Work Text:
William Afton sits at his work bench toiling away at the robot sprawled across his desk work top. Their garage has become a makeshift factory for his inventions much to his wife’s displeasure. William sticks his tongue out as he focuses on tightening a specific screw with his wrench.
He takes a glance up at the wall where a clock rests. Hm. He sets the wrench down as he taps his foot against the ground. About five more minutes till Michael should get back.
William’s face lights up at the thought of his eldest son. Mikey is a bright star in his family. The only one to take an interest in his dream. In the animatronics. Sure Henry might believe in him but his wife thinks it’s a weird obsession, Elizabeth thinks they’re creepy, and Evan is too young to truly understand them.
So that leaves him and Michael. His little bud. His little helper.
Right on time the garage door swings open to a breathless Michael. Hair windswept and eyes wide with eagerness. A wide grin graces Michael’s lips as he trots down the small stairs to the garage floor, “Hey Dad!”
William smiles as he pulls out a stool for his son to sit next to him assisting him in his work like they always do, “Hey Mikey!”
Michael plops down in the stool happily. William notes with a small smile that his feet don’t quite reach the ground. His boy still has so much growing to do and William can’t wait to be there for him every step of the way.
Michael points to the animatronic laid open, “You working on Freddy?”
William nods as he wrenches his eyes away from his son to refocus on his other life’s work. He sighs as he taps the desk thoughtfully, “I’ve been having some issues with the jaw mechanism.”
Michael manevours the stool so he’s closer crowding William’s space to get a better look at the machine. He hums lowly, “I’d say you should-“
But he never finishes his suggestion as crying erupts from the doorway. Both Michael and William jerk their heads over to see Evan standing in the doorway bawling his eyes out.
William sighs to himself as he goes to stand but Michael puts a hand on his shoulder stopping him from rising. He shoots his Dad a half hearted smile that doesn’t truly reach his eyes, “It’s okay Dad, I’ll take care of him.”
William raises an eyebrow at that looking between his eldest and youngest son. William knows Michael often struggles with Evan’s timid nature. So of course he offers an out, “Are you sure?”
Michael attempts a smile but it comes out more as a grimace, “I got this, you keep working.”
And with that he’s saluting earning a chuckle from William as he slides off his stool. Michael inwardly groans as he approaches his crying younger brother. Michael doesn’t think he’ll ever understand why Evan cries so much. Nonetheless he carefully hoists Evan into his arms and exits the garage closing the door to leave his father to work in peace.
William works well into the night accidentally missing dinner. He curses at himself for getting so caught up in his own little world but he suspects he fixed the jaw issue with Freddy. After all, the grand opening of Fredbear’s Family Diner is just a day or so away.
He tiptoes through the house closing and locking the garage door. He glances at the kitchen and notes the dishes in the sink. Oh well. Quietly he makes his way upstairs.
First he peeks into Elizabeth’s room. She’s sound asleep.
Next he peeks into the boys’ room. He supposes Michael really should be getting his own room at his age but for now considering their options he shares with Evan. Perhaps if the Diner’s a hit they’ll be able to afford a bigger house and Michael can finally have his own room. William smiles to himself at that. Yeah, Mikey would probably like that.
He glances around the boys room. Michael seems to be up playing around with an electronic. William’s eyes widen in slight surprise seeing the Evan sized lump next to Michael.
He tentatively takes a step into the room instantly gaining Michael’s attention. He stares at his Dad unimpressed. With a judgemental tone he whispers, “You missed dinner.”
William sighs as he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, “I’m sorry Squirt, I got distracted.”
Michael makes a huffing sound of clear disapproval but clearly isn’t truly deeply upset.
William points to the shape under the covers, “Is that Evan?”
Michael glances away from his device in his hands to the shape outlined by the covers. He rubs at his eyes tiredly, “Yeah, he wouldn’t calm down unless I let him.”
“Here,” William steps forward and smoothly scoops Evan into his arms. Even in the low light William can see the tears streaked down his young face, “oh Evan.”
Michael watches them as William carefully deposits Evan back to his own bed. He whispers with slight agitation, “I don’t get it Dad.”
William brushes the bangs away from Evan’s face as the child slumbers. He whispers back softly, “You don’t have to just…promise me you’ll be there for him okay?”
Michael swallows roughly but nods his head in agreement, “Okay Dad.”
William smiles and rises from Evan’s bed. He makes his way over to Michael’s bed and seats himself carefully down. He ruffles Michael’s hair even as his son swats his hand away while laughing. William pulls Michael into a hug, his son goes easily more than happy to return it embracing his father’s arms, “I know you don’t always feel like it but you’re the best big brother Evan could ask for.”
William rubs his son’s back as he hears a sniffle. Michael nods his head against his chest, mumbling a weak, “Yeah.”
William continues to hold Michael as he hopes that his family will always stick together no matter how hard things get. No matter what obstacles come in their way. Cause first and foremost they’re a family. A family that loves each other. And nothing can get in the way of that. Or so he suspects.
Blood. Michael’s hand shakes as it touches his face. There’s a wet substance against his face and as he pulls his fingers back he’s met with bright red. Blood. And not his own. His whole body begins to shake as his eyes dart up to the animatronic. The animatronic that he had worked on for hours and hours upon by his Dad’s side. And and. And his Dad said something about the jaw mechanism and oh god if Evan hadn’t interrupted…
Michael chokes on the bile that pools at the back of his throat
..oh god Evan. Michael can’t tear his eyes away from where his little brother’s body dangles from Fredbear’s jaw. And the jaw just keeps crunching and crunching spraying more blood and a gray substance that Michael faintly recognizes as brain matter.
They’re all in the hospital. Michael stands in the corner as a doctor speaks in low tones to his Father. His father who arrived as soon as he could and first saw everything in a sterile room.
Michael suspects it. After all he was there. He killed his baby brother. All for what? Some sort of cruel prank?
Michael’s eyes flit over to his Father. His Father that won’t even so much as look at him. He only has eyes for Evan. Or well…Evan’s small lifeless body.
As William cradles the limp body of his youngest son much too small in his hands he wonders over and over again the very same thought that races through Michael’s head as he watches distanced and dejected in the corner, Where did it all go wrong?
The house is quiet after Evan’s death. Michael doesn’t join his Father in the garage made work shop. He’s sure he’s unwanted. His Father hardly leaves the place never joining them for dinner anymore.
He doesn’t come to check in on Michael at night either anymore. And Michael had never been afraid of the dark before but now. Now all he can see is the shadows along the walls looming over him waiting to swallow him whole. And the absolute wrongness of the bed across from him being empty.
It’s the beginning of a new life of horrors. Michael stares at the empty bed feeling a hollowness echo in his soul. He doesn’t bother closing his eyes. For he knows if he does all he’ll see is his brother’s dangling lifeless body hanging from Fredbear’s jaw. Where Michael forced him as he screamed and shouted helplessly.
He knows the only thing in the world that could chase away the image would be his Father’s…no his Dad’s arms around him. But that’s a luxury Michael accepts he will never have again.
After all, who could hug, who could love…a murderer?