Image or Love (Fredica) Part 1/2

Chica let out a tiny sniffle as she finished off the last slice of the extra-large pizza in the kitchen. Earlier that night, she'd attempted to hold Freddy's arm, only for him to pull away and be told 'not in front of the others'. When asked why, the only explanation he could give was because of 'appearance'.
Is Freddy embarrassed by me? Chica wondered to herself. She recalled the time he'd finally returned her feelings for him, right here in the kitchen. But did he really mean that, or was he only telling her what she wanted to hear...?
"Chica."
Chica looked up to see Freddy enter the kitchen, then her eyes shifted back down. "Oh... it's you, Freddy..."
"Is something upsetting you?" He approached her, then placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Nnh..." she muttered, then slowly nodded. "Freddy, please be honest... Are you embarrassed by me?"
His eyes widened. "N-no, Chica, of course not."
"I know I can't show my affections during daytime shows. But when it's nighttime... and it's just the others..." Chica looked up at him. "What's the 'appearance' you talk about?"
Freddy let out a sigh. "When others think you've gone 'soft', they take that opportunity to walk all over you. As the 'head' of the animatronics, that's something I want to avoid. And that's why I think it's best if we keep our relationship a secret from Bonnie and Foxy."
"How do you know that they'll see you as 'soft'?" Chica asked. "With Foxy, considering he stays in Pirate's Cove most of the time... he wouldn't know or even care... and both he and Bonnie would probably know better than to laugh at you." She paused for a while. "I... don't want our relationship to be a secret anymore."
This had gone on for a while. Freddy would often meet Chica in the kitchen while Bonnie was making his way towards the security office and Foxy hadn't peeked out yet. The meetings didn't last very long, but more often than not it was the perfect amount of time for them. Also, when alone with her, a different side of Freddy emerged: sweet, gentle, and affectionate towards Chica. He even enjoyed it when she called him by the endearing nickname 'Papa Bear'. But outside of those meetings, it was as if he was pretending there was nothing between them at all.
"I'm not asking for much, Freddy..." Chica said. "I just don't want to hide it from Bonnie and Foxy anymore."
"I know, Chica, but I just think it's best if it stays like this. You're happy meeting here in the kitchen, right?"
"I am happy. I really am. But... I think enough time has passed that the others can know too."
Freddy sighed once more. "I know you feel that way, Chica, but... I don't yet. Please understand that."
Chica slowly looked down at the table. "I see. So your reputation among the animatronics is more important than how you feel towards me."
Freddy was about to answer until he realized that Chica's voice was quavering, and he knew she'd been hurt. "Oh n-- No, Chica, of course not, I j--"
"If that's how you feel... then maybe I don't want to meet you in here anymore." Chica pushed past Freddy and left the kitchen. Before the door could close, Freddy heard Bonnie mutter: "Aw geez. Fazbear made her cry."
Freddy leaned against the wall. It was time for him to make a choice: retaining his image, or openly showing his affections for Chica.