Dates don't always go the way you plan, and sometimes they do!
Fandom: FNAF SB
Rating: General
Pairing: readerxSun
warnings: None
Summary: Sun is supposed to have a date with you tonight. Your first date! For the third time! The anxiety that had him canceling the previously scheduled dates rears its head again and threatens to ruin this one too, but you're not content with letting this chance slip by again.
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Sun held his phone in his shaking hand, thumb hovering over your name. His internal conflict was making him nauseous. He couldn’t imagine canceling on you again. If he did, would you ever give him another chance? This’d be the third time. He wouldn’t have given anyone a chance after the first so why should you give him a fourth?
If he didn’t go tonight that would be it. You’d never talk to him again. You’d hate him. You’d leave and find someone else and marry them and maybe you should. You deserved someone better than him, someone who wasn’t so scared of embarrassing himself that he’d cancel multiple dates.
Sun’s heart hammered in his chest and when he met his eye in the mirror, he almost vomited. He looked a mess. His hair was still wild and untamed, he was pale, sweating through the white shirt he’d picked out, an-
“Mr. Sun!”
The daycare attendant jumped and spun quickly to see the little boy in the doorway.
“You asked me ta tell you when-when moms and dads got here and they’re here so I came to get you like you asked!” The child’s enthusiasm was almost irritating to Sun. Couldn’t this kid see he was having a crisis?! Still, work was work and he’d spent more time than he should have in the bathroom already. Left the kids unattended for too long. His anxiety instantly shifted to all the possible injuries or messes made in his absence.
Sun launched himself out of the bathroom to check on the kids & distribute them back to their parents without any more cause for incident.
As the final parent left, with a snide comment about his chosen date outfit (he knew it was a bad idea, he knew it looked awful. Stupid stupid stupid!), ending pick up after an eternity and simultaneously far too quickly. Sun still hadn’t texted you. He still wasn’t ready to go. He couldn’t stand the thought of losing you.
Sun jumped when his phone buzzed in his pocket. His hands dropped from his mouth – he didn’t notice he’d started biting his fingers, a bad bad habit he needed to work on – and checked the notification. He yelped when your name came up on the caller ID.
A million thoughts swarmed Sun’s mind – you were canceling (a relief followed by panic and deep-seated grief) you were at the restaurant and wanted to know when he was coming (he wasn’t. he couldn’t wait to see you), you’d realized what a waste of time pursuing him was and were ending it before he could disappoint you further (devastating but understandable).
Sun answered and flinched at the shake and pathetic sound of his greeting.
“Hey Sunny, come open the door, my hands are full.” Your voice was like a refreshing glass of cool water after days in the driest desert. His shoulders instantly relaxed and the shaking almost fully subsided.
“Y-yeah! OK yeah coming!” Sun’s legs began carrying him in a random direction before he paused, uncertain where he was supposed to be going.
“Uh…wh-what door?” He was so ready to do anything you asked he hadn’t even considered what your request was referring to.
Your laugh, warm and inviting, flowed through the speaker. “The daycare door, goofus! Come let me in, see you in a sec.” The call ended and Sun remained frozen for a moment to process.
The Daycare doors? Here? You were HERE?!
Sun scrambled, dropping his phone in the process to get to the door as quickly as he could. Why were you here? Did he forget you were supposed to meet here? Did you say you would be picking him up? Did he forget he said he’d drive?
Sun flung open one of the large wooden doors, leaning his body out of the frame with a torrent of questions.
His mouth snapped shut.
All the concerns and confusion dying on his tongue when his eyes found yours. The tension in his shoulders melted away with your warm smile. One he couldn’t help but return.
Sun stood a little straighter to take you in. His face burned as his mind and eyes fully comprehended what was before him. There you stood. Kind, caring, beautiful, wonderful, patient you. You, with a bouquet of yellow daises and scarlet roses in one hand, a picnic basket in the other.
“I hope this isn’t too weird, but I uh…I guess I figured you might be canceling because you’re uncomfortable with going out? So, I thought maybe a date here would take some of the pressure off.” You’d started out confident but felt your own face flushing as you registered the shocked expression of the tall man before you. He was dressed in a white shirt and clean pants. He was going to come see you tonight! That realization soothed some of your own internal anxieties about misreading the situation between you both.
Sun’s eyes lingered over every part of you as his face heated quickly, body going rigid. You were clearly dressed for the date; your outfit was like nothing he’d seen you in before. Your silhouette was breathtaking and the colors seemed to reflect in your eyes in a way Sun had never gotten to experience before. His fingers twitched with a barely contained desire to reach out and feel the fabric that was lucky enough to be draped across your body.
Time seemed to drag by as you awaited Sun’s response. The continued silence had you shuffling awkwardly and the thought that he’d been canceling because he didn’t actually want to go out with you was returning with vengeance. Maybe he’d felt bad saying no? Maybe he thought it was kinder to cancel than outright reject you? Maybe you were really just super wrong about what you thought he felt.
“O-or maybe this was a dumb idea.” You forced a small laugh out. “S-sorry Sun I should have taken the hint the first time yo-“
“Come in!” Sun’s shout cut you off and caused you to jump slightly. There's a heavy tinge of panic in his voice as he stepped back into the daycare to make room for you to enter. “Please, please come in, Sunflower. Sorry, I was just…surprised to see you.” Sun’s arm shook as he held it out in a welcoming gesture.
You looked between his face and arm with a small frown. “Sun really it’s ok I’m sorry I shouldn’t have-“
“No no no! Please! Please stay!” Sun looked almost frantic – fearful. “Please don’t leave.”
It was how quietly he spoke that last part that bolstered some of your confidence back up. You took a breath of your own and entered the brightly lit play area. As you passed Sun his expression relaxed into his usual smile and the tension seemed to evaporate.
“So so so so sweet of you to come! I-I’m sorry I canceled before I…I’m happy you decided to come here.” Sun’s sincerity was palpable, his large hand resting just below your shoulder blades as he walked beside you into the daycare. “And with gifts too! Wow…wowie I’m…thank you, Sunshine.” Sun sounded sheepish as he glanced away from you and bit his lip. Cute.
You suppressed the shiver that threatened to roll through you at the sensation of his warm palm and long fingers – that when spread almost reached passed your mid-back. Unconsciously you leaned in closer to Sun as you walked towards the security desk. You glanced up at Sun who wore a large smile – his face coated in a deep red flush. You grinned at him in turn and moved to face him, holding the bouquet out to him.
“For you, good sir!”
Sun gently took the flowers from your hands and brought them to his face. He closed his eyes as he took a – almost comedically – deep inhale of the blooms, followed by a loud sneeze.
You couldn’t help the laugh that his surprised expression pulled from you and when he lowered the flowers from his face the sheepish grin turned almost dopey when your eyes met.
“I want to marry you.” Sun’s voice was dreamy as he spoke the wish aloud. It only took a moment for him seemingly realize what he’d said. Sun began to sputter out apologies, trying to take it back, but not really, but wow that was inappropriate, and haha oh god.
“Sun, breath.” Your command was kind as you took one of his hands in yours and gave it a squeeze, shutting him up instantly.
You continued, not wanting him to rile himself up again, “I think I’ve known you long enough that you don’t have to apologize for yourself anymore. I know you can get intense, it’s one of the things I like about you. You’ve got a lot of feelings and aren’t afraid to experience them. I don’t want you feeling like you have to explain every little thing you say you’re embarrassed about. I want you to feel safe with me.” You pause for a moment to make sure he’s listening.
“Obviously we are not getting married anytime soon. But I think it’s sweet that you’re so sure of it being something you want. I can’t promise right now that I’ll get there but knowing that you’re actually looking for something long-term is…nice. It means you aren’t just trying to mess around. I appreciate that about you. I might have been weirded out if anyone else said that but…I don’t know…it wasn’t anyone else, it was you.” You chuckle at yourself for the actual absurdity of it all.
That was a big ass red flag and here you were happy to invite Sun in regardless. Because somewhere in your gut, your heart, your soul, you knew he wasn’t trying to play with your feelings. He wanted you in his life and you were finding it hard to keep him out of yours
“But no, we aren’t getting married anytime soon, becauuuse, you have some actual dates you need to take me on before we can have a wedding.” You give him a teasing grin and release his hand, turning to open the basket you’d set on the security desk, pulling out the meal and dessert you’d prepped earlier in the day. “How about we have this first one, yeah?”
Sun could have cried if he wasn’t so busy trying to fully accept this wasn’t a dream, his shoulders relaxed and he felt, for the first time in weeks, the anxiety that had been permeating his being left to make space for the warmth and love he had for you.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! I’d love that, Sunshine!” Sun dipped down to press an excited kiss to your cheek pulling another laugh from you as you playfully swatted at him. You smiled, ready for whatever this new experience was going to bring.
fandom: FNAF SB
Rating: T+
pairing: readerxSun/Moon
warnings: Suggestive content
summary: You need to take an impromptu day off and know your clingy and well-meaning co-worker robots will not handle it well. But they mistakenly get a reward for their relenting.
I only proofread this once and I was high so my bad in advance. I also couldn't think of a title so, my bad again.
Sun paced in front of the large doors that lead to the atrium outside the daycare. He would occasionally glance at the slide to see if there was movement there, only to droop when there was still nothing. Sun’s hands wrung together in a seemingly unconscious manner as he unsuccessfully tried to find something to keep him occupied.
You were running late. Late late. Not the 2-5 minutes that he had learned to tolerate. It had been your idea to get him to relax and stay calm but it had been sososososo hard to learn to wait five whole minutes when you should have already been there. It was 10 minutes past your clock-in time now and despite his ongoing checks you still hadn’t even entered the building!
What if you were hurt? What if something badbadbad had happened to you?? What if-what if you were NEVER coming back? What if you were going to leave him just lik-
Sun’s thoughts stopped as he felt more than heard the annoyed groan from within his head. If Sun could pout, he would at the sense of Moon pushing forward enough to get the yellow attendant’s attention.
“If something happened then it’s already happened. There’s nothing we can do. Stop squirming.” Moon’s tone was strict and to the point. If anyone else had heard it they would have likely listened.
But Sun isn’t anyone. And Sun can hear the undertone. He can hear the concern in Moon’s thoughts and sputters aloud.
“You’re worried too!” Sun shouted out loud into the empty daycare. He’d never been very good at the internal communication and knew it was an annoyance to Moon. Which may be a teensy tiny reason he made sure to do so louder than normal.
‘Being worried is not the same as your panicked pacing.’ Moon’s tone was biting in nature but there was nothing behind it, not really.
“Well well well Mr. Too-cool-to-Care I’d rather be doing something than sitting around.” Sun grumbled. His voice was quieter now and he’d forced himself away from the entrance to realign the toys on a nearby shelf – despite them being perfectly set up already.
‘You’re going to wear out our battery if you keep acting like a petulant child.’
“PETULANT CHILD?!!”
‘Yes. You’re pouting and stomping around like someone stole your favorite toy.’
Sun bristled at the implication of him thinking of you as an object. As though you were anything other than the most perfect adult they’d ever met! As though you weren’t the most important person in their lives!
With a huff, Sun held up a finger to scold the Moon regardless of his lack of physical presence when he froze. Moon’s inner snickers ceased as well when they both realized you were finally at the Plex.
“OUR STAR’S HERE!!!!” Sun all but bounced over to the entrances whipping his head to look between the slide and doors trying to anticipate which you would come in from today.
The creak of the door barely had time to make its way through the air before Sunny was running full speed towards it. He was so happy you were here! He was soooo upset you made him wait! He’s relieved you’ve come to him! He wants to reprimand you. He wants you to never leave and scare him like that again!
He stopped in his tracks once he finally made it to the door, a tall figure that at one point had been imposing now just reminded you of an overgrown puppy.
“SUNSHINE!” Sun shouted, reaching out to give you a signature “Sun Snuggle n’ Spin™” He stopped mid-bend when your hand came up to his face to alert him to stop.
For a moment Sun felt his anxieties re-emerging. Were you mad at him? Were you here to tell him you were leaving forever?
Sun didn’t even notice his hands resuming their fidgeting until your raised hand dropped to them and gave his long fingers a reassuring squeeze.
Sun’s pupilless eyes stared back at your face and he felt his shoulders relax when your smile was what greeted him. Relived, he’d still be pouting at the lack of greeting hug if he could. It fueled his frustrations and Sun was going to give you a stern talking to about tardiness but it died in his voice box when his eyes finally noticed the bundled hoodie being cradled in your other arm.
All of Sun’s other emotions stopped in an instant as his servos were flooded with curiosity. He could feel Moon’s annoyance again but knew he wanted to figure out what was happening too.
You feel bad for the moment after stopping Sun’s hug, especially with how hurt his body language was, but you couldn’t risk him accidentally hurting your unexpected surprise. You grinned excitedly at the jester before trying to explain yourself.
“I’m so sorry Sunny, I know how late I am and I’m so sorry for that - I hope you weren’t worried o-”
“Pshh me? Worried? Haha oh, Sunshine you know I was ok waiting. I’m very patient after all.” Sun puffed his chest out to try and sell his vibrato, ignoring the hissing sound of liar in the back of his head
Your smile goes from excited to understanding and Sun unconsciously lowers himself more so he can be at eye level with you. It maaaaybe also was to get just a bit closer to you.
“You’re right, I shouldn’t assume things. But I am sorry for being late, it’s not responsible and I was uh…a little distracted so I couldn’t call.” Not that you thought your message to the front would make it to Sun anyway, but you still felt guilty for not trying.
“What was so distracting?” Sun asked, his face rotating to the side in curiosity. He could feel Moon’s own prickliness dying down at the apology, just as invested in your reason as his counterpart.
Your smile seems to grow more which tickles something in the mind of Sun and Moon that they weren’t used to yet.
“Well, well first of all I want to say sorry too for the hug, I love your hugs, but well…” You trail off a bit as you shift the hoodie you’ve been cradling out to Sun.
“I was getting a coffee this morning and when I was ordering I heard this little noise.” You explain carefully pulling back the soft fabric to allow Sun to see just what you’d found. “And this lil’ thing was on the ground, right in front of the order box. Like, basically in the road! And I mean it was so cute, and it’s so little and I couldn't just leave it there! It’s definitely too young to be on its own.”
You pause to take a breath, impressed by Sun’s actual display of patience. “So, well…ok I think this is going to be something very cool for you or at least new so, uh, can you shut Moon out for juuust a second? I want to see your guy’s reactions and it’s not a surprise if he sees it now too!”
Sun’s faceplate had rotated back to straight and he giggled, excited to see what you’d brought. He could tell it was some kind of animal and he’d never really seen an animal for real - outside of some service dogs. Service dogs were working though so he couldn’t ever really pet them to see if the fur was as nice to touch as it looked.
Sun’s giddiness overwrote Moon’s indignant refusals to being shut out and soon Sun was left with silence. It was always odd to have one of them off. It felt too quiet. But for you, for you, he’d bear the discomfort.
Sun nodded once, firmly, to confirm he’d done as you asked. He found himself swooning a bit at the way your eyes softened when you looked back down to the bundle in your arms.
“Ok, ok I know I’m being extra here but close your ey-er…turn off your eyes?” You were uncertain what the right way to phrase it was. You’ve never really had to ask him to do this before.
Sun whined quietly but knew he could never deny a direct request from you. He wasn’t going to do it easily though. He made sure to huff loudly and turn his head from side to side as though trying to decide if he’d follow through or not. He made another loud dissatisfied noise before he turned off his ocular receptors.
Sun heard you giggle at his antics and it filled him with warmth in his chassis.
“Thank you, Sunny. I appreciate you playing along with me.” Your voice somehow sounded even sweeter when he couldn’t see you. He unconsciously leaned further towards you, a fleeting thought of being kissed runs across his servos and he felt himself shiver. Maybe…maybe you would?
Sun hummed in acknowledgment; all memory about the fact you basically said it was an animal that was the surprise leaving him. His thoughts being replaced with conflicting pushes of calming down and excitement buzzing at the possibility of feeling your lips on his faceplate.
You take his hand lightly in yours and guide it forward. Your palm was warm and soft and Sun’s whole body followed your pull. He couldn’t suppress a whispered and shuddering “S-sunshine?” he’s never felt so nervous before and so hopeful.
“Gently.” You respond just as quietly as you bring his fingers to the hoodie. You’d pulled back the layer of fabric covering the kitten you’d found this morning and lightly brushed the DCA’s fingers against the tiny animal’s fur.
Sun’s eyes snap on and he pushes a gasp out of his voice box to mimic the feeling of coming across something too cute for words. Sun lets out a quiet ‘aww’ as he let his hand gently rub against the soft fur of the kitten’s back. It lifts its head the best it can after letting out a ‘mmrp’ to look up at Sun. It wasn’t a kiss but Sun would be lying – which he doesn’t do – if he said it wasn’t an exciting experience.
You grin at Sun’s dopey smile - only rarely does that permanent expression feel genuine and you’re filled with warmth at this being one of those times. The kitten is mostly white with differing shades of brown splotches along its back and tail. The fur seems like it will remain short but the kitten is still too young to know for sure. The small cat’s nose and ears are a bright pink and the squinting it does lets the slightest sliver of blue eyes show.
Sun is enthralled with the little fur ball as it turns onto its back and nips at his silicone finger. It tries to kick its back feet but they just wiggle and its toes stretch wide showing off the soft pink paw pads.
It seems like Sun has completely shut down as the tiny creature continues to exist in front of him. You’re about to ask if he’s ok when the constant swaying you know so well starts up again. You’re relieved for only a second before Sun yells, “Sunshine!! This is the CUTEST THING I’VE-”
You harshly shush him as the kitten flips onto its feet and hisses, its short fur standing on end looking more like a sea urchin than a danger. Sun’s volume and closeness clearly have scared the kitten and you do your best to pet it back into comfort. Sun gives you his best approximation of a sheepish and apologetic look before continuing.
“I’ve never seen…well, I mean I’ve seen some cute cute cute babies and kids, oh such cute kids! Butbutbut I’ve NEVER seen a really real kitten before!!!” Sun is ecstatic and it’s exactly what you were hoping for.
You hope he’s enamored enough that he won’t stay mad about you being late. You aren’t sure if it’ll be enough for him to forgive you for having to leave soon. You know he won’t take it well, but you need to get this kitten to the vet ASAP.
“I thought you’d appreciate it,” you start, the kitten has relaxed again into a loaf in your arms, eyes closed as it purrs. “Like I said, I saw it on the side of the road, or, well…the side of the drive through and I couldn’t just leave the little guy there!” You explain again wanting to hammer down the fact that it was in need to better help your case.
Sun nods along, he’s crouched down now and his face is close to the little cat. His finger rubs its soft head again and the kitten pushes it’s face against Sun’s finger. With its eyes still closed it moves it’s face so Sun doesn’t have to do much. The kitten noticeably rubs the sides of its mouth against the silicone as it tries to scent him.
“Understandable understandable.” Sun mutters quietly, nodding along. You notice he’s vibrating at almost the same frequency as the cat’s purrs. It’s cute in its own weird way.
You push the thought away and clear your throat preparing to land the crushing blow.
“Sooo, since it’s really young and was in the road…I need to take it to the vet.” You pause only for a moment before continuing the next sentence in a rushed single breath, “So I’ll be gone for the rest of the day…probably.”
Sun freezes and you try to hold a pleading smile. He doesn’t do anything that indicates his attention has left the kitten, but the shiver that you try to suppress means he has to be staring right at you.
You’re hoping you don’t have to use the nuclear option. You had accidently found out that if you use juuuust the right pout and ask in the sweetest voice you have, Sun will do what you want. You don’t like using it, it feels like you’re manipulating him, but this is a situation that has you preparing for a finisher. You really hope you don’t have to go that far.
Sun still hasn’t moved but the sense of being watched has left you. His pupilless white eyes have focused back on the kitten in your arms. He had stopped petting the animal and instead had one of his large warm hands resting on the now sleeping feline’s back.
It’s a sweet scene, but the tension is palpable. You adore Sun and Moon but this is one of those times you wish their faces could move. You hate not knowing what’s going on in his head. You hate that you know you’re upsetting him.
“Sun?” You use your quiet pleading voice and watch as he simulates taking a deep breath.
“I wa-we were worried about you this morning. We thought you weren’t coming back.” Sun says in the quietest voice he has.
You’ve only heard it once before. It was about 3 months into your employment and you, (while emotionally exhausted and frustrated with how the Day Care Attendants had been neglected), ended up swearing to them that you would never leave the Plex for good. Not without taking them with you.
You can’t help but smile softly at him. They have just as much power over you – maybe more – as you have over them. You shift the bundle so the kitten is able to rest in one arm while the hand of your other comes to the bottom of Sun’s faceplate. Your thumb rests on the front while your pointer finger is behind the metal as you gently coax him to look you in the eye.
From far away it would seem Sun has nothing but white eyes, up close you can see how wrong that is. You’d spent enough time with him, up close and personal, to be able to just make out where the (you assume) paint was supposed to go. A small circular groove that outlines a pupil. Like this you can tell his white eyes are looking anywhere but at you.
“Sun.” Your prompt is quiet and questioning, he hesitates only a second before looking back at you.
Sun is almost completely slumped now, his body sagging sadly. This is one of those rare moments you are looking down to him. Usually, it would be followed by a joke of some sort. But this is different. This is a raw, vulnerable moment and if it were anyone but Sun or Moon, you’d have run before confronting that level of emotionality.
“Have I ever not come back?” You ask quietly, unconscious of your thumb lightly caressing – what would be – Sun’s chin.
Sun pauses then carefully shakes his head no, trying to be aware of his rays and your proximity. He’s hyper aware of your fingers on his face plate and is trying to cool his body quickly without the fans whirring too loudly to alert you. Your fingers are comforting though. If he could keep your hands on him forever, he would.
“So.” You pause for emphasis, unaware that you have startled the animatronic from his own thoughts. “I promise, no I swear on Freddy Fazbear himself that I will be back tomorrow. I’ll bring all sorts of pictures of this little guy and give you a full report of its health.”
You punctuate this declaration by giving a reassuring squeeze to his face plate that still rests between your fingers.
Sun whimpers at you. There is so much stimuli that he’s struggling to know what to focus on.
Finally, Sun responds with, “The Fazbear swear?”
Sun’s quiet still as he confirms what you’ve said. You give him a firm nod, but notice there’s still some hesitancy in his posture.
“Would a pinky promise make it stronger?” You ask.
Sun nods and straightens his back so he’s a little taller. He carefully moves so that he doesn’t remove his faceplate from your hand, and puts his pinky out. You have to let go of his face to link your smallest finger with his. You miss the sad huff that emanates from the day care attendant.
You make sure Sun’s looking in your eyes when you say again, “I promise I will come back to you both.”
Sun shivers but hopes you don’t notice - you do, you always do. You never say anything though. You’re honestly not sure what it means. Most often you chalk it up to being part of his machinery settling or something. He was good with telling you when something was wrong so you assumed the shivering was normal. Your knowledge base was in childcare not animatronics.
Sun is silent for another few seconds, you worry you may have to go for the nuclear option. Sun is clearly upset and you swallow hard, uncertain if you should go straight for the pout now or in a few seconds.
Finally, finally Sun fakes another sigh and with a sassy roll of his head he stands to his full height. “Fine. You can be gone for one - ONE day.” He holds a single finger up and close to your face. Sun doesn’t hold a stoic tone well though and you smile at him appreciatively. You can tell he isn’t as upset as you worried he might be. At least if his spinning rays were anything to go by.
“Thanks Sunny, I really appreciate it, I’m sure it’s tough for you to agree to this but I’ll owe you a favor, does that make it better?” You ask, digging your fazwatch from your pocket. You found them ugly and didn’t often wear it if you didn’t need to.
Sun ‘s rays spin faster and he bends at the waist so he’s eye level with you again. “Dealdealdeal!!!” He enthusiastically agrees, extending his hand to shake.
You laugh and happily shake in agreement.
Sun’s whole head spins this time in conjunction with the possibilities running through his mind. Maybe he’ll be able to ask for a kiss? It’s a scandalous thought, but sounds so so so lovely. Unknowingly, you interrupt his processors running through all the options with a question.
“Would it be ok to switch so Moon can see the kitten too?”
Sun is, not for the first time, thankful he can’t move his face. He knowns he’d be frowning otherwise. He’d never even pretend to not enjoy having all your attention on him. It was rare that long periods of time would pass with just the two of you but…but he knows that fair is fair and sharing is caring. With a quiet huff Sun nods his head and squats down again, arms open for a gentler hug.
You happily embrace him, the arm cradling the kitten turned away from his body. You bask in the warmth of him. You’d been trying to ignore the slight chill that came with giving your hoodie to a cat. It was a good cause of course, but being warm was good too.
Sun holds on to you longer than he knows is appropriate. He’s tried to be ok with ending hugs with you, but knowing he wouldn’t see you until tomorrow made it harder for him to let go. Sun makes another sad sound and tucks his face plate against your shoulder – rays retracting in as necessary to not get in the way
“I’m going to see you tomorrow my sweet summer sun.” You promise, lightly rubbing his back.
Sun nods against your shoulder and finally removes himself from you. It looks like he’s weighted down with his uncharacteristically lethargic movements. One of those warm hands cups your cheek.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Sunshine.” Sun mutters. He removes his hand from your face to reach past you, flicking off the lights before he has to deal with anything else that might make it even harder for him to let you leave.
The transformation is smooth, certainly much smoother than it used to be. Neither was good with relinquishing control in the early days and would often screech in pain when the other would try to force themselves to the front as soon as the lighting changed. It took a lot of patience and work to get them to learn how to change without hurting the other or themselves. Most of the work was with their feelings towards themselves.
Sun was open and would talk at great length about his thoughts and feelings but was difficult to challenge and get to think of things differently. Moon was better at hiding his emotions than Sun. Moon was guarded, deflective, and would go so far as to remove himself entirely in the midst of a conversation. It was months before you’d cracked his shell. That opened the flood gates and you’d found that Moon tended to feel things more deeply and personally than his twin.
You shake your head and look down to your arms. The mechanical whirs wake the kitten but only enough for it to open its eye before letting out an annoyed huff and falling back to sleep.
Your eyes don’t adjust quickly to the dark – something that you feel should have gotten better with the constant light to dark you experience. You’re pretty sure that’s not possible scientifically though. At least not yet.
Your blindness and musing cause you to miss the concern in Moon’s eyes before he steps close enough for the LEDs of his eyes to light you. His fingers twitch at his side as he beats down the urge to grab you. He isn’t sure if he’d pull you close or give you a harsh shake for the worrying he’s continued struggling with. Especially after you asked to have him shut out.
The heat of anger cools when Moon’s eyes finally meet your apologetic ones. It’s hard to stay mad at you.
“Is everything alright?” Moon’s voice is quiet, gravelly, and measured. You give him the most reassuring smile you can and nod.
“If something was wrong, I wouldn’t have asked Sun to close your communication line. I know it upsets you, but I’m proud of how well you’re both doing with it.” You pause to give another smile. You really are proud of them for being able to come back to being online without as much panic.
You knew there would be times they’d each want privacy and both agreed that was true. Just like with the distress tolerance of you being late you’ve been working with them to be more comfortable being in the metaphorical dark and taking that time for themselves to decompress.
Moon doesn’t respond so you continue your thought.
“I will always make sure you both know if something is wrong, I promised that and you know I don’t do promises.” You try to add a lighter tone to the end of this sentence hoping to break the tension that was starting to become a bit too much.
“Why did you block me out?” Moon’s cautious but you can hear the edge to his voice, you’re just not sure if it’s anger or hurt.
You move closer to Moon and reveal the sleeping kitten in your arms. Moon is silent as he looks down at the bundle of fur and hoodie you’re offering him. Moon’s systems take a moment to process what he’s seeing and what you’re trying to tell him. He wasn’t sure what to focus on. His hurt or curiosity?
Moon is quiet for a long time. You’re not sure what exactly he’s thinking but when he quietly asks to pet the small cat you nod vigorously.
Moon’s movements have always been slower and lighter than sun’s, the tips of his fingers hardly brush along the soft fur. He freezes then, seemingly uncertain what to do next. The kitten doesn’t even seem to notice the touch and Moon doesn’t know what to do next.
You smile fondly at Moon’s hesitance and lay your hand over his. Moon looks from the kitten, to your face, to your touching hands, in rapid succession as his mind furiously turns. He must have done something wrong. You must be touching him to move him from the kitten. He must have done something wrong wrong wrong wrong
“You don’t have to be so nervous Moon. I know you’re not going to hurt it. You’re doing great.” You try to sound as reassuring as you can and ignore the slight shaking of his frame. You know Moon has become skittish and nervous since the virus was cleared – he still sees himself as a killer and a danger. You’ve been working for months to change that perspective of his, but trauma is a bitch to work through.
Moon is silent as you lightly press his palm against the kitten and guide it slowly to demonstrate for him how to pet it. The kitten makes another ‘mrp’ as it lifts its head to look at him. Moon stills as he looks into the kitten’s eyes and watches it blink slowly at him.
Moon’s eyes turn to you and your smile is soft, he has the odd sensation that this is an intimate moment, the two of you close, touching, a small bundle in your arms. You remove your hand from his and he unconsciously continues petting the kitten. But when it starts to purr, he freezes again circuits buzzing with concern.
You’re quicker this time to comfort Moon. You assure him, “It’s ok, it’s a good sound, it means it feels safe and happy. You’re making it feel safe.” You keep your voice quiet, not wanting to cause any more alarm for the naptime animatronic as he copes with this new situation.
Moon looks to you again and thinks if he could cry this might be one of the moments he would. You’re looking at him so softly, like he’s something important and that you care about. You’re talking to him like he matters and logically he knows you do. But Moon often finds these are the moments it hits him. What being cared for actually feels like. What you caring for him feels like.
You take the silence as an invitation to speak. You quietly explain what happened like you had with sun. How you found the little thing and that it is likely going to need some medical care. You’re watching him as he stares at the cat who is starting to yawn and stretch.
“So…I’ll need the rest of today off to get ‘im looked at and brought home.” You inform with as much softness and warmth as you can. You know this won’t be easy for him. Unlike Sun, Moon is more likely to withdraw and decide that you are saying this to try and get away from him as opposed to the truth of wanting to get the cat medically cleared.
Moon stills and you know the anxiety is building in him. You don’t want him to dissociate and shut down so you press his hand against the purring kitten for some grounding before lifting that same hand to rest on the cheek of Moon’s faceplate. Moon’s watching you and you know he’s looking for any deception or lie in what you are telling him. His scarlet eyes bore into your soul and you stare back unyieldingly to show him your honesty.
Moon will feel guilty about this distrust later, you know it from experience. You would never hold it against him though. Moon’s been hurt and used and needs as much as you can give before he’ll let his guard down.
“I promise it will only be one day. I’ll come back tomorrow. I promise.” You reiterate yourself to ensure he knows how serious you are. You push up on your toes so you can press your forehead against the forehead of Moon’s faceplate. His hand is still on the kitten and the warmth from both of you makes him relent.
“You’ll come back tomorrow.” Moon says. It’s quiet and it’s a weak demand as opposed to a question.
“Absolutely.” You assert, keeping your eyes locked on his.
You can see and feel the tension Moon’s been holding start to sooth when the sound of his bells draws your attentions to the kitten again.
Tiny paws are batting at the bells on his wrist and nipping on the ribbons. In your discussions the small cat had turned itself on its back underneath Moon’s hand to get to the dangling pieces. You can’t help but snicker and a puff of air comes from Moon that you’ve learned to associate with a dry laugh.
Your forehead is still against Moon’s when he lets out a simulated sigh as he seems to accept that you’re going to be leaving for the day.
Moon presses his faceplate a little firmer against your forehead before he mutters, “Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.” You agree with a nod, returning the slight pressure of your forehead to his. Moon’s shoulders shift and he hesitantly pulls away from you and the kitten. The hand that had been petting it rests on your cheek to match how you’re still holding his.
“Go slowly my lovely moon.” You whisper, asserting your promise with the mantra you had both decided to use for calming him down – especially if amongst others.
Moon hums and you can hear his cooling fans running on high before he quietly responds, “Go slowly.”
Moon moves away a bit more, both your hands fall from one another’s faces. Moon seems to hesitate a moment before pressing the unmoving smile of his face against your forehead.
Before you fully process what happened Moon pulls away and attaches to his wire. It quickly pulls him from you and into the vast darkness of the daycare.
You smile softly and turn to leave, knowing the boys will do just fine running the daycare themselves for a day.
Over the next few weeks, you come in with news and photos for them of the kitten as she grows and plays. You name her Comet to stick with the celestial theme of the daycare and assert that she is the daycare’s new mascot. It’s a few months later when you come in almost as excited as the day you first found the kitten.
You’re there early and wave Sun over. You tell him there’s a video you want them both to see.
“Oh yes yes yes!! I looove when you show us videos!!” Sun excitedly agrees. He pauses for a moment then nods, his rays spinning, “Moony’s watching too! Show us! Please?!”
You laugh at his enthusiasm and hit play on the video and it starts with Comet meowing long and loudly at the camera.
“Are you ready for bed?” Your voice asks from behind the camera. It’s pitched a bit higher and more cutesy than normal. Comet meows again and takes some steps forward, jumping onto your bed.
“Bed time little nugget? You’re in your sleepy spot.” You continue, zooming in on Comet. She’s making biscuits on pillow covered in her fur and purring so loudly even the phone picks it up. Her eyes blink slowly at you.
You were a little embarrassed by the baby voice you were using but hoped that it would slide as the video comes to the main part.
“Well, we can’t go to sleep without our buddies, can we?” You ask the kitten. She doesn’t respond but blinks slowly at the camera (you) and continues to purr and make biscuits.
From behind the camera comes into view a sun and moon plush - equal in size and both clearly fur covered as well. The kitten mewls, does a circle and lays down eyes locked on the two plushies. Her tail swishes slowly across the pillow and her paws slow in their kneading.
“Ok sweet pea let’s get you set up so you can sleep.” Your voice is quieter as you sit on the bed beside Comet. You set Moon on the left of her loafed form and Sun on the right effectively sandwiching your kitten between the DCA’s plush likenesses.
Your fingers remain in the frame as your thumb brushes up and down the bridge of Comet’s nose. She tilts her head back enough to sniff it. Comet yawns and stands, stretching her back in an arch. She circles again on the pillow then flops back so her head is on the Moon plush and the Sun is between her front paws.
You whisper loving words from behind the camera as Comet clearly falls asleep quickly, the video ending a few seconds after.
Sun has been cooing throughout the video and making quiet comments from both Moon and himself. It’s almost shocking to see how much bigger Comet is from when they first saw the thing almost a month ago.
But Sun goes quiet when the plushies enter the screen, he becomes unusually still and his white pupils are locked on the screen. You notice but don’t say anything, not wanting to break whatever little spell Sun seems to be under.
Sun feels his chassis swell with affection seeing how comfortable and loving the kitten is with his and Moon’s likenesses. Sun can’t help but feel a little jealous but imagines that he and Moon are really there with you both. He wonders what it would be like to have you and Comet curled against him and resting comfortably. Moon doesn’t comment but Sun can feel some warmth and love from his counterpart slipping through Moon’s barrier.
You wait a moment but when you get no other reaction from Sun you begin to swipe through the photos you took after the video of Comet curling with the toys and fast asleep. Sun seems to snap back to life and makes little “awws” as the pictures go by.
You’re looking at him and commenting on something about what’s in the picture when you swipe again. Sun freezes again but this is different from earlier. He’s seized and his fans are whirring at double speed. His voice box isn’t making coherent words but there’s a high-pitched whine that you’ve never heard before.
“Sun? Sun are you alright?” You ask before looking at the phone to see what must have caused such an extreme reaction.
Your eyes widen and your face heats up faster than you’ve ever experienced before. You did it. The dreaded swiping one picture too far.
Your screen shows a picture you took of yourself in your full-length mirror. Your back is what’s reflected and you’re looking over your shoulder making your best approximation of sultry/fuck me eyes. You are completely nude. Your ass is bare in the mirror in the photo and there’s clearly nothing covering your chest or any other part of you. If that wasn’t bad enough, also reflected in the mirror is your bed where the Sun and Moon plushies rest, seeming to be looking directly into the mirror. As though staring at your naked form.
Your embarrassment finally subsides enough for you to take action. You hit the power button and tear your phone away shoving it into your pocket. You’re babbling an excuse about needing to get back to work before booking it to the other side of the daycare.
You do your best to act as though nothing happened and to your relief so does Sun and Moon. You’re grateful they don’t bring it up. You have to leave as soon as your shift is done and wave good-night as you exit.
Sun clenches his hand together in nervousness. You have no idea. They can tell you don’t know. They are certain you are totally unaware that the photo you showed them has been memorized and filed away by both daycare attendants.
There’s unspoken uncertainty about what to do with the feeling of tingling circuits that erupted the moment they saw the photo. They know they’ve done something wrong and there’s brief flashes of guilt as they pull the picture up in their memory banks throughout the night. They feel bad for doing this.