Chapter Text
You had been sitting at Devin's house for a few hours now. A text to Celestia let her and your kids know you would be gone for a bit longer. You hoped nothing was happening at home.
Devin sat on the couch, Ollie practically in his lap. He was fidgeting with the boys ears, nerves creeping up his back. The toys were nervous too. All of you were really.
After Devin's phone call with his mother, she insisted on coming over. He fought it at first. It wasn't a good idea, it couldn't be. You understood his discomfort with it. Having someone see the toys felt like a great risk to them, even if that person means well.
On the other hand, Devin didn't seem like he'd changed much. He was still awkward and sometimes a little insensitive. He was fine with Ollie but the boy was just easy to get along with. Kissy was fine with him too but Huggy seemed to keep everyone at a very long arm's length.
Poppy was a different story completely. She had trauma, you could tell, but she also didn't trust her 'angel' very much. You couldn't blame her for it. They all went through so much.
They needed someone who could sympathize, someone that understood how to love them. Devin's mom didn't seem like a bad option. At least, from what you know of her.
The knock at the door alerted you all of her arrival. Nina bolted from her spot on the couch to get to the door, laughter filling your ears from here. Ollie moved to the other side of Devin, as hidden from the door as possible. Poppy straightened her dress and fixed her bow in her hair.
Footsteps approached you. Nina smiled wide as she came in the living room. She stepped aside for her mother.
She was shorter, chubby, aged yet kind of adorable. Dark skin, greying hair, and a grey-blue eye to match her brown one. You're pretty sure she was blind in that eye.
Devin stood up slowly, hunching his shoulders and not really looking at her.
"Mom, I-"
He had no chance to finish before she stepped up to him and popped his arm before taking him in a hug.
"You can't just disappear like that, boy... You scared me."
"I'm sorry."
You saw his shoulders shake just a bit as he hugged her back. They stood like that for a couple minutes. The toys around you were tense, waiting for her to see them.
She eventually let go and turned to the rest of you. Her hands went to her chest, right over her heart. She took each one of them in with a heartbroken expression.
"These are the children?"
"Yeah. That's... That's Ollie, Kissy, Huggy, and Poppy..." Devin pointed to each one as he spoke.
She stepped closer to them, Ollie shaking just a little. Poppy lifted her head with a smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"How polite. The pleasure's mine, darling."
"What's your name...?" Ollie finally speaks up, fidgeting with his sweater.
"You can call me Miss Rosie... You look good in Devin's old sweater, Ollie."
Miss Rosie giggles softly. Ollie's face lights up, looking down at his cozy little sweater.
"This was Angel's?"
"Angel?"
"That's... What they call me," Devin grumbles, hands finding their way back into his hoodie pockets.
"You'll have to explain it to me," Miss Rosie gives him a look that screams 'you're no angel.' He chuckles sheepishly, looking away.
"Yeah, we have a lot to talk about," he grumbles.
Kissy stands up, making her way over to the woman. Huggy whines, reaching for her. He doesn't want to follow but he does, tugging at his bowtie. Miss Rosie smiles up at the two.
"And Kissy. A very pretty girl... Oh, apologies. Is gender an issue for any of them?"
"No, not that they've told me," Devin shrugs.
You were surprised someone her age asked about their gender identities. Kissy seemed happy with the praise, clapping her hands together. She must not have really thought about Huggy, leaving him to sit at the coffee table with Poppy. Her hands flapped adorably.
Huggy was a deer in headlights, eye wide. He looked down at the woman in fear. She looked him up and down before putting her hand on his arm. He flinches, eyeing her hand. He expects her to lash out at him. He expects her to hurt him.
"You have been through so much, haven't you, dear?" She said softly.
Huggy was surprised, looking down at her. He allows her to pull his arm down and take his hand in both of hers, offering him a sad, hurt smile. It seems to work on him. He visibly relaxes.
Devin motions to the couch, taking his spot beside Ollie. The boy is instantly in his lap. Miss Rose smiles, sitting on the other end of the couch. Huggy follows her, kneeling next to her and watching her with an odd fascination. It occurs to you that she's probably the first person that hasn't hurt him in his entire life. At least out of the ones that knew he was alive.
Her hand found itself in his fur atop his head. He leaned into her touch, arm slowly wrapping around her leg.
"And who's that?" She looks at you with a motherly smile.
"Remember when I worked at the factory and I talked about my co-workers...?" Devin looked between you both.
"I used to work with him, a long time ago."
"In Playcare? Oh, you're the one he asked me to make that blanket for!" Miss Rosie giggled, looking at you with a bright smile.
Her energy is contagious. You smile too.
"It's nice to finally meet you," you say. Her smile widens.
"Now... You two have a lot to tell me, don't you?" She looked between you and Devin.
You both looked at each other. Devin went first, telling her everything. Miss Rosie listens attentively, petting Huggy each time he makes a noise. She never looks angry or disappointed. She just looks upset and understanding of it all.
Then its your turn. You leave out the gory details, much to Devin's silent thanks.
By the end of it, she's crying silently, holding the giant toy next to her a little closer. No one knew what to say.
"... I may not know much about toys," Miss Rosie said. "But... I know very much about children. I raised two, mostly on my own. Please, allow me to help."
Devin nodded without hesitation. Of course he'd be okay with it. You were a little more hesitant. Your toys were... well, yours. A parental instinct to protect them took over and you didn't want her near them.
But... On the other hand, you saw how she was with Huggy. If she could calm his nerves so quickly, what could she do for your own children?
"... Okay..." You say.
She smiles sweetly. You felt safe near her. Your children would be safe too.