Disclaimer: I don't own Poppy Playtime (Video Game). I don't own the picture (cover). Or the song if I put one in.

(qwertuno and SilentReadersMatter)

(Hope you enjoy.)

You'd think for being designed as a proper toy that Playtime Co. would've wavered the rules of Mother Nature and not force Bunzo into hibernation. You know, a state constant constant sleepiness consuming your senses until you gave in and closed your eyes for months on end?

No, they had to build him to the core of the rules. And as a result of their sloppyness, he was currently 'out of order' when he refused to awakened from his nap and attacked an employee-

Wasn't her name Stella Greybur?

Eh, he no longer cared. Bunzo's instincts demanded he create a nest and sleep there for the remaining months of winter and spring. But no, the company who built this way couldn't admit their faults. And in turn, they ended up building him a private room to indulge his base desires as they delicately worded his tendencies. More like insulting Bunzo right to his face. Whoever said that certainly had the bravado. Assuming Bunzo didn't know who they were. But they did. Mommy peeked into the files and read the entire conversion. They were logged for reasons Bunzo would never know. He didn't feel guilty for killing him before he went into his 'hibernation.'

Why was I built this way?

Sleeping and being oblivious to everything around you was scary. You never knew who you could trust with your eyes closed. What could happen when others learned of your weaknesses. If they were trustworthy of the secrets you held dearly to heart.

What's going on?

Bunzo's mistake was trusting the mini Huggies. Even with how they were designed to be around Huggy Wuggy all the time, they found some way to bother the poor rabbit when he wanted some peace. Always sneaking in as he slept to try and keep him awake. As the official mascot was hurt entertaining the children and Mommy never bothered with the 'weak links' of the packs, they sought affection in the least likelihood of toys.

Bunzo Bunny.

"Leave me alone, little ones. I just ain't in the mood to play."

All of them whined in unison. Only taking two seconds for them to start annoying the rabbit who only wanted to sleep. Curled in his nest in his private room with blankets and pillows alike stolen from Mommy's room (he prayed she never found out), ready to settle in for the winter and spring.

"What's it gonna take for ya'll to go away?"

They couldn't talk. However, they communicated through their actions. The red mini Huggy nudged Bunzo's paw, indicating they were seeking one thing. The blue one curled close to his stomach. The green mini Huggy watched from afar, the foot of the bed, and the yellowish jumped onto the headboard and groomed the rabbit's fur from the spot between his head and ears.

Validation.

Mommy must've yelled at them again.

The children failed the mini Huggies' test area the most often. Due to the rules and how many there were, it wasn't supposed to be surprising when they lost to the mini Huggies outsmarting them through one of the many holes in the walls. Bunzo has witnessed a time of Mommy yelling at them as the child lost and cried to an employee. The mini Huggies scampered off into the holes never to been for an entire month. It was the first time they came to him for comfort. To be shown something they had missed out on since Huggy decided to spend all his time with this Kissy Missy.

"It's okay, guys. Really, they lose your game. You should be...'roud of yourself."

A feeling of closeness and tenderness.

I need to be quick.

Bunzo was losing himself to his instinct to settle into the darkness. But he had another task. As he tried pronouncing the word proud, he slipped up and used an informal slang instead. It was easier than having to think of the the word in response.

"I'm serious. And please stop grooming me."

The yellow mini Huggy whined as they reluctantly left Bunzo's fur alone. As messy as it was (and how nice it was to receive some kind of contact), he couldn't afford letting them stay too long. Their intentions were pretty obvious. He'd let them stay before. And they refused to leave his side ever since. They were technically children in toys' bodies.

And kids tend to grow attached.

Bunzo's instincts on occasion accidentally fused them into one sometimes when he looked after the younger counterparts. Treating them as his own. Giving permission to spend the night as he acted as their temporary parent. A role Mommy should've been fulfilling for the others and the children. But lately she'd been what the outside word referred to as negligent.

"You can spend the night."

The mini Huggies keened and shrieked in excitement. As they sounded like dying children, Bunzo really knew it was how they communicated. Crawling into his self-made nest and settling themselves in random places. Bunzo never cared who joined him. As long as it wasn't a stranger. He was alright with his own chosen friends. You'd think given their toy-line that they wouldn't be anywhere near close as they were.

Don't judge a book by its cover.

The toys ended up seeking each other as a result. And they'd chosen Bunzo to give them what they needed. He hated it. He hated her. He hated Mommy Long Legs. She never even made an effort to speak to him anymore. Leaving Bunzo to his one devices. And because of her lack of care and preferring the more powerful allies, he'd grown to love isolation. It kept you away from being hurt by ones you were meant to love.

"Heeeeh!"

So when the mini Huggies arrived at his section of the game station after their act, Bunzo didn't bat an eye and simply continued his game until the child finished. Removing the cymbals from his hands, he cupped the mini Huggies' faces and leaned in to nuzzle them one by one. By now they considered themselves as a pack. He was unknowingly taken in by them months prior to their little meetings.

"It's okay. Ya'll did good today."

He acted as a supporting parent. And he was okay doing it with just the mini Huggies. But he guessed the word spread of his kindness and now even PJ sought him out on occasion. And the one thing he never wanted happened. Mommy hinted she knew of their little meet ups. Staring at him whenever he dared venture to meet the children, a little frown on her face in the place of the usual smile, and she began speaking to him more. Keeping Bunzo to herself to spend time with him.

Yeah right.

And he was painfully distancing himself from the mini Huggies. Their meetings becoming less often than he liked. But to keep them safe from Mommy's wrath was his top priority. Every toy Bunzo had been close with noticed his absence. The mini Huggies weren't happy. Bunzo thought of a few questions he heard the humans asking a while back.

What did you get when children made into horrific experiments against their will threw tantrums? And they were unable to control their base instincts?

You get a bloody massacre.

And no one understood how much parenting remorseless, young psychopathic toys really sucked. Mommy didn't bother turning up. Remember? She left them to their own devices. Bunzo had to teach them right from wrong.

"PUT THE MINI CAT-BEE DOWN."

And how did they manage to look adorable?

The green mini Huggy dropped them carelessly. The mini cat-bee amusingly waking away with their tail tucked between their legs. The mini Huggies covered in blood crawled on all fours quickly in front of Bunzo. The bunny softening his glare when they reached up to be carried. As he was taller than them, he allowed the mini counterparts to clamber onto certain parts of his body. Shoulders, back, and arms as he carried them all back to the game station.

"If you wanted to play, ya could've just asked. No need, you little devils, no need."

He was surprised when they didn't resist him interrupting their little game. Perhaps they were proving a point. They did refuse when he brought them all to 'Whack-A-Wuggy', the message loud and heard on his part. Musical Memory was where they would spend the night. They grew attached to the doll in a way their own master failed as Huggy was considered to be a popular mascot. They had seen Bunzo Bunny as a source of comfort and validation.

He unknowingly became part of the family.

***

You awake? 
Hello?
I am not a patient fellow.

Bunzo already wanted to kick the butt of whoever knocked him out and brought him to their hideout. Toys often hunted the ones whom they considered weaker prey.

This was different.

"What'd ya want, Daisy?"

The flower toy didn't visit much these days. When Daisy bothered to make time for them at all, it usually resulted in something stolen or a beating from Mommy. The spider lady was always left annoyed whenever Daisy refused Mommy's offer to be hers.

We're useless.

Bunzo's scars throbbed as he remembered the experience. The vines limited his movements to only turn his head or sitting up whenever he pleased. Daisy refused to let her up and leave their area. Even when they were known as a she, they insisted their gender was different than they originally were called.

You didn't tell us you were hurt.

Uh oh.

Their eyes were black soulless holes with white pricks replacing the usual kind hazel. That meant Bunzo was in trouble.

"I'm fine, Sunshine. The human accidentally knocked my wires when they played the game. Ya have nothing to worry 'bout. I can take care of myself."

Daisy's vines tightened their grip as Bunzo tested his limits of mobility. The flower toy allowed him to stand, but leaving was off the list of things they'd permit him to do. The last thing Bunzo wanted was to make the flower mascot mad. They'd tattle to Mommy and she'd discipline him. He'd rather avoid her punishments.

Have I been that horrible, Bunny? You realise I care, right? I may have been rejected, but they leave the kids with me on occasion. Let me help you out, Bunzo. Physically carrying you here after seeing your dying corpse freaked me out. The Huggies were mad. Attacked everything on sight. And it's the mini huggies, Bunzo, if they care for another toy, you're freaking special.

The rabbit's injures from the fall chose to sting as the vines loosened their grip around his waist. The bunny immediately dusted the leaves off his torso. He really was treading the waters. Everyone in the game station knew Daisy was not to be trusted. They'd only directly interacted a few times.

"It's not my fault that Huggy's neglectful of them. Ya damn mascots don't take care of yer own. They came to me. Not Huggy, me, they're afraid of their own head of the toyline. They fear him-"

Bunzo stopped himself from saying anything further. He'd forgotten Daisy was Mommy's favourite. They'd tell and she'd tell Huggy Wuggy who would hunt Bunzo down for saying anything negative of him to his little mini Huggies. Despite popular belief, Huggy cared for them distantly, using them when it best suited his needs. The rabbit would only ruin his chances of getting anything done if his own counterparts were to turn against him.

Hmm, is that true? You and the others think so lowly of me. I'm not going to tell Mommy. I'm what the above world calls chaotic neutral. I don't care for drama, as in not directly involved. But it's so fun to watch it unfold. Don't you agree?

And once more, his guard went up. He couldn't trust any other toys than the mini Huggies. They'd proven he could trust them with his life.

"No, I don't agree. Not really."

Daisy's expression went blank. Then, their vines tightened again, wrapping around Bunzo's head and forcing him into a state of sleep. Where he wouldn't feel anything Daisy did to him. After a minute, he came to and was set free from the vines.

What are they doing?

Bunzo felt...fresh. Like a new toy. He looked at his paws and legs. His injuries were healed. Daisy kept their word. They actually helped the bunny mascot.

"What do you want in return?"

Daisy returned their question with a grimace. Well, a frown. They weren't capable of forming a basic toothy smile. Limited movements on the mouth must've sucked to have. Bunzo felt a bit sorry for them. They summoned a sunflower for them to sit on as it lifted the flower mascot into their private domain.

Don't hide any injuries, Bunzo. I'm not asking much, little bunny. But don't you dare hide any bruises, scars, or even a bullet wound from those people in the white coats. Now, I'm going to find PJ. You've kept me long enough. Shoo, little Bunny, shoo. And don't even think of running, Bunzo. Next time I will inform Mommy of where you disappear off to.

The flower mascot was encased in the petals as the plant sank into the ground. Presumably travelling to PJ's area of the game station. Statues? Musical playground? He didn't remember the name. He spent way too long in his own area.

I hate them. I care for them. I even love them as a sibling. Are we even close? Why do things have to be so complicated?

Bunzo hopped an all fours as he exited Daisy's domain. The flower mascot couldn't have dropped him off? Petty little thing. If it weren't for their elemental connection, Bunzo would've taken on the challenge of killing then years ago. Then again, Mommy would most likely end him if he tried.

And I am not going to find out.

Thinking was too much work.

***

Next time he ran into Daisy, they curled on his lap and cried into his shoulder. The considered older toy showing their emotions to one they felt comfortable around. Their petals poked Bunzo's neck and chin. Though he never mentioned it to the flower mascot.

Damn, was he becoming a brother figure?

"What's wrong?"

Daisy let go of the mask they hid behind. Their artificial smile fell into a natural expression of anger and shock. Their stemmed body was on its knees as they pressed themselves deeper into Bunzo's chest. He was on his break. So he didn't have much time before he needed to return.

"Why are they afraid of me?! I DID NOTHING WRONG!"

Daisy. Physically. Spoke. Like opened their mouth and talked spoke. Words coming from their mouth and actually saying things. Bunzo was...stunned.

"Children are sensitive, Day-Day. We all know that. They get scared of me when they lower me with the wires. They flinch, they scream. And overall, it makes you feel like you're a monster, doesn't it?"

Daisy wasn't the only one suffering. The flower mascot only nodded in response. Maybe they were shocked the Bunny mascot knew more than they initially thought.

"I underestimated how much we related, Bunzo. I don't say this often, but I'm sorry for wasting your time-"

Bunzo snorted.

"Sunshine, ya got me outta the repetitive test thingy they used in the kids. Honestly, I'm glad you turned up! Just don't get spotted, yeah. Ya ain't so bad after all."

Daisy bounced on his lap with a hint of happiness. Bunzo immediately extended his paw and ruffled the petals on their head to calm them. The smaller version of the usual giant roses popped from the ground showcasing Daisy's emotions.

"Didn't think ya had the ability to do this."

It just happens, hehe! Thanks, Bunzo!

They reminded him of how young they were built to entertain. Pretending to be an adult was exhausting. The mini Huggies blabbed to Daisy about Bunzo's one time generosity and now they all wanted comfort and affection.

You know, I see you as a parent. You take care of us, you know? Putting it before yourself. You even saved PJ that one time. Thanks, Bunny.

"Welcome, Day-Day."

When did Bunzo start becoming someone worthy of attention in the family? The worst thing is he can't blame them. Children and adults alike trapped in the body of dolls and toys. Their natural instincts would start acting up sooner or later than they wanted.

If Mommy ever discovered I allowed them spend time together. I'd be screwed. I haven't marked them as mine. Good for me.

And they were lucky Bunzo was more willing than Mommy to take them on.