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When Moondrop first creeped up to you and informed you that it's past closing time and you shouldn't be here you quickly flashed him your badge with a laugh, quickly thanking him for informing you anyway. That probably should've been his first tell that you're different than the other night security guard. You were... Nice? Perhaps nice isn't the right word-- Odd? Yeah, that fits better. You're odd.
The second thing he chalked up to being off is when the next night you greeted him like any other animatronic (because you seem to greet every S.T.A.F.F. Bot you run into), and even went as far as asked how his night's been so far. More often than not he responded courtly, with short answers, then moved on.
He very quickly grew fond of having someone who he runs into every now and then during the night shift. It was... Alright. Something new, but nothing too big – something that very quickly became the routine.
However you, of course, had to break the said routine one night by asking him whether or not you can keep him company for the shift. His eyes narrow at you suspiciously at that moment, optics scanning your body up and down before finally locking his eyes with yours.
“Hm...” He seems to ponder over it for a second, rolling his eyes when he noticed a slight bit of hope appear in your eyes. “No.”
In that moment you felt your lips tug down into a frown near instantly. “Oh, come on... Why not?”
“I do not need company.” He simply states, turning away to continue walking where he was supposed to be at this point during the night – you're keeping him busy and delaying his schedule.
Boy is he not happy about that.
“I'm sure I could make your night go by quicker!”
He nearly does a double-take at that, head snapping 180 degrees behind him to look at you before he scoffs at you. You? Keep him company? Puh-lease. You'd just slow him down. “No. Return to your work immediately.”
He squints at you as you take a step closer, your arms folded together in a pleading motion.
“Oh come on, Moony. Not even for 5 mins?” You ask, now standing directly in front of him as his body twists around in a terrible manner in order for the upper side of his body to face you. “Sundrop told me you enjoyed hanging out with me for the last two weeks.”
The innocent smile you have on your lips makes him doubt your words, chalking it up to yet another way for you to hang around with him. Why have you been so insistent to spend time with him specifically is beyond him – you must be broken or.. Something. Whatever is wrong with you, he won't even try to get involved much less indulge you.
Moondrop straightens his back slightly, eyes narrowing once more as he folds his hands behind his back; he towers over you, staring down, face close enough so that the red glare reflects on your skin in the dark.
“And how, pray tell,” He grunts, the dispeasure in his voice beyond obvious. “-would he know?”
“Oh,” You grin. “You leave post-it notes for him, right?”
Oh he's going to strangle Sundrop.
“... I do not like you.” He scoffs.
You smile. “Aw, I like you too.”
Oh. No, he's going to strangle you before he strangles his counterpart.
“That's not what-- Forget it.” He steps back, his usual grin pulled down into a deep frown. “I-” He jabs a finger to his chest, doing the fucked up turn he does (at least his knees are pointed in the right direction this time). “- am going to check that everything is running in order.” He waves you off in a dismissive manner, no longer paying attention to you. “You should--”
He halts.
“What are you doing?”
Grinning up at him you stop by him, nudging your head in the direction you were going to get him moving. “Walking with my favourite co-worker. Come on, we have a lot to do.”
Moondrop doesn't budge. “What-- Your-- No!” He stomps his foot angrily, just like his daytime counterpart would. It's kinda cute, if you're honest. “No. Go find someone else to keep you company if you're lonely.”
“I have.” You respond, looking back at him as he takes a few deep breaths – rising his arms up as he inhales, down when he exhales. It takes him a few seconds but after a short while his red optics snap towards you.
The way you blink at him with worry makes him feel things and he's not sure if he wants to actually strangle you on the spot or if his heart just skipped a beat. He's not sure when you closed the distance between you but he... Thinks he appreciates the way you made the motion of patting his arm instead of actually touching him.
“I mean it,” You continue, brows furrowed. “I don't feel lonely around you.”
“Ugh.” He lost count how many times he rolled his eyes around you today. “I will get you decommissioned one day.”
You nearly snort at his empty threat. “No you won't, you're too fond of me.”
“I--” He splutters; he thinks you very much pinpointed the feeling. “How would-- I am nothing of the sort.”
“Mm-hm...” Humming in agreement you nod your head, your grin returning as you watch the red glow seep from his eyes to his cheeks. “You know you glow when you're embarrassed, right?”
It's a genuine question, but it irks him nonetheless.
“Right. And how would you--” He lifts his hand to his cheek, pausing when the red glare reflects much stronger than it normally does. “Oh.”
There's a moment of pause as he lets it sink in and you patiently wait for his blush to die down before falling into step with him when he starts walking off.
“Does that mean I'm your favourite?” You pry. “Aw, Moon--”
Again, he stops.
Turns towards you.
His hands hold your shoulders in place; face way too close to you for comfort.
Oh, he's close.
Very close.
“No. You're nobody's favourite. Not mine, not anyone's.” He wants to take back his words the moment he sees your brows furrow. But he won't. “Now- you are staying Right. Here. I am leaving.” He gives your shoulders a hesitant, kind of hard, squeeze before taking a massive step away from you.
Ignoring the way your lips tug into a frown you cross your arms over your chest. “Oh come on! I'm just joking!”
Once more, the moon rolls his eyes at you as he yet again attempts to leave the hallway.
“Follow me and I promise I'll have Montgomery bite your arm off. Oh, wait, that's right.” His head turns to face you as he keeps walking, the familiar grin back on his face. His voice drips with sarcasm. “You have to walk. Woe you, (Name). Such a shame!” His grin drops; he talks in his step. What in the world are you so giddy about? “... What now?”
“Oh, nothing.” You muse, shrugging your shoulders. “You just know my name, is all.”
“I-- You're lucky I'm too far to pounce on you, oth--”
“Oh wow.” You cut it with a wolf whistle. “You want to pounce on me? Wow, Moondrop, that's a VERY bold confession to make.”
Oh that's it. He's going to throttle you on the spot.
“Oh you-- Agh!” There he goes with that cute angry stomp of his again before he power-walks away. “GoodBYE, human.”
He can feel your eyes locked on him as he walks out of the door, and boy he hopes you didn't notice just how bright he's lighting the way with his burning face.