Chapter Text
Henry now seated at his piano had started playing a bit ago and enjoyed being sucked into his little world again with Frankie, but had to admit he was getting quite frustrated with himself. He was attempting to play something different that his memory could somewhat remember, he had just played a couple warm ups, he’d already let Frankie know he was possibly going to be frustrated figuring out how to play the new music he was attempting to remember so if it sounded off that was hus reasoning. He tried a multitude of times and currently was trying to remember how a certain part of it went, after missing another key he stopped and put a hand over his head, his headache worsening somehow. Frankie looked over at Henry noticing his playing had stopped. Henry rubbed at his tired eyes and let out a sigh. Frankie waved over to Henry for his attention and pointed to him giving him an “ok” sign with his hand, which Henry took as his way of asking if he was okay. Henry chuckled and nodded.
“Yeah! Yeah,” Henry coughed. “I’m alright Frankie I’m just really tired is all, my heads been ringing all day. It usually does but I don’t know, it’s been really bad today, and not being able to remember this song is ridiculous.” Henry scoffed. Frankie gave him a frown, making Henry give him a soft smile and let out a small chuckle. This was the same guy he was terrified of a couple weeks back? Henry chuckled to himself. “I’m okay Frankie really, it’s the usual you remember how it is.” Henry said playing an overly jolly tune on the piano and chuckling, earning another automatic laugh from Frankie’s voice box. Beforehand, Henry found the creepy laugh unsettling but now he thinks he’s warming up to it. Henry giggled unintentionally and grabbed at his head again. Frankie’s smile slowly turning into another frown.
Frankie didn’t know how to help Henry, he couldn’t just tell him everything would be alright or sooth him in any way like that. Frankie looked over at Henry’s free hand laying on the piano bench to keep himself upright, Frankie gently reached over and attempted to grab his hand softly, yet, instinctively Henry jumped and snatched his hand away from Frankie, Frankie looking at Henry in shock for a second before frowning and pulling his arm back and resting his gloved hand on the piano bench, his ears lowered in a saddened expression, appearing apologetic to Henry. After he snapped back from the sudden shock of the motion Henry looked down at Frankie’s hand that was reached out originally.
“S-Sorry, I think I’m still getting used to all of this I g-guess.” Henry stuttered nervously, feeling bad about his sudden jolt. Frankie’s frown worsened, him now looking away from Henry. Henry frowned as well now, his face full of uncertainty and guilt. He glanced back at Frankie’s gloved red hand on the bench. Henry took a deep breath and let it out before standing up and throwing one of his legs over to the other side of the piano bench, one leg on each side to face him better. Making Frankie give a glance at him but turning away again after noticing he wasn’t getting up to leave. Henry reached over and lifted up Frankie’s hand, Frankie himself turning his head confused from the sudden contact. Henry flipped Frankie’s giant hand over with one hand and put his other lanky hand into his. Frankie looked into Henry’s sunken in eyes and Henry smiled at him.
“I’m okay Frankie really, if anything you’re the one giving me the headaches.” Henry joked, earning an unamused expression from Frankie, making him giggle uncontrollably. Frankie watching Henry’s expression change suddenly to something almost entirely giddy sparked something deep in him, he shook his head and tried to ignore it, pushing it away for now. “No seriously, I just wish they didn’t give me that feature, or like I dunno give me some kind of off switch or something to turn off these stupid headaches, or tell us if our guests had an off switch.” Henry scoffed, Frankie giving him a look that made Henry chuckle. He looked down at their hands on top of one another, it was hard for Henry not to think Frankie could easily crush both of his hands into one of his, he felt a shiver run down his spine at the thought. Henry’s gone through enough repairs, more than he’d like to think about, he could handle another repair, but that didn’t mean it suddenly wouldn’t hurt him still.
Henry tried to think of something else, and in turn, it helped him just now notice he was rubbing his thumb against Frankie’s palm subconsciously, noticing the red fading all over his palms. He made a mental note to see if he could find any left over paint for him, ‘if he didn’t prefer blood of his victims as a paint coat’ he joked mentally, finding the joke half vile and half amusing. He smiled lightly and looked up causing the two to lock eyes with each other. Making Henry’s face turn red and embarrassed, Frankie returning it with a soft automatic chuckle coming from his voice box, all included with an awkward smile. Henry returned it as well and stopped his thumb from moving along his palm, slowly lifting his hand out of Frankie’s. Henry trying to find his words again.
“I- uh I- thank you for, trying to help, sorry I jumped back randomly.” Henry said, Frankie gave him a genuine smile and flapped his spring attached hand up and down as to say ‘it’s no big deal.’ Henry returned the smile completely forgetting his headache was even there to begin with anymore.
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Two days go past since Henry and Frankie last saw one another, not that they didn’t want to but they had been busy with their areas. Plus Henry was the type to wait for Frankie to initiate something at this point instead of him due to the contestants at night. They both have been lucky with not needing to deal with new contestants as of late, more-so lucky for Frankie as Henry would rarely ever get to face a contestant, let alone see on. As of late, picking up contestants for the new season proved to be difficult for the higher ups to scam. It’s been bothering The Other but thankfully he’s left Frankie and Henry to their own devices as long as they were sticking to their schedules when guests were coming in and out. Frankie did his usual roam the water park and pop in to any other area every once in a while to have the guests take pictures with him in different spots while today Henry was running his least favorite area today, Hide N’ Henry.
If Henry’s headaches were bad any other day of the week, then they were diabolical on days he had to run Hide N’ Henry. Usual little kids running through, yelling as loud as they could, their muffled foot steps ringing through the carpeted floors somehow, speaking of which, the constant ringing of those stupid telephones everywhere was the worst part of it all. Henry felt like the top of his head was ringing every 5 seconds. He felt himself slowing down near the end of his shift. He checked his pocket watch and thanked whatever was watching down on him that it was finally over. He let his automatic speaker speak for him as he waited for his door to shut behind all the guests. Henry held the wall to help him walk back to his dressing room, he opened the door and leaned against the frame of the door to keep himself upright, squinting from being in such a darkly lit room with neon designs everywhere to the brightly lit room, he shut off the ceiling lights letting only the warm light of the lamp on his desk be the only source of light in the room. His robotic body felt like it was overheating, he wouldn’t be surprised if suddenly he shut down out of nowhere. He skipped sitting near his mirror and sat on the couch nearby the door. He laid down grasping at his head, both to try and ease his headache and keep the plastic phone in place, feeling the light of the lamp blind him adding to his headache, now wishing he turned off the lamp light too, he turned to face into the couch, practically digging his forehead into it.
His head felt like it was still ringing, he felt like everything was pulling him apart. Henry tried to ignore the pain and attempted to ease it out of himself somehow, he crossed his arms and curled slightly on the oversized couch, he closed his eyes in a way to calm down his circuits to avoid overheating anymore than he felt like he already was. As he took in a deep breath and let it out, he suddenly heard metal rustling around in the corner of his room. Henry shot up thinking a guest somehow got into his dressing room, feeling immediately that his body was regretting him doing that. As Henry looked around not seeing anything he assumed he imagined it, until he heard the vent pop open, making Henry’s adrenaline skyrocket for a moment, gripping the top of the sofa back piece throwing his head upwards to see what was the fuss. Until he saw a familiar light grey bunny leave the vent. Henry looked him in the eye for a second over the couch before flopping back down, immediately feeling all his energy crash out of him knowing it was just Frankie. Frankie walked over to Henry over by the couch, confused as to why the lights were off minus the lamp. Henry turned slightly around to say hi to Frankie weakly.
“Hey Frankie.” Henry said, his voice box more shot from overusing it today than he assumed it was, he cleared his throat and tried again. “H-Hey Frankie, sorry I’m like, really out of it right now.” Henry chuckled, wincing from another surge of pain in his head. Frankie moved down and gave a way to ask Henry ’are you okay?’ In which Henry wasn’t sure to decipher it as well this time.
“Did you loose something or?-“ Henry asked confused, Frankie shook his head and tried again, this time it registering better with Henry. “O-oh” Henry chuckled nervously. “Y-yeah yeah I’m alright Frankie. I just got a headache again.” Henry sighed. Frankie looked at him worriedly and Henry could tell through his squinted eyes. “Really, today was Hide N’ Henry today.” Henry explained. Frankie gave a sign of realization and nodded his head slowly, making Henry chuckle. “Yeah I’d assume you’d remember it’s not the best day for me.” Henry wheezed out. “Sorry if you came here to listen to me play today I don’t think I’m capable of that.” Henry apologized, Frankie made a ‘waving it off’ motion, making Henry chuckle, putting a hand on his head as if that’d stop the ringing rattling around his head. Frankie sat there with a furrowed brow and a frown evident on his face, Henry chuckled, attempting to reassure him with a smile. “I’m okay Frankie really.” Henry laughed softy. “Seriously, you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to but you can if you’d like, as long as you don’t shake me awake or something.” Henry said sarcastically with a chuckle, earning his own automatic chuckle from Frankie himself. Frankie sat on the floor next to the couch and starred at Henry intently, Henry giving him a weak smile. He put his hand out in front of Frankie, Frankie not noticing at first and jumping back when he did, making Henry give him a look of shock for a brief moment and then he started giggling uncontrollably. Frankie returning it with a look of unamusement.
“Aww come on Frankieee.” Henry cooed, laughing at his own tiredness. “It’s okay we’re even now.” Henry said going into another small fit of giggles, turning on his side to face Frankie better. Frankie rolling his eyes and seeing Henry try again putting his hand out. Frankie copied his motion and Henry placed his hand on top of Frankie’s palm gently. Henry and Frankie both looked at their cupped hands together, Henry getting use to the size difference, almost completely forgetting his previous thoughts about Frankie being able to hurt him. Henry looked up at Frankie now who was too mesmerized by their cupped hands together. Henry felt a small, wobbly smile appear on his face with his eyes going half lidded. This was the guy he’s been terrified of for so long? He’s so… gentle now, nothing like before.
Henry felt butterflies flying around his circuits. God what was with him? Henry pushed his head into the pillow as if that would stop his mind from running wild. Henry felt Frankie subconsciously rub his massive thumb over his hand, he looked down and then back up at Frankie, which if Henry had to guess was doing it subconsciously, reminding him of what he did a couple days ago as well, maybe they were a lot more similar than Henry thought. Kinda like they were before all of this contestant stuff, Henry smiled.
He kept starring at Frankie and moved onto his features, he particularly liked Frankie’s beady eyes, they were so simple yet it made him look adorable, he cursed himself for using that word for Frankie lately. Some found it uncanny but it just reminded Henry of an actual rabbits eye. He chuckled at the thought, he moved into his fur, his usual fluffy fur looked so matted, thankfully it’d be washed whenever new contestants would begin appearing but now it just looked dirty. Henry didn’t care, he knew that wasn’t Frankie’s doing. He liked his design, he thought he was fun, he was also really soft looking, if Henry knew any better he’s say he looked warm. Out of curiosity Henry moved over and stuck out his free hand, this time waiting for Frankie to notice before moving in.
Frankie eventually noticed his own thumb rubbing against Henry’s hand gently subconsciously, he snapped back out of his own world when he noticed Henry’s other hand reaching for the side of his face, Frankie was confused but didn’t do anything to move. Henry’s body moved like it had a mind of its own, he leaned forward touching the matted fur against Frankie’s shell. Henry didn’t know if he was imagining it or it was just Frankie over heating or something, but he felt, warm, definitely not what he expected to come from a giant metal robot. Henry’s pupils widened from the touch, once he realized he left his hand there for longer than he meant to to he pulled his hand back slowly.
“S-sorry you, uh, you.. y-you looked kinda soft” Henry chuckled nervously, not sure how Frankie would respond. Frankie gave him a confused look but Henry could see his face flush, unless that was Frankie imagining it from overheating more somehow. Henry looked into Frankie’s eyes and gave an awkward smile. Henry looked away and attempted to push himself to sit up now on the couch with one arm, thankfully having enough strength to do so, but he also had help from Frankie from his hand that was still placed in his own. Henry was so enthralled with Frankie he didn’t even remember his raging headache when he got up, he flinched slightly from the sudden reminder but he tried not to think about it and distract himself from it again. Frankie looked at Henry with curiosity and made a motion with his hand, Henry assuming he was curious as to why he got up.
“Why did I wanna sit up or?..” Henry waited for a response before continuing, Frankie nodded, noticing his shadow on the wall coming from the only light source in the room bouncing up and down out of the corner of his eye. “I just, well, I- Uh.” Henry said trying to find an excuse, letting out a sigh in defeat. “Honestly I just wanted to see you better.” Henry chuckled out awkwardly. “You’re a mess by the way, your hair is all matted and gross, that’s why I keep touching it.” Henry said sarcastically, earning a low automated chuckle from Frankie, knowing full aware it was just Henry’s usual sass returning back to him. God, when was the last time he would crack a sarcastic joke like that? Henry’s eyelids became lidded again and he gave a small grin, feeling his own face heat up suddenly. Frankie jokingly moved back and crossed his arms again, turning his head to the side in a fake offended manner.
“Oh come on now not this again Frankie.” Henry said half cheery half sarcastically, sprinkled with him giggling at the bunny. “Come onn, come back Frankie I sat up on the couch and everything! I’ve done everything for you!” Henry said dramatically, faking wiping away a tear now playing along with the bunny. Which Henry could see he was snickering under his shoulder trying to mask it somehow with his springy body. Henry went into a small fit of giggles and moved his arms forward, softly grabbing the side of Frankie’s head and turning the bunny’s head gently towards him, a smile evident on Henry’s face. Until he realized the position he put them in and immediately let go of his face pulling back his arms. “S-sorry I didn’t realize what I was doing.” Henry chuckled out awkwardly, placing his hands on his own lap. What was with him today? It’s like his body was making him awkward on purpose today or something without thinking.
Frankie looked at his hands and back up at Henry’s eyes, some kind of awe was prevalent in his eyes, Henry returned the same expression, Frankie noticing him slowly turning confused. Frankie looked back down, Henry furrowing his brow in confusion but eventually slowly following his gaze to see what he was looking at. Frankie gently put his hands under Henry’s and brought them back up to his face, quickly glancing at Henry to make sure he was okay with it. Frankie let go of Henry’s hands and Henry blushed, thinking they both must have looked ridiculous. He let out a small unprompted chuckle and gently rubbed his fingers into Frankie’s fur out of curiosity, making Frankie melt into Henry’s hands. Henry stopped and quietly giggled to himself. Bringing his head to his own shoulder to try and muffle his laughter. Frankie giving him an unamused expression. Henry lifting his head back up taking a smiley breath.
“Gosh you’re just like some cute oversized rabbit.” Henry chuckled, cursing himself in his head once he realized the way he worded it. “Sorry that slipped out,” Henry chuckled awkwardly. “You’re like, all warm and fuzzy.” Henry giggled, scratching the sides of his face to even out his fur better, hearing something repeated randomly, Henry peeked over and saw Frankie’s foot thump up and down, trying his hardest to let out a big goofy ‘awwww’ escape. “God you really are just a big bunny huh? I wanna meet the guy who programmed you to do that.” Henry said alluding to Frankie’s leg thumping. Frankie let out an annoyed growl making Henry just snicker to himself silently again.
If you told Henry weeks ago this was what he’d be doing after not much time has passed he’d laugh in your face and lock you outside his dressing room thinking you were insane. Now that it’s happening Henry finds it, nice? It’s a side of Frankie he hasn’t seen in a long time, how was this the same Frankie? Henry questioned, getting yanked out of his thoughts hearing Frankie purr when Henry scratched near the bottom of his chin. Henry had to stop for a moment and snicker that quickly turned into laughter that Henry attempted to muffle with one of his hands. Frankie giving an angry embarrassed look, looking away as his face became redder, melting more into Henry’s other hand still on his chin. Henry calmed his laughter into a fit of giggles.
“What’re you supposed to be again? A deadly rabbit? I want a refund.” Henry said sending him into another set of laughs. Frankie pouted at Henry making Henry breathe through his laughter and tilt his head to the side and let out a loud ‘awww’ in between his uncontrollable laughs. Once he calmed down he fanned himself with his other hand and sighed. “That was mean I apologize Frankie, you know I don’t mean that.” Henry said in between more fits of laughter. Frankie pulled his hat down embarrassed looking down, whining slightly in his voice box, Breaking Henry’s touch with his face.
“Aww Frankie don’t hide you big bunny.” Henry said putting his hands on the sides of his face again, just now getting off his high fits of giggles. “I think you’re great silly, I would never ask for a refund, they can keep the change, tip included if that’s meant I got to keep you.” Henry said, unintentionally sounding more sappy than he meant to. Frankie let go of his hat and looked up at him, a big dopey grin making its way to his face, embarrassment still prevalent on his face. Henry chuckled, sitting farther into the back of the couch, he pat his lap and looked at Frankie. “Here, you’ve been sitting hunched over me all day, you might as well put your head down. If you’d like.” Henry offered, Frankie taking it and slowly resting his head in a comfortable position, in which Henry used to scratch at his fur matted fur again, sending Frankie into another set of purrs, Henry making sure to keep the giggling to himself now.