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summerlycoris · 2 months

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Late Night, On A Couch.

Part of ggyweek 2024- nightmare. @ggyweek2024

Early Saturday morning, Vanessa, Freddy, and Gregory will be sneaking into the Pizzaplex.

It’s eleven-fifteen on Thursday night. Vanessa can’t sleep. And, from the noises she just heard from Gregory’s room, he can’t either.

What do you do when you can't get to sleep? Well, Vanessa watches old cartoon movies. Gregory joins in, as they try to avoid the issues scaring them.

Fic also under the cut. About 3800 words iirc.

It's been a massive change.

Over the course of one bittersweet night, Vanessa had gone from living by herself practically out of her car, to living with a talking bear head, and a fourteen-going-on-fifteen year old roommate.

And it was still a little hard to deal with, if she was being honest. Because she'd never exactly been what anyone could call a… maternal woman.

Luckily, Gregory hadn't really asked that of her. If he wanted fatherly advice- he seemed to ask Freddy for it. It wasn't that he hated her or anything. (anymore?) He was just an independent boy. They'd chat and joke around sometimes. About games or movies, or whatever was going on. They could plan together, about what to do regarding… their problem under the Pizzaplex.

It was the kind of plan that takes time. Something like that… they needed to get it right the first time. Because there wouldn't be a second chance to trap it if they failed.

But their hard work would (hopefully) be paying off soon. They had a plan that should be watertight, should work perfectly.

They'd be heading back to the Pizzaplex early Saturday morning. Around one am.

It was Thursday night. Around eleven fifteen pm.

And Vanessa was totally not on edge about it. Totally not awake after struggling to sleep not long ago. Totally not watching an old cartoon movie she remembered her Mom showing her.

…

She was watching it at a low volume, in the small living room of her new apartment. All snuggled up under a blanket she’d stolen from her bed. And leaning sideways against one of the cushions that she'd bought recently, to make the secondhand sofa feel more like theirs. It wasn't a cold night, by any means. She just wanted something around her. She had the volume nearly all the way down, and subtitles on, because it was late and the walls were thin. Because Gregory was asleep for school tomorrow. Because his room was right next to the living room.

… Because the walls were thin, she could hear the sharp gasp, the creaking of springs under him, and his quiet footsteps, before she saw him open his door and stick his head out.

“Hey kiddo. Sorry, did I wake you up?” She asked. He shook his head. Looking at him, while he looked down at the ground, she could see him shaking but trying to hide it.

She hadn’t known him for long, but she did know him. He was still… hesitant around her sometimes. The best way for her to describe what she’d noticed about him was he prefers to approach on his own terms. Which she understood- after a night of being chased by her (and her evil alter ego), it made sense to want some control back.

Besides- theyd been strangers not too long ago.

Because of this, she knew that asking him about it would probably just get an ‘I’m fine’ out of him, before he’d retreat back to his room.

So she didn't say anything, and focused her gaze back on the tv. Keeping an eye out for him with her peripheral vision.

After a bit, she could see him coming over to stand by the couch, and look at the tv. “What are you watching?” He asked.

“Just something I used to watch as a kid. Plenty of room, if you want to watch too.”

After a few seconds, she felt the couch shift a bit, and could see him up the other end. Sitting cross legged, watching intently. Like usual.

He would shiver occasionally. Which wasn’t usual. The night was too warm for that. She grabbed the longer edge of her blanket, and pushed it over, closer to him. After a few seconds, he took it, and pulled it over his lap.

The cartoon went on for a while, as they sat in silence. There was a song at the very end, about how ‘you are a princess, too.’ And then it rolled to credits. She could hear Gregory scoff at that line. And she had to stifle a giggle at his reaction.

Vanessa didn't want to get up. But she also didn't want to go to bed. It was quarter to twelve. But the credits ended, going back to the main menu. And the main menu of this release had a very short loop of music that drove her batty.

So she forced herself up from the couch, narrowly avoiding taking the blanket with her, and popped the dvd out of the player.

“Anything you'd like to request?” She asked him, looking back at him while she put the dvd away in the racks.

“I dunno, something a little less girly and saccharine?” He said, holding up his fingers to show what he meant by ‘a little’.

“Huh. I thought you liked sweet things.” She joked.

“There’s a difference between sweet and saccharine.” He said, before grinning and crossing his arms. “I guess you wouldn't understand, Princess Of Bad Taste.”

“Wow, okay. Rude much?” she jabbed back. “Keep that up, and I'll be the Princess Of Sending You Back To Bed.”

He fought back a laugh, and leant against a cushion, uncrossing his legs under the blanket. “That’s sad. You'll need a new title now. How about… Princess No Fun?”

Now she couldn't help grinning. “You're giving me a new title? Before you even have one of your own? How about, Prince Of Melting My Spatula While Cooking Last Week?”

He sat up properly. “Hey! I only left it in the pan for ten seconds! I don’t care what you say- it was not made of silicon.”

“Sure, buddy. It was totally the spatula’s fault that the omelets were ruined.”

He rolled his eyes, before pulling the blanket completely up over himself. Only his face and a little bit of hair was visible, in the strange little nest he had created for himself. “Geez, Can’t believe you’re doing this to me. Giving me grief about a spatula? After a nightmare? You’re the worst!” He grumbled.

That could've been a legit complaint, except that she knew him. If he was really angry at her, he would’ve cussed her out already and gone back to his room, slamming the door on the way through. He was just doing a bit.

She got the feeling he was messing around, to distract himself from something bigger. Or maybe she was just projecting.

Either way, she didn’t feel guilty about continuing the bit.

“Maybe I am the worst… or maybe, those are the words of some kid who can dish it, but can’t take it.”

His eyes were wide, and he didn't respond for a bit, before sticking his tongue out at her. “Yep! You really are the worst!”

She couldn't hold it back anymore. Even though it was late, and the walls were thin. She burst out laughing, and she could hear him groan and pull the blanket over his eyes, before mumbling “It’s not funny.”

Playtime was over. Maybe she was being too complacent?

She cut her laughter off. “Sorry, Gregory. I thought we were still goofing around.” she remembered what she’d originally been doing, and tried looking for a dvd that was neither ‘too girly’, or ‘too saccharine’. Which wasn't easy- most of these dvds were from when she was a little girl. And when she was little, she loved all that stuff.

While she was searching, Gregory spoke up. “We were, it's just- tonight hasn't been very good. And Freddy needs all the charge he can get. So I can't talk to him right now…” She knew why- they'd only just managed to build up a body for him, so he could help them with… their problem under the pizzaplex. “... Sorry for kinda ruining the mood. What movie are you thinking?”

“Hey, don't apologize. It’s all good. I’m a little tense too, to be honest.” She grabbed one. Possibly saccharine. Probably less girly. An old Rugrats Movie that her Mom had watched when she was little. And then shown to Vanessa when she was little. Maybe when she was three? She turned back to Gregory with it- seeing he now had his face out of the blanket again.

She showed it to him. “I've never seen that one before. What's it like?” He asked.

“It’s a pretty good movie. I can't remember much about it, but don’t worry- it shouldn't be too girly or anything.”

He tilted his head, but didn’t object.

So she put the dvd in. Letting it load, while she made her way back to the couch. She sat down and absentmindedly reached for where she’d left her side of the blanket… which was no longer there. Because of Gregory’s nest. He chuckled as she turned to him with her hands on her hips. “You gonna share my blanket with me at all?”

He put his arms outside his nest, and pulled the blankets closer to him. Almost possessively, with a cheeky grin on his face. “I dunno... finders keepers Nessa.”

She grabbed the nearby cushion and threw it at his head. He caught it easily.

“Sweet- an extra pillow! Thanks Ness!” he tucked it beside him, on top of the previous pillow, before laying on his side.

She rolled her eyes. “Consider it an early Christmas present- and don't expect anything else!” It was an empty threat, and she knew that Gregory knew it. Otherwise he would tell her off.

They probably would've kept chatting and making light, except the movie started. And it caught both of their attentions pretty fast.

Vanessa hadn’t remembered just how sad this one could get. She’d only partially remembered the hijinks, really.

So the scene where Chuckie didn't have a mom to dance with, really got to her. And she felt a little pathetic. For shivering. For wishing she had that blanket back. For holding herself tightly. For wishing she had her mom to talk to, right now. About everything that happened to her. About everything that could happen to her. About saturday- two days- no, one day away now-

I don’t want to die.

…

She was supposed to be an adult. So why was she feeling so childish?

She was jolted out of this trail of thought, by feeling a soft weight against her side. A warm weight, with a pulse and heartbeat she could feel against her. Gregory- now leaning against her, and trying to wrap the blanket around them both. He looked up, realizing she had started looking at him. “You looked cold. So…”

He looked so tired up close, with bags under his eyes. And honestly? A little miserable, too.

“... Is this scene getting to you too?” She asked.

He shrugged.

… He had never really talked about his parents with her before.

It was probably a touchy topic. Because if it wasn’t, he’d be living with them. Instead of with his previously possessed potential murderer.

She didn't know what to say. And she wasn't even sure what to do.

All she knew was that she could feel him shivering, too.

She wrapped an arm around his shoulders, drawing him in a little closer.

And for a second, she thought she had messed up- because he tensed up beside her.

Before she could move or apologize, he sighed and relaxed, closing his eyes.

“I like Freddys hugs more, but they’re not warm.” He whispered.

They were silent for a while.

What was there to say?

Gregory opened his eyes back up after a bit, and watched the movie again. So she did too. The clock ticked onward, until it was nearly twelve-thirty.

She could feel him shift slightly against her, and looked down at him. “I… I had a bad dream.” He whispered. Eyes wide, looking down at his lap. “It should've been a nice dream- my friends were all there. It was my birthday. I turned fifteen. Mom brought out a cake, and everyone cheered. Dad hugged me tight, then brought out presents-” he choked up, and couldn't finish the sentence.

…

They’d had his fifteenth birthday not too long ago. Her and Freddy had thrown it. There were no other guests. She and Gregory had worked together to make a (somewhat dodgy looking) Freddy face cake. And Freddy had suggested some presents to buy, while Gregory was out at school one day. He’d looked happy enough, at his little party. Had a smile on his face. But it hadn’t reached his eyes. She’d theorized on why, but now she knew it.

And he still couldn't say what he wanted to say.

“Hey, it's okay if you can't talk about it right now. We can try again in the morni-”

“No.” He shook his head, for emphasis. “I just. I just need to get the words off my tongue.” So she waited. And paused the movie- no one was watching it anymore. She didn't want to distract him.

It looked like he was trying not to cry. “Maybe you don't get them, but I've had these dreams before. Dreams where people I've… lost, are okay again. And everything’s great again! And they’re weird dreams- because I know they’re dreams. But it’s like I… choose to forget that? And that's when they become nightmares- Because when I wake up, for a moment I still think it’s real.” His voice cracked at the last bit. And she could see his eyes get shiny, with tears, before he turned to her, and buried his face into her shoulder.

She thought she knew him.

But the Gregory she knew wouldn’t cling to her and cry quietly against her shoulder. Because he was too independent for that.

Maybe she didn't know him as well as she thought.

She still had one arm wrapped around his shoulders. He looked like he needed a hug. A real one- not just a sideways one. So she shifted, until she was twisted enough to face him. And she held him tight, while they sat on the couch. She could feel the shoulder of her sleepshirt getting a little damp. She ran her fingers through his hair- her mom had done that for her, years ago. And she tried to sooth him. Not very well- she wasn't nearly as good at this as Freddy was.

“I think I get what you mean. I’ve had some dreams like that, too.” Dreams where she was doing something mundane with her mom and dad, who still loved each other… even household chores felt special in those dreams. “It's okay, it’s okay…”

He shook his head. “No, it’s really not.”

Pulling away from her, he wiped his eyes quickly with his sleeves. And looked up at her. With eyes that were trying to look determined.

He couldn't hide the fear in them.

“No matter what- no matter what- it won’t get me again? Right? Because I’m fast, and older, and I know it’s tricks now.”

… She got what he was really trying to ask.

You won’t let it get me again? Right? I won’t be it’s puppet again? Right? You won’t let me be him again? Right?!

…

She made a promise she desperately hoped she could keep.

“I promise it won’t get you again. Or me. We’re gonna trap it for good, so it can’t hurt anyone else. Just like we planned.”

She squeezed him tightly, and he practically melted into her hug. Sighing, and just thinking for a while.

She could slowly feel his heartbeat slow down, back to its normal pace. Could hear his breathing get a little easier. Could feel the wet patch on her shoulder slowly dry.

When she next checked the clock, it was nearly one am.

And when she turned back to him, he was looking up at her. She could practically see the gears turning in his brain.

As he loosened himself from the hug slightly. Staring up with big puppy dog eyes. “So, I did that thing Freddy tells me to do...”

Sometimes, she can hear Freddy telling Gregory that he needs to ‘Open up to people.’ and ‘Not bottle up your feelings, Superstar.’ Because the walls were thin, and Freddy couldn't be quiet if you paid him.

“... So you won’t send me to school tomorrow, right?”

Back to the usual Gregory, for the most part. Two can play at that game.

She hemmed and hummed over it, exaggerating it for the bit. “Well… I could keep you home… but then you might miss math! And english! And P.E! The wonderful class of physical education- isn’t it baseball season right now?” She sighed, and shook her head, while he groaned. “What kind of a guardian would I be if I let you miss out on such a fun day at school?”

He thought for a moment, a cheeky grin on his face. His eyes were still a bit red, but he was starting to feel a bit better, clearly. (She hoped.) “You’d be the best kind of guardian?”

“Really?” He nodded. “Because a little birdie told me earlier… that I was the worst!”

She quickly ruffled his hair, somehow making it look neater than it usually looked. In response he squeaked out a “Nessa!”, and tried to shake it back out.

“And another little birdie also told me… that I was Princess No Fun!” she jabbed him in the ribs with her fingers, making him squeal with laughter.

“Wha- what If I told you those birdies were liars?” he wheezed out after the giggle fit, clutching his ribs.

She pretended to be deep in thought about it. “Hmmm, well… if the little birdies were lying… I might consider it. But if they were lying… then what’s the truth?”

“The truth is… you’re the Princess Of Warm Hugs.” He whispered, before flushing red with embarrassment and stammering out- “Wait, that’s saccharine! I take it back! Umm- you’re the Princess Of Being A Pain!”

“Aww- see! I knew you could be sweet if you tried!” She joked. Holding him close again, as he tried to squirm away. “No take-backsies- I’m the Princess Of Warm Hugs now.”

“No you’re not-” He whined. And they probably would’ve continued- if an angry neighbor didn't slam something heavy against the nearby wall.

“Would you two shut up?! Some of us have work in the morning!” Their voice came through, loud and clear. Because it was late, and the walls were thin.

“Sorry! We will!” she said, fighting for her life not to burst out laughing. While Gregory flipped off the wall.

“... I’m gonna pretend I didn’t see that.” She whispered at him.

He just grinned. And whispered his original question- “So, can I have the day off tomorrow? Please?”

She kept him in suspense for a few seconds, before responding- “Okay. But only because you used the magic word.”

In response, he flipped her off. She flicked his ear. “Andddd, that’s your cue to go to bed, you little ratbag.” Because despite the cheeky grin, he had huge bags under his eyes. And because she felt exhausted- she wasn't going to be able to stay up much longer- which meant he needed to be in bed before she started turning off the lights.

She pushed him away from her, and towards his room, getting up from the couch to follow him. The blanket fell down to the floor, and they both barely avoided tripping on it. “Shoo! Scram! Get going! Before I change my mind about school!”

And he did shoo, scram, and get going. At least until he got to his bedroom door, snickering and grinning at her. He turned completely, and saluted her- “Ma’am, yes ma’am!” He opened up the door, while she rolled her eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Princess Drill Instructor.” He whispered, before running off to bed, leaving the door open.

Like usual- well, except for the ‘drill instructor’ comment. She knew what to do now.

She stood in the doorway, and saw Gregory sitting in bed, pulling up the covers. Freddy was standing nearby. Still on charge- except now with his eyes open. He must’ve woken up, hearing Gregory go back to bed.

Freddy looked out the window through a gap in the curtain. “Hmm, Superstar. It is still very dark outside. Is everything okay?”

He turned, and looked over at Freddy. “Should be now, I think. Sorry for waking you up, Freddy.”

She could feel Freddy's eyes meet hers.

Now that she was here, it felt like she was intruding- this was usually Freddy’s job.

But she needed to know that he'd be okay overnight.

“Hey, you feeling a bit better now?” she asked Gregory.

He turned back to her and nodded, before continuing. “But if I’m not, can I come wake you up?”

“Yeah, of course. Though, it’ll probably be Fairytopia on next time. So be prepared for the most girly and saccharine thing you've ever seen.” she joked.

He rolled his eyes. “I’ll make sure to bring a bucket then.” he joked back, before laying down, facing Freddy.

”I’m going to start getting ready for bed- I'll see you in the morning, okay?” She said, turning off the light and grabbing his door.

She went to shut it, until he interrupted her- “Hey, Ness?”

“Yeah, kiddo?”

She could see him glance at her before looking away, in the light still coming through the open door. “... Thanks for listening. And being there.”

With the warmth she felt in her chest, it was almost like she was still hugging him. “You too, Gregory. Goodnight.”

She shut the door and backed away, hearing him saying “‘Night.” back to her. If she hadn't, she would've been there all night. And she couldn’t. She was too exhausted.

Instead, she went back to the couch. She needed to turn off the tv and dvd player, as well as grab her blanket off the floor. She’d need that, shortly.

With her blanket back, she turned off the living room light, the room now only illuminated by the crack of light through her bedroom door.

When she got back to bed, and snuggled into her pillow, she could hear faint and unintelligible words from Freddy. Because he couldn’t be quiet if you paid him. So they were chatting together.

But she couldn't hear crying, or the creak of springs. Even though it was late, and the walls were thin. She couldn't see his face peering in and asking if she was asleep yet.

So, they were probably just chatting.

She rolled onto her side, and held herself close. She was still scared, about how they’d go with their problem under the Pizzaplex.

But, she also felt braver about it too. She had to be braver- she had someone else counting on her.

And as she heard Freddy fall silent, she knew she could be brave.

She would be keeping that promise, if it was the last thing she did.

********

Authors note- Gregory’s just chilling in the Bad Opinion Zone in this fic lol. (Princess Promenade is great fight me.)

Also, Gregory’s right about the spatula lol. Melting point is WAY too high for a silicone utensil to melt. Vanessa just didn't realize she had a placcy one. (If she had, she would’ve felt ripped off.)

Didn’t manage to keep this under 3000 words, but did keep it under 4000- brevity won! Maybe? Whoo!

#five nights at freddys #ggy fanweek 2024 #gregory fnaf #vanessa fnaf #fnaf fanfic #im not sure about this- its really goofy in places #but i hope i got across that these rwo are goofing around- because they are trying to distract themselves from their problems #while im not sire abput this- i had a lot of fun writing it #the monstrosity has a lot of angst and drama. and i need to add more goofy shit to it honestly for tonal variation i tjink #so this was a good pallette cleanser #edit- i thought i posted this but think i just saved the draft #if its double posted im sorry ill fix it #Summerly writes

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