Chapter Text
William just barely squeezes through the vents, his metal ears scraping on the vents ceiling. His movements were unstable, walking slowly one time and twitching the other. It wasn't a pleasant feeling for him, to be trapped in this metal deathtrap that's simultaneously the only thing keeping his body together. He only now understood the severity of pain he put his victims in. But hey, they don't feel the physical pain as much as he does, so he can say he's suffered a lot more.
He looks at the cramped workplace the manager supposedly worked in. The belongings on the desk were strangely familiar, but the damage done to William's head made him dismiss the possibility of family being here. He wasn't wary of his surroundings, just following wherever his body goes. William was too busy looking at the restaurant. It all looked nostalgic despite the pizzeria being completely brand new. The animatronics on stage had a strange and familiar look to it, looking almost like Henry's. Oh, good old Henry... William had screamed out his name various times in both the saferoom and Fazbear's Frights, begging to be let out, being so unconsciously struck by desperation that he'd call the name of the only man he hated, but also the only man he could rely on. William was afraid of being forgotten in that room, he had such a huge ego that he'd think that Henry could possibly save him. Willingly. What a foolish man William is...
William stares at the animatronics up at the stage. The stage was the only area that had the lights on. How strange this time of life was for William. He actually felt something tug his heartstrings, he felt how it was like to long for a simpler time in life. Where he didn't have to bother looking for suitable parts for his body, where he didn't have to bother taking care of his kids- but he never actually did that. He just misses the life where he could create, instead of worrying about making it through the day. Afton used to be a progressive and fast-paced man, but his star shone too bright that it simply just died out faster. Look at where he is now.
The entrance door swung open. It was dark and rainy outside, William was sure of this. As for the person who entered, William's eyes couldn't make out who. But he can tell he had the posture of a meek man. William spent too long observing people's behaviors to see if they could be convenient to him. For once, William feels like he wanted to hide his disgusting body, it's surprising that he was almost capable of feeling shame! However, he didn't move, instead he just turned his back to look up again at the animatronics. Acting like he's supposed to be there, still trying to protect his ego over his safety. All he could hope for was that he'd simply be kicked out of the place, not prodded any longer.
"...You.." It was a gruffy voice that gained an uncanny amount of energy upon seeing William.
In dread, William turned back to face the man who seemed to recognize him.
"Old friend..." William scoffs, "You aged, a lot." such big talk for an undead man in a rotting suit. He couldn't even see him clearly, he only sees how the light faintly reflects onto the wrinkles of Henry's skin. Afton talks proudly for a man in his condition. Well, that's only because it's all he knows. He knows nothing of vulnerability, unless he had something to gain.
"Don't talk to me in that way, William." Henry's seen him before, but only in the newspapers about Fazbear Frights, his joints tensen while slowly backing away from the animatronic-man. Henry looks at William's dark shadow, almost terrified. William may have just wished to be kicked out earlier, but he finds that staying here would be interesting. Now he had a motive to stay, to hurt Henry a little more.
"Well of course, you would never want me here. But.. Is this place even yours? I've seen a different man leading this place in the daytime."
"That man would be Michael. You know, your son." Henry spoke, his voice quieter than before. He probably tried really hard to not scoff at reminding William of his own child. But William heard it.
...He paused. 'I knew it was wrong to dismiss the stuff on the desk...' He thought. This is as deep as his self doubt can go. Now he had more reason to hurt Henry. If he's still capable of doing so... Why would Michael work here when William knows he wants to erase every trace of Freddy's? Did the boy simply just want to work under Henry's wing and not his?
"Then what is your place in being here, Hen?" So he tried digging for an answer.
"Unlike you, I have a reason to stay here." Henry deflects, nervously walking away to flip the light switch. Afton feels almost disrespected at Henry's indifference, but not offended because he could see the man's anxiousness. He still fears him. " You don't belong at Freddy's anymore, William. Not with all of the pain you've caused." Henry flips the light switches on. Now, they can see each other in all their misery.
"So what, you don't want me here, don't care about me anymore?"
"I care about the people you hurt!" Henry raised his voice, surprisingly. He rarely does it. He's much more irritable now though, that's what aging does to you. "You never cared about anything else outside the spectacles you'd make for yourself...!" 'Still so dramatic...' William thought. "Don't act like you're a saint. You know we worked together. You put up with me, you agreed to everything I wanted, and kept quiet when I needed you to be. We're not that different from each other."
Henry was nearly caving in to William's lies. His voice was getting shakier.
"...No. You made me do it. You.. knew I'd do anything for your sake."
"Why would you be so desperate to make me happy?" William asked. Anyone could tell he was smiling from the way he spoke.
Henry couldn't answer. William used to be an important part of his life back then. But William couldn't understand the lengths someone would go to, to please others. Of course he couldn't understand. No one ever meant that much to him.
"Henry. I know I still matter to you." William tried to spark their old 'love' back, in hopes for Henry making his life somewhat easier, but it's no use. Henry doesn't reply. "But I guess I didn't matter enough for you to let me out of the safe room sooner. Thanks to you, I turned out like this."
... "Keeping you there was for everyone's good. For people who could've became a victim, for my daughter... Who you took away, in case you're forgetting." Henry utters. "William."
"I want you to leave my life, permanently." Henry's voice lacked the irritation now. He was pleading for the other man to leave. William thought that he'd have some backbone now, but he supposed not.
"Will... Please," Henry walks towards William. It almost frightened William. Will stopped moving. "Don't give me more of a reason to hurt you." It was a gentler way to tell him to leave.
“I can’t promise that, Hen. Just forget about everything that ever happened.”
William will be here, all day and night. No matter how much Henry wants him to leave. He lets Henry walk towards him, he thinks that Henry probably won't be able to do much to harm him anyway. Strangle him, punch him, kick his shins, he'll take anything!
... But Henry, he just walks past him. "What? Nothing?" William looks back, the metal ears of his suit hanging low like he's waiting.
"...Henry." William calls out, the area of the pizzeria echoing his voice. No reply. Henry's probably here for other reasons anyway.
William could hear a door shut far away from the main dining area, it was probably Henry. William turned his head away, trying to forget about the man, while looking again at the very animatronics that remind him of Henry. William had no idea why he chose to torture himself by looking at these old pieces of junk. His animatronics were clearly better, so why does he bother? Why does he bother trying to pull Henry down with him, pretending to be as charming as he used to be? Everything he knows has no use to him now, because all he knows is how to pretend. But how can you do that when everyone can see how much of a monster you are?
"Why do I bother..." William utters to himself.