Chapter Text

Chapter 5: Breaking the Habit, Starting a Journey, Dreaming of You

It's extremely dangerous when a demon cares. 

Belphene visited the hospital thrice more, carefully planning out the meeting with Bella for Mister Drew. And every time she arrived, she came bearing gifts. "Compliments from the man himself," she'd said. Of course, she had a hard time getting the girl to accept them. You wouldn't think it'd be so hard, getting an artist to keep a new set of pencils and liners, or a little Bendy plush to keep her company, but it was. 

"I never thought I'd see one of these in person." Bella chuckled as she held the stuffed demon to her chest. "Dad and I were so poor back then, we barely had enough to keep the clothes on our backs. I remember old Ms. Cherie who worked at the library, she helped me scrap together fabrics out of the lost and found to make an Edgar of my own. Taught me how to sew." She sighed. "She was the mother I never had. I hope she's doing alright."

"You should stop by and see her once you're better. I'm sure she'd be worried sick about you." Belphene replied. There was a pout on her puffy lips, one of genuine sadness for as fake as it looked. 

The more she talked with Bella, the worse she felt about what was going to happen. This child really had nothing. No friends save for a fella named Carmen who ran off to try working for Disney, no family save for the librarian who loved her like a daughter. No hopes for anything, not even being treated decently. She'd been trained her whole life to accept disappointment and carry on, what a sad fate that was. Belphene felt her heart clouding her judgment. She knew she couldn't disobey the orders she'd been given, but she didn't want to do this. She didn't want this child to be used as a pawn any longer. There had to be another way, a way to mend her broken heart, to make her human again. How could she possibly be human with a heart that loving, yet never loved back? How could she be human when she was treated as so much less than one? 

Belphene wondered that often. She wondered that about a lot of humans, they were so good inside compared to the scum she met in hell. So hard to sway, unlike the countless mortals she'd had to tempt to Satan's side. She'd wondered about demons too, why they were made to be so cruel. Why was she made to hurt people? At least one demon she knew wasn't made that way. No, he was made to entertain, to love and be loved. And right now, she needed his aid. 

Belphene rose from her spot and packed up her purse. "I'd best be on my way, duty calls. You'll be alright darling?" 

"I'm always better knowing I'll see you again." Bella hugged the doll closer and smiled from where she laid on the bed. "Promise you'll stop by again soon?" 

"I wouldn't miss it for the world jingle bells." She smiled and gave a wink to the demon in her arms. "Now take care of her dear, don't let me find that you were slacking." 

Bella giggled as Belphene hurried off. She laid down with the plush in her arms, dozing off to sleep in a playful little Dreamland. 

What she didn't see was that the demon in her arms had winked back. 

---

Belphene had definitely let her morals get to her, or else she wouldn't have asked this one for help earlier. 

"You'll look after her while I'm gone?"

"Sure thing toots. As long as I'm the devil darlin', you can count on me. No worrying that pretty little head of yours."

She'd laughed. "Gosh you're insufferable. How do Alice and Boris put up with it?"

"Beats me, in theory I'm their personal nuisance!" Bendy laughed at that, clutching his stomach and wiping a tear from his eye. But he was quick to grow somber. "Hey, thanks for takin' over for a bit and givin' me some fresh air. I know our amigo José wouldn't approve but-"

"No need, I-I need some time off too."

"I know, I know. I'm just...I'm glad you were willing to let me run free for a bit. It gets tiring being a monster. I don't...I don't like it." 

Belphene knelt down and held the tiny demon in her arms, squeezing so tightly to try and stop herself from trembling. "I know...I don't want this either."

"But remember, we're not monsters. We...we just play them on TV." Bendy hugged the taller demon back, keeping composed just a little bit better than she had. "So you want me to get to know her huh? Take her for a spin on a dream ride?"

"Please. She needs a sweeter dream. If Drew is really going to force her into this, I want to make sure you at least like her. You know how important that bond is." 

"I don't think I'll mind her any. She's already drawn me so much, I can feel all that love she's got. It's so tasty." He chuckled and held her a little longer. "She'll keep us both sustained for a long time…maybe enough so that you can finally move on, find a new contractor." 

Belphene pulled back and gently grasped his shoulders. Her pumpkin eyes were filled with tears. "I can't just leave you alone. W-we promised to stick together, from the day I brought you off the page!"

"Yeah, but bein' here makes ya miserable…" Bendy brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Toots... it's okay. One day, you deserve to have some freedom. Don't hesitate to take it. Explore the world, climb da Eiffel Towah, I'll be here waiting to hear all about it." He smiled, those eight pearly whites filled with so much sincerity. "We'll be free one day. The next one won't be like Joey, he can't last forever." 

"Y-you're right... he's only a mortal." She stood up and dusted herself off. "I'll keep Henry occupied for a while, you take care of her. Tell the others they're welcome to join you." 

Bendy nodded, taking a bow. "As ya wish beautiful.~ Don't rough him up too bad."

"I won't, promise."

Belphene waved goodbye and ran back into the void of the ink, hurrying into the domain of the studio. And once again, the ink demon stood tall and menacing in the silence of Heavenly Toys. She growled and proceeded to tear the room apart. No going after Henry yet. She had a fire to get out of her system.

---

Bendy meanwhile meandered his way through the river of sepia. Swimming along, he admired the realm into which he'd been thrust. It was so vague, so abstract, but also dark. What a lonely dream, he thought to himself, what a lonely person, not utilizing their full canvas like that. 

"She must not know how to dream big anymore. Well, we can fix that. I'll give her the best night of her life, the Belle of the ball!" He grinned and hurried forward, struggling to find her in the massive splotch of darkness.

Eventually, he stumbled upon the young lady, dressed in her cap and a stained apron, her freckles popping as she worked on sketching something. It was a quiet little place, a patch of grass just big enough for her to sit on, her pencils held by the lavender that grew beside her. And in her book, she drew. She drew beautiful things, everything she could possibly want, which wasn't much. But then she heard Bendy's splashing and looked up to see the little demon that popped out of the babbling brook. She giggled and waved, gesturing for him to come over. 

"Bendy! Oh, it's so good to see you, would you care for a picnic?" She smiled, what a lovely young smile she had. Her eyes glistened with starlight. 

Bendy nodded and bounded on over, tipping an imaginary hat as he took a seat beside her. "On this fine day? Wouldn't miss it foh the world dollface. So whatcha up to, what's the artwork today?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" She laughed and plucked an ink pen from behind her ear. And as she traced the outlines of her image, the world came to life, colorful and free. They were in the town park, sitting under a shady apple tree on a small hill, watching the children play on the playground below. Not too far away, there was a young man, maybe in his 30s, sitting on a bench, who was also drawing. He had ginger hair, like something right out of a spice rack, and amber eyes that sparkled as they reflected the blues of the clearest sky. So few clouds today, just enough to guess what kinds of shapes they were. The man had some wrinkles in his worn hands, so strong yet so delicate with his tool. Bendy felt off, there was something familiar about him, but he couldn't place what. 

Not far from the man was a father and his daughter, sitting on a picnic blanket, enjoying some cut up carrots and tiny cupcakes together. The man was so young, he had to be new at this fathering thing, but his touch with the girl made him seem so expert. The child looked like a pixie, with her hair in those springy pigtails, running around barefoot in her little sundress. She was beyond adorable. Occasionally she ran too far and got caught by the man on the bench. He would chuckle and shake his head, then get back to his work, glancing up at her every few moments. Eventually, the babe caught notice of this and quietly scrambled to pry her way up the bench. The man smiled and gave her a little boost. 

"Well hello there." He'd said. The girl quietly crawled over. She was so quiet now, too quiet for a four-year-old. Her father came running over. 

"I'm so sorry sir. Dizzy Izzy, we should let this nice fellow draw in peace for a bit-"

"Oh no, it's quite alright. Your daughter is a phenomenal model, I think she gave me just what I needed for this piece." He gave her a wink. "Wanna see?" 

The tiny tot nodded excitedly and hurried to get closer. The man held up his sketchbook for her to see. 

"Hey, what's in there?" Bendy asked. 

He left the artist's side for a moment to get a little closer. And once he saw the page, he was left in awe. There was the most beautiful sketch he'd ever seen of Alice, frolicking in a field of flowers, with the demon himself running after her. Boris sat on a picnic blanket, enjoying a comically large submarine sandwich. The perfect summer afternoon, just games and fun, the way it was supposed to be. 

Bendy felt a tear in his eye. He remembered this. This was that day, the day where he watched Henry playing in the park. He looked to the little girl, with those rosy cheeks and an abundance of freckles.

"Benny! Benny Benny Benny! An' Allie and Bowis too!" 

Her father and the man couldn't help themselves, they laughed, holding their stomachs as though they'd burst at the seams. The father picked up the girl and spun her around, tickling her tummy and blowing her a raspberry before settling down. They all laughed. "That's right! That's Bendy alright. Sir, your drawings are extraordinary, where did you learn to sketch like that."

The man, no, Henry, chuckled. "Been doin' it since I could pick up a pencil. I know a few fellas who work at the studio, good folks. Picked up a thing or two about drawing these guys from them. I take it you know the show?"

"Of course! We don't get great service, but a friend lets us watch Bendy every Saturday morning. Ain't that right Isabelle?"

"Benny! Benny dances!" She squirmed a little in her pop's arms, wiggling her feet like a tap dancer. 

"Well I'm glad to hear," Henry replied. He had an old look in his eyes, the look of a father who was proud of his kid's accomplishments. "The folks working on that cartoon are good people, they'd be honored to hear you love their work. I'm sure Bendy would thank you too." He smiled before closing the book. "Say, how do you like chalk? Care to draw on the sidewalk with me?" 

The girl, now finally allowed on the ground, hopped up and down excitedly, her pigtails bouncing. "Yes please, sir!"

Henry laughed again. "Alright. Let's go make a masterpiece!" 

And so the three of them headed over to the sidewalk that led to the fountain in the park, and they drew. Bendy remembered that day. He'd remembered the kids that passed by, how they laughed, how happy they were to see his visage. He watched them all day, performing just for him and his toons. Alice had been so happy back then, and Boris was delighted that so many people drew treats near his chalky face. Even the butchers had been invited. That was the best thing about being a cartoon. Sure, you got to have many adventures on the screen when you were called to, but every time their faces were drawn, they could see the artist smiling back at them. And seeing those kids, seeing how loved they were, it made all the difference. They were happy. Bendy loved those kids. They made everything they touched beautiful.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Bella smiling at the scene too, tears in her eyes. "That was the happiest day of my life. Dad and I were outside for hours. The artist was the nicest person in the whole world, I don't think I'd have started drawing if not for him." 

Bendy looked at her, wide-eyed and surprised. "Really now?"

"Yeah, just look." She gestured towards the girl and the artist, sketching together in the chalk. He guided her on some of the linework, getting the right circle and horns for his demon. 

Bendy felt tears in his eyes. "Thank ya toots. I… I'd nearly forgotten about this. Henry, he…"

"Henry? You mean the creator of the show?" Bella raised an eyebrow. "You know who made you?"

"Well sure, what self-respecting cartoon doesn't?" He chuckled sadly, rubbing at his pie cut eyes. "You gave my old man so much to be happy about that day. He hadn't had that much fun drawing us in so long." 

"Wait, THAT'S Henry? The legendary Henry?" The artist stumbled a little, holding a hand over her mouth. "No way, I met the head animator when I was a kid, and I didn't even know it?" 

"Yep, you nailed it toots. He was just starting to look for another job at this point, got sick of the deadlines. After that, I watched him become the best professor this town has ever seen. I mean just look at how well he's doin' with the tots, that's a man who loves to make magic." Bendy chuckled, leaning on an invisible cane as he watched it all play out. “This is what we lived for, making the world beautiful again.” 

Bella held her sketchbook close to her chest as she gazed upon the scene. “He made everything he touched into a masterpiece...He gave me hope that I could make anything I set my mind to.”

“Well it’s the truth. You can! Anyone can if they just believe in it, ya know?” Bendy took her hand and held it tightly in his own. “And I’ve seen you, I know your work. You made Fiero, didn’t ya? That took a lot of love dollface.”

“You...you know my candle?”

“Of course I do! Toons can see everything through the page, we know who’s drawn us and why. Fiero has always been kind to me behind the scenes. I can feel your love through him. It’s such a bright light, so polite.” He squeezed her hand a little more. “Don’t ever lose that light, okay? It will save you when you need it most.”

Bella shook her head and chuckled, squeezing back. Her eyes had a few tears pricking at them. “It’s so funny you say that, so...so ironic. I haven’t felt hopeful in so long, not since Miss Farah stopped in.”

“Believe me toots, she’s good news to have around, but be careful. There are real demons everywhere you go, and it’s best not to make deals with them.” Bendy had a somber look in his pie cut eyes. “You’re such a good kid, I’d hate to see something bad happen to you.”

“I think I’ll be okay. She’s been so kind to me in the hospital, tells me I’ll be free to go soon. I’m gonna go home, it’s finally getting better.” She hugged her book like an old friend as they both gazed at the man drawing with chalk. “One day, I’m gonna be like him, and make all of those childhood dreams come to life. I’ll make worlds that people can explore to their heart’s content, and it’ll be beautiful.” 

Bendy could see that gentle fire in her eyes. It glowed with light from deep within her heart, a light that burned for something brighter, something loving. She slipped her book into her apron pocket and took his hand. “Would you care to dance with me for a while?” 

Bendy froze at that. “A dance? With me? Why I haven’t had anyone ask in forever! Toots, you just made my day, of course, I accept!” He gave a small wink before letting go. “But first, how about a change of scenery! Get drawin’ honey, because we need ourselves a stage!”

Bella grinned and ran out to the edge of the scene, her pen in hand and ready to go. With broad strokes and vast scribbles, she quickly got the world to change around them. Green fields and tall trees turned to wooden floorboards and velvet red curtains, with stage wings left empty for more folks to join in. 

Bendy watched as the image of the memory faded away, almost sad he had to go. But as he looked at Henry one last time, their eyes made contact. How amber they were, how they stared right through his lack of a soul. How they could see what never should have been seen. The specter knew now, knew something he wasn't supposed to. How careless, how careless indeed.

Bendy winced and ran away from the image of the ghost, he felt his breath go sharp as he faded away. He felt lucky knowing that Bella hadn't noticed. Those two shouldn't meet again. 

The girl had nearly finished her set when she thought of something. "Are you gonna be okay to dance with me? I know I'm pretty short, but I'm still a lot taller than you."

Bendy rubbed his chin in thought for a moment. He hadn't really considered that, but then again, he was a cartoon, who needed regular logic when your world had its own brand of it? "Ya know toots, I think I might have an answer. Take me to my dressing room please!" 

Bella giggled and drew him up a quick door. He stumbled on through it, a few cartoony noises of metal clanking and crashes and rips sounded off before he came tumbling back out. 

And what a handsome fella he was! He'd argue he was always handsome if he were here, but to see the devil darling all gussied up in a suit and tap shoes, with a top hat on his brow? Truly extraordinary. But his outfit was only the beginning. He'd grown taller! Just a few inches over the girl at five foot five. His legs were slender and prone to wiggle like Jell-O, yet he retained such grace as he bowed to her. 

"Aw come on cutes, you're missing your dancing boots! Come on, dance with me here!"

"Frank Sinatra, really? Oh, you know me too well!" She laughed and bounded over, giving a little twirl before taking his hand. He grinned, that charming devilish grin, and spun her around thrice. Before she knew it, her dirty work clothes had been altered. The fluttering apron gave way to a lovely sock hop dress in black and white, complete with a little Boris in the place of the typical poodle. The skirt billowed as she spun around. Her hat turned into a lovely headband, letting her long locks flow free while still tucked nicely behind her ears. And of course, she had some dancing shoes. She shrieked in surprise as the demon dipped her down, both from the act itself and from the change in accessories. "Whoa...I don't think I've ever worn something so fancy before!" 

"What can I say dollface, when you dance with the darling, you only get the finest." He grinned and pulled her back up. "Swing with me toots!" 

And she did just that. It felt like hours, and yet it passed by like the blink of an eye. Bendy lived up to his title as he led her through a complex but enjoyable swing dance, busting out all the impressive moves like the showoff he was. Bella smiled and laughed the whole way through, skirt twirling all over the place. Her feet knew exactly what to do, every part of them both was so sure of the next move, so confident in the next step. It was a feeling of bliss one could only find in a dream. They gave into their intuition, and it rewarded them with heaven. 

Eventually, though, their dance had to end, and that's when the crowd burst into applause! And there were Alice and Boris, standing up from the first row of the velvet cushioned seating, whistling and cheering for their performance. And who sat next to them? A candle in a dapper vest, with a flame for a head. He hopped up too throughout the clapping.

"What a lovely show!" Alice exclaimed. "Surely you'll invite me next time, won't you darlings?" 

"For you, angel face? Anything." Bendy laughed as he approached the edge of the stage. He reached out a gloved hand to pull each of them up to join their duo. 

Boris stood tall next to Bella, scratching the back of his head all nervous-like. "Well golly gee Miss Bella, that certainly was something! You musta worked up quite an appetite after that!"

Fiero chuckled and took her hand. "I know a place that would treat us just fine. Care to head to the cafe for a bite? We've got ice cream tonight." He teased.

Bella hugged the candle so tightly that he was stunned for a moment. "Would I ever! Pretty please with a cherry on top!" 

Fiero laughed and hugged her back. "Alright. Miss Angel, Mr. Wolf, please escort our fair lady over there. Ben and I will join you in a bit once we clean up here."

"You've got it sugar, we'll see you soon!" Alice said with a wave. "Come on Bella, let's head on over!" 

The artist grinned and ran along with them, excited to have some company for dessert. 

Both Bendy and Fiero let out a sigh of relief once she was gone. But then it had to get serious. Not all dreams can be sugarplums forever after all. 

"Alright Benny, give it to me straight. What are you doing here with my girl?"

"Sorry bud, I'm on official business. Belphene asked me to step in for an evening while she took care of things at home."

The candle shook his head and scowled. "You can't fool me bud. Any toon with their head screwed on right knows the curse that comes from your little studio. Why are you really here? What does Drew want with my girl?" 

Bendy sighed and rubbed his temples. "Look candle head, I dunno how to break this to you, but your creator over there is in a bad way. Belphy hasn't given me all the details, but to my understanding, it looks like a business deal. He's been thinking about rebuilding the studio for a long time now, my guess is she's a new hire."

"What?! Rebuild JDS, now?! But he's flat out broke, and way too old to manage a business. Not to mention how cruel he was to your staff. All those miserable faces, it was deplorable!" Fiero winced, suddenly feeling chills up his spine. "I don't like this, it's only a matter of time before he tries to steal my copyright too then. But that's not nearly as important as what's gonna happen to her...Ben, I'm worried. She's still just a kid, ya can't let Drew hurt her the way he did everyone else. He's bad news."

"Ya think I don't know that? I can't stop him Fiero, he's got all the aces in his deck."

"You're an actual demon! Don't you control the deal?"

"No! And I'm not even the one who made it to begin with!" He growled and pulled at his face. "Believe me, if I had the power to stop Joey from being a moron, I woulda done it by now. But I don't. Belphy is the one with the contract, ya gotta take it up with her. I wouldn't recommend that right now, seeing as she's filling in for me, but ya know-"

"She's doing what now?! Ben, he's gonna catch on at some point if you keep doing this." Fiero latched onto his gloved hands. "All of us over in Toontopia are worried about you guys. You're some of the best cartoons to ever cross the screen, and Drew has done nothing but destroy your legacy. I don't want him to destroy you next. Because that's what'll happen. He destroyed his staff, next comes the art. I don't wanna see you disappear-"

"Or get corrupted, I know. I've been over this with practically every toon that sees me when I get a breather, can I please not worry about it for one night?" He pleaded. "I was sent to give your gal a little love and comfort while she's in the hospital, okay? Just let me do that for a night."

"Wait, she's where?!" Fiero was stunned. "H-how did I not know, am I disconnecting, a-am I not enough, am-"

"Whoa whoa, easy there, you're gonna set something on fire!" Bendy warned as the flames grew hotter on his head. "It's not your fault, and it's not hers either. She hasn't drawn much in a few days now, give her time to get better, then she'll come back to you."

"Come back to who, Bendy?" 

The two had spoken so long that they hadn't noticed the scene shift. They'd found themselves on a white backdrop, with a small table that Bendy was forced to sit at, while Fiero served him a coffee. They both looked up, frightened by the voice they heard.

There he was, Mr. Drew, staring right through their page: Bella's illustration. 

Suddenly, they had much bigger problems to worry about.