Chapter Text
"Luka!" The boy turned just in time to get an arm full of human. Blonde hair obscure his vision before the person pulled back with a grin. "How's it going cous?"
"Nina," he said, putting her down, "You're full of energy as usual." She laughed and flipped her hair dramatically.
"Of course," she said, "When in my life have I not been?"
"That's true," he said, "but what are you doing here so late?"
"Didn't you hear?" she asked.
"No, what?"
"I'm the new night guard," Nina said, "So I'll be here all night long."
"Nina! That's not safe!" She rolled her eyes.
"It's been twelve years since the disaster back then," she stated, "and nothing bad has happened to the guards since then. So I'll be fine. Besides, you guys will all protect me." She giggled and hugged him tightly, eyes glittering. "You know, I always knew you were in here. You and the others were too alive. There was no doubt in my mind."
"Your dad didn't share that view," he mused.
"Nope, but he does now so it's all good." She pulled back again. "I also knew you weren't going to take that deal and become human again. I'd never seen you smile so much in your life as you did after turning into an animatronic."
"I figured that's what you meant back then," he commented, "and it's strange. I feel so content now with these guys. I love seeing kids smile, and this kind of job is perfect. It's still weird even now to be like this and sometimes I still think I'm human at times. It's taken some adjusting to."
"How are the others anyway?" Nina asked before looking around, "Or rather...where are they?"
"They're all good," Luka replied, "as for where they are...I've been banished out here while they set up something in the kitchen."
"Set up? Set up what?"
"A birthday party," he said in amusement.
"For who?"
"Me." She blinked and then gasped.
"That's right," she said, "It is your birthday. But how did they know?"
"Uncle Jason may have had something to do with that. I swear that man is always up to something."
"He's changed since you became an animatronic," she replied, "I think he's realized not to judge the situation without all the facts." He laughed and she joined in, both feeling content to be like this. "I should get to work," she said.
"Nina? Good to see you again!" They turned to see Chica, her beak stretched in a grin.
"Chica! Glad to see my dad is keeping you guys well up to date," she said, "Did you hear? I'm the new night guard,"
"I heard," she replied, "but you can't leave yet. We have a party to complete. Help me drag the birthday boy in?"
"Of course!" Luka laughed as they dragged him into the kitchen, grinning when he saw everyone. Bonnie was sitting on the counter, arms spread as he called his name. Foxy was grinning off to one side, eye patch raised to reveal both golden eyes glowing with mischievousness. Freddy was smiling as well. Ever since Golden Freddy's death the bear had grown much more lively. No longer was he always the stoic leader.
"Happy Birthday!" they all called out. He grinned and laughed, letting Chica pull him over to a cake she'd made even though none of them could actually eat. 'Are you happy?' the question he'd been asked so many times before. He smirked to himself, blowing out the candles on the cake at Chica's urging.
'Yeah,' he thought, 'I'm happy. Happier than I ever could have hoped. And if something ever threatens us again...we'll be ready. We're a team now. All of us.'