Work Text:
Nobody knew where the kid came from, Joey was the sexless man on the studio.
But they knew he had a kid now apparently,
It surprised everyone.
One day he showed up with a little girl not older then 6; he left her roam around the place like she owned it, everyone tried to keep a watchful eye on her, she was so small.
Many theories were made, did Joey kidnapped her? Was she adopted? Is she a direct familiar of him? It could be anything honestly.
One of the people who took great care of her was Gent's manager on the studio, Thomas Connor.
Everyone knew Thomas was a gruffy man, mutt look alike, and he only had kind words for his best friend and colleague — aside from a few other exceptions— apparently, from what he'd say, Joey asked him personally to watch over the kid.
It was one of the stupidest things Joey could've done, how would a man who's always running around take care of a little kid?
Yet, he surpassed everyone's expectations.
The man– covered on ink, oil or grime, he always had a tail following, said tail was the little girl– her name is Audrey.
Audrey always held on Tom's pants as they walked around, she was very quiet, yet curious, everyone loved her, even Sammy and Bertrum had a soft spot for her.
Sometimes she ran around doing deliveries, sometimes she drew on the walls, sometimes she took assistances, she was a little genius!
She was welcomed aswell in the art department, Henry was another of her caretakers, and oh, if he didn't love her.
Audrey worried him, she was unsettling.
She had striking resemblance to a kid he once had; She died.
“What are you drawing Henry?”
Audrey peered from the side to his drawing table.
“The usual.” Henry mumbled tiredly, offering her yet a soft smile, planting a kiss on her forehead
Audrey smiled and crawled on Henry's lap, Henry sighed and fetched her another pen, handling it to her. “What do you want to draw?”
“Just something I saw a few days ago.” She hummed, grabbing a blank paper, carefully putting the one Henry was working on away, then she started drawing
“You'll make the paper bleed.”
“Blood is not black, uncle Henry.’ she corrected him
Henry tilted his head. “It's just an expression, I know.”
“Then what does it mean?”
He grabbed the pen from her hand, in the corner of the paper, he slashed a line with the tip, paper there broke as some drops of ink splattered around, he did it again, more ink staining the paper. “It would make more sense if we were working with red ink, but- you see how the paper breaks? The droplets of ink, looks like blood.”
Audrey watched in awe, nodding quickly. “Then I'll make the paper bleed! She grabbed the pen again, this time, using straight lines to finish her drawing
Henry laughed and hugged her, watching her art process
The result wasn't very pretty to say, it was a weird square with a smile, but it was pretty because she made it.
Henry picked her up a few times, always cradling her like a baby, he paced around when he couldn't draw, she always babbled some nonsense, which actually made sense, and he started working with it.
Again, with Joey, people tried to guess– that, or straight up ask him about her mom: he replies with “she's adopted” most of the time, but sometimes he changed the story.
One day, Thomas and Audrey trotted down a hallway, the older man carried a few cardboard tubes under his arm, while Audrey followed him holding a file with some of her drawings, she looked very, very happy to be walking along her ‘papa’
“Hey, Connor?” She gave his pants a light tug, impossible that a littke kid held more respect for him than a bunch of fossils with hairs on their asses.
“Yes, miss Drew?” He respondes with equal respect, soft spoken for once.
“Do you know about the big, black cat that crawls around? “
Thomas stopped on his tracks, eyeing her from under his glasses. “What cat? “
Audrey stopped aswell and opened her file, rummaging through it until she found a specific paper.
The paper had a drawing of a black figure, with pointy ears– horns? It had an amorphous shape– which honestly, it was a kids drawing, he didn't mind attention to that.
The cat was cut in half, way too long of a cat, and a toothy grin too. “Well, where did you see that cat?”
“Right here.” Audrey pointed, holding the paper out for the mechanic, Thomas grabbed it and squinted, looking at it.
He frowned a bit, moving the paper out of his line of view. “Audrey- where did you see this cat?” He asked again
Audrey looked away and started walking, Thomas followed her, maybe she had seen it?
He hoped not,
It's hard to keep a kid quiet.
Then, they turned on a corner, Audrey pointed in front of her. “I saw it there.”
Thomas looked over his glasses, there was a bendy cutout, but that one looked odd, it was missing a horn.
“Maybe someone was hungry?” She looked over her shoulder at him, Thomas arches a brow. “The cat was hungry.”
They looked at each other for a moment, nodding in agreement.
“Can you keep a secret?”
“Don't tell anyone about the cat.”
As confused as she looked, she nodded again. “People are allergic to cats. “
“Oh- uhm. Yes, correct.”
“Must be a bad thing if I can't tell anyone.”
Thomas frowned, putting a hand on his hip. “You're a smart girl- maybe too smart.” He smiled softly.
Audrey smiled back and did some skips in front of him, Thomas followed her. “We can drop these at my office. “ Grabbing the papers now. “Then, we can look for the cat.”
“Are you sure?”
“I'll protect you if anything happens.” Again, he smiled
Audrey grinned and ran, Thomas chuckled and ran behind her.
“The ground shakes when you run!” she screamed, looking back at him.
“Look forward when you run!” He screamed back, picking her up by her arm
Audrey laughed and clung to him.
She was so tall now! She giggled and laid on Tom's chest.
He walked a few steps more and Audrey grabbed the key ring from his pocket, looking for the correct one, she opened the door.
Thomas pushed the door open with his foot, making his way in to his desk where he dropped the tubes, Audrey grinned and hugged him as tightly as she could, he corresponded, getting a wheeze out of her. They both laughed.
After their little father-daughter moment, they departed to look for said cat.
“I don't want you to separate from me.” He made a pause. “- unless I tell you to do so.” Thomas mumbled, holding her hand.
“Why would you tell me to run away from you?” Audrey looked up at him.
Thomas looked away and made a face, “Just because..”
As they both made their way deeper into the studio, everything looked darker, Audrey held Thomas’ hand tightly, “I think we shouldn't had done this.”
“Correct, I shouldn't had pulled you in here. “ He stopped. “Let's just get you with Henry, I'll go back to look for it.”
Even in the darkness, Thomas managed to see her shaking her head. “I'm helping you! “
“After all, I told you about the cat.”
“And thanks for that, , really, I appreciate it.”
Thomas sighed as she walked further, pulling him along.
They heard a noise, Thomas raised his eyebrows and pulled Audrey back with him. “Don't go off.”
Audrey hugged his hand and nodded, trying to hide on him.
Something was heard again, Thomas tilted his head, trying to catch where the sound came from
A droplet of ink fell on his head, he quickly snapped his head back to look
Audrey looked as well
They were meet with a cocoon with a strange shape, too big to be a rat, too small to be a humans
Thomas frowned and picked Audrey up, holding her against his chest.
“What is that?!” She squirmed, clinging to him
The man stepped back, as soon as he did, the cocoon dropped to the floor with a loud thud, a splotching sound came from it, followed by some kind of screeching.
Audrey gasped and managed to wiggle away from Thomas, jumping to the floor to run away
Thomas gasped and stepped back to go for her, but he whipped his head back to the creature, frowning. “Son of a bitch.”
“Audrey!” Thomas shouted, wiping his ink stained hands on a rag.
He managed to wrestle the cat into a box, he made sure to lock it up somewhere, he'd take care of it properly later, after he could get his hand on Audrey's, he managed to make a path where she might had been, after all, she probably walked around the floor more times then they'd caught her doing so.
“Audrey! “ Once again he called,he was growing worried– more worried then he was before.
He opened doors, checked hallways, venta and boxes, his anxiety growing every second he spend away from her.
Finally, he opened the last door on the hallway, it was some sort of archive of Joey's, he had no bussiness to do here, said by Joey himself.
Audrey was there!
She ran to hide as soon as she heard the knob twist.
Tom ran towards her, “Audrey!” He shouted in relief.
Audrey turned to face him before going any further. “Tom!” She cried, running back at him, he picked her up and hugged her tightly, they both held each other.
“I'm sorry!” She cried, wiping some crocodile tears off her cheeks.
Thomas put her down and kneeled to meet her height– which still lacked even trying to get down to her level.
“I told you to not do that.” Now he seemed upset
Audrey looked down and nodded again, wiping some more tears.
Thomas pixked her up again and held her close, sniffling a bit.
“Now, let's see what you found.” He mumbled, walking further on the room.
The place was dirty as hell, papers on the floor, cabinets open wide, ink smeared on the walls, it wasl obvious now that this was Joey's.
Something called his attention, in the desk, there was a drawing of bendy, that alone wasn't enough, but there was a whole script written in the desk, among some employee cards, and a picture of a little girl.
She looked like Audrey, but not quite like her.
“Don't go anywhere.” Thomas warned her, putting her down on the floor as he leaned to read the papers.
Besides, all the employee reports were from people that apparently weren't working here anymore, he wouldn't know. Many of them having been when the studio first began and having left or nothing signed for why there aren't here.
‘Henry had a daughter’, he readed. ‘ Henry's daughter is dead, and he's grieving awfully about it, so, I've decided to give him a gift, because I appreciate our friendship.’
‘may my angel look like his, not in spirit, but physically,
‘may Henry come back to me once again, perhaps that will do the trick
‘may the child help me create bendy, once and for all.
‘May her have a soul to be used for him.’
At first, he didn't understood, he looked over to where Audrey checked some books, then back at the script, it had some illegible things written as well.
He checked other notes, some of, which contained his name.
Oh.
Not only Joey had created Bendy, but he created Audrey as well, that would explain where her mother is.
That would definetly explain why Johnny was gone, among the others.
The door opened again, Thomas quickly pushed himself away from the desk, reaching for Audrey. Hoping she wouldn't be in sight of whoever it was.
It was Joey.
“Hey there, Tommy.” The lack of good lighting didn't do the boss any favors, aside from giving him a shadowed appearance. One hand firmly grasping at the cane he used to walk.
“You know you aren't permitted to be in here.” Joey tilted his head to the side, still in the cover of darkness from the doorway, adjusting his glasses.
“Ah- “ Thomas raised his brows. “Mister Drew.” Thomas bowed his head a bit, holding Audrey close
Audrey, on her part, made a face, she didn't seem to like him. Which was understandable in her circumstance.
“Mhm..” Joey trailed off shifting his weight with a low, pained grunt, as he stepped towards Thomas slowly. “I hope you understand, Audrey was created from love.” He gestured out towards her with one hand.
Thomas mumbled something under his breath, Audrey hit his mouth with the back of her hand.
“I hope you, as well, Mister Drew, understand that I've learned some things in less than an hour, I'm.. not very happy with you, “ he stepped back. “Neither I trust you now.”
Joey only chuckled at first and brought his other hand to hold the cane as well. “Do you? I thought you were fine with what the machine was being used for?”
“I've never been happy about it! I just wanna get paid!” Thomas dragged a chair away from a desk, putting Audrey on it, pointing an accusatory finger towards him. “I'm a man with morals- I still have them! And what you're doing Is definitely not a good thing, you're committing a bunch of crimes like you got paid for ‘em!”
“Maybe so, it's not exactly me.” Joey shrugged his shoulders and grinned trying to play it innocent. “I'm only letting it happen so we can make cartoons live! Just like how I told you.”
Thomas made a face, “come on Joey, you saw that thing!” He moved closer to Joey, towering over the shorter man
“Yes, of course I saw that thing. He's a failed attempt, but I'll make sure he becomes a successful one.” Joey peered up at Thomas, not moving from the spot as he sighed.
Thomas seemingly bared his teeth at him, shifting his weight to lean over him. “Then I refuse to keep doing this bullshit! “ He barked out, stepping back as he picked Audrey up. “You aren't doing anything to her, she's my daughter now.”
Audrey looked puzzled, clinging to Tom's shirt, worried, sad.
“Oh, so you want to kidnap my child then?” Joey retorted and stared at him with a glare towards the larger man.
“Your child? She's not even yours! She's- “ Tom glared at Audrey. “She's not real, she's not made of meat- you don't even watch over her!”
Joey scoffed and rubbed his temple as he looked away. “I've got more important things to do then watch her every hour of the day!”
“Regardless of her being six?! Jesus!- “ Thomas groaned,”Watch me.” He mumbled as he walked past Joey, hiding Audrey between his arms.
“I'm afraid you can't do that.” Joey looked over his shoulder tapping the cane a few times on the ground with a small frown.
Another figure moved out from outside and put a hand out on Thomas' arm. Despite not being that much bigger than Thomas he was at least Bertrum’s size. Just slightly smaller.
Thomas gasped and stepped away, shielding the kid with his body. “Who the fuck are you?!” He snarled, trying to make his eyes work on the darkness.
Again, Audrey smacked his mouth with the back of her hand
“Just a friend of Joey's.” The figure replied and moved his hand away while Joey moved around Thomas to stand by the other man.
“You do know who Mister Arch is, right?”
Thomas' frown dropped, staring at the shadowy figure. “I..”
Audrey looked over Tom's shoulder, waving a hand for the figure.
Nathan waved back slightly and moved his hand to hold Joey's forearm gently. “I'm not here to cause any trouble for you Mister Connor, but I believe you should listen to Joey.”
Thomas closed his eyes, gently rocking Audrey on his arms, trying to calm himself down. “If only he could make some sense of what he's talking about.” he muttered.
Joey's grip on the cane tightened and he just glared back at Thomas with frustration seeping through. “I'm not insane, don't go acting like Henry.”
Thomas took a deep breath and looked back at Audrey, turning to face the door as he crouched, putting her down.
“Sweetie, “ he whispered. “please wait outside, I swear I'll be out fast.” He smiled softly
Audrey eyed the other men in the room, slowly, she nodded. “Be careful.”
“Be careful aswell, don't go around.”
Tom kissed her forehead and she walked out, closing the door behind her.
Then, Thomas stood at full height, looking down at the two men
Joey shifted his stance and lifted the cane when Thomas was standing up, hitting him in the face with it before being dragged back by Nathan. “You can't keep taking things from me! I own this business!” He hissed out while being gripped by Arch.
Thomas stumbled back, falling ass first to the floor, it wasn't much from the hit, but surprise, his glasses went flying, he was quick to snort some blood from his nose, coughing on his hand. He quietly stared at Joey- as much as he could with his blindness.
“Joseph, that was unnecessary and you know it.” Nathan warned him and glanced back to Thomas while he held Joey by the arm.
Thomas sniffed and licked his lips, blood running like a fountain from his nose already. “Fuck you, Joey.” He managed to groan out.
“M’ calling the police on you two- even if I'm affected, I'm throwing all of this business out of the window.” He snarled.
Joey broke free from Nathan's grasp and lifted the cane again in a threatening gesture. “You think anyone is going to believe you over Nathan? Be real, Thomas. You can keep the brat..I have what I need.”
Thomas flinched, leaning back, he growled and quickly got up, slamming onto Joey, sending him back as Thomas stumbled between the mess and his feet.
Nathan tensed and looked back at Joey with a frown before reaching in his jacket pulling out a handgun, letting it click. “You know it's not smart to go assaulting my partner.”
Thomas held onto the wall and turned to him, groaning. “What a pansy.” He mumbled, “you'll see Joey- you two will see.” He coughed again, wiping his nose.
“This is all your fault!” Joey grabbed onto Nathan and groaned as he made a face. “I should've killed you when I had the chance!”
Nathan just gave Joey a look and held onto his forearm. “Can't you just let Stein go for once?” He muttered under his breath while glaring at him.
Thomas growled and stood up, stumbling a bit as he made his way to the door. “I want to see you try, in any case, I can tell your daughter to say things on my behalf.”
“She’s just a part of something bigger then you know! You're only delaying the inevitable fate she will have. I don't care how many people I have to go through for him to be real!” Joey shouted and growled at Thomas making Nathan let go of him and stare at him.
Thomas licked his lips and grinned. “good luck Joey.” He opened the door and walked out, not looking back.
Audrey stood there, looking at Thomas’ wobbling,
She peered into the room and frowned, running behind him.
“I quit.”
Those words echoed on his head like it were some kind of chant.
After it was done, Joey returned to his office with Nathan, they talked about what happened
“Will you fire him?” Nathan asked, cupping one of Joey's hands on his, softly caressing it
“I still need him- once he's no use, he'll.. he'll probably disappear.” Joey nodded.
Nathan clicked his tongue,
Suddenly, someone flung the door open.
“Ah, Henry!” Joey's mood fully changed, he smiled, bright as always, he pulled his hand away from Nathan's
“Joey.” Henry greeted back. “Look- i quit.”
Before Joey could say anything else, he stopped his monologue. “What?”
“I quit.” He said again. “Goodbye, Joey.”
He couldn't wipe Henry's expression from his brain
He looked angry, he looked sad- bitter, upset, confused, even.
Joey tried to argue back, but Henry disappeared, he tried to go after him but Nathan stopped him.
Now, Henry was gone.
—
Joey gripped a copy of ‘The Illusion of Living’ in his hands and sat back down on the floor. His expression was still dark as he stared down at the ritual circle drawn out on the floor before him. The candles lit there casually flicking in the light air conditioning.
“You are going to get us both in trouble with this little experiment.” Nathan muttered watching him from behind with worry.
“It'll be worth it..after all, I already told you that I sacrificed too much for that brat to exist. And after all I did for him? He left anyway.” Joey clutched the book in his hands before dropping it down into the circle.
“And you think this will work?” Nathan frowned as he helped Joey stand up afterwards.
“Oh, trust me Nathan.” Joey grinned as he stared down into the circle. “I know Henry well..”