#chum

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Fandom: Poppy Playtime

Genre: Alternate Universe, Uplifting, Slice of Life, Family

Word Count: 4,385

Synopsis: You led your adoptive toy family through the forest. The walk was long and exhausting, but you sense that you were close. After another hour of trekking through the woods, you finally reached your destination. The place that has been your peace and comfort: home.

A/N: This story is a sequel to - “What Now?”

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WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM CHAPTER 5

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The entire factory of Playtime Co. erupted like a volcano. Plumbing fire and smoke through the air, scorching winds roared forward along with clouds of smoke. Y/N ducked as hot air rushed over you. Some of the mini Critters and Huggies screamed from behind their bigger siblings. The roaring explosion tore through yours and everyone’s ear drums. A black fog of noxious smoke hung in the air.

Y/N shifted your gaze back at the factory. Peering through the building that was now engulfed in flames. Poppy was perched on your shoulder, her small frame contrasting with the explosive display in front of you; her eyes fixed into the burning building with a frown and clinging close to your neck. Kissy Missy stood beside you as she too watched the Play Co. factory burn ablaze.

Fragmented memories flashed in your mind as you watched the factory you thought you knew burn. All the employees you worked with during your time working there, the innocent people you befriended; the many laughs you shared with them. Knowing that they’re all gone and you’ll never get to see them again. It broke your heart.

You couldn’t find your employees and saved them.

But at least you saved all the toy children.

Y/N frowned as you stared straight ahead. No, you were wrong. Some of them couldn’t be saved. There were still hundreds of small toys in that factory, but you weren’t able to round any up. And of course, a much more notable absence was prominent. Ollie had betrayed you and Poppy. They turned out to be another splinter of The Prototype’s mimicry, and had died along with it.

Dogday watched beside you to your right. Bobby Bearhug, Craftycorn, Bubbaphant, Hoppy Hopscotch, Kickin, and Picky gaze at the dancing flames behind their leader. Doey observed the flaming factory with wide eyes, his giant hand placed over his chest. Boxy Boo was standing a little far from the others, keeping a safe distance from the group while watching their hell of a prison burn. Yarnaby watched the illuminating sight beside Boxy with a tilt of his head.

Mrs. Delight stood quietly next to Huggy. Her bandaged face is testament to the struggles she had endured. The absence of Barb weighed heavily in the air, a reminder of the bond they had shared amidst ten years of being alone. With a heavy heart, Mrs. Delight had relinquished the weapon, her decision fueled by the promise of freedom from the factory's oppressive walls. The memory of Y/N’s sincere apologies echoed in her mind; she had brushed them off, knowing that accidents happen in such a frantic environment. But the pain in her back, a lingering reminder of the door that had slammed down upon her, was a constant companion. A supportive brace encircled her torso, a symbol of both her resilience and the trials she faced.

Yet her spirit remained unbroken as she contemplated the future that awaited her outside those grim confines.

Mommy situated beside Mrs. Delight to the left. One of her arms had been ripped off, and her whole body would’ve been maimed had Y/N not yanked her from the shredder. She decided to help him after that; had she not been saved, she’d have been added to The Prototype’s body. The missing arm was replaced with a new one that Y/N made for her, although it wasn’t pink like the original. The new stretchable arm was black with a red hand (the one she took from Y/N) attached to it.

Catnap watched with saddened wide eyes. Compared to everyone else who knew that the Prototype was insane, Catnap genuinely believed that what he was doing was right. That staying in the factory was better now that the adults were out of the way, but then things kept getting worse and worse. Food became scarce, the factory, with no one to do maintenance, is falling apart. But he continued to cling to that hope that the thing that saved him will continue to protect him.

Then one ex-employee changes everything in one night. The tight control his savior had on his home began to wane and loosen, friends who became traitors joined his side, and yet he clung on to the false hope that his savior will protect him. Only for him to almost kill you too. It is because of the kindness of that ex-employee, revered an angel by the heretics, that he saved him, away from the grasp of the god that just betrayed you in your most vulnerable. It is that same night that the heretics win, his master has fallen, everyone is truly free.

The remains of the factory, a tormenting hell and yet...their home, burns ablaze. The sins of the evil adults cleansed by rightful fire.

But it was still his home.

Huggy was internally satisfied with what he was seeing. Sporting a bandage wrapped around his head, likely a result of an unfortunate encounter with a pipe. Like Kissy, he too was captivated by the Playtime Co. factory set ablaze. For ten years he was imprisoned in that hell hole. Following Leith’s orders with no way of fighting back his command, which extended to the Prototype.

But he didn’t have to worry about that anymore.

He was free.

This feeling extended to the bigger nightmare critters.

Baba Chops never thought this day would come. It was hers and her friends’ greatest dream: her along with every single toy in the factory, marching towards the exit; striding towards freedom that they have longed for decades. She had always thought a day like that would be nothing more than a pipe dream. Oh, how wrong she was. Had it not been for Y/N’s never ending kindness, she wouldn’t have gotten the chance to see the light of day as she is now.

“So…what do we do now?” Hoppy spoke up.

Y/N turned your head when Hoppy asked that. All the toys shifted their gaze towards you. Hope and wonder washed each toy’s countenance that extended to another. You took a deep breath.

“Well, calling a taxi is out of the question. There’s too many of you guys to fit in,” Y/N replied.

Y/N turned your gaze toward a building not too far away from the factory.

“There’s a train over to that station,” Y/N said, pointing at the faraway building. The toys followed the direction to which you pointed. “If we set it right, the tracks should take us to the direction of my home town. Once we reach our stop, we’ll have to walk to make it to my house. We’ll figure out what to do next once we get there.”

Y/N shifted your gaze back at the toys.

“I apologize if my house isn’t what you expected,” Y/N said, rubbing your nape with your hand.

"Don't apologize, Y/N. I'm sure it's not even that bad,” Poppy replied, forming a small smile. Kissy Missy nodded in agreement. “See? Even Kissy agrees with me!”

Dogday also nodded in agreement.

“Agreed. Nothing will ever be as bad as the factory, Angel,” Dogday added, smiling down at you.

Bobby stepped close to you with a happy smile.

“Dogday’s right. We’re all free now and you're here with us! That alone makes things a lot better,” Bobby chimed, her tone laced with genuine enthusiasm.

Y/N turned your head when you heavy thumps drawing close to you. You turned your head to see Doey approaching you.

“And wherever you go.” Doey stops in front of you whilst smiling down at you. “We are with you.”

Giblet nodded in agreement.

“All the way,” Giblet added, grinning confidently.

All the toys surrounding you nodded in silent agreement. Y/N couldn’t help but smile at the amount of support he was receiving from your friends. You parted your mouth open, as to say something until you paused. The sudden reaction extended to the toys when all of you heard the sound of blaring sirens from far away.

“The police,” Poppy muttered under her breath.

You frantically looked between the train station and the flashing red and blue lights slowly but surely approaching your position.

“Everyone! To the train station, hurry!” Y/N shouted.

Y/N and the group surged toward the train station in a frantic dash for safety. You ran at the forefront as you propelled yourself forward, arms pumping with urgency. Poppy was back perching on Kissy’s shoulder. Flanking them were the towering figures of Kissy Missy and Dogday, their immense forms a protective barrier as they cradled a little boy and girl in their arms. Both big and small toys added a whimsical yet desperate element to the scene, each one driven by an instinctual need to escape the authorities looming behind them.

Hoppy Hopscotch and Kickin Chicken sprinted behind the pair with urgency driving their every step. Hoppy cradled two unconscious girls in her arms, their small forms limp and vulnerable, while Kickin carried a little boy who appeared to be still asleep, his head resting against Kickin's feathered chest. Craftycorn, Bobby Bearhug, Picky Piggy, and Bubbaphant chased after them, their hearts pounding with a mix of concern and determination. The strong thumps of Doey’s feet echoed through the air, each clomp resonating like a drumbeat as he followed closely behind. The mini smiling critters, along with the mini Huggies, Scout, and Medic raced alongside the group, each of them pushing their limits. Trying their best to keep up with the fast-paced rescue mission unfolding before them.

Mommy Long Legs stomped heavily on the floor while keeping up the pace with Doey and the others. Bunzo Bunny clung tightly to her back, his heart racing as he fought to maintain his balance, every jolt threatening to send him tumbling off. PJ Pug-a-Pillar darted alongside them, his agile movements allowing him to nimbly speed past the spider toy. Yarnaby and Pianosaurus raced together behind the frantic trio, their breaths coming in quick gasps as they pushed themselves to escape the looming danger. The little nightmare critters found a precarious refuge on the vibrant, rainbow-furred back of the toy animal, clutching desperately as the world around them blurred with speed. Huggy and the bigger nightmare critters charged at the rear of the group, their determination evident as he matched strides with Cat-Bee and Candy Cat.

Mrs. Delight was also running at the rear close to Huggy. She pumped her arms and kicked her legs as she trailed after the others to the train station. Giblet and Chum Chompkins led the outimals to the same direction the group was sprinting to. Lilly Lovebraids ran behind the group with a trio of Baby Long Legs, battle damage Candy-Cats, and one Cat-Bee running by her side. You didn’t know what the future would be from here on out. But you and the toys you’ve adopted will face it.

Together.

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Y/N led your adoptive toy family through the forest. Dense foliage flanked them on either side of the narrow trail they were following, making it difficult for the Huggie Wuggies and Small Critters to keep their balance when they were forced to take small steps in order to accommodate their angel’s long strides. They'd been hiking for what seemed like hours after escaping the Playtime Co. factory, with Y/N periodically checking their surroundings to make sure they weren't being followed. They moved silently in a single column with Y/N on point, trailed by Dogday, Kissy Missy, and Poppy perched on the big body toy’s shoulder in the center.

Hoppy Hopscotch and Kickin Chicken followed behind the trio slowly through the forest. Craftycorn, Bobby Bearhug, Picky Piggy, and Bubbaphant walked slowly behind the pair while looking around the forest in awe. They were amazed with the diversity of the forest, the untouched splendor of wilderness. Doey followed closely behind the trio as his heavy thumps echoed through the air. The mini smiling critters, along with the mini Huggies, Scout, and Medic followed alongside the group at a leisure pace.

Mommy Long Legs kept up the calm pace with Doey and the others. Bunzo Bunny sat on her back as he scanned the wilderness in awe and wonder. PJ Pug-a-Pillar darted alongside them, his agile movements allowing him to nimbly climb over logs and dodge rocks that littered their path. Yarnaby and Pianosaurus followed behind the trio. The little nightmare critters still found refuge on the vibrant, rainbow-furred back of the toy animal. Bron walked at the rear of the group, matching the calm strides with Cat-Bee and Candy Cat.

Mrs. Delight and the bigger Nightmare Critters walked at the rear close to Bron. Delight tilted her head in curiosity as a centipede crawled over her hand, eyes sparkling. Baba Chop walked beside her whilst lowering her gaze to the earth’s floor, looking deep in thought. Icky Licky and Allister Gator followed behind the pair. Rabie Baby and Simon Smoke trailed behind the two. Followed by Poe, Touillie, and Maggie Mako. Catnap, Boxy Boo, and Huggy Wuggy followed the group at the end of the rear.

Huggy had Boxy’s springy arm in his small yellow hand, making sure the giant toy doesn’t try to wander off again. Giblet followed the two bigger body toys. Chum Chompkins walked beside his friend, looking at everything around him in awe. Lilly Lovebraids trailed behind the pair as she stroked her long purple hair. Glancing at the earth’s floor with a frown.

Y/N kept your focus on the winding path ahead as you navigate the dense forest. You peered over the lush undergrowth, your eyes scanning the towering trees and the expansive space beyond them. The vibrant canopy overhead buzzed with the joyful melodies of chirping birds, their songs echoing through the branches, while the distant call of a solitary owl added a haunting note to the symphony of nature. Glancing up at the treetops, he noticed a handful of birds perched elegantly on an overhanging branch, their feathers glinting in dappled sunlight that filtered through the leaves. The air was thick with the earthy scent of mildew, mingling with the pungent aroma of decaying plant matter beneath his feet, a reminder of the cycle of life and death that thrived around him.

Y/N blinked. You looked ahead and saw the end of the forest a few meters beyond a stand of trees. Both you and all the toys emerged out of the claustrophobic mouth of the forest, and stood at the entrance. Far away ahead of the grassy field was your farm and your massive farmhouse. You took a deep breath and proceeded forward. All the toys followed you, staring in awe of your property.

Y/N and his adopted toy family walked towards the farm. You passed by the vegetable house, your farm animals situated in their holding fences, and a few backyard chairs and tables. You ascended up the stairs until you stood in front of the main door, then searched for your keys in your pocket. Once Y/N retrieve them, you insert the tip through the key hole and twist. Y/N swung the door open and turned to face your toy family.

“Alright, c’mon, Inside everyone,” Y/N said, gesturing your hand towards the inside of your house.

One by one all of your toy children entered your house until you came last. Y/N closed the door behind them before dodging through the small and giant toys. The toys all gathered around the living room, curiously staring and exploring its corners. Mommy Long Legs carefully sets Bunzo on the carpet, then the toy bunny enters the kitchen, probably just wanting to take a good look at this new weird place. You decided to let him be, turning the TV on and trying to pick up a channel. All the toys watch you as you fiddle with the television.

“This is the TV. Not much has changed since 1995, except for the image quality, of course. Now we use CDs and DVDs instead of just cassette tapes,” Y/N explained. “But I’ll show you all that later. The kitchen is right there. The bathroom is there, and my room is upstairs. Unfortunately I don’t have any clothes for you guys to wear. But you guys must be hungry, right? Here, I’ll order us something to eat.”

Y/N got up from your spot before stretching yourself as you heard some of your bones pop. You step into the kitchen, followed by some of the toys and Long Leg's stretching head. Miss Delight excitedly walks close to you as you look for what you have. Since none of the toys know how to cook, Y/N takes the lead in preparing a proper meal. It's been so long since they've had actual food. Not raw, questionably sourced, meat.

The kitchen becomes rather crowded with the smaller toys peeking over countertops to watch Y/N grab a phone and dial a number.

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It was quite uncomfortable when the pizza delivery groups saw how you looked. You had bags under your eyes from surviving all night against the monstrous toys trying to eat you, your shirt and pants were torn in several places, and you bore a nasty scar on your chest from the Prototype. You told the delivery men you were fine and that you planned to go to the hospital later, but only after your toy family had eaten. You feel guilty for making them deliver so many pizzas, but it’s necessary because the kids (your children) are hungry. You mentally prepare yourself for entering the house, closing the front door behind you.

“Alright guys! Pizza has arrived!” Y/N announced, smiling at the toys.

Y/N watched in shock as a wave of toys rushed towards you; mini smiling critters, mini huggies, mini mommies, cat-bees, candy-cats, two mini brons, mini nightmares, and the wrongside outimals. You couldn’t help but laugh as they swarmed you, then started down the hallway. One of the huggies climbed up to your shoulders whilst you made your way toward the living room. Y/N enter the kitchen, piles of pizza boxes distributed in the counters. Scout Bot begins counting each box, muttering numbers under his breath, and stops when he notices you.

“Mr. L/N, we have thirty six boxes for hundreds of us. If we are careful , they may last up to a week,” Scout Bot informed you.

Y/N shook your head.

“No, no, Scouty,” Y/N said, smiling. “I have enough money to feed everyone here for years to come, so we don't need to ration our food. You can eat as much as you want to.”

Giblet’s eyes grew large.

“Really? Hey, you hear that, Chum?” Giblet asked, nudging his elbow against Chompkins. “We can eat as much as we want!”

Chum did a little happy hop upon hearing what Giblet had told him. Y/N took the box and headed to the living room, knowing the kids were eagerly waiting to try the first slice. All the toys gathered around in a circle, eyes fixed on the box in your hand. You grinned at each of them before opening the box to reveal a pepperoni pizza, causing every toy, big and small, to stare in awe. Huggy, who had been following you like a shadow, clapped his hands in surprise. Kissy, still holding Poppy, copied Huggy's applause, smiling as they all eyed the delicious pizza.

"This one here is pepperoni pizza. Eight slices in every box,” Y/N explained. “You guys should all take one. Eat as much as you want to!”

One mini hoppy hopscotch smiled brightly at the pizza.

“Wow, It's been so long since I saw a real pizza! And it smells sooo good!” Mini Hoppy exclaimed.

Y/N tears off two pieces, offering it to a pair of red and blue mini huggies. The two mini huggies grab them from your hands and shoves it in their mouths. The next slice you passed down to was Bunzo, who emulated the same action as the huggies. You offer the next slice to Dogday. However, the big puppy's eyes go wide, and he shakes his head.

“Oh, no no. Give some to the others, Angel,” Dogday insisted.

Y/N parted their lips to say something until Giblet beat you to it.

"Oh, come on, Dogday. There's enough for everyone,” Giblet admonished. “Now, come on. Let’s eat up!"

Y/N nodded in agreement. You take another slice, giving it to Long Legs, who stared at Bunzo in horror as he was still trying to deal with the cheese. The pink spider stares at her slice with strangeness plastering her countenance. She eyes Giblet, Dogday, then Bunzo, who swallows another slice of pizza whole. Only then did she open her mouth. That is until you stopped Mommy by extending your protesting hand out to her.

"You eat pizza like this, Marie,” Y/N instructed, grabbing a slice of your own, biting it and using your teeth and fingers to free yourself from the cheese. You added another note while still chewing. “Use your hands to deal with the cheese, everyone. You guys don't want to put too much into your mouths or you'll end up choking on your own food!"

Y/N approach Doey with the Pizza in hand.

“Here Doey, this is for you,” Y/N said, extending their hand to them.

Doey looks at the slice of Pizza—then to you. Stares at it for a moment before accepting it. He only eats after he's sure every single other toy (the ones he looked after from Safe Haven) is doing so. Doey swallows it down after a few quick bites and his eyes grew large.

“Wowie. This is…this is delicious!” Doey exclaimed, his lips pulled back to a wide, genuine smile. You smiled at his reaction.

“Had a feeling you would like it,” Y/N said.

Y/N offered the next slice to Kissy. The giant pink toy stared at it with sparkling eyes before taking her first bite. Huggy bites his in one go, and Lilly Lovebraids takes the last one before Delight appears, giving you a new box, still full of pepperoni. You gave her a nod of appreciation, then presented the eight slices of pizza to the other toys; Lilly Lovebraids took her slice and the main nightmare critters took theirs. Delight finally takes a slice for herself and takes a bite.

“Goodness, it's so warm,” Lilly remarked, chewing on the cheese. “But it's so sticky. Oh, I hope it doesn’t stick to my dress.”

Mommy Long Legs rolled her eyes.

“Hmph, of course you would say that,” Mommy Long Legs scoffed, glancing at Lilly. “Mommy doesn’t understand why you’re worrying, your dress is dirty enough as it is.”

Lilly sharply snapped her narrowed gaze at Mommy.

“Hey! At least I’m not the one walking around bare naked, mrs blood sucker,” Lilly berated, subconsciously moving her purple hair to point at the bigger body spider.

Mommy glared at the purple haired girl but remained silent and continued eating her pizza.

“Ooh my. This is very... Interesting...?” Delight was genuinely astonished. So much so that she gave it another bite. “Lots of different tastes... And it's so warm and soft!”

Bubba raised a padded hand.

“Actually Mrs. Delight, pizzas aren't exactly soft,” Bubba corrected. “But I guess they look like it, considering what we had to eat back in the factory.”

Y/N placed the box on the carpeted floor. You watch the critters stare at you, hesitant.

“Hey, it's okay. Really,” Y/N said, crouching on the ground in front of them. “One slice for each, don't fight each other for more, we have a lot of boxes. Speaking of which, can someone grab the other bo—”

Y/N turned their heads just in time to see Delight holding a pizza box. She giggled as she politely offered slices to everyone, despite her usual isolation. Huggy, on the other hand, was less careful due to his lack of coordination, but he managed to feed all the mini huggies with some help from Kissy. You finally approached Catnap with one slice of pizza in hand and handed it over. Poppy uses a plate, knife and fork to each her own slice of pizza. Dogday only eats after he's sure every single other toy is doing so. Chum Chompkins spreads his belly jaws and eats three slices.

"Oh... Ooooh!", the orange dog mutters. His tail is wagging. "A-Angel, this is incredible!"

Y/N smiled. You shifted your attention to Catnap, watching him still staring at the pizza in his paws. Catnap noticed you staring at him and looked back. You turned away with a sigh. You didn’t want to have to do it, but it is the only way to communicate with the big guy. You looked back at Catnap.

“Catnap, your 'savior' wants you to eat,” Y/N ordered. “No one should starve, and you gotta get those calories in.”

Y/N gestures to the toys closest to him.

“Also, you need to set up a good example for them,” Y/N continued, pointing to the critters. “They aren't going to eat more if they see you aren't doing so. You are no longer imprisoned in PlayCo., buddy. You’re in a safe place now.”

Catnap lowers his ears for the first time since the confrontation against the Prototype. He fidgets, nervously looking away from you. Around him, the small critters all eat their own slices, some trying to comfort him with a headbonk or by cuddling next to him. Catnap's stomach growls for a moment. Using his hand, he takes a single slice out of the remaining three, eating it in one bite. You patiently wait for his reaction.

Catnap’s white dotted eyes grew brighter. His tail curls and moves left and right, and his ears go up as well. He stares at you, asking for permission, and you nod. He eats his second one almost immediately, now using both of his hands so he can take more bites and savor the taste more. You chuckle, grabbing another box next to you and opening it for him and Dogday to share. The two bigger critters have the same sparkle in their eyes, and both go to their next slice almost at the same time.

Y/N observed the children as they consumed the pizza with evident delight. Their expressions illuminated the room, conversing about the unexpected deliciousness of the seemingly ordinary meal, many consuming more than they initially intended. It was a heartening scene, witnessing them behave with such youthful exuberance.

“Um, Mr. Angel,” a mini nap called, approaching you timidly. “After we eat, what comes next?”

Every toy in your house turned their curious gaze at you. You happily answered the toy’s question with a smile.

👀

chum love

サンリオキャラクターズ 70's