There was a thick silence downstairs. Aside from the turning of film rolls and projectors, and the pacing of Bendy, who had a hand clamped over his mouth as he lost himself in his own thoughts. Fear, confusion, and a sense of betrayal wrapped itself around him, trying to warp his mind, but a part of him refused to believe what he had witnessed three days prior. Bendy refused to believe that Boris was gone. Inky tears gently rolled down his face, staining his glove, and falling onto the floor with a small plop. But then again his body was sort of melting anyways, mostly out of nervousness, but the ink that fell was quickly soaked back up with every step he took in his pacing. He was tired, having not been able to sleep without his friend with him, but how could he anyway, he was too worried, wouldn't you be too? His exhaustion showed in his performance too, after having tripped while dancing, and always messing up his lines. Goodness he was messing up badly. Bendy's eyes widened and he gasped when he tripped once again, landing on his side thankfully instead of his face. "Ugh..." he groaned, rolling himself onto his back and staring up at the ceiling, his usual grin replaced with a frown. Three days prior, he had been looking for Boris that morning, checking all downstairs, leaving only the upstairs to check. But when he finally found his friend, he honestly wished he didn't. There Boris was, bound to a metal table, his chest cut open, revealing his ribs and unmoving organs. It was disturbing, and sent Bendy into a panick as he tried to pry the binds off. But Joey stopped him, saying that Boris was just sick and that he was going to fix him.

        A part of Bendy knew that he was lying, another wanted to believe it, and there was still the hope that Boris wasn't dead, that he was sick, and just needed time to heal. Bendy let out a choked sob, covering his mouth once again to muffle his voice, oh this was horrible, it truly was. Usually he was all fun, games, and mischief, but now, when he was really seeing how life was. He broke. Joey broke him. However, he grew silent, hearing the sounds of one sided shouting from upstairs, it was a bit muffled, since it was one floor above, but he could hear Joey shouting. What was going on? Bendy sat up, turning his ear to the ceiling, trying to tune into the conversation. "...You can't... not giving him...!" There was a pause, possibly from another person that Bendy couldn't hear, "What?!... he cares... you can't expect me...!" Ugh, this wasn't helping at all! Standing up, Bendy wiped away the tears in his eyes, allowing them to soak back into his body as he carefully walked across the room, trying to be as quiet as he could, which was almost impossible with the squeaky floors. But he could still hear Joey shouting, well, he was probably talking loud now, because all Bendy could hear was his muffled speech, and periods of silence. Bendy stared at the stairs leading to the next floor, a frown on his face, he really didn't want to go back up there, but, he was curious. He wanted to know who Joey was talking to. Slowly making his way upstairs, Bendy shook, his knees quaked, and he felt his heart drop to his stomach. It took everything he had to not turn and run back downstairs. Swallowing he lump in his throat, Bendy could hear the conversation clearly now that he stood at the corner of the hall leading towards the Ink Machine, and the room where Boris was. "Like I said, (Y/N), I'm not giving Boris to you, even if you'll bring him back! It will crush Bendy's heart knowing he won't be able to see Boris again!"

        There was a hum of acknowledgement, and Bendy took the risk to take a quick peak as to who Joey was talking to. It was a woman, seated in a chair by Boris' body, wearing a long black dress that even Bendy would admit looked quite ravishing. She had (H/C) colored hair that stopped to her shoulders, and (E/C) eyes that showed her annoyance and boredom, her skin was a very pale (S/C) color, and Bendy wondered for a moment as to why, until the woman's eyes locked with his own, making him quickly hide behind the the wall once again. She saw him! Oh goodness, he didn't know if that was a good or bad thing! "I'm just saying Joey, I can bring Boris back to life here, the only thing is that he would have to come with me. But what else are you willing to offer that I might agree upon? You can't offer me your soul, I already have it." Bendy froze, this woman, (Y/N), was going to bring Boris back to life? But... she was going to take Boris away if she did. Thank goodness Joey wasn't going to allow that. "I-..." Joey started, but he began to think, he didn't have anything to offer that you would want. "I don't have anything..." He hung his head in defeat, and (Y/N) frowned, "You've wasted my time Joey, my offer still stands. Would you rather know that your creation died because of your mistake, or would you rather have it continue to live, fine and dandy, but be separated?" Bendy shook, he didn't want Boris to be taken! But he didn't want him to be dead either! Joey thought for a moment, but a solemn look came across his face, "I still can't do that..." he whispered, but Bendy was still able to pick it up, his own frown deepening as tears formed in his eyes. (Y/N) shook her head, "Joey, since you refused to my offer, it is a part of my job to take Boris to the afterlife fully." She stood up, walking over to Boris' body that was still bound to the metal table. But she paused as Bendy came running down the hall and stopping in the room.

        "Wait! Please! Don't take him!" Bendy pleaded, hands balled into fists at his side as he stared up at (Y/N). He didn't want to lose his friend, no matter what. "Bendy! No! What are you doing up here?!" Joey exclaimed, trying to reach out to his creation, but (Y/N) flicked her hand to the side, sending Joey flying into the wall with a thud. Not enough to hurt him too much, just enough to knock him out though. (Y/N) slowly turned around, looking down at Bendy with a spark of amusement in her eyes, "I have to, it is my job to take souls into the afterlife. Unless," she couched down, now eye level with Bendy, "your willing to offer something?" Bendy thought for a moment, what did he have to offer? He only had Joey and Boris really, no one else. (Y/N), obviously seeing his trouble, chuckled softly, "I have an offer to propose." Bendy's attention snapped back to her, and she smirked, reaching out and grabbing his chin with her thumb and index finger. A very faint blush rose to Bendy's face, but he didn't notice it as he wanted to hear the offer. "I have to bring a life back with me. Why not your life in return for Boris' own life? I'll fix him up, bring him back, and in return, you come with me." (Y/N) tilted her head, questioning if Bendy would take this offer. And the cartoon character began to mull this offer over. If he didn't take this offer, then Boris would really be dead, but if he took this offer, then Boris would be alive again! But, he wouldn't be able to see him again if he did. Then again, this was his friend! Bendy would rather give himself up knowing that Boris would be okay rather than live knowing his friend was gone. His mind was made up. "Deal." Bendy stated, looking (Y/N) directly in the eye as she took her hand off him, a grin forming on her face. "Great!" She exclaimed, standing up straight again and turning to Boris' body, flicking her hand a bit, and Bendy watched with a bit of a disgusted look on his face at the sounds of bones popping, and the squelching of organs moving. But Boris was fixed.

        (Y/N) placed her cheek against Boris' chest, where his heart was, and her grin softened, "He's back." She stated simply, brushing her hands off, even though there wasn't anything on them. She then flicked her hand again, the binds coming off and allowing Boris' body to relax, sliding down onto the floor. A small snore came from the wolf, and Bendy hurried past (Y/N) to embrace his friend, "Boris! Come on buddy, wake up!" Bendy gently patted his hand against, Boris' cheek, resulting in a snort followed by a "Wha-?!" From the wolf. (Y/N)'s smile was gone now, as she watched Boris wake up, confused as to why Bendy was crying and hugging him. It almost hurt knowing that she was about to separate the two again. "Bendy." The devil character froze, and he wished for just a moment longer, "Say goodbye." (Y/N) made her way to the entrance of the room, standing and waiting. Bendy looked back at Boris, who was eyeing (Y/N) with confusion before looking back at Bendy, "Bendy? What's going on?" Boris asked, and Bendy began to tremble, tears flowing harder than ever now as he stared at Boris with a wavering smile that looked like it was going to fall at any second. "Boris, I-I'm going to be gone for a long time... A-And I don't know... when I'll be b-back..." Oh he was trying to stay strong, he was always the strong one out of the two. But, he wanted to stay with his friend, they promised to stay with each other to the end, and he was breaking that promise. Boris' eyes widened, and a pang of sadness struck Bendy's heart, "But... You'll be back, right?" Boris asked, sadness in his voice, and Bendy only nodded, not trusting his voice at this point, wrapping his arms around Boris tightly. Boris, still not fully understanding what had happened, or what was going on, hugged back just as tight, only hoping that his friend would come home soon. "Bendy, it's time to go." (Y/N)'s head was turned away from the two, but there was a small crack in her voice.

        Reluctantly pulling away from Boris, Bendy stood up, shaking from head to toe as he walked over to (Y/N) who had her hand held out for him to take. Slowly, Bendy took her hand, looking back at Boris, who was watching, he gave his friend a smile, "I'll see you when I get back, Boris!" He exclaimed, eyes closed, and not seeing the small smile of hope on Boris' face as Bendy and (Y/N) vanished. When they were gone, Boris looked around the room he was in, scratching his head in confusion, where was he anyway? His ears snapped back, and he turned his head to see Joey coming back to consciousness, and his tail involuntarily began to sway seeing his creator. "Joey!" Boris exclaimed, and Joey slowly looked up, eyes widening at the sight of the wolf character. "Boris...?! W-Where's Bendy?!" Boris only tilted his head, "The lady in the black dress took him." He stated naively, and a sense of dread came over Joey as he scrambled to stand on his own to feet, trying to reach Boris, only to trip on the book he wrote, landing on his face. How graceful. "Boris! What happened?!" The wolf soon realized that this wasn't good, if Joey was panicking, but he answered honestly, "I don't know! I just woke up because Bendy was trying to wake me up, and he said goodbye before he left with the lady!" He whimpered slightly. What was going on? Why was he always left in the dark about things? What even happened? Joey began to pace, "Oh god, (Y/N) has Bendy..." He muttered, running his hands through his hair before freezing. Boris was about to ask if there was anything he could do to help, but was stopped when Joey slammed his fist against the wall, "DAMN IT!" Boris cringed, shrinking back at the use of such vulgar language, and also because of how loud Joey was. But soon Joey broke down, tears gliding down his cheeks as he fell to his knees. "All of this... It's all my fault..."

//Word Count: 2,150