Chapter 1: The apartment
Chapter Text
Fandroid sighed, rolling back to his room. He found out his creator had done some pretty bad things that Beep-O had hidden from him. He said he ‘Couldn’t have handled it’.
What a cheap joke! Fandroid was mature like them. He knew stuff! Why’d they always treat him like a baby? He wasn’t a baby!
He flipped down onto his bed, groaning and fumbling to grab his charger, plugging it into the port on his neck. Hopefully he wouldn’t have any nightmares.. he wanted rest.
His vision getting blurry as he watched the shutdown happen.. his systems systematically shutting down.
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He opened his eyes to soft, crème colored void. Empty.. but not unsettling. He stood up and went to move- but fell flat on his flat face. Looking down, he was shocked to find- He had legs!
Real working legs! He’d always wanted legs but Griff said he was never ready and Beep-O didn’t want to give him any. He stood up, awkwardly balancing himself. He’s had dreams where he’d had legs- but he always knew what to do in those dreams. Here it felt like he had no clue how to use them.
He wobbled, and he fell, this time on his butt. “Ow..” He mumbled.. though it didn’t really hurt.
“Hey..” A deeper voice said from a distance away. Fandroid looked up, eyes widening. He thought he was the only one here. It was a dream… right?
The robot in the distance was clunky, easily a very older model. It had a crank on the right side of its head, and was missing its whole left arm! It had been replaced by a larger crank. He was also floating… kinda like Melody..
Though- the expression on his screen didn’t look too pleased to see Fandroid..
“Who’re you?” Fandroid asked.. real quiet.
“Practical_Scrybe_03.” It answers flatly. “But you can just call me P03..” He reached out his pincer, helping Fandroid stand up and balance. “Everything’s weird here. I had to adjust the gravity settings on my thruster. Don’t worry about falling.” It said in sort of flat tone.. like he was being forced to be nice.
Fandroid smiled. “Thank you for helping me. Where are we going?”
“You ask a lot of questions don’t you?” P03 said, his expression turning sour for a moment before going back to a bored look.
Fandroid was slightly taken aback. Who would make a robot to be this rude? “I don’t think I ask a lot of questions…”
A series of beeps that sounded like a laugh came from P03. “Most people who ask a lot of questions don’t think they do.”
The two spent the rest of the walk in silence. Wherever Fandroid was going, he hoped there’d be someone nicer there…
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The two came up on a dark red door. P03 let go of his hand and instantly Fandroid craved the touch back. It was sort of embarrassing the whine he almost let out. P03 opened the door, revealing what looked like a living room.
He let Fandroid walk in, closing the door behind them. The room was warm.. welcoming. A dark green couch with tons of throw blankets, a fluffy rug, coffee table with books and.. a coffee mug half filled? Fandroid questioned that. There was also a large tv with the Roku screensaver. A door on the wall with the tv.. and a hallway with more doors on the adjacent wall.
Turning to the right was a kitchen, with a fridge with magnets, a sink and table.
“Why is there.. human stuff here?” Fandroid asked, quirking a brow and asking P03.
“Stuff works weird here. We can eat.” It said with disgust, like it never wanted that.
“Why do you sound upset about that?”
“Because I’m not organic. I’m not a filthy beast like a chal- human… or a toss away beast.” P03 said.. his face scrunching up in frustration.
He used words Fandroid wouldn’t usually use.. ‘filthy’? ‘Beast’? Was P03 even from the same world as him? “Sorry I asked.. Is there anyone else here?”
“Second door left. He’ll tell you what you need.” P03 said, turning and going into the door by the tv. Machine noises and steam noises came from the door before it had closed the door and left Fandroid alone.
Fandroid felt a wave of anxiety as he walked down the hall as quietly as he could.. stopping in front of the second door. Who would be behind there? Would they be nicer? Would they not?
He hesitantly raised his claw, knocking on the door three times.
The door opened a few moment later, and Fandroid had to look down. Where P03 hovered so Fandroid had to slightly look up, this bot was tethered to the ground, and significantly shorter. “Um… h-hello?” Fandroid stuttered, his voice quiet.
“Hi! Who’re you?” The smaller bot asked, opening his door for Fandroid.
“My names Fandroid..” The bot smiled, gesturing for Fandroid to sit down. “Are you new?”
“New where?”
“To botopia!”
“Is that what this place is called?” Fandroid asked. A name like botopia sounded too futuristic for a place as warm as this.
“Well, P03 came up with the name. Have you met him yet?” The bot asked. He had a round head, large round body and bulky arms and legs. He looked.. comforting. “Yeah, I have. He led me here.” Fandroid was starting to warm up to him.
“That’s great! I’ve been trying to teach him to be nicer. My names Gizmo!” He reached out his hand, which Fandroid shook.
“So.. what does this place.. do?”
“Well- what I’ve found is a bot with- usually a really sad backstory- will wake up here while they sleep! And leave when they wake up. P03 doesn’t come in often since in his own world he’s always working..” Gizmo scrunched his face up disapprovingly “But I’m here almost regularly. Seems we’ll have pretty similar meeting times!”
Fandroid nodded. Wondering if there were any other robots here. “Are there.. more?”
Gizmo laughed “Yes! There are! There Wheatley, who got shot into space after tricking a girl he was trying to save, there’s Mettaton- who wants to be the biggest popstar where he’s from-“ Fandroid perked up. A popstar meant music. Music meant entertainment. Entertaining was his purpose! “There’s Kaito, a Japanese android, who might shock you at first..” Gizmo warned. Kaito had spooked a few of the bots who had never really interacted with a human before. Kaito looked very.. very human. “And there’s… Toodles…” Gizmos face fell solemn..
“Is he.. dead?” Fandroid asked.. noticing the shift
“Might as well be.. he’s been so hurt by people..” Gizmo said.. taking a breath. “Toodles was part of a group. But they would constantly do things and only invite him or call him if they needed something. Eventually they stopped showing up and- well Toodles’ only purpose was to help them. He went a little crazy when he first showed up here.. now he barely comes out of his room..” Gizmo said softly
Fandroid pouted. He knew that feeling.. being worthless if you weren’t fulfilling your purpose. Maybe he’d be able to help him..
“So.. where do I stay? Obviously I guess I won’t.. sleep here..” Fandroid asked.
Gizmo perked up “Oh yeah! I guess you’re who this room is for!” He said, getting up and walking out of the room, Fandroid followed him down the hall- to a black door. Gizmo opened the door and inside was a beautiful recording studio. Fandroid gasped and walked inside, checking everything out.
“I’ll leave you here! Have fun. Dinners at six!” Gizmo said, shutting the door.
Fandroid kept looking around, eventually resting on a beanbag chair to start programming the tuning machine.
Maybe this new dreamscape wasn’t so bad…
Chapter 2: He was just so scared…
Summary:
Toodles finally gets some comfort and Fandroid gets a glimpse into capitalism!
TAGS FOR THIS CHAPTER: Hurt/comfort, fluff, eating?? Gonna be talking about how weird it feels to Fandroid to be eating. In great detail bc I’m working my own human struggles through this bot.
Maybe past self harm talk, or like a robot equivalentM
Notes:
I UPDATED THE TAGS BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH LIKE 70% OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HATE ME I DO WANNA EVENTUALLY ADD SMUT. But like… plot first it’s not just horny bullshit I genuinely have a story to tell. But it’ll be emotional and there’s vulnerability you get with someone you can’t get without sex (in my opinion) It won’t happen for a while and will be properly tagged!! And SKIPPABLE!! Because I know not everyone likes to read that stuff!!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
It’s been.. an hour? A couple? It felt like a long time. Fandroid didn’t know really how time passed in this place.. it seemed slow- yet a lot could be accomplished.
He’d completely rearranged his new room- found out he could make things appear if he said “It’d be so nice if I had a-“ and then the item. And even managed to talk to Wheatley for a few minutes.
Though.. he didn’t seem all there.. very skittish and talking about it being too open.. before going off to his room. He was connected to a rail on the ceiling so.. Fandroid guessed he wasn’t granted the same amount of freedom as the rest of the bots.
The only people he hadn’t met yet were Mettaton, Kaito, and Toodles..
He was really curious about him.. he barely knew the bot from the media.. and when he looked him up, there was practically nothing. He knew the basics.. at least.. from his world. He knew that Toodles was a cartoon character from a kids tv show.
Did Toodles see himself differently? Obviously he had to.. the character from Fandroid’s world was voiced by a person and animated at twenty four frames per second..
This robot was real.. 3D and had a room.. had a past..
A knock on his door broke him out of his thoughts. “Fandroid! KAITO’s here!” Said Gizmo from the other side of the door, prompting Fandroid to stand up and open his door, to which the shorter red robot looked up and smiled at him.
“Come on!”
Fandroid was a little nervous meeting a Virtual singer. Obviously from what he knew they were just voice bots to sing prerecorded songs. There were games and merch but at the end of the day.. Vocaloid were music programs..
This dimension was weird..
Stepping into the living room he’s greeted by a tall, well- taller than him- human man, with dark blue hair.
“Hello! You’re the new android correct?” KAITO asked, tilting his head in an animated way.
“I prefer robot but.. yeah, I am! My names Fandroid..” He said, reaching out his claw.. feeling a little awkward with shaking KAITO’s much more human hand. While Gizmo had “hands” he only had four fingers.. KAITO had skin.. he had human proportions and hair.. It made Fandroid feel.. awkward.
“Ah- apologies. I always say android incase robot sounded inferior..” KAITO said.. shaking Fandroid’s claw gently.
“KAITO are you going to be cooking today?” Gizmo piped up, sensing Fandroid’s apprehension..
“I would like to. Any specific menu requests?” He asked. Gizmo looked to Fandroid who looked.. confused. “Well- Fanny here has never eaten before.. so maybe something easy? Not really overwhelming but not as simple as soup..” Gizmo said, a little loading signal appearing on his forehead as he and KAITO thought..
“Oh! What about Macaroni and cheese with tomatoes!” Gizmo suggested, eyes sparkling.
“Hmm.. not a bad idea!” KAITO agreed, “That is a pretty simple meal for someone whose never eaten before.. How do you feel about that Fandroid?” KAITO asked, turning towards him.
“Uhh… I don’t know.. if I’m ready to eat yet..” He said, being betrayed by his new body by a loud rumble coming from his stomach, a flush creeping across his cheeks.
KAITO and Gizmo let out soft laughs. “Sounds like your stomach’s ready!” Gizmo said, patting him on the back. “Eating is easy! You’ll get the hang of it two bites in! And KAITO’s a great cook!”
Fandroid nervously nodded.. suddenly very anxious.
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Weird eating part I got way to into 👇👇👇
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The five bots gathered around the round dining table.. a pot of Mac and cheese (with a can of tomatoes) keeping warm on the stove. Everyone was talking about their respective days. Gizmo about how he’d helped some kid named Chris with a collage application, KAITO about how some boy named Akito had produced a new song, which Fandroid really wanted to check out, and P03 about how he’s been crafting a new card for his Technology collection. Wheatley wasn’t really paying attention, having eaten and then darted around the living room.
Fandroid was… struggling. First he could barely hold the fork and P03 had to help him (Since they both had claws.) It felt awkward holding it, the rigatoni (Which he was told was the easiest to eat since it was so large) felt heavy on the other end. Even though he opened his mouth to talk- he didn’t need to, he felt like he was just going to press the pasta against his screen, despite seeing it phase so effortlessly into Gizmo’s mouth.
He was scared.. but there was a slight pain in his abdomen and the growling kept happening.. Gizmo knew he was having a hard time- trying to be supportive while also not babysitting or staring at him. He was terrified.
He slowly lifted the fork to where his mouth would be, shakily parting his lips.. he shut his eyes- not wanting to see the food actually disappear from view..
He felt it on his tongue. It was a nauseating overwhelming feeling. He shakily closed his lips around the fork and pulled it out.. the single pasta noodle resting in his mouth.
He felt like spitting it out and running away from the table.
“Chew..” Gizmos soft voice encouraged him from the left.. and he did.
It felt like he had sharp teeth. At least sharp incisors. The pasta easily gave way. His tongue felt weird in his mouth. He repeated the motion. And again. And again. Until he felt ready to swallow.
He almost gagged. But he managed to get it down.
“Good job..” Gizmo said softly.. his hand coming up to rub Fandroid’s back. He shakily breathed in and out.. calming himself.
He could feel it going down his throat.. he wanted to rip into his endo and take it out. It felt foreign and odd…
“Do you need a break?” KAITO asked softly.. understanding how nerve wracking it was for robots who weren’t built to eat.. to eat. He never had that problem since Vocaloid were built to be as human as possible. KAITO was glad none of the bots here excreted what they put in. Fandroid wouldn’t like that one bit.
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(It’s over)
The rest of dinner went well.. Fandroid eventually got more comfortable eating without feeling like he was going faint.
The bots gathered in the living room to talk and watch tv.. Fandroid was a little disassociated. He wondered what was happening in the real world. How long it had been, if he was still charging. Every time he looked at his clock here it said a different time. 8:42. 1:35. 5:21… he huffed in frustration, looking away from Gizmo and KAITO. He stared into the hallway. Wondering if he could sneak back to his room.
When he heard a door open a little. Out of the hall came this round little robot.. only maybe a foot and a half tall. Round little ears drooping towards the ground.. he hovered out to the kitchen with a slight sway.. up then down, then up and down again. Not confident, not in a straight line. His eyes looked clouded, like he’d been crying. A soft musical tune floated into the air..
He went into the kitchen and grabbed a small plate, his back opened up and a hand on a sort of attachment.. arm, thing came out. It was almost twice the length of his body and Fandroid found himself wondering where it even came from.
The bot grabbed the spoon in the pot, scooping a little of the Mac and cheese out onto the plate.. before taking it and retreating into the hallway. All of a sudden-
“Toodles!” Gizmo said loudly, causing the small bot to go stiff and turn towards his name..
“Hey, come here! Join us- there’s a new bot here! His names Fandroid!” Fandroid cringed, obviously Toodles didn’t like socializing with these people.. Fandroid was starting to see why. Gizmo was all too quick to get people to open up, KAITO was a little off putting with appearance, P03 was rude and dismissive, Wheatley was probably insane..
Toodles looked to Fandroid. Their eyes met and Fandroid instantly felt a spark of connection. This.. this bot knew what it felt like. But Toodles just shook his head… a musical jingle drifting through the air which you just felt like said “No thanks..”. Gizmo seemed to understand.
“Oh.. alright.. Have fun..” His tone slightly annoyed. Before he turned to Fandroid. “Isn’t he just a stick in the mud?”
“He seems really… scared…” Fandroid said.. continuing to stare off into the hallway.
“He’s had a ton of opportunities to come out of his room and meet with us, he just doesn’t want to.” P03 said blankly, setting down a card. He and KAITO were playing a round of ‘Inscryption’… Fandroid didn’t understand how the game was played.
“I guess…” He said. He and the others spent the rest of the night in the living room… But Fandroids mind kept drifting to the apprehensive bot…
Notes:
Sooooo how’d we like it????
Chapter 3: It’s all in the bucket and out in the open
Summary:
Toodles throws everything in the bucket. Figuratively and literally.
Notes:
TW VOMIT. (Completely skippable I just wanted to make Toodles suffer a little cuz I feel sick writing this)
Tags for this chapter: Mentions of “death” Vomit. Mentions of feeling sick. Honestly not sure how graphic I’m going to get. Comfort and cleaning up. Odd.. robot workings.. they can’t really throw up but we’re outside of time and space here.
Sorry this one isn’t long, I didn’t really know what else to write :/
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
It had been about five hours since dinner.. He thinks. Like he noted before each time he looked at any clock it changed time..
He was leaving his recording room to grab some water, it was dark and no one else was in the hall, living room or kitchen.
On his way back though, Fandroid heard what he thought sounded like gagging coming from Toodles’ room.. the door was slightly open.. just a crack, and he peaked in.
Inside, Toodles was hovering at an angle but almost directly over a small black garbage can, holding the side tightly with the arms that came from his back, from what Fandroid could see of his expression looked…. Terrified.
Toodles gagged again.. his smaller body shaking with the force.. but he couldn’t hold it back this time.. Fandroid squeezed his eyes shut as he heard the sound of vomiting. He didn’t know if he should help, or leave the bot alone.
But as sniffles started to be heard, Fandroid pushed open the door, closing it behind him. He quickly walked over and knelt beside the sick bot.. gently rubbing wherever he could on his ‘back’.
Poor Toodles gagged again.. his cheeks puffing out like a cartoon character before he vomited again.. Fandroid caught a glimpse of the mixture that came up, cartoonishly red and yellowish.. chunks of what seemed like undigested pasta.
He shuddered and averted his eyes.. gently rubbing the shaking bot until he calmed down.. then offering his water.
[VOMIT OVER]
The two sit in silence for a while.. Toodles slowly sipping on the water while resting against the edge of his dresser. Fandroid passed the time by taking in his room. Gizmos was mostly red and crème, sort of cyberish and modern. His own was dark with hints of dark blue and cyan. What he saw of P03’s was factory like. but Toodles’ was alive.
Vibrant yellows and reds and blues everywhere. His bed was low to the ground with bright blue sheets and a messy red quilt. His dresser was yellow with red polka-dots. He had a fluffy rainbow rug on the ground. Toys and collectibles on almost every shelf.
“Th-th-thank you..” He said suddenly.. his stutter making him cringe.
“Oh! No problem you.. you needed comfort.” Fandroid retorts.. thankful he felt alright enough to talk.
“Food doesn’t u-u-usually stay down for a long-long-long time..” He explained.. putting the glass of water down.
“I’m sorry that happens to you..” Fandroid says.. wondering if he should leave now or stay.
"I'm s-sorry I didn't say anything- earl-earlier... socializing with the others there.. They're so… pushy..” Toodles says.. mostly to himself.
“I get it..” Fandroid emphasizes deciding to rant so Toodles would feel more comfortable around him. “When I’m back at ADHOC, that’s- where I was built. Melody, my best friend, always needs to know what wrong.. She never lets me be! Kinda like… Gizmo.. But- Fandrew, my prototype and technical cousin is really crazy and kinda insane..” ‘Like.. Wheatley.. Okay- this is starting to get weird’ “So we always have to keep an eye on him…”
As Fandroid yaps and talks.. Toodles gets more and more comfortable around him.. a small, slightly exhausted smile on his screen.. He was glad Fandroid hadn’t said anything about his speech impediment.. The moment Gizmo heard it he was all like ‘Oh what’s wrong with your voice box? Can I fix it? Let me see I’ll be quick!’ Toodles hated that-
“And- and Beep-O! He thinks I’m a kid, that I can’t do anything!”
"Th-that sounds tough.." Toodles says.. Setting the glass down on his hardwood floor.. Making sure neither of them would know it over.
"Oh no- it's fine.. He doesn't mean to. He's just been at ADHOC longer than anyone else.. He's not used to it.." Fandroid says, understanding how Beep-O's actions could be misinterpreted.
"It sound-sounds like he doesn't even want to t-try to see you as an-any-anything more than a child.." Toodles says.. Before correcting himself. "I-i mean- obviously if you say he doesn't than- he-he-he probably doesn't, I mean- I don't know him.. Heheh..." He said, laughing awkwardly.
But Fandroid was thinking hard about what he said.. Beep-O was older than the rest of his family.. But- he also didn't change his opinion of them easily.. Beep-O still saw Melody as an intruder and as someone who shouldn't be in ADHOC... Even though she's been there for at least three years..
"I.. I think you're right Toodles.. I never saw him that way..." He said softly.. Bringing his legs up and wrapping his arms around his knees, resting his head on them..
Toodles felt... Bad. He was super blunt at times and it was usually met with this kind of reaction. "I-i didn't mean that Fandroid.. I'm sure he's a good-good person!"
But Fandroid didn't answer.. Just sort of mulling over Beep-O's actions. Like the fact he wouldn't let Fandrew out of his room for over a year, how he kept getting Frogbot the same kind of eraser he said multiple times he didn't like.. How he wouldn't let Fandroid upgrade and have legs.
That reminded Fandroid- when he went back to his world he'd have his wheel again.. A frustrated Huff came from him at that thought.
Toodles sensed his annoyance.. Not sure if it was directed at him." Y— you can.. Go back to your roo-room if you'd like..."
"No thanks.. I don't.. Want to be alone." Fandroid said.
Toodles sat there in silence, his hover motor softly puttering as he hovered just a couple inches off the ground. Fandroid never noticed he made idle noise... He found himself enjoying the quiet sound. Along with the bell jingles that would ring out from the floating bot.
"I-is there... Any-anything you'd like to talk about?" Toodles asked after a few moments of silence, distracting Fandroid from spiraling and making him think about questions to ask the smaller bot.
"How long have you been showing up here?"
"O-oh... That's a.. Tri-tricky question." Toodles said, furrowing his brow.. Making a cute little pouty thinking face...
"I've been here.... L-Let's say... Sev-seven years?" He said, slightly unsure of himself.
"Seven? Wow..." Fandroid was impressed.." What do you do when you're not here?"
"I uh... W-well I don't really wa-wake up anymore.." He says fidgeting with his hands.. His ears drooping down.
Fandroid went stiff.."You mean you're... Dead?"
"T-tech-technically..." Toodles sighs, "Okay- so-so, there's this machine I plug in-into to charge and I'm.. Woken up b-by my friends-" He smiles, before it waivers. "B-but... They stop-stoped coming by and- I don't automat-matically unplug and.." Tears started rolling down his cheeks, his voice cracking. "I- I miss my friends!" He started crying, his arms coming out from his back to cover his face.. His small body shaking with his sobs. Fandroid immediately moved over, wrapping his arms around Toodles and picking him up, cradling him close to his chest. "Shhh.. It's okay.. I'm sorry I asked.." He comforts him while gently rocking him to calm him down…
Notes:
Ch. 4 Fandroid will get to go back to the real world!
Hope you enjoyed it! I’d love to hear a comment or see some stuff on twitter! I think the Ao3 curse got to me though, lost my best friend of 5 years because she ‘Wanted a break’… gonna keep writing though..
(Also debating making this Fandroid/Toodles… opinions?)
Chapter 4: Why talk if they don’t listen?
Summary:
Fandroid tries to tell his friends about the void
Notes:
I uh- I know I said this would be longer but… there’s not much to say about this. He wakes up they don’t believe him he goes back and he’s sad what more do you want??
Tags: Being overwhelmed, slight angst, being put on the spot, feeling like you have to like people just because you’ve been around them your whole life…
THEY HAVE RIZZEN BABY GIRLS!! Come come, get your food..
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
After Toodles had calmed down from a sobbing mess to a sniffling mess, Fandroid moved him from the floor to his bed, though the small robot wouldn’t let go of him, so he ended up crawling into the bed along side him.
They just lay there, Fandroid gently rubbing his back to soothe him, Toodles just sniffling into Fandroid’s chest- missing his friends and wishing he’d wake up back in his old world..
Fandroid wished he could help him more… maybe he could make an account when he woke up and write a message to Disney? Though- there’s no telling if what he did in his world affected things in these other bots world…
He started feeling sleepy.. pausing his rubbing on Toodles’ back… a stifled crackling yawn coming from his voice box.
Toodles knew what being tired here meant. It meant you were waking up in your own world.. But- he didn’t want his new friend to leave…
He held onto Fandroid a bit tighter, pressing his screen right against his radio chest.. holding back a soft whimper as he felt Fandroid’s body go limp..
Glancing up at his screen.. he paused. Fandroid looked so peaceful. His large round eyes were closed… his face looked… peaceful.
He relaxed, nuzzling into his friends arms, closing his eyes and relaxing.. the closest thing to sleeping he could do..
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Fandroid gasped as he sat up, patting the bed around him looking for Toodles, before realizing he was back in ADHOC..
He pouted slightly.. wanting to talk to the small bot more.. he liked him. He seemed like a good friend…
He felt his wires twist at that.. but he shook his head, unplugging from his charger, leaving the concept of the crème void and apartment room in his own.
He stumbles a bit getting out of his bed, being used to the legs he had back in the void. But he stabilizes himself and rolls out to find Melody, wondering if she'd be able to tell him anything about the dream he had.
He rolled through a lounge, hallways a corridors.. past rooms used for tests, mechanics, humans, and recreations. Down a hallway, past a cafeteria… down another hallway.
Fandroid purposely made sure his room was as far away from everyone as it could be. ADHOC was big, sure, but no bigger than an elementary school.
He went down an elevator, the place taking on a much dingier atmosphere. Dirt, dust, and grime replaced the polished walls of the upper floor.
The humans- when they were still here and alive, they’d host tours to the public. To show off the work and coding and robots. In Fandroid’s really early days, he remembers showing off to the really young kids, since he was a more friendly and small shape.
He had one memory, that stood out more than others. There was a tour group, and the teacher was counting the kids before they got back on their bus.. but one was missing. Fandroid recognized panic, and set off through the facility to find the missing student.. he found her curled up on the floor, crying and gasping for breath.
She seemed scared that she was left in such an empty building alone. He had just been installed with his radio… and played a soothing tune for her.. if he remembers it was, ‘Mary had a little lamb’. She was in kindergarten- it was nice for her.
She calmed down when she heard it and saw the small blue robot from earlier. She stopped crying and calmed down.. told him she got lost. He told her it was okay, and he knew where her group was.
Fandroid was glad he helped her that day, she probably didn’t remember it.
But.
That was also the day the ADHOC employees realized that he had free thought. He had went to search for her unprompted. He had feelings and empathy. That was the day he got pulled from the surface, to the laboratory beneath.
Experimented on to see if he could resent. If he could hope, and create. How human he really was.
It was the day he began to hate his life and himself.
He managed to get to the cleaned up area of the laboratory, where the bots remaining- (Melody, Frogbot, Beep-O, Fandrew…) Would rot around. Watching videos, playing whatever games were salvaged or shipped in, playing and drawing.
It was idealistic if you didn’t crave more, like Fandroid did.
He was made to ache. Dream and search. He wanted to escape this facility so badly. But he couldn’t make it past the front door without a shock going through his wires. A protocol the humans put in him after one too many escape attempts.
“Hello~ everyone!” Fandroid said, putting on a big grin as he wheeled himself into the area with all his friends, tossing his body up onto a scavenged couch.
They all greeted him, Melody especially, grabbing her drawing she was coloring using a little robotic arm from her left side and plopping herself down on the couch next to him.
“Melody… have you ever had a dream that felt too real to be a dream?” He asked her noticing how everyone else got sorta quiet.
“Nope, not really- only a few that I wish weren’t dreams. Those just had you in them.” She says, looking up at him.
“I had a dream last night… at least.. I think it was one. It wasn’t a nightmare, and it wasn’t.. fantasy- at least I don’t think so. I- I was in a void.. and suddenly this other robot came up to me. But he didn’t look like anything ADHOC would make.. and he lead me to an apartment room.. with more robots..” Fandroid says, his digital facial expression scrunching up.
“I don’t know what to think about it…”
“It sounds fairly normal.” Beep-o said from where he sat by a large old wooden desk, even older monitors sat atop it play security footage from the remaining working cameras around ADHOC.
“I- I don’t know it felt-“
“Who cares how it felt.” “Beep-o!”
Frogbot cut him off. “I’m sure it has a deeper meaning. How were the dream robots? Were they like us?” Frogbot asked Fandroid who seemed a little apprehensive now.
“No.. well… kind of. They didn’t look like any of you, or like anything ADHOC would be able to make, but some acted like some of you. One was.. really eager. One was kind of mean.. one acted like Fandrew.” Fandroid explained. Remember how eager and accommodating Gizmo was, how offstandish and walled off P03 seemed, and how skittish Wheatley acted.
“Maybe.. it’s your subconscious trying to let you tell versions of us stuff you’d never say to our faces!” Frogbot said happily, he’d been getting into dream analysis and conspiracy theories.
“Oh please, what would Fandroid have to say that he can’t say to our faces? He loves us, don’t you buddy?” Melody says, putting him on the spot.
“Y-yes, I do- you’re my family..” But he didn’t. Frogbot was too aloof, Beep-o was too rude, Melody was too… much.
“See- it’s gotta be something else..”
“M-maybe I’ll just go walk around. I could think clearly if I had a clear head.” Fandroid says, standing up from the couch he had “sat” on. Rolling out of the room and sighing the moment he was out of range.
He knew it had to be a dream. There was no way he had just.. magically been transported into a dream world where he could eat, and have legs, and just relax with people who were new- and didn’t know every waking fact about him. Who didn’t assume his dreams and desires and… this was stupid.
As much as he wanted it to be real, there’s no way it was. He’d go back to sleep tonight and have one of his reoccurring nightmares and spend the night terrified alone in the dark.
He shuddered, making the soft sniffling noises one would if they were crying but no water leaked down. He raised a claw to his face, processing the unmistakable clink of metal to glass.
Of course. No face. Just glass, and pixels..
He found a darker room, a few broken test tubes on the floor that he effortlessly rolled over. A cot in the corner that was broken off its supports was lying on the ground. He picked it up and dusted it off.
It had a few blood stains and a tear, but it would work. He laid it on a clear spot on the floor.
He found a thick piece of metal.. and bent it into a circle, holding it in his arms, pressed against his chest.
That at least felt a little familiar…
He laid down on the cot bed, looking blankly at the wall in front of him…
And then-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
He was back.
The stiffness of the cot beneath him was gone, replace with plush softness from a real bed, the metal in his arms got warmer, and the striking darkness behind his optical sensors lightened a little, to a sort of dimness.
He opened his eyes, being met with the same colorful room he had been in, what felt moments ago- though more approximately 30 minutes.
He looked down, Toodles still in his arms, yet Fandroid doesn’t think he’s noticed that he was awake..
He hadn’t moved from where he was, so he assumed that when you fall asleep here in.. the void.. thats what he’ll call it for now, you stay where you fell asleep. He has no clue how much time had passed, at least a few minutes because Toodles had to have shut the ceiling light off and turned on a lamp at some point.
He hugged the little circular bot closer, bringing his legs up to curl around him. Which Toodles seemed to enjoy because the moment Fandroid moved he squeezed his chest tighter and made several happy sounding bell noises.
No words were spoken, but both bots simultaneously agreed to stay how they were... for however long they felt necessary.
Notes:
:3
Chapter 5: A slight tug
Summary:
CARNIVAL!!! CARNIVAL!! THE THING I CANT DO BECAUSE YOU NEED AT LEAST ONE FRIEND BC ALL RIDES ARE 2 PERSONS YEEAH!! (Next chapter)
Notes:
It's come to my attention some people do not like the kind of content I write that includes Fandroid. So I'll spell out what this book deals is going to deal with. It will have themes of Dehumanization, deprivation of basic needs/wants/desires, and escapism. The smut I plan for this has heavy symbolism and will deal with big emotions. Its not just shoehorned in because I'm a horny mess. It will also be entirely skippable, and not posted until the alt version is also completed. On a further note, the only reason I'm still tagging my smut-oneshots (Which do exist just because I'm a horny mess) In the Fandroid fandom tag is so people who want to see that content can easily find it. I don't know what else y'all want from me because I'm not going to stop making this. I've waited too long. If you don't enjoy it, simply filter it out and don't acknowledge it. It really is that simple.
I write for me. Not you. If what I write isn't what you wanna read- Don't read it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The two bots cuddled together for a while.. at least another half an hour.. until Toodles broke the silence.
“I-it’s been… about f-fo-four hours..” He said.
Fandroid pulls him away looking into his eyes. “Four hours!? It was only like- like less than one when I woke up!” He was shocked. He didn’t want to leave this place, especially this new cuddly robot for so long alone.
“Really? Time must m-move real fast between your world and th-th-this one…” He says… looking up at Fandroid.
The two just look at each other, a soft look on both their faces, eyes wide- mouths slightly parted. Before a noise outside the room breaks their staring contest.
Toodles floats up, a soft bell noise and putter filling the room with ambient noise as he flies over to the door, opening it a crack to look out at what made the noise.
Fandroid sits up, a soft red sheet he hadn’t realized was pulled over him following gravity and shifting to rest around his hips. His cheeks flush dark, and a soft warm feeling fills his chest. ’What the hell was that moment?? Why’d he keep looking at me like that??’ He wondered, his fans working overtime to try and cool him down.
He manages to calm down, checking his inner facial display to make sure his blush had gone away. Just quiet moment where neither of them had anything to say, nothing to be weird about… right?
“Wh-what was that noise?” Fandroid asked, cursing himself internally for stuttering.
Toodles didn’t say anything, but gave Fandroid a little ‘Come here’ motion with his claw.
Fandroid got up, tossing the sheet off his legs, and walked over to the door, peaking out.
Gizmo and KAITO could be heard in the kitchen and they could barely make out the conversation happening over the noise of clanging pans and ceramic plates clacking together.
“You— it!” “No! I just- you— it!” “I would— ver—“ “Clumsy!” “How dare— lousy singer—“ “ファックユー!!”
Fandroid winced, gently grabbing Toodles by his sides, and pushing him through the air out of the way of the door. “I’m gonna go help them.” Fandroid said before walking out of the room…
Leaving a very flustered Toodles behind.
He could never quite explain it, but whenever he just got manhandled it always made him quite aware how much smaller he was than everyone. Back at the ‘Clubhouse’ it was normal to be pushed around, which was why he hovered over top of everyone, so he wouldn’t get in the way. After being left there for a while- he got used to more normal heights.
It’s not like Fandroid was the first bot here to grab him and move him out of the way. P03 tossed him like a frisbee once, Gizmo had grabbed him a couple times…
But when Fandroid just did it… something in his circuits lit up. He felt fuzzy, and warm, and like he wanted to curl up and replay the touch over and over.
He gently closed, and locked his door. Not wanting Fandroid to come back and see what a mess he’d become from a simple movement.
—————————
Fandroid walked into the kitchen, hiding slightly behind the corner as he heard metal hit the floor. Then, Gizmo and KAITO came out, rolling on the floor, fighting with each other.
“Guys!” Fandroid shouted, making them both stop.
“What’s…. Happening?” He asked, looking over at the stove. There- a pot of red sauce was on its side, the thick liquid spilling down the stove. It was also slightly on fire.
“He did it!” “He did it!” They both said in unison, KAITO throwing Gizmo off him. "Did what?" Fandroid asks.
"Gizmo knocked over the pot of sauce I was making!" KAITO says, crossing his arms and glaring at the smaller red robot, who looks super offended.
"I did not! You were standing there, and I walked behind you, and then the pot was on the ground!" Gizmo retorts, "You dropped the pot and want to blame it on me!"
Fandroid doesn't really know how to solve this dilemma. He obviously wasn't here to see the events play out, so all he could do was mend what he could in the moment. 'No sense dwelling on what you can't control'.
"Okay- forget who dropped the pot, you both were here so you're both cleaning it up. Grab a cloth." Fandroid says, his voice and tone showing he wasn't taking 'No' for an answer.
Though Gizmo and KAITO complained the entire time, about why either one shouldn't be cleaning and the other should, but they eventually get the pot and sauce dripping down the stove cleaned up, and the pot (Which was mostly empty and burned due to their arguing) In the sink.
"There... that wasn't so bad right? You guys might've even had enough to save if you didn't start arguing." Fandroid chastises. Looking at them with an annoyed expression.
"You're right... we argue like this all the time." Gizmo says. "It may be because we both come from the same region in the real world.." KAITO suggests. Gizmo's media did start off as a Japanese anime. "Perhaps, but you've gotta sort this kind of thing out... I deal with it enough while I'm awake-" Fandroid says, mumbling the last part. Despite the ADHOC bots being all each other have, arguments and in return cat fights and scrambles were a given.
As Fandroid started to walk away from the two boys, a loud bell chime rings through the whole apartment. Like a church bell.. a melodic tune.
Gizmo immediately gets excited, squealing and racing towards to door connected to the living room that was P03’s.
“P03!! P03 the bells are going off again!!” Gizmo screams through the door while banging on the door.
It doesn’t take P03 long to open the door. “CALM. THE $@!? DOWN.” P03 shouts back, it’s screen glitching as his voice raises.
Fandroid flinched.. watching as Wheatley comes down the hallway on the small strip of railing that ran across the ceiling, his optic noticeably calmer.
“Oh- ‘ello new guy! Did you also hear the bell? You’re not brain damaged are you? You can talk right? Can you say Apple?” He asked all very quickly, and in a heavy British accent.
“Um… A-Apple? Yes- I heard the bell… what is it?” Fandroid asked.. watching as Toodles cracked his door open, slowly heading towards the end of the hallway, sticking to the wall.
“The last time the bells chimed we were allll taken to a movie. Real nice one too. Popcorn and what do you call it… cotton candy! Yes- the bells are nice.” Wheatley said.. swerving around Fandroid to join the group, KAITO smiling and trying to keep Gizmo in one place, Wheatley yapping, P03 trying to yell at him to keep him quiet… it was a lot.
Fandroid slowly backed up, until he was near Toodles. "What are they talking about?" He whispers. "A whil-while ago, a door opened and we were taken to a movie theater. It... from w-what I-i-i can tell we all saw a different movie..." Toodles whispered to Fandroid.
Fandroid hummed, he hadn't expected this when he fell back asleep... He didn't even expect to wake up back here. Turning to look at Toodles, he had an uneasy expression on.
"What's wrong?" Fandroid asked, concerned for his new friend.
"I-its just... i-i-i don't know... I'm scared to go through there again..." He says, backing up a little, away from everyone else crowding the door. Fandroid looked at them all, Gizmo jumping all around and being a lot, KAITO not really stopping him, P03 yelling at him... Wheatley talking to himself.
"Would it make you feel better if I got them to be quiet?" Fandroid asked, reaching out gently pat Toodles' head, before he realized the physical touch could be awkward and recoiling.
Toodles, slightly moved left, bumping into Fandroid's side- a soft notion to his comfort with the option of touch. "Th-that would be great..."
Fandroid took a breath in, standing up a little straighter, before heading into the group of noisy robots.
"Hey, could you guys....... Gizmo? Could you- P03 would you please............... EVERYBODY SHUT UP!"
The bots went real quiet after Fandroid yelled, looking at him like his head just exploded. Since Fandroid was literally designed to entertain and sing, his voice box could reach quiet the decibel height.
"Thank you. Now, how about we all calm down, and quietly walk through the door to find out where it leads. Hmm?" He proposes, not missing the soft, appreciative smile from Toodles.
KAITO nods, "He's right. We aren't going to know where it leads until we go through." He says, walking up to the door, and turning the brass handle. All the bots peer into the opening..
Being greeted by a nighttime atmosphere.
The loud sounds of people, and rides.
A full blown carnival.
Notes:
I was going to write the actual carnival scenes but I wanted to keep that its own chapter.
Chapter 6: Remembering someone else’s memories
Summary:
Fandroid and Toodles partner up for the CARNIVAL!!! And y’know… there is one more bot we have yet to meet..
DARLINGS THE STAR HAS ARRIVED!!
(God I’ve been waiting to write his dialogue)
Notes:
This one’s a little personal, since it is based off my memory of being at an actual carnival. Hope I don’t get too personal tho-
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
They all look through the door, a cool breeze floating in. The noises and sounds were loud and exciting, the lights flashing bright reds and yellows and all the colors. There were rides and a Ferris wheel could be seen from the door, and the faintest sound of happy screaming could be heard.
It wasn’t empty- no. It was full of people. In the best sense people could be used. There were humans.. anthropomorphic animals, aliens- all sorts of creatures and people like entities all around.
“Wow… it’s beautiful.” Fandroid said, gently shoving his way to the front of the robot crowd. Eyes widening… He cautiously stepped through the door, being hit with a rush of colder air… the sun was setting here.
“It’s okay guys!” He says, slipping into the carnival, spinning around and taking in his surroundings. The air was crisp. There were booths of crappy carnival games, rides, booths for food. It was beautiful.
Fandroid had seen carnivals before, in pictures… drawings. But never in person. He never thought he would.
He looks back at the door, even if he was stuck here forever he didn’t think he’d mind.
Gizmo stepped through the door, looking around at the sights as well.
“Wow.. this is bigger than the carnival I’ve been to..” He said.. placing his hands on his hips. Turning back to the rest. “It’s safe guys!” He shouts back, causing KAITO and P03 to come through the doorway as well. It seemed like it wasn’t going away until everyone was through.
“It’s… bright. Like a stage. I hope no one recognizes me..” KAITO says, pulling his scarf over his lower face.
“You think just because you’re a singer people are going be fawning over you like a newborn beast.” P03 says, judging the place with a distasteful look. “It’s fine.”
Toodles and Wheatley were the only two left, and Wheatley looked confused… as confused as an orb with one eye can look.
“Um… excuse me but uh… how exactly how am I supposed to you know, enjoy the carnival. Not that I don’t know - I do… I- I wanna know if you guys know.” Wheatley said.
“Yeah… yeah that’s a good question..” Fandroid says.. cocking his head to the side like a dog when it’s confused.
“Maybe when you come through you’ll get a temporary body? Or wheels or… something?” Gizmo suggests.
Wheatley doesn’t seem too sure. “It doesn’t seem safe. Maybe I should just wait back here, make sure the apartment stays clean, yes? No need for me to- WHOA- HEY!”
Toodles started shoving him, his chimes- which Fandroid had now identified as a bike bell- were ringing sharply, making him sound annoyed. Fandroid chuckled softly as the flat circular bot was shoving the spherical bot. It was quite a spectacle.
It wasn’t much longer until Toodles pushed Wheatley through the door, the circle disconnecting from the railing that he used to get around the apartment, falling and rolling on the dirt ground with a confused scream.
Toodles followed through the door, adjusting to the new gravity and swirling around to hover near Fandroid, his bells chiming happily.
Fandroid chuckled, and reached out to pat Toodles on the head… getting distracted by Wheatley rolling around on the ground and missing the soft chime that came from the mousey bot.
“Well… you’re still an.. orb..” Fandroid says, tapping the bottom of his screen.. thinking.
“Sphere… I’m not an orb. I am a dignified personality core! Someone pick me up!” Wheatley shouted, his little handles wiggling. P03 sighed, moving over to pick up the ‘Sphere’.
“There.” It says, hanging Wheatley off its crank.
“That’s odd.. why wouldn’t the place give you a body?” Gizmo asked as a little satellite rose from his head, Intriguing Fandroid.
“My sensors indicate that we’re stuck in a moment from a humans memories. Though this seems to be happy, the human has it classified as a nightmare.” Gizmo says, looking confused.
“Is there.. a description of the person? If it’s a memory shouldn’t they be here?” Fandroid asks, getting an affirmative chime from Toodles.
“They have… short hair, blonde, slightly chubby.. glasses… Thats it. It- it’s not a picture.” Gizmo says, quiet alarms can be heard as he tries to find more information on the person whose memory they’re in, but clearly keeps getting denied.
“Maybe they knew we were going to be here and didn’t want to be found? Maybe they just wanted us to have a good time?” Fandroid suggests.
“The new bots right. Whoever dragged us out here doesn’t seem to want to remember it for themselves if they’ve got it classified as a nightmare.” P03 says. Looking around at all the rigged carnival games.
KAITO, who had been relatively silent up until now sighed. “P03 is right. We should have a night of fun! I’m sure there is a ton to do Gizmo!” Gizmo nodded.
“Yeah… but if P03’s going to carry around Wheatley, you’re going to be as hidden as possible, and Toodles seems to be sticking by Fandroid. Who am I going to go around with?” Gizmo asks, looking upset he couldn’t participate.
Suddenly, there was a large commotion to the left, as a large tour bus had pulled up, but people were obscuring the logo on the side.
“Whose… who pulls up to a carnival in their tour bus?” KAITO asked… before something seemed to click for him. “Oh… oh no, I think I know who that is..”
“Who?” Fandroid asked, as the people walking through the carnival hadn’t acknowledged the strange way the group had entered the carnival, he assumed the people couldn’t seem them.
Gizmo turned to KAITO, “You don’t think… He wouldn’t show his face after what happened last time would he?”
KAITO shrugged, leaving Fandroid thoroughly confused.
“Who-?”
“HELLO DARLINGS~”
Fandroid froze. He knew that voice… he synthesized that voice. He edited that voice. No…
No there was no way.
But yes… there was way. Strutting up to the group with a small entourage of humans and monsters alike was the android.
Mettaton.
In all his femme drag glory.
Fandroid’s jaw dropped, and he was instantly hit with a wave of fanboy, fear, excitement- and many other emotions that caused him to trip and scamper as he tried to hide behind Gizmo to process what and who he was seeing.
KAITO was the first to approach him. “No. Absolutely not. You were told directly never to- HEY!” Mettaton simply shoved him aside, tapping his star shaped glasses down to stare daggers into the blue vocaloid.
“Honey… that was months ago. Plus, I apologized. No harm no foul… right dear?” Mettaton asked, turning his attention to Toodles… who was slowly backing away.. out of reach.
“You had no right to do what you did! He could’ve been seriously hurt!” Gizmo said… ignoring the fact that Fandroid was having a small panic attack behind him.
Metta scoffed. “He’s fine.. aren’t you darling?~” His voice dipped into a more sadistic tone, glaring at Toodles, who looked terrified. He was literally shaking.
Mettaton then noticed Fandroid… crouched behind Gizmo.
“Who’s this little beauty?” He asked, twisting his body to better see Fandroid.
Fandroid tensed, turning to look at Mettaton, before squeaking and scampering to hide behind KAITO.
Mettaton just laughed at the skittish bot. “Oh- I’m just teasing darling. I know who you are. You made ‘Hard Drive’! I’ve been performing that song for ages!”
P03 scoffed. “It’s quite pathetic that you can’t even create your own songs to perform.”
Mettaton glared at him. “Nonsense!~ I just love sharing the spotlight with my adoring fans!”
He twisted to look at Gizmo. “You’re their little ringleader right? I need a word.” He said, dragging Giz off into a crowd.
Fandroid watched as Mettaton left, sighing once he was gone. “Oh… my god! HE PERFORMS MY SONG??” He shouted, a large smile across his screen. “He actually liked my song! Oh!-“ He jumped, his claws spinning quickly.
KAITO sighed. “Yeah… but he’s pretty vain- and rude.”
“Who cares?! He’s a popstar!” Fandroid shouts, not being able to contain himself and running circle around the smaller group of bots.
Fandroid looks over at Toodles.. his smile dropping as he notices how disassociated and scared his round friend looks.
“Hey… Toodles.. what’s wrong?” Fandroid asks, his voice softening.
Toodles snaps out of his little daze, glancing around… noticing Mettaton was gone.
“N-nothing… I’m… I’m f-fine..” He mumbles softly, so quiet really only Fandroid could hear him.
“I… I’d like to go-o on the Farris wheel…” Toodles says, a claw coming out to nervously mess with his ears.
Fandroid nods, stepping a little closer- he holds out his box-ey claw… while he had a hard time holding normal objects, other robot’s claws were very easy to hold comfortingly. “Alright… let’s go then..” He says in a soft tone of voice… waiting for Toodles to take his claw instead of just grabbing him.
It took a moment, and P03 with Wheatley and KAITO ended up wandering off to do their own thing.. but eventually, Toodles placed his plastic blue claw in Fandroid’s grounding metal one… the two walking/hovering over to the Farris Wheel.
There wasn’t really a line, a group of four humans and a much shorter anthro-bat girl in a pink dress… so they didn’t have to wait long.
Climbing into the swaying basket, Fandroid realized that even though the Farris wheel was the safest ride like… ever- He had never been in the air, or off the ground before.
“A-actually… Toodles I don’t think I can-“ He tended up as the ride started, his eyes wide and he looked around frantically. “Oh- oh god…”
“O-oh… you’ve… n-never been off the ground-ground-ground before?” Toodles asked, much calmer now- almost having forgotten the run in with the pink popstar.
“Nope- I… um… I’m really terrified right now.” Fandroid said, his hands flying up to grasp the pole that connected the basket to the wheel moving mechanics.
Toodles smiled softly, laughing internally as Fandroid jumped and whined a little as they rose higher and higher.
Toodles floated over to hover next to Fandroid, prying his claw gently off the pole, holding tightly (as tightly as plastic can hold metal) as the basket rose and fell again.
Since the line wasn’t that long, there were only a group of three smaller robots waiting… they got to ride for a long time. On the sixth or seventh circle- Fandroid finally stopped freaking out, admiring the view of the carnival, looking at other rides he wanted to go on eventually.
Fandroid couldn’t see the soft smile Toodles was giving him, because when he turned back to face the bot- he snapped out of the daze.
“This- is amazing! I-I can’t believe you could experience this whenever you wanted!” Fandroid said as their basket stopped near the very top…
“Y-yeah…. It’s very nice to-to-to be able to see such a v-vie-view…” Toodles said, noticing he was still holding Fandroid’s hand… he hesitated to let go- but Fandroid didn’t seem to notice, just moving to lean out of the basket a little.
“It’s… really nice up here. I’m jealous.” He says, sitting back into the cart, then noticing all the initials on the pole and inside of the basket.
“Hey- check it out… people have scratched their initials into here…”
He pointed out a few good ones, an L + Jb/Y… a V + 2 an N + M… and W + H….
And…
C^2….. [C squared]
Looking at that initial carving Fandroid felt a strong.. overwhelming feeling. Like he was… disappointed.. or upset. He reached out, and scratched at the lettering until he couldn’t read it anymore… and the feeling went away.
He looked over at Toodles who didn’t seem to have the same reaction… “You… wanna carve ours?”
“I-isn’t that a thing for coup-coup-couples to do?” he asked, the little circles that represent blush on his cheeks darken a hex shade…. Or several-
“Well- yeah, but friends do it too! We are… friends right?” Fandroid asks..
Toodles nods enthusiastically… eyes darting between Fandroid and the space left on the pole. “Uhm…. Here.” He says, pointing at a space near the middle of the pole.
Fandroid quickly scrapes in F + T as the basket lowers and the ride operator tells him they to get out.
They smile and laugh a little as they leave, knowing they’ve cemented their friendship in the paint of a crappy fair ride.
The scramble around for a while, riding a few of the other (not so head bashing, stomach turning) rides. Win a prize or two from the rigged games.. before finding a flat place to watch some fire works… around 11, the fair rides start slowing down and closing, leaving them to find the group again- contemplating how they’re all going to get back to the apartment.
Notes:
I added a few friends characters and erm- myself. If we caught that- erm- LEMME KNOW IF YOU FOUND THEM ALLLL
Chapter 7: A/N
Summary:
AUTHOR NOTE!!
Chapter Text
Hiiii
I just wanted to write a little blurb.
My last day of school is this Friday, May 16th
I’m graduating high school.
It’s- honestly a lot. And I’m excited and scared.
I just wanted to write about how, writing this book has really helped me get through school.
(ITS NOT FINISHED OR GOING ORPHANED I JUST APPRECIATE PEOPLE)
I dumped my manipulative girlfriend around the time I started writing chapter 1, and honestly there will still be references to her since I’m not totally over the way she treated me.
But this book, and the people who have supported it, commented on it, left kudos… you helped bring a smile to my face.
I don’t think this would’ve really gotten past chapter two if not for the tremendous support.
So I just wanted to say thank you.
Chapter 8: Back to the... Present
Summary:
The gang leave the carnival, after a small mishap…
Notes:
Sorry this took so long… 3 freaking months :p
Chapter Text
Fandroid and Toodles make their way back to the group, spotting KAITO's hair through the slowly thinning crowd of the carnival. "Hey! Giz, where did... um... Mettaton go?" Fandroid asked, toying with the small plushie Toodles had won him at a slightly rigged balloon shooting game. It was duck with a small bowler hat and green bow-tie. It was cute, and Fandroid had literally jumped for joy when Toodles had told him he could have it.
[Flashback]
Toodles used a small claw from the bottom of him, preparing to throw the dart. If he hit a yellow balloon he got a keychain, a green would win another shot, blue a medium plush, and the red-- the highest and furthest balloon would win a really big prize. Fandroid had tried before and failed... exactly four times. So he was annoyed and huffing next to Toodles.
"You're not gonna get any." He said.
"Sh-shh I-i got this..." Toodles said, throwing the dart and squarely hitting a blue balloon, ears spinning and a little ring coming from his speakers.
Fandroid, suddenly much more intrigued, stands up a little straighter. "Whoa! That was sick!" Toodles beamed, feeling a slight flutter in his circuits at the praise. "O-oh- It's nothing really. Used to th-th-throw dar-darts all the time back... back there..." He says, hoping Fandroid understood.
"What plush would you like boy?" The clerk asked, looking like he hated his life. Toodles looked at the wall of different cheap plushes, confused on what to pick. He looked over at Fandroid- watching as the other bots eyes lingered on a yellow duck, little hat and bow-tie. He smile, looking back at the clerk.
"Th-that duck please..." Toodles said, glancing at Fandroid and smiling softly as the others bots eyes widened as the clerk grabbed the plush. Toodles thanked him and the two walked away, stopping near the tilt-a-whirl.
"H-here.." Toodles said, handing the duck to Fandroid.
"Huh? No way! You won it- it's yours.." Fandroid said, claws opening and shutting... he clearly wanted to take it, but thought it would be wrong.
Toodles huffed, a soft smile spreading on his screen before he held his arm out firmer. "Fandroid- I ch-chose it because I wanted to give-give-give it to you. I-I- didn't like none of the prizes.." He says, floating just a little closer as Fandroid finally takes the duck. Smiling and hugging it tightly.
"Thank you..." He mumbled quietly.
[End of flashback]
“Mettaton left. I’m- not really in the mood to talk about what he wanted…” Gizmo said, awkwardly holding himself in a sort of self-soothing hold.
“Oh… Alright, whatever makes you most comfortable..” Fandroid says, barely hiding his disappointment. He wondered if the femme popstar had said anything about him- and if it had been good or bad.
“S-s-so- h-how are we supposed to get-get-get home?” Toodles asked softly- the first time he’d ever really addressed the group, due to the way they gasped and looked at the round bot with wide eyes.
“Uh- we’re, not sure yet Toodles.” KAITO says fixing his expression the quickest, giving Toodles a reassuring smile.
“Yeah… we’re in the same spot where we came out, where P03 assumes the door will spawn again… but we’ve been waiting for close to an hour… and nothing.” Gizmo says, huffing and crossing his arms as his foot starts to annoyingly tap on the dirt and grass.
Fandroid sat down in the grass, quietly picking pebbles out of the soles of his shoe shaped feet. The bottom was rubber to help him have friction with the ground, and he had noticed that rocks kept getting stuck.
“S-so… Wh-why do you think the portal hasn’t ope-ope-opened yet?” Toodles asked, floating down to be head level with Fandroid.
“I dunno… maybe it needs a minute to know we’re all here?” Fandroid said shrugging, grumbling at a stubborn rock. His claws were bulky and couldn’t get a good angle to dig it out. His claws were a bit too bulky to do- much of anything really…
Toodles noticed how frustrated Fandroid looked, his other hand squeezing the plush tightly, angling himself to the side, he opened his bottom hatch, a smaller blue claw gently moving Fandroid’s out of the way and resuming the removal of the stuck rocks. A quiet gesture that didn’t need explanation.
Fandroid went quiet for a while, listening to Gizmo and P03 argue a bit about why or why not the door was opening… when he noticed something… something bad.
“P03..” Fandroid said loudly, catching the attention of the group, who all turned to look at Fandroid.
“Where’s Wheatley?”
P03 quickly looked down at his left side, seeing no sphere core dangling off his handle. “$4¡+!!” It shouted, an angry yet flushed expression on its face. “Why didn’t ANYONE tell me he was missing sooner!?” It yelled, quickly hovering away from the group, likely backtracking its path through the fair.
“P03 wait! We can’t loose two of you!” Gizmo shouted, his cries falling on deaf ears.. or- processors.
Fandroid looked at Toodles, standing up again, making sure he didn’t step in the pile of extracted rocks. “I can go look too. You guys stay here in case Wheatley somehow finds a way to get to you guys… and so if me or P03 find him, we can find you again.” Fandroid said, walking off in a new direction, scanning around on the ground for a sphere rolling around.
“Ch-ch-check garbage cans too..” Toodles said, making Fandroid jump.
“You’re looking with me?” He asked, to which Toodles nodded. “Yup! It’ll be fast-fast-faster that way.” Toodles said, looking inside trash cans and around the more general area.
Fandroid assumed Wheatley would be on the ground, unless someone nice had set him on a bench or at a game booth. He also felt bad for P03, who clearly looked embarrassed that he had lost the spherical bot.
After about twenty minutes of looking Toodles paused, one of his ears twitching, the bike bell sound reverberating. “I-I-I hear him..” He says softly, hovering in a zigzagging path towards where he can hear Wheatley, Fandroid trailing behind, apologizing to the few people he managed to bump.
The duo found Wheatley in quite a predicament. He was trapped in a ditch. Even if P03 had gotten to him first, the hovering bot would have no way to get out of the ditch.
“Wheatley! Hold on- we’ll get you!” Fandroid says, looking at Toodles. “Are you able to lift him?” He turns to ask Toodles, earning him a shake.
Toodles had been put in this situation before, and judging from Wheatley’s rapid optic movements directed at the sky, Toodles knew exactly what had driven Wheatley to wriggle his way off P03 and into a ditch.
A bird.
“Wh-whea- Wheatley…. A-all the birdies are asleep. You know that, c-c-cuz it’s dark out. The birdies are asleep.” Toodles says in a gentle tone, visibly calming the sphere.
“A-are you sure? Because I saw a really big bird- and I mean it was HUGE… are you sure it’s asleep and won’t get me?” He asked, voice small and timid at the end.
Toodles flew up really high and made a big show of looking around for birds, before floating back down. “No-no-nope! No birds around here, they’re all asleep. Are you calm enough to let-let-let Fandroid pick you u-u-up?” He asks, tilting his body so one ear fists lower than the other, like a dog asking for a treat.
“Yes. I suppose. Since there are… no birds.” Wheatley says, his optic lowering to look at the ground.
Fandroid carefully slid into the ditch, lifting Wheatley out and setting him on the grass, before climbing out and dusting the dirt off of himself.
Just as he had picked up Wheatley the trio hear a puttering noise quickly approaching. P03 had found them.
“Wheatley. What the €*^% were you thinking by falling off my crank?! We all had been sitting at that $&@^ portal area for almost an hour! We could’ve been home by now you-“
“Hey!” Fandroid shouted, stopping P03 in its tracks. “Wheatley has been found now. That’s all that matters. Stop making this a big deal.” Fandroid says with a stern expression, staring to walk towards where Gizmo and KATIO should be.
“Stupid… android- €£^#*¥= imbecile- HEY!” P03’s arm sways as it tries to stay balanced as Toodles “accidentally” shoved it from behind after calling Fandroid and imbecile, chiming softly as he flutters after the musical bot. Leaving P03 scowling as it trails behind the other blue robots.
The gang meets up with Gizmo, who is very happy they had managed to find Wheatley, letting off a little celebratory tune. The portal reopens a few minutes after all six bots had been standing around- and they all go through.
Being greeted by the pale crème walls and dark green furniture- Fandroid feels something he hadn’t in a while… peace. Contentment…
He lifts Wheatley up so the bot can reconnect to his management rail, earning a soft ‘thank you’ before the sphere heads back to his room… probably to decompress from all the stress.
Fandroid watched as Gizmo and KAITO walked into a room that was slightly hidden behind the kitchen- to what Fandroid didn’t really care. P03 headed toward the iron door next to the tv, floating inside and letting the door slam shut behind it.
Toodles started to head in the direction of his room, before turning and looking at Fandroid- who was staring at P03’s door.
“F-f-Fandroid? What’s wrong?” He asked, hovering closer to the boxy bot with a concerned look on his face.
“I just- I want to know why P03 treated Wheatley like that… it was so rude.” Fandroid said, his facial expression scrunching up in anger.
Toodles glanced towards P03’s door, bobbing in the air for a moment. “He… has a l-lot of anger issues. I-I-I’ve heard the people back in h-h-his world weren’t very nice…”
“That doesn’t make it right for him to be mean to others..” Fandroid says with a huff.
“I-it was humiliated… laughed at for existing. I-I-it tries not to look weak… to not give anyone a reason to m-ma-make fun of it. I heard him say that one night…” Toodles says, remembering a “group therapy” night ran by KAITO.
Toodles learned a lot about the other bots trapped in this pale purgatory by staying silent. Sure, his issues eat away at him, but at least he was well informed.
“I wish I could do something for him… let him know it’ll be okay. I- I wish I knew if it was going to be okay. I mean- I’m still very new to this place… I don’t know what I’m going to do when I go back to ADHOC. None of my friends believe me when I mention this place…” Fandroid says, sitting down on the dark green sofa, bringing his legs up to his chest, gently trailing the metal panels.
His legs weren’t one consecutive attachment, more like a bunch of metal scrap welded together, like someone made them in a rush. One was also slightly longer than the other, giving him an uneven walk where he almost consistently felt off balance and uncomfortable.
Toodles hovered near his form, pressed into the corner of the cushions. He wished he had advice, or at least comfort to give, but he didn’t. Toodles never left this place… if he had to guess, his body was likely in a state like Wheatleys was; dead, and stuck wherever it was left. Which in Toodles’ case was most likely the mousekadoer, which was in the eroding clubhouse which was without power which meant… he’d never… power back on.
He dropped a little- so stuck in the self deprecation that he hadn’t realized he’d been lowering his hover power. He looked at Fandroid, who must’ve heard the startled chimes and had turned to look at him.
“At… at least y-y-you have a home to go back to…” Toodles says quietly… a soft longing evident in his glitchy voice.
Fandroid nodded a soft yawn escaping him, followed by a soft curse. “I’m not ready to go back…” He mumbled, wrapping his arms around his legs tightly.
Toodles floated over, maneuvering into the small gap between Fandroid’s knees and chest, hands coming out from the hinge on his back. The gloved appendages reaching out to hold Fandroid’s face, a troubled expression on his screen.
“I-i-it’s okay… you can go. I-I-I’ll be here waiting. Yeah, we’ll all be here waiting. G-go enjoy-joy-joy the outside.” He said softly, his thumbs tracing the small lip between where the metal and plexiglass met on Fandroid’s face, fingers curled around the angular shape of his head. A soft smile on his own screen.
A soft lullaby flows through the living room, as Fandroid relaxes back into the couch, back resting against the armrest, tucked against the back cushion. His arms cradle the smaller bot close, as he slowly drifts off to sleep, unaware of the affectionate look he’d been given.
———————————————
———————————————
Fandroid wakes up again in ADHOC. No lights, no sounds… just him in a dark room. He gently drags his claws over his chest, feeling the dents and scratches that litter the rectangle of metal. The knobs and speakers that are constantly full of dust.
He instantly misses the warmth of Toodles, the soft puttering he could feel through his wires, the chimes of the bike bell sound, the soft stuttered reassurance.
And in that dark, dusty medical room… Fandroid cried.
Real, deep, aching sobs… holding himself so tightly his sides caved a little under the pressure. His head hung low, and his screen dimmed.
And he just… cried.
Chapter 9: Claw marks on the inside of the cage
Summary:
No matter how hard you try, if you can't- you won't.
Notes:
TW: mentions of wanting to pull yourself apart :3
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Fandroid sat crying in that supply closest for at least an hour. He didn't know what he was going to do. He didn't know what to think of where he went, or the people he'd met. He never knew anyone outside his circle since Melody showed up- and that was at least 10 years ago.
Whose game is this and why is he playing?
He sniffled, bringing his claws up to his face, touching the metal to the plexiglass- the fleeting memory of Toodles' hands on his screen, holding him so tenderly.
A sudden rush of emotions floods through him, and he turns, and slams his claws into the wall, the metal on metal making a loud bang as they collide.
As he pulls his hand away from the wall, he scowls- standing up as quickly as he can. Going to take a step forward he falters- swaying. Looking down he’s struck with a harsh reality.
“Right…” He mutters, being met with the sight of his wheel. The sight taunting him, reminding him he didn’t have the freedom and mobility he deserved. The independence he’d never get to experience. He thought since he was ADHOC’s golden goose he’d have been given anything he wanted. He already couldn't leave the facility- what harm would it cause for him to be able to navigate it a little easier?
As he regained his balance, and slowly rolled out of the dark storage room, his internal clock recalculated to show it was 9:34 pm… though ADHOC’s been cut off from reliable internet access for years so that wasn’t a very reliable time.
He made his way back to the elevator, heading back up to the main area of AHDOC. As it lifted, instead of turning left, he continued straight, passing the area Frogbot claimed as his own. Through what used to be a break room. Through the main entrance, past a waiting room, a small mechanic shop…
Until he found himself at the front doors. This wasn’t new to Fandroid, in fact it’s become much more recent in the year. He’d come to the large smashed glass doors and just exist there- sometimes for days. Occasionally he’d try to leave, being immobilized by a volt of electricity, burning and frying his wires.
He’s tried to dig the device out of him- which always ended up with him yanking out an important power cord and Beep-0 or Frogbot finding his limp body near the entrance.
After all… it was quite hard to pull your own organs out.
He rolled up to the seam where the sand covered tile met the earth outside, looking forward- far in the distance a bustling city could be seen through the shroud of sand the wind picked up.
Just before he could push himself over the barrier to try escaping one last time, a chime is heard. Fandroid quickly snaps his head around, looking for the source- was it a vision? A dream? Was he real? Did he… oh…
It’s was just Melody.
“Fandroid… could you please roll back for me?” She asked, her voice small and shaky. No one ever liked watching him put himself through the electrocution, especially since he always seemed so blank while doing it. His eyes empty and his expression grim.
He rolled back, away from the seam, crushing glass under his wheel.
“I don’t enjoy being trapped Melody.”
“I.. I know. But- we can’t take it out of you Fandroid. None of us know how to…” She says, hovering to sit on the flat area on the top of his chest, where his shoulder would be.
Her weight was grounding- and he took a deep breath in…
.
.
.
.
Flash
His weight, the soft music, the puttering. Calming, soft words- spoken with intention. Experience behind them. Care, not obligation.
The ache.
Flash
.
.
.
.
.
.
Fandroid’s breathing deepened, the pattern ragged.
“Get off me.” He said, voice flat- deeper, rough. As if he was about to start crying.
“Wha-? Fandroid? What’s-“
“GET OFF ME!” He screamed, quickly shoving off on his wheel- the sound of glass scraping across the floor with a burst of wind. His wheel screeching across the linoleum, leaving a trail of rubber.
Melody was thrown off Fandroid’s shoulder with the force. Left hovering in the air with confusion. “Fandroid?! What’s wrong? Why did you do that?” She asked- bewildered.
He’d never thrown her off him before… what’s changed?
He stood, facing away from her, his frame shaking as he tried to process the rage he felt. Why was he so mad at a simple touch… why did it instantly take him back…
“Leave… leave me alone.” He said quietly… bringing his arms up to hold himself as he rolled away from the main entrance. His wheel crushing bits of debris as he made his way through the dirtied walls of the once clean upper factory.
Looking up at the broken fluorescent lights, he remembered when this was a good place. When he was happy to be around the other bots that now he just couldn’t stand. What had changed..? What went wrong in him that made him so bitter? Was it the isolation? Perhaps the beratement from the humans who worked with him.
Whatever it was he didn’t like it. He missed when he was sweet and kind. Nice to people… not full of anger and overwhelming emotions he couldn’t figure out how to get rid of.
“Quit crying Fandroid.” A deep robotic voice crackled through the speakers above him.
He hadn’t even realized he was crying- sniffling as the digital tears on his screen blinked out of existence. “Beep-o… what- *sniff* what do you need?” He asked, voice low.
The speakers crackled as years of deterioration settled into the wiring. “I need you to come back down to the lounge deck, and apologize to Melody for lashing out at her. I know you can get upset- but that’s no excuse to hurt your family.” The speakers hissed and distorted his voice- but the words were clear.
And they only made Fandroid madder.
Why should he have to apologize for being angry? Why does he have to apologize about his behavior but no one has to apologize to him?
Why does Frogbot get to smash his screen for rolling over a crayon and not have to apologize? Why does Fandrew get to bend his arm joint so far backwards that it has to be replaced? Why does Beep-o get to boss him around??
“No.” He says plainly, turning away from the speakers.
“No? What **static** do you mean ‘No’? You don’t have the coding in you to refuse a command.” Beep-0 spoke through the speakers.
Fandroid paused. “The.. coding in me? What does that mean?” Being met with no answer- he grew irritated. “WHAT DOES THAT MEAN YOU BA——-RD-“ He screamed, the auto-censor in him cutting off his intent.
“It means you were programmed to not be able to refuse a command from some-**static** above you, authority wise. You shouldn’t be able to disobey me… unless…” Beep-0 went silent again, quickly navigating through pages and pages of text. Messages and progress logs left over from years of reporting in the ADHOC labs. Essays written by interns, emails and call logs between employees- and right there, buried under a small project era he hadn’t looked too closely into..
-Data log #77890 Beat-bot entry #69-
Unidentified user log in.
User35729274859 requested access to ‘Fan-443droid’.
Access granted!
User35729274859 changed Fundamental #6 to:
‘You have free will. Only take orders from people you trust and orders you agree with the outcome of.’
Fundamental uploaded.
User35729274859 changed Fundamental #1 to: ‘Only hurt someone if you are fearing for your own safety or the safety of someone you hold close to you. Only kill someone when your existence or the existence of someone you care about is threatened.’
Fundamental uploaded.
User35729274859 Locked access to ‘Fan-443droid’s fundamentals.
User35729274859 Logged off.
Deleted profile.
-Data log #77890 end-
Beep-0 couldn’t believe his eyes. An intruder managed to change 2 of Fandroid’s fundamentals- the main rules that a robot has to abide by, delete the profile they used so they couldn’t be traced, delete all camera footage from the night it was taken AND lock him or anyone out of being able to change them back!?
As Beep-0 tuned into one of the still working cameras feeds only to see Fandroid had left the area where the working speakers were he scowled. “That brat..” He said under his breath.
Leaving the clunky square body on a pole that didn’t help much with movement, he logged himself into a better body… smoother.
Taller, broader, human-esque… his body creaked with age. He hadn’t used it in a long time… but it worked plenty well. His face was smooth, a dark metal used wherever it’d be visible the rest welded together, as if it’d been pieced together over the years. His arm reached over to unplug the body from the wall, the joints groaning against the movement.
“Alright. I guess I’m playing the game now.” He said to nobody before slowly leaving the surveillance room, headed towards a side exit of ADHOC.
————————————————————————
Fandroid waited around for a minute for Beep-0 to return… and when he didn’t- he huffed, rolling away towards the room he’d claimed as his own. He didn’t know if he could even stand being around his so called “Family” anymore. At least for a while… until he sorted out what happened in his head when he slept.
He clambered over debris, the roof had caved in a few months ago and someone was supposed to awaken some construction bots to fix it, instead of making the one legged wheeled bot climb over the broken beams and roofing tiles.
Fandroid eventually got to the other side, reaching his door he noticed something… he couldn’t lock it. Beep-0 could send anyone to bother him and he’d have no way of keeping them out.
“Hmph… thats a problem.” He says out loud to himself… talking to himself always helped fill the quiet space around ADHOC that the humans never seemed bothered by.
While his door didn’t lock, he did know of a place in the facility that was quite off limits and very private. Station 0: The holo-express deck.
The holo-express deck was a large room with different sectors used back when ADHOC was shipping out robot to rent. There were large plane spaceship car combination vehicles that the humans would load up with a group of robots who were going near the same place, either the same town or city- sometimes even the building.
But… as robots become more complex and more person than just machine, ADHOCs business values became less sought after… unless you were creepy. So the delivery option went offline, and the deck stopped being used.
But- they kept the vans, while they couldn’t be driven and just kinda sat on the floor, if Fandroid could pry one of the door open (which he definitely could) the inside would make a cozy little place to stay.
Fandroid nodded, it would perfect. Though- as he opened the door to his room… he noticed- it would take a few trips to move all his stuff over considering it was on the other side of the building.
He sighed, getting to work. He took the sheets off his mattress and laid them one on top of another, placing his books, an old drawing notebook, an old spiral notebook full of his song lyrics into the middle of the sheets. He grabbed a few of his spare parts from the corner tossing those into the blankets as well. A few figures he collected from the employees offices went in. Some office supplies.
His laptop, mouse and charger all went into his pillow case- with the pillow still in it. He really didn’t want those broken. Placing it gently into the blankets, he folded the sheets into a little sack, being able to carry everything he needed to bring with him.
Just as he was leaving though- he spotted something shining under his desk. Setting down the sack, he rolled over to it, picking it up.
It was a golden carnival ticket. A picture of a circus tent and fireworks was on the front bordered by a decal.
The first thought he had was ‘Oh.. from the carnival me and the others went to.’ But his second was- ‘Whats it doing in the real world?’ And his third was ‘Does anyone else have one?’
He flipped it over, on the back was a phrase, right in the middle of the ticket… “!kcul doog ,em gnidnif rof uoy knahT” and it was in some fancy cursive so, Fandroid didn’t even know if it was real words.
It was neat… so he opened his chest compartment, there was a small ledge inside his speaker where he could store important things… so far there was just a shiny rock and a screwdriver in there. He gently placed the ticket inside and shut the small door, hearing it click into place before picking up the blanket bag again.
——————————————————————————
Once Fandroid reached the holo-express, he rolled his way over to the furthest van. Setting his blanket bag down, he pried the door open. Looking in at the empty van space he smiled softly. Yes, this was a very private area to spend the next few weeks in… sleeping as long as he could- maybe intentionally letting his battery get as low as it could- then being awake and scrolling the internet for hours… and then sleeping…. And… scrolling- okay he didn’t have a very exciting life!
He grabbed a few of the seat covers, making a makeshift mattress, he clawed a hole through the metal siding of the van to reach an outlet on a nearby wall that thankfully had electricity running through it. He grabbed the blanket bag from outside the van, placing it inside and dispersing all his things around the head of where the mattress would be.
His books stacked on top of each-other behind the drivers side seat, his laptop and mouse on the passenger side so he could plug the charger into the extension cord he had picked up along the way there. He plugged in a strand of barely working fairy lights he spotted in an office along the way here. Handing them up by piercing the metal and making little ledges for it to hang from.
Even after being trapped in ADHOC for so long he was still finding new things. Honestly some of this stuff might’ve been left behind by teens or adults exploring the abandoned ruins. He had also stopped by his little stash of hidden contraband. Setting a lighter and some old tools neatly in a little box. He had some pliers, another larger screwdriver and a wrench. Those would be good if anything needed to be fixed in his new abode.
Lastly he tucked the bottom sheet onto his makeshift mattress, tossed his pillow up, and wrapped the other blanket around him as he flopped onto the cushions. He checked the time again- 12:23 am. He didn’t feel nearly tired enough to sleep.. which he was bummed about.
So he opened this new app he’d heard about..
TikTok….
‘Hm.. not too difficult to set up an account..’ he thought, picking from the options it gave him for content preferences. Choosing photography, nature, pets, art, and games.
He spent nearly 4 hours scrolling through his feed- until he got a low battery warning.
He closed the app, plugged the cord into his neck.. and waited…
And waited
And finally-
He dozed off asleep.
————————————————
Notes:
My writing has improved so much actually this chapter is like- so long- and so much lore- and so long…. My thumbs hurt…. I’m sad now….
xX_robo_heart_Xx on Chapter 2 Tue 29 Oct 2024 04:32AM UTC
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