the nerves that still fluttered in your gut from the large crowd.

Behind the bar, Allison laughed as she mixed some drinks. Her movements were graceful and confident—used to the chaos of their little found family. Beside her, Tom stood silently, polishing glasses. As always, he kept a watchful eye out for any trouble, but he was no longer fiercely suspicious. He offered you a subtle nod of encouragement when you passed.

Boris cheerfully greeted new customers at the door with silent enthusiasm, handing out menus before directing guests to open seats. He’d become the gentle heart of the establishment. Humans and toons alike adored the kind wolf toon.

Your eyes sought out the two figures you loved most.

Bendy stood behind the polished wooden counter of the bar. He was chatting animatedly with a human customer, his charm infectious and eyes twinkling with mischief. Nearby, Ink lingered, as large and imposing as ever. His once-bulky and dripping form was softer now—more protective than monstrous. A loose white button-up, dark-grey slacks, and a goldenrod tie that he always kept loosely draped around his spindly neck now clothed his form. Occasionally, he’d shoot a sharp glare at any patrons who lingered a bit too long with their glances on you. His hard stare would always soften when it met yours, though.

You slipped behind the counter, giving your two loves a shy smile. Ink’s massive hand reached out to gently brush a stray lock of hair behind your ear. A pleasant shiver trailed down your spine at the innocent affection.

“You look tired,” he murmured, his deep rumble soft and soothing as always.

“Just a busy night,” you admitted with a sigh. Your tail subconsciously intertwined with his own. “But I think I finally found my rhythm.”

“Of course ya did!” came Bendy’s playful voice. He popped up behind you to wrap an arm around your waist. “Ya got us lookin’ out for ya, Sugar. Can’t go wrong.”

You leaned comfortably against him, relaxing into his familiar embrace. “Yes, I suppose,” you snickered, amused by the toon’s confidence.

Ink chuckled as he pulled you both closer. The massive, once intimidating ink demon now seemed softer, but he was no less powerful. His presence still commanded respect, but the fierce edge had mellowed out.

“Hey, lovebirds!” Audrey’s voice called from the tavern entrance, interrupting the moment. She gave a cheerful wave as she wove through the bustling crowd with Henry at her side. “Nice to see business booming.”

Henry offered a gentle smile, eyes crinkling warmly. “It suits you three.”

Ink inclined his head, quiet but respectful. There was still some awkwardness between himself and the old animator, but he no longer felt the need to rip him to shreds. It was progress…

Bendy, meanwhile, beamed, puffing out his chest with pride. “Yeah! We did pretty good, didn’t we?”

Audrey chuckled with a shake of her head. “You should’ve seen Roger’s reaction when he heard Bendy opened up his own place. He’s planning to bring Jessica by sometime.” Her smile widened. “Mickey and Goofy already can’t stop talking about it.”

“Do you think they’ll like us?” you hummed, nerves visible in the way your tail tightened and your fingers twisted into your apron.

“Of course,” the woman assured, leaning against the counter with a fond expression on her face. “They’re dying to meet the heroes who broke a curse on an entire animation studio.”

Bendy’s face lit up…if that was even possible with how bright his expression already was. “Guess that means we’re famous, huh?”

“Don’t let it get to your head,” Ink rumbled, amused.

The toon shot him a mock glare before pressing a kiss to your cheek. Your heart fluttered. “Nah, Mouse is the famous one! We’re just lucky they decided to keep us around.”

His taller counterpart shook his head, a soft growl rumbling deep in his chest. He didn’t argue, however, leaning down to press his own lips to your forehead. “We’re lucky for much more than that.”

You smiled, leaning into their embrace. The once terrifying ink machine, Joey Drew’s curse—all of it seemed impossibly distant. Now, a future brighter than you’d ever imagined had replaced it.

Here, with Ink’s quiet devotion and Bendy’s boundless energy surrounding you, you knew that you had something truly special.

Now, you are free.

[or13m]

Feline Feelings, a FNaF story chapter 013

In hindsight, you really, really should have known better.

In fact, looking back on it, you realized it had been painfully obvious that something suspicious was going on. Sun had practically thrown you out of the daycare…again. “SEE YOU TOMORROW, SUNSHINE! BYE-BYE NOW!” still echoed in your ears before he’d slammed the door shut in your face. Moon had just stood there in the shadows, entirely too amused and giving you a lazy wave and smirk as if to mock you.

Your curiosity had finally outgrown your anxiety.

So you, being clever (but not clever enough, apparently), decided to double back after a few minutes. You tiptoed down the hallway, knowing that the two daycare attendants always left for the maintenance area after the daycare closed. Moon had let that slip about a couple weeks into working with them. Your heart hammered in your chest as you approached the slightly ajar door, nudging it open–

–and immediately freezing in disbelief.

Inside–beneath the fluorescent lighting–were Sun and Moon’s towering animatronic bodies. They stood completely motionless, optics dark and lifeless. Directly in front of them, sitting on the table and staring back at you, were two extremely familiar kitten bots–one golden, shrinking back into himself in total horror, and the other dark-blue, radiating pure, smug amusement.

“Oh,” you whispered, voice faint from shock. “Oh my god…”

Sun–the tiny golden menace–let out a small, panicked mewl before frantically trying to hide his face beneath trembling metal paws. His ears flattened so completely against his skull that they nearly vanished into the rest of his gleaming form.

Moon, however, didn’t even pretend to be guilty. He sat there–all pride and self-satisfaction–red optics staring you down like he was issuing you a challenge. You could practically hear him thinking, ‘Took you long enough.’

You jabbed a shaking finger back and forth between the motionless animatronics and the tiny kittens. “You–you two have been–this whole time?!”

Sun shrank further, meowing pitifully. Moon’s tail swished happily behind him, delighted and unapologetic.

Before your brain could even attempt to recover from this sudden reality-shattering revelation, a snort of laughter sounded directly behind you. You spun around, heart leaping into your throat before spotting Cassie. She leaned casually against the doorframe, tablet in hand and an amused smirk plastered to her face.

“Oh,” she drawled, taking in the chaotic scene with undisguised joy. “You finally caught them, huh?”

Your voice cracked, “Caught them? Wait–you knew about this?!”

The dark-haired woman gave a nonchalant shrug. “Maybe,” her voice was full of barely-contained laughter boiling just beneath the surface.

Sun bolted for your leg, pawing desperately at your ankle. Frantic meows slipped from his feline mouth and you just knew that he was pleading for mercy at your feet. Moon, losing patience with the dramatics, tilted his sleek little head toward Cassie, optics glowing brighter.

The mechanic rolled her eyes at his expectant gaze. Tapping quickly on her tablet, she huffed, “Alright, fine. Voices on.”

Moon instantly took advantage of whatever new switch that had been flipped, his eyes narrowing into delighted slits. “Well, hello again, Starlight,” he purred in his usual deep rasp.

You nearly leapt straight out of your skin, hands flying to your mouth. “OH MY GOD, YOU CAN TALK?!”

Sun made a small, miserable static-filled whimper. “Moon, I blame you entirely.”

His lunar counterpart ignored him, leaping off the desk in a graceful arc with practice ease. He met your wide-eyed stare with an amused flick of his tail. “You’re taking this surprisingly well.”

“No, I’m not!” you managed to squeak out, voice high-pitched and heart racing beneath your ribs. “I am having a complete mental breakdown right now!”

Cassie promptly doubled over laughing at your admission. It seemed she had reached her breaking point as tears streamed down her face. “Oh my god! This is even better than I imagined!”

“Cassie, please–please stop laughing,” Sun begged in glitched static, utterly miserable by this unexpected turn of events.

She only lost it more at that, clinging to the doorframe as she wheezed. Moon sat back, proud of the chaos he’d so expertly orchestrated.

Burying your burning face in your hands–voice muffled–you groaned, “I really should’ve known better…”

If it was even possible, Moon’s obnoxious attitude intensified. “Yes,” he agreed smoothly. “You really should have.”

[or13m]

Feline Feelings, a FNaF story chapter 012

Sun had never been a fan of jealousy.

He’d always considered it exhausting, pointless, and utterly beneath him.

But right now, watching your overly confident neighbor lean casually in your doorway with that obnoxious grin on his face. Well…Sun was experiencing a growing urge to commit actual murder…

And judging by Moon’s dangerously narrowed optics and swishing tail, he wasn’t alone.

The man–entirely oblivious to the fact that he was seconds away from certain doom–offered you a dazzling bouquet of red roses. That irritating smile widened further, much to Sun and Moon’s displeasure. “You know,” he crooned in a sickenly-sweet voice that he clearly thought was suave and cool, “these reminded me of you.”

Sun’s metal jaw nearly hit the floor. The white of his optics brightened in absolute horror while his ears pinned back to his head. ‘Absolutely not!’

‘Oh, he’s dead,’ Moon hissed, low and dangerous. His own ears were flattened against his tiny skull–a sign of agitation and ferocity. ‘Painfully dead.’

You gave an awkward laugh, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and discomfort. Shifting from foot to foot, you reluctantly accepted the flowers. You’d learned from experience that doing so would make them leave faster. “Oh…thanks. That’s…nice of you?” Your words were polite but strained.

Sun’s internal systems crackled with indignation. Moon’s optics glowed brighter as they narrowed into slits of pure menace.

The neighbor–oblivious to the tiny killers plotting his demise–flashed an even more confident grin, encouraged by the acceptance. “Maybe next time you’ll let me buy you dinner?”

Sun bristled. His fans audibly whirred to life from how quickly he went from silently seething to boiling outrage. Moon’s claws clicked ominously against the floor, faring no better than his counterpart. ‘Dinner? He won’t survive past breakfast…’

“Maybe another time?” you declined with a tight smile. Your eyes looked anywhere but at the man’s expectant gaze. To most, he was the epitome of “handsome”–baby-blue eyes, cocky grin, neatly-trimmed hair, and a symmetrical face.

To you? Well, guess you had different tastes…

A certain pair of sweet– and one frustratingly-mischievous–daycare attendants flashed into your brain before you very quickly banished the thought.

“I’m…actually kinda busy–” you started to edge backwards, withdrawing into your little apartment.

“Alright, beautiful,” he purred, cutting you off before you could even think of a good excuse. “I’ll hold you to that.”

You barely withheld the flinch at the victorious expression he now wore before you shut the door in his face.

The second the lock clicked into place, Sun and Moon exchanged a single, purposeful glance, expressions reflecting their shared fury.

Those flowers wouldn’t survive the night.

.::later that night::.

You woke the next morning to absolute chaos.

At first, you weren’t even sure if you were fully awake. Rubbing your eyes of sleep, you stared blankly at the sea of red petals scattered across the apartment. Shredded rose stems and leaves littered every possible surface. Even your laptop had not been spared. It looked like a botanical massacre had taken place overnight.

At the center of the destruction sat two familiar kitten bots. Both posed proudly amidst the carnage, optics glowing brightly in the early morning light.

“Oh my god!” you gasped, bolting upright when the sight finally registered in your brain. “Sun! Moon! What did you two do?!”

Sun shrank into himself immediately, having the decency to at least act guilty. He sank low to the floor, his tail and ears twitching in a visible display of his shame and embarrassment. Moon, however, merely tilted his head, tail swishing pleasantly behind him and eyes full of innocent confusion. He was entirely unrepentant.

You groaned loudly before sliding off the bed, taking care to avoid stepping on the wreckage scattered around you. “These were nice! Why would you–?”

The golden kitten made a quiet, miserable noise. Despite his eyes having no pupils, you could still tell that he was avoiding your gaze. Moon’s were not. A satisfied gleam brightened the red of his optics. It was very apparent that he was proud of the catastrophe he’d helped to create.

With a heavy sigh, you bent down to scoop the two tiny culprits into your arms. “Seriously, guys? Do I have to lock away all my gifts now?”

Sun responded by rubbing the top of his head against your neck in what must have been a desperate apology, soft purrs vibrating in his chassis. You could feel the irritation filter out of you, gently scratching behind his ears despite yourself.

Moon huffed like he was offended you were even pretending to be upset. He settled more comfortably into your hold, purring louder than his solar twin as if it was a competition.

“You two are ridiculous,” you mumbled, but couldn’t prevent the fondness from seeping into your words. Kissing the top of each feline’s head, you admitted defeat. “You’re lucky I love you.”

Sun glitched, optics flickering violently at the admission and fans whirring loudly even in this small form. Moon’s purr intensified, claiming victory.

You shook your head, cuddling them both closer as you started your daily morning routine. The fierce possessiveness that had inspired the floral crime scene went entirely over your head.

Moon, however, considered their message loud and clear: your neighbor was a dick. Even Sun had to agree…although he planned on being a bit less destructive next time…

[or13m]

Baited Breath, a FNaF story chapter 017

The quiet moment shattered the instant the doors opened.

Your heart leapt into your throat and the peace you’d found melted away. Instinctively, you drew back, tail flicking beneath the water while your glow dimmed.

Roxanne Wolf stepped further into the room. Her golden gaze cut through the dim lighting, assessing everything with amused curiosity. Beside her, Montgomery Gator towered, all muscle and teeth, his sunglasses catching the faint aquarium glow as he flashed a cocky, toothy grin.

“Told you they’d be here,” Roxy snickered as she took in the scene—Sun still flustered, Moon sitting beside him with a cautious gaze, and you frozen at the pool’s edge.

“Wasn’t exactly hard to guess,” Monty snorted, crossing his scaled arms.

Glamrock Freddy followed behind them, calm and gentle. Despite his imposing size—much larger than you thought he’d be—there was a kindness to his expression. He offered you a soft and reassuring smile, kneeling a cautious distance away.

“Hello there, Star,” he greeted, voice deep and warm. “We’ve heard quite a lot about you.”

You didn’t respond, words catching in your throat. Instead, you drew back even further. Your fingertips dug into the smooth rim of the pool as you clutched it tight. Their presence felt heavy and overwhelming. It made your heart beat frantically in your chest.

Moon noticed your distress immediately. His body shifted just enough to shield you from view. “Apparently too much.” His scarlet eyes flicked to Freddy’s blue gaze. The gentle-hearted bear animatronic hummed in understanding.

Sun, finally snapping out of his earlier daze, quickly assessed your fear. The brightness in his optics dimmed and a protective tension you’d never seen before replaced his fluster. Your unease became his, visible in the sudden tightness of his limbs and the slight retraction of his rays.

“They’re scared,” he breathed, concern coloring every word. It wasn’t a question—it was a realization. One that hung heavily in the air between all of you.

Before Moon, Sun, or even Freddy could say more, Chica bounced forward. Enthusiasm sparkled brightly in her purple eyes when she spotted you.

“Oh my gosh, they’re adorable!” she squealed.

You flinched at the sudden, loud excitement, heart jolting painfully beneath your ribcage. You pressed yourself further into the pool’s edge in a desperate effort to still the tremors beginning to stir in your body.

Moon clicked his tongue, irritated. His scarlet eyes cut a sharp glare in the bird animatronic’s direction. “Quiet, Chica.”

The bubbly bot froze mid-step, finally noticing your fearful posture and wide eyes. Her cheerful expression faded into genuine remorse. “Oh…oops.”

Sun swiftly moved forward to make himself a barrier between you and the nosy Glamrocks. His voice was bright but firm. “Alright, everyone! Let’s—let’s just take it slow and maybe step back, hm?”

Monty’s smirk softened into something thoughtful. “Not a bad instinct,” he admitted with a casual shrug. “Being cautious around people.”

“They’ve met people before, Monty,” Roxy pointed out, arching a brow at him before drifting back to you and your two “protectors”. A knowing smirk curled onto her muzzle. “Clearly, they’re just attached to these two.”

Neither daycare attendant denied it.

Your earfins twitched as your pulse thundered louder in your ears. The weight of their gazes—curious, questioning, and evaluating—shrouded you. It was suffocating, making each breath shallow and harder than the last. Anxiety began to shift into panic as old memories tightened their grip…

Then, Freddy’s deep and soothing voice spoke again, “We won’t overwhelm you, Star. But I hope, someday, we can earn your trust.”

You stared at him, caught off-guard by the gentleness he regarded you with. Still, you couldn’t help but be drawn back to Sun and Moon. They’d never made you feel like this—trapped and helpless.

You made your decision in a heartbeat.

Without another thought, you twisted around sharply. Water splashed when your tail swiped powerfully to push you out of the shallows to seek shelter in the shadow of Moon’s larger frame. You pressed yourself tightly against his side, his metal plating cool against your flushed skin.

Moon went still, optics flickering in surprise. Sun’s entire system gave an audible sizzle, rays jerking out in surprise.

The Glamrocks stood frozen, silent for once.

It wasn’t until Monty broke the silence with a low whistle that anyone moved. “Well, damn.”

Sun snapped out of his shock immediately. “ALRIGHT! SHOW’S OVER! EVERYBODY OUT!” His voice was shrill—frantic. He began shooing the stars of the Pizzaplex back toward the exit with wide, exaggerated gestures. “We’re closed! Goodnight, goodbye, thank you very much—OUT!”

“But we just—” Chica protested, pouting in confusion.

“OUT!” Sun repeated with an edge of panic to his tone.

Monty chuckled, thoroughly amused but allowing himself to be herded out the door. “You’re gonna have to let them meet people sometime, Sun.”

“NOT TODAY! GOODNIGHT!”

Roxy’s laughter faded behind the closing doors, and finally, mercifully, silence fell.

The golden animatronic sagged against the door, bells jingling on his wrists as he rubbed his faceplate. He was exhausted, muttering something incomprehensible before turning back to the tank.

You were still pressed against Moon. A faint tremble shook your body while your tail curled around the bot’s lap, unaware of how the water dripping from your scales dampened the star-patterned cloth of his pants.

Moon glanced down at you, a smug smile slowly sliding onto his faceplate. “Well,” he spoke softly, a mischievous glint in his eyelights, “that was interesting.”

Sun’s rays spun at his twin’s words and at how closely you pressed against him. His voice came out high and incredulous. “You—they—what?!”

Calm as ever, Moon wrapped one arm around your huddled form. He pulled you in a little closer to his chassis, throwing Sun a teasing smirk. “Jealous, Sunshine?”

His reaction was immediate. “I AM NOT—!”

“Mmmhmm,” Moon hummed. The steam puffing out of his counterpart’s vents very clearly proved otherwise. Beneath his teasing, Moon’s expression shifted. His gaze softened when he returned his attention to you, smirk fading into genuine concern. “You’re alright, Starlight. They’re gone now.”

Sun’s protests faded when reality slapped him in the face. A serious look fell over his own features, worry pulling at the silicone skin and tiny mechanisms beneath. “…They’re really scared.”

“They’re always scared,” Moon corrected, resting his chin atop your damp hair and fingers gently brushing your arm as if to soothe the lingering anxiety. “The real question is why?”

They didn’t have an answer yet, but you felt safer nestled within the lunar animatronic’s arms. You didn’t know why you had reacted so strongly to the Glamrocks’ presence, but you knew that Sun and Moon would stop at nothing until they found out.

And neither would you.

[or13m]

Feline Feelings, a FNaF story chapter 011

It was late.

That quiet hour of the night when the world seemed to hold its breath. Your room was shrouded in shadows and moonlight.

You had just begun to drift into that blissful haze between sleep and wakefulness when you heard it–a suspiciously familiar rustle at the foot of your bed. Soon after, an irritated growl followed it, unmistakable in its deep timbre.

You cracked open one eye, already bracing yourself for whatever chaos awaited you.

In the dim silvery glow spilling through the bedroom window, you spotted the source of the disturbance. A small, dark-blue kitten bot was thrashing about in your sheets. Moon had gotten himself twisted up in the fabric, his metal paws flailing dramatically. Even his long, elegant tail flicked wildly in agitation, the segmented casing batting helplessly against the white cotton. Every attempt at escape only tangled him further.

You bit down on your lip, desperately trying to contain the bubble of laughter rising in your throat. “Moon,” you whispered, voice shaking with suppressed giggles, “what on earth are you doing?”

Moon froze at the sound of your voice. The red of his optics flared when they snapped toward you, an expression of wounded pride somehow conveying across his feline features. He gave an indignant meow, as if blaming you for his current predicament. With renewed effort, he resumed his wrestling match with the sheets.

“Oh no,” you breathed, laughter finally bursting free. Your shoulders shook uncontrollably. Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes when Moon finally flopped onto his side, defeated. The cloth had wrapped so much around him that he resembled a kitten-shaped burrito. All that was left sticking out were his tiny head and the tip of his tail. “Oh my god, you’re a disaster!”

The dark-toned feline shot you a glare so sharp and offended that you nearly snorted. If a kitten bot could plot murder, Moon was definitely planning yours at this exact moment.

Across the mattress, a small golden form watched the scene unfold with abject horror. Sun’s tiny paws covered his optics, embarrassment radiating off him in waves.

Moon hissed, writhing more from pure frustration. Sun’s small voice crackled with anxiety. ‘Moon! This is so humiliating! Why–why would you even–?!’

Moon gave him a sharp, warning growl that translated quite clearly into ‘shut up.’

Sun whimpered as he paced back and forth on tiny metal paws. Secondhand embarrassment whirred anxiously in his chassis, white optics flickering in the dim lighting.

Still chuckling, you finally reached over and gently untangled your kitten from the traitorous bedding. “Hold still, you tiny menace.”

Moon immediately went limp, seemingly pouting while you worked to free him. His dignity was shredded, but the moment he was loose, he launched himself onto your chest. Curling up against your throat like he belonged there, he began to purr as if making up for lost time.

“Feel better?” you teased, still far too amused. You scratched the metal plating beneath his chin, earning louder purrs in response. Moon’s scarlet eyes flicked towards his golden twin. If a cat could look smug, he certainly achieved that. It was like the cat that got the canary–all sass and victory radiating from his slender form despite the earlier humiliation.

Sun released another low, distressed whine from the edge of the bed. His gaze–soft but reserved–watched you shower his counterpart in affection with a flicker in his optics. You turned toward him, stroking Moon’s back to soothe him from his distress.

“Aw, Sun,” you teased, giving him a warm smile. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous?”

His tiny body twitched, static squeaks escaping his voice box while his eyes widened with panic. Moon purred louder in satisfaction, delighted by Sun’s misery.

You giggled again, shaking your head before reaching out. You scooped Sun up with your free arm to bring him close to your chest. He froze, ears flicking nervously, before melting beneath the tender kiss you pressed against his forehead.

“See?” you whispered. “There’s plenty of room for both of you.” Carefully, you settled back into the pillows, balancing both kittens atop you as you lay down.

Sun sighed deeply, still radiating embarrassment but treasuring every ounce of your innocent affection. Moon merely cuddled closer, tail flicking in absolute triumph.

Moon may have lost whatever dignity he’d still retained, and Sun’s was hanging by a thread, but neither could truly complain.

They were exactly where they wanted to be.

[or13m]

A Reprieve, an Undertale story chapter 014

The living room in the skeleton household was unusually tense.

You sat curled on the couch with one hand gripping tightly to Ash’s sleeve like a lifeline. Ash didn’t move away; instead, he leaned closer. His presence was like a balm over your raw emotions. S/N sat pressed to your other side, knees pulled tightly to their chest to make themself appear even smaller under the weight of the others’ gazes. Stretch lounged on the couch next to them, but even his posture was rigid.

Standing before you—forming a loose semi-circle—were…well, basically, the entire skeleton household. Each of them radiated tension: Nox’s purple eyelights glowed fiercely beneath furrowed browbones, his arms crossed so tightly it was a wonder his bones didn’t snap. Red paced in front of the tv, irritation evident in the sparks of magic crackling at his fingertips. Edge stood ramrod straight, a fierce scowl set into his features. Even Mutt lingered quietly behind the group, wary but watchful. Blue shifted anxiously from foot to foot, his usual cheerful persona subdued under heavy concern. Papyrus and Poplar hovered in the kitchen doorway, worried creases carved deep between their eye sockets.

“so,” Sans finally broke the silence, his usual lazy drawl taut with stress. He gave a slow exhale as if to brace himself. “let’s talk about that night.”

S/N drew in a sharp breath, their shoulders stiffening. Your gaze dropped instantly. Shadows danced on the edges of your mind, memories that you tried to avoid now pressing in.

“We already pieced most of it together,” Nox admitted. “But we want to hear it directly from you two.” His purple eyelights narrowed, softening slightly when they settled on you.

Silence hung heavy in the air before S/N decided to speak. Their fingers twisted together, nerves overtaking their usual confidence. Stretch settled a skeletal hand atop them to offer some semblance of support. They gave him a grateful—albeit shaky—smile. “I…don’t remember much,” they breathed. You leaned further into their side when they faltered. S/N steadied themself with a breath before continuing. “I remember rain, and—and how they cornered us. I remember Y/N standing between me and them.” Their voice shook, breaking at the memory. “And then..then…”

“then they got their asses handed to them,” Red finished for them, tone dry as dust.

S/N nodded. “Yeah… Something happened. I don’t remember clearly, but Y/N was hurt, and suddenly, we were safe.”

Sans finally spoke up. Shadows filled his sockets at the retelling of events, magic flickering wildly beneath his bones at those nasty humans and what they’d tried to do. “alphys told me that y/n nearly dusted them.”

His words hit hard, causing the tension in the room to double. S/N snapped their gaze toward you, eyes wide in shock. “You—?”

Shaking your head emphatically, you quickly signed your defense with trembling hands. “I didn’t mean to! I just wanted them to stop! I wanted to keep us safe!”

Sans exhaled heavily. He hadn’t meant for that to sound so accusatory. Rubbing the bridge of his nasal bone, he tried to correct his mistake. “i know—”

“Of course we know,” Nox cut in with an irritable growl to his voice.

You snapped your head up, confusion obvious in your wide eyes.

What?

Even Edge scoffed, his eyelights rolling in his skull. “YOU THOUGHT WE WOULDN’T RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK?”

Mutt shrugged. “saw the reports. knew exactly how far it went, but also knew why you did it.”

“We watched you closely,” Nox admitted, his voice softer when his attention returned to you. “Had to make sure you weren’t dangerous.”

Red stopped his pacing to level you with a thoughtful gaze, a wry smile pulling at the corners of his teeth. “didn’t take long to figure out you weren’t some secret psychopath. you were protecting family.”

Sans rolled his eyes, but the tightness of his grin lessened. Of course the edgier of them all had done their homework on their neighbors. The state of their undergrounds had prepared them for anything.

“you could’ve told us…how much you were hurting…” Ash shifted forward, voice soft but firm. “why carry this alone?”

You hesitated. At S/N’s encouraging nod, your hands moved slowly but surely. “Because it wasn’t your burden to carry.”

Red snorted loudly at that, shaking his head. “oh, sweetheart, trust me, it is now.”

Blue stepped forward. There was obvious concern on his skull, showing plainly for all to see. “Did you honestly think we’d let you deal with this alone?”

You shifted in your seat, uncomfortable by the question. “It wasn’t your problem,” you signed, avoiding their gazes. It’s not like this was your fault…entirely. You just weren’t used to handing off the reins to someone else—sharing the burden, dividing the load.

Sans chuckled. “pretty sure if you’re stuck with us boneheads, your problems are our problems, kitten. no bones about it.”

“REALLY, SANS? NOW?” Papyrus demanded with his hands on his hips and a stern look in his sockets. Despite his words, you could see the flicker of relief in his posture now that the tension had been broken.

The lazy skeleton simply shrugged in response. “just tryin’ to lighten the mood. you could say the pressure in here was bone-crushing.”

“PLEASE STOP,” Edge groaned, looking seconds away from using Sans’s head as a bowling ball.

Your lips twitched despite yourself. Even S/N stifled a soft giggle. The tightness of the room eased enough for you both to finally breathe.

Blue’s expression softened further. “We forgive you, Princess. You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.”

You blinked, taken aback by both his words and the new pet name. “Just like that?”

Nox rolled his eyelights dramatically. “YOU’RE OURS. OF COURSE WE FORGIVE YOU.” His voice had reverted back to his usual boisterous tone, as if to prove that things were back to normal between you all.

Warmth flooded your chest, spreading onto your cheeks. Of course, you were embarrassed, but the claim felt…comforting. Pleasant.

But there was one more thing to deal with first…

”About that,” you signed with a deep breath.

Every skeleton stiffened, attention sharp and focused on you. Only Mutt and Stretch seemed to be relaxed, exchanging a knowing look and twin grins. They were the closest to S/N so you weren’t surprised that they had pegged what subject you were bringing up.

“I overheard the conversation in the car after the cabin trip. About soulmates?” Your gaze flickered between Sans and those that looked similar to him—everyone in the vehicle at the time. Your heart raced when you saw them tense.

“and?” Red prompted, expression guarded but curious.

“I know you’re mine,” you signed slowly, fixing each of them with a pointed glance to indicate who you were referring to: Nox, Sans, Blue, Ash, and Red.

S/N remained suspiciously silent.

Great. Seemed everyone knew but you…

“Also…” you hesitated before going full-steam ahead. “You asked me once about the multiverse? Is that why you all look so similar? And that I have multiple soulmates?”

Absolute silence followed. Only Mutt and Stretch struggled to hold in their snickers. Of course, it had been those two who had brought it up, out of the blue, one day.

“did they just—?” Red started before Sans cut him off.

“they did.”

“It’s obvious,” you signed, expression deadpan. “Same faces, different circumstances, and slight personality shifts. Clearly, you’re different versions from different worlds.”

S/N stared at you, bewildered. Apparently, they hadn’t caught on. “How long have you known that?”

You shrugged. It wasn’t like it all hit you at once. You had just now gotten verification for your theory. The skeletons’ reactions had seen to that.

Nox groaned as Edge sighed simultaneously. “OF COURSE OUR SOULMATE IS A FUCKING GENIUS.”

Blue laughed while rubbing the back of his skull, nervous but thankful. “S-SO WE REALLY DON’T HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE WEIRDEST PART NOW?”

Sans shook his head, amusement glinting in his eyes. “nope. they figured it out first.”

“Was I not supposed to?” You flushed, embarrassed.

“we expected panic, maybe a fainting spell. not casual acceptance, sweetheart,” Red chuckled, running a hand over his skull.

With a tilt of your head, you signed as dryly as you could, “You’re literally walking, talking skeletons. The multiverse isn’t exactly a stretch.”

Sans snorted, finally relaxing. “alright, fair enough.”

And just like that, the room’s earlier tension melted away. A comforting warmth replaced it.

[or13m]

Ink Wells and Dark Spells, a BATIM story chapter 017

The ink around you was silent at last.

You lay against Bendy’s small form, feeling his rapid heartbeat beneath your cheek. The steady pulse kept you grounded in reality. It kept you aware that you were still alive—stable and whole. Your vision cleared as you forced your eyelids open with every ounce of strength you had left. Like a switch had been flipped, the exhaustion that had threatened to drag you away from your loves retreated at long last.

“Mouse?” Bendy’s voice broke into your awareness, fragile as glass. Tears welled in his large eyes, threatening to spill over to stain more ink over his cheeks. “Are ya…are ya really okay?”

Weakly, you lifted a hand to cup his cheek. Your thumb brushed away the streaks of black beneath his eye, the ink—as usual—sinking into your skin. “I’m okay,” you whispered with what you hoped was a reassuring smile. You took in a shaky breath, relieved beyond measure that you had avoided being felled alongside the curse. The constant burning in your veins had eased and the gnawing hunger in your gut had finally disappeared. “Better than I’ve ever felt, actually.”

A massive, comforting presence approached from behind. Ink knelt close, claws trembling just enough for you to see. There was a rare uncertainty flickering behind his grin when he cradled your face between his large but gentle hands. The golden glow of his eyes softened—a mixture of relief and lingering fear still swirling in their depths. He leaned forward to rest his forehead against yours.

“You scared us,” Ink’s rumble made your stomach flip. “Don’t ever do that again.”

A soft laugh fluttered out of your mouth even as tears blurred your vision. “No promises,” you teased. Despite the tremble in your voice, you felt safe in their arms. Secured and loved.

The ink demon grumbled in affectionate exasperation before dipping his head to claim your lips in a tender, powerful kiss. It felt like liquid fire flooding your veins—alive and real. It washed away any remaining trace of fear. After a bit, he slowly pulled back, albeit reluctantly. His glowing gaze brightened at the sight of your now-pink face.

Before he could make some teasing comment on it, however, his toon counterpart decided he’d waited long enough.

“My turn!” Bendy interrupted with an impatient huff. Nudging Ink aside, he leaned forward to claim your lips for himself. His kiss was sweeter—filled with an innocent warmth that melted your heart. By the time he pulled back, his eyes were wide and bright while your face was probably on the verge of becoming a tomato.

“Better?” you managed to whisper, brushing your fingers along his horns and struggling to get your racing heart back to its normal rate.

“Much,” he sniffled, pressing his cheek against yours and tightening his arms around your neck.

Someone clearing their throat nearby drew your attention. The heat beneath your skin—that you had just gotten under control—bloomed hotly once more when you caught sight of Audrey and Henry approaching you three. They had witnessed the entire loving display. Audrey approached cautiously, but with a bright and knowing smile lighting her face.

“It’s really over,” she said softly, eyes—no longer shining yellow from the curse, but their actual gray-blue—full of relief. “The curse, Joey’s mistakes—all of it. You did it.”

Henry stepped forward. His own expression was full of pride as he offered you a hand to help you to your feet. Ink growled softly beneath his breath, but made no move to shoo him away as the animator pulled you up. “I still can’t quite believe it, but we’re all finally free. Thanks to you.”

“We did this together,” you indicated the two demons supporting you from either side, tail flicking nervously behind you.

“I think it’s time you three had a real future,” Audrey spoke up with a warm, thoughtful expression. “The studio doesn’t have a hold on you anymore. There’s an entire world waiting out there—one already filled with toons. Mickey, Goofy, even Roger Rabbit.” She paused to giggle at the mention of the final toon, as if something about him was amusing. “They’ve found homes and families. You can, too.”

Bendy’s eyes widened. His tail wagged so hard it was practically vibrating. “We can leave? Really leave?” he squeaked in disbelief. His eyes were bright and hopeful as they searched the two humans’ faces for any sign of deception.

Ink hesitated. His glowing gaze—no longer hidden by a constant stream of ink—shifted toward you. You could feel the uncertainty radiating from him. Gently, you took his massive clawed hand in both of your own, squeezing to reassure him. “We can do this. Together,” you promised. Excitement and nerves twisted together in your own chest, but you knew that you could do this journey. As long as you had these two by your side.

Bendy tugged at Ink’s other arm—as insistent and adorably-stubborn as a child…or a Devil Darling toon. “Come on, Ink! You heard them—we can have a new life! Just us three.”

A heavy sigh slipped from the toon’s taller and more-monstrous counterpart. A rare tenderness softened his features when his gaze dropped to your intertwined fingers. “As long as we stay together.”

“Forever,” you promised. You pulled his arm, rising up on your toes meaningfully. Taking the hint, Ink leaned down to your level to give your lips a chaste kiss.

Bendy wedged himself between you both, cheeks puffed in exaggerated protest. “Hey! Don’t leave me out!”

Ink grumbled but wrapped an arm around the toon while his other curled around your waist, pulling you both in close. You laughed at the pair’s playful banter, heart swelling with a sense of belonging.

Henry and Audrey exchanged a quiet, meaningful glance before the older man spoke again. “I’d be honored to help however I can.”

Audrey nodded with a grateful smile playing about her lips. “That would be helpful. We’ve got a lot of people to relocate and help integrate into both societies.”

Hope blossomed inside you as you listened to the two come up with ideas and discuss the finer details. Everything was real. It was all really happening. You could hardly believe it. Beside you, Bendy excitedly began chatting about everything he wanted to do in the outside world. Ink watched him fondly despite his playful interruptions every now and then. Your fingers tightened around both of their hands, anticipation fluttering inside your chest.

You glanced over your shoulder, getting one final look at the true heart of the ink machine—the curse that had trapped you all for so very long. No longer was there a pull to drag you back. No longer was there a hunger to force you to feed it.

It was just an empty, quiet husk of a dream that an old man had a long time ago. One that he had regretted and tried to fix. Probably died believing that it never would.

But now, his creations—all of you—were free. Free to live. Free to love.

And for the first time since you’d woken in this strange, ink-stained realm, you knew that your future was bright.

[or13m]

Ink Wells and Dark Spells, a BATIM story chapter 016

The air inside the Ink Machine pressed down on you like a heavy, wet blanket, thick with the scent of old ink and something deeper. Something rotten festered beneath the surface. Black sludge oozed from towering pipes, sluggish rivers of ink pulsed like veins—alive and hungry. The further you moved, the more the machine groaned. The walls shifted with each step as if the studio could feel you trespassing. Watching. Waiting.

Even Ink had never been this far…

Your foot slipped. The ink beneath you was slick—too unstable—and your balance faltered. Before you could hit the ground, a firm grip locked around your arm to pull you upright. Your vision swam, shapes twisting and distorting until a familiar face settled into your view—Bendy. His cartoon eyes were filled with worry.

“You okay, Sugar?” His voice was soft, but the tension in his fingers betrayed the unease he tried to mask.

You nodded, though the motion made your head spin. Your tail instinctively coiled around his own, grounding yourself in his warmth. “We’re close,” you whispered. You could feel it in your bones—your ink? The hunger that gnawed at your insides had worsened, sinking its claws into your ribs, but you shoved the sensation aside. You couldn’t afford to slow down. Not now.

Ink strode ahead, silent but commanding. He was steadier than ever—his form no longer plagued by the constant drip of black sludge. He was whole. Powerful. His hidden eyes burned with determination, locked onto whatever waited for them in the heart of the machine.

And then you saw it.

The center of the chamber loomed before you. A grotesque, writhing mass of ink pulsated like a living organ, stretching black tendrils outward like fingers searching for unsuspecting prey. It beat in a slow, unnatural rhythm, feeding off…

Feeding off you.

You could feel it now more than ever–the sharp twinge inside of you in perfect sync with this thing’s unsettling twitch. It was sharply and unnervingly clear…

Suddenly, the ink surged forward as if sensing their presence, twisting and reshaping itself into something else. A face—warped and shifting—formed in the blackness. Your eyes widened at the familiar visage of the man you’d seen in your dream. His eyes were no longer full of remorse but anger and hatred. Bitterness screamed from every inky line in his cheeks and forehead. His mouth twisted into a scowl when his pupiless gaze settled upon the three of you.

Joey Drew. Or, at the very least, a piece of him left behind.

“I gave you life,” he—it—growled, voice warping and layered. The creature didn’t sound human, it sounded wrong. “And you—my creations—dare to defy me?”

Bendy tensed beside you, his gloved fists clenched at his sides. “We aren’t yours anymore!”

The figure growled before the human-like face dissolved back into the ink. It didn’t take long for it to reform into a featureless and mindless beast—reminiscent of the ink demon’s old form that you’d been told about when Ink and Bendy had still had one mind. It lunged at the three of you, snarling.

Bendy barely dodged its claws as they slammed down where he had stood. His hand gripped your wrist, yanking you with him to get you out of harm’s way. Ink roared, charging forward and clashing with the monster of his past. Their impact shook the walls, sending splatters of ink flying. Your heart thundered within your chest, but your focus locked onto the grotesque thing pulsing at the center of the room. Its rhythm had changed—faster and more erratic.

As if desperate to survive, knowing that its end was near.

Your legs felt weak, your body fading fast, but you forced yourself forward. Despite his hesitation, Bendy let you go, turning to help your big and bad third partner distract the thing that guarded the heart of the ink machine. You could feel the curse reaching for you, its presence snaking through your ribs and into your gut. It was urging you to stop, but you didn’t.

Not when everything depended on this. Not when everyone depended on you.

Ignoring the sounds of fighting behind you—snarls, crashes, and clever little quips from the toon you’d come to love—you plunged your hands into the inky core.

The pain was instant. A searing agony crawled up your arms, sinking into your veins like acid, but the ink could not stick to your skin. It just sank—disappeared—as your body soaked it up like dry paper. A guttural scream ripped through the air. The beast staggered as if it had been struck.

“NO!” it bellowed in Joey’s voice as it snapped back to face you.

Black tendrils shot out from the creature, racing towards your vulnerable form. Before they could reach you, however, Bendy moved…

His little body slammed into yours, knocking you backward and ripping your limbs from the pulsating mass of ink. The beast crashed into him instead and sent him flying into a wall. The toon dropped to the floor while Ink reclaimed the creature’s attention with a slash of claws and a snarled threat. For a moment, you couldn’t breathe, but you saw movement when Bendy tried to get up.

“Mouse,” his voice cracked, arms trembling but alive.

“NOW!” Ink roared from the battlefield, his massive claws sinking deep into the beast’s chest to hold it in place. To your surprise, the constant flow of ink concealing his eyes slowed and you caught his golden eyes flicking towards you.

Your breath caught, but you obeyed the order. You couldn’t stop now.

Plunging your arms deeper into the heart, you gritted your teeth against the pain piercing your skin and threading through your insides. The world spun around you as the curse fought desperately to survive. It pulled, twisted, and consumed, but you dug your fingers further. You didn’t know what you were searching for, but you were nearly shoulder deep when your fingertips finally brushed against something noticeably solid.

A furious bellow from behind you gave you the strength to tighten your grasp—

And rip your arms out of the mass.

CRACK!

A deafening sound shattered the air when the heart ruptured. Ink exploded outward like a tidal wave, sweeping you off your feet to tumble over the wooden floorboards. The beast let out a final, distorted, agonized scream as its form collapsed before dissolving into nothing.

Then…silence.

The piece in your hands—a strange-looking stone covered in glowing runes—crumbled into dust. The ink machine itself seemed to sense the destruction, giving one last, shuddering groan before falling still. An eerie quiet settled over the old studio. Walls no longer pulsed, ink no longer flowed through the pipes, and even the endless black liquid pooling in the corners began to drain away.

Your body finally gave out.

You barely registered the thunk your head and upper body made when they hit the floor, breath ragged and uneven. Your fingers scraped the wooden grain as they clenched and unclenched in a futile effort to get back up. The ever-present hunger in your gut had vanished, but it seemed the damage had been done.

A familiar touch settled on your upper back—Bendy.

His hands gripped your shoulders, shaking. ”Mouse!” his voice was shrill and desperate. “Stay with us! Please, stay with us!”

You tried to answer. Tried to say anything, but nothing came.

Your vision blurred, black spots creeping at the edges. Your body felt lighter than it should. Something inside of you—something wrong—seemed to be pulling you away.

Ink stood frozen nearby, staring. His golden eyes—always so sharp and unwavering—were wide with fear. His claws twitched at his sides, helpless.

“No,” he rasped, voice breaking into a low growl. “You can’t leave us.”

Their voices faded, drowned out beneath the hollow ringing in your ears. Bendy’s grip on you tightened, shaking, but his voice was slipping away.

“Mouse!”

His cry tangled with Ink’s roar. Both voices were raw and desperate, but the darkness was swallowing you whole.

Everything went silent.

[or13m]

Feline Feelings, a FNaF story chapter 010

Sun had officially reached his breaking point.

It was bad enough that he had to endure your endless, affectionate kisses every night as a tiny robotic kitten—something that Moon shamelessly enjoyed. But now, even at work in his full animatronic body, Sun couldn’t escape the memory of your fingers scratching behind his ears, your laughter, and worst of all: those kisses.

Twenty-seven, exactly. Not that he’d been counting.

Now, every time you brushed past him in the daycare—every accidental touch, every innocent smile, even just the scent of your shampoo—sent his internal systems into absolute chaos. His cooling fans worked overtime, roaring embarrassingly loud whenever you got too close.

Moon, of course, had noticed immediately.

“Having trouble focusing, Sunshine?” Moon whispered as he passed by, smirking wickedly. “Maybe you’re thinking about how much they like kissing that little spot right behind your ear?”

Sun froze in the middle of organizing the crayons, feeling his fans kick into overdrive. “Moon, I swear—”

Moon chuckled darkly. It was clear that he was enjoying every second of his counterpart’s suffering. “I wonder what they’d think if they knew exactly how much you enjoyed it.”

Sun’s circuits nearly fried on the spot. “Please stop talking.”

He quickly spun around, desperate to avoid the imp’s mischievous antics—and immediately collided with you. You had been reaching around him for the art supplies, not expecting him to suddenly move in the middle of a task he seemed so focused on completing.

“Oh! Sorry, Sun,” you mumbled, steadying yourself by placing a hand on his arm. It was an innocent touch. You were completely unaware of the catastrophic effect it was having…

Sun’s entire system short-circuited.

His voice glitched, dissolving into garbled static. Panic spun the rays around his faceplate while his optics flickered dangerously.

“Sun? Are you okay?” A concerned frown pulled at your lips. Had he busted something? Did one of his dives into the ballpit finally knock something out of place?

Sun stared blankly, unable to form coherent words. His interface screamed at him when his core temperature skyrocketed into hazardous territory. “I—I—f-fine—perfectly—great!”

Moon leaned against the nearby counter, optics glittering with mischief and amusement. “You sure, Sunny? You look a little…hot.”

You shot the naptime attendant a confused look before reaching up to touch Sun’s chassis. His cooling fans roared even louder beneath your palm and the two-toned metal felt much-too warm.

“Your fans are working really hard,” you determined, worry threading through your words. “Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”

Moon’s grin widened, but he made no move to get closer. Instead, he crooned directly into the internal comms he still shared with his counterpart. ‘Tell them the truth, Sunbeam. Tell them you’ve been thinking about every little kiss…every gentle touch…’

Sun made a strangled noise of pure distress, his processors choosing that exact moment to fully crash. His systems overloaded, and he slumped to the floor. A blue-screen malfunction flickered in his normally-white optics.

“Sun?!” you called out, alarmed.

A raspy chuckle came from Moon, his scarlet eyes flicking from his golden twin to you with pure enjoyment in their depths. “Well, Starlight, you officially broke him.”

“Wait, what did I do?” You turned to him, baffled and concerned.

Sun could only manage another garbled static noise, mortified beyond belief as his systems struggled to reboot.

“Oh, nothing much,” the darker of the two attendants explained. He appeared far-too smug with his counterpart malfunctioning on the daycare mats. “Just…everything.”