Work Text:
"Damn Map-bot… scaring the shit out of me. They could've made me drop my bass!" Monty complained as he wandered away from the elevators and towards the doors with the big sign reading 'Superstar Daycare'. If they had made him drop the instrument, he'd have them scrapped in record time! How the hell was he supposed to play with Sun without his bass?!
Oh… and it's his favorite bass or whatever.
He had… honestly been a little too excited about an opportunity to sneak off and have his promised jam sesh with the daycare robot he had a run-in with a while back. So much so that the rest of the band took notice.
Roxy was freaked out by Monty sometimes being so chipper and carefree for no apparent reason. She even asked him if he had finally been brought in for reprogramming. His response? "Nah. No technician can tame this beast! I'm just feelin' a little sunny, ya know?"
Chica had been ecstatic about it. Partly because she thought his giddiness was 'adorable' (god, just shoot him now). But it was mostly because she was dying to know what got him into such a good mood. She always was a gossip that one. Monty decided to fuck with her and give different vague hints as to what could potentially be the reason. All lies, of course.
Freddy… had been regularly Freddy. Very happy to see it, a little curious with only a subtle hint of concern for the suddenness of it. But other than that, he'd been the same old Fazbear.
It was AMAZING how hard it had been to find an opportunity to head to the daycare for him. There was practically always something stopping him. Security, low-battery, forgetting his bass backstage, Ol' papa Fazbear's nagging, practice. It was like the world was trying to prevent him from meeting his new buddy!
"Wait… buddy?" Monty came to a grinding halt as he loudly and clearly thought that word to himself. Was… was that what was happening? Was he… becoming friendly with the DAYCARE ATTENDANT??? God, it sounded so lame, saying it like that. But… he couldn't really deny it. That nervous, sweet, excitable ball of sunshine was really growing on him. He wanted to refute it, saying he was just impressed with his voice and nothing more. He probably would if anyone asked. But… to himself… he'd have to admit it.
He wanted to be friends with Sun.
Opening the door and walking into the unnecessarily long hallway, the gator paused again to let his eyes wander over to the two posters on the wall. One of Moon, and one of Sun. Heh. Funny how expressive he looks like that, compared to the real deal. He couldn't even emote, for fuck sake. Why set him up for failure like this?
And Moon's poster was just asking for a rude awakening, going from a calm sleepy boy to stick up his ass, creepy eyes, sarcastic sleep paralysis demon. But most of that was his own fault. Maybe he shouldn't be such a narc!
Though… he kinda wished they could be this expressive. It was disappointing, not getting to properly see them getting all embarrassed and shit when he'd tease them both. He wanted to SEE Moon suffer. Sun… it was mostly just… to see how… well…
…
He admitted it once, he won't admit it again
The animatronic was expecting to hear Sun even before entering the pick-up area. He seemed to be a pretty loud talker when the pizza 'plex was empty. But, surprisingly, it was deathly quiet. Even the usual music was off. It was still bright, which meant Sun should be out and doing… whatever tasks he had… right?
He kept going, his footsteps reverberating through the air. He was heavy as hell, so the other bot should have heard him by then. But… no reaction. This was… concerning.
The alligator hurried down the stairs and into the play area, curious as to his whereabouts. Was Moon out on patrol? No, it's not time and that son of a gun was strict about punctuality. Had Sun gone to rest in their possibly existing room? But the daycare was still a mess! He wouldn't leave a mess, would he? Maybe something happened and he was taken to parts and services?
Monty shook his head, shoving that worry away into his memory bank. Maybe he was around here somewhere, hiding. He wouldn't put it past him, wanting to play a game of hide and seek. But, not wanting to assume anything, he began looking around without making a fuss about it.
That's when he heard it. A soft, high pitched noise. He stiffened and craned his head around to find the source of the sound. It sounded a little like a voice. Hearing it again, he thought it sounded like… a small laugh? Maybe?
It came from the ball pit, that much he knew. So he walked over quietly, keeping his receptors peeled for the sound again.
Another noise.
Yep, that was unmistakably Sun.
He peeked over the edge of the ball pit and spotted a yellow point peeking out from the colorful cluster. "Sun?" He asked hesitantly. Immediately, the other animatronic shot up straight, head peeking out from his hiding spot. "M-MONTY?!?" He yelped, voice sounding so shaky and pitiful. It gave the gator pause, mind spinning with confusion and concern. What happened to Sun???
"D-D-DON'T LOOK AT ME!!! I'M A HORRIBLE PERSON!!!" He suddenly screamed while covering his face, trying to submerge himself in the ocean of rainbows again. But Monty was quick to grab a hold of his wrist, preventing his escape. "Oh no you don't! Sunny, what's going on?!"
The shaking, lanky robot tried to pry himself loose, if only for a second. He quickly gave up and just shrunk together in the grip on his arm.
"I-I'm so so sorry! I… I… I didn't want you to see me like this!" He broke down again into sobs and wails, draping himself over the edge of the pit in a deflated fashion.
What the hell had happened to make him break down like this?!? He was completely devastated, unable to explain whatever happened to Monty due to sheer shame.
He wasn't sure how to handle this situation. Like, he wasn't usually presented with this type of behavior from anyone but a sad kid. And he didn't think it was appropriate to do what he'd usually do for them. He didn't want to be condescending.
Uncharacteristically, he reached down and carefully took a hold of his co-worker's forearms, lightly trying to pull him out of the ball pit. "C'mon… up we go. Let's get out of that thing." He was already being condescending, wasn't he? But Sun didn't seem to mind, meekly following along as he was brought out onto the padded floor, slowly seated down by the unusually gentle claws. "Alright. Here we are. Now, can you please explain what's gotchu so down?"
Sun whined pathetically and buried his face plate in his knees, apologizing weakly between sobs. Monty sat down next to him and looked at him with slightly annoyed eyes. "Hey. Hey. None of that. I don't want to hear you apologize until I know it's needed. Just tell me what happened" he demanded more firmly, starting to get tired of the delay.
Sun whimpered and curled up more into himself, seemingly frightened by the unintentionally harshness of the other's voice. Monty cursed at that, feeling stupid for losing his temper. But, still, Sun seemed to compose himself at least a little and tried to speak.
"I… I messed up… I messed up so badly… J-Jeremiah… h-h-he's never coming b-back here… AND IT'S ALL MY FAULT!!!" Damn it! He was wailing again. Monty wasn't the best when it came to comforting, but he had to try something. He reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, muttering awkwardly "H-hey now… I'm sure that's… not true! Why would it be your fault?" He could already tell this wasn't going to be pretty. "Just, take a second and then start from the beginning."
Sun seemed to relax a little at the reassuring touch. "W-well… I guess that would be playtime. I was walking around the crafts table, looking at everyone's drawings. I saw Jeremiah drawing a cute picture of himself, holding some f-flow-wers. I told him it was very pretty then asked who the flowers were for. He said… sniff sorry. He said it w-was for his best friend, Kai. B-because he was as pretty as the flowers…"
Oh no… oh god no. As soon as Monty heard that, his mechanical heart sank into the pit of his stomach. But… let's not jump to conclusions. There might be more. Stay cool, Monty. You got this. "What next?"
"I-I told him… that th-that was wonderful. It was really really really sweet. H-he then asked me if… if I… Oh!" Sun covered his face again, sniffling in dismay and guilt. "It's fine. It's alright. Just… just continue." Shit. Was that helping? Was he being comforting? The reptile honestly couldn't tell.
"O-Okay… Okay… he asked me if I could help him finish the bouquet. I was excited to help, so I said yes and… drew a bunch of different flowers. I… I thought they were pretty. He finished drawing Kai and… then he went to play in the climbing tower."
Ok. So far so good. Everything sounds fine. But… he knew it would turn at any moment. "Ok. So, When did it turn bad?"
Sunny winced and tensed his shoulders under the big metallic hand holding it. Damn it! Phrasing, Montgomery! Phrasing!
But, he continued nonetheless. "Well… at pickup time, I went to say goodbye to all the kids. When I went to get a bag someone forgot, I saw Jeremiah's drawing on the table. I… I really thought th-that… that i-i-it was best t-to bring it to hi-him… so he c-could give it to Kai… I ne… I never meant… meant to…"
Sun took a pause, composing himself again while placing his own hand on the one holding him. It seemed to make him feel better.
"I brought it over to him and his mom. I said that he couldn't forget Kai's present. His mom wanted to see, so I handed it over to her without thinking. I shouldn't have. I really really shouldn't have! She became so mad! She started asking 'What is this?!', 'what kind of sick stuff do you allow in this establishment?!' and 'I didn't sign my kid up for this propaganda!'. I was so scared! I just couldn't understand what she was so angry about. Why did she start yelling???" Now he had started rambling, just rushing everything out as fast as he could so he wouldn't have to dwell on it.
Monty was a little stunned. Sure, he was sure these mean, angry moms weren't uncommon in the 'plex, or even in the daycare. But still, it wasn't any less infuriating.
"Th-then… she started yelling a few things I didn't really understand. A word that… it just sounded so awful! So hurtful! But I had no idea what it meant!" Sun just continued going, once again breaking down into a pile of sobbing mechanical parts.
"Can you… say what word it was?" Monty asked warily, scooching in closer so he could give him a reassuring back rub. He hated seeing the poor daycare attendant like this, so guilt ridden and heartbroken. He wanted to at least do something to make him feel better.
Sun turned his head towards the reptile, his body language clearly hesitant, nervous, as if he'd be saying a forbidden spell that would unleash unspeakable evil unto the world. But, regardless, he leaned in close to Monty and whispered the word so quietly that he almost didn't catch it.
But he did.
Shit… damn it! He had a feeling he knew what word he was hinting at. He had just hoped he was wrong. But nope. There it was. Clear as day. No misinterpretation for a slang word meaning 'Cigarettes'. It was the F slur. He'd heard it used in the pizza 'plex before, rarely. Usually said either in a mocking or in an accusatory fashion.
Fuck this woman! She had really just yelled that in a daycare!! At her own son!!! What kind of harlet were they dealing with?!
"I-I don't get it! What did I do that offended her so much! Was it the flowers?! Did I draw them badly?! Were they flowers she hated?! Were allergic to?!"
"W-wait wait wait!! You… you don't know? You don't understand what she was offended about?" Only now did it hit Monty that Sun was actually completely clueless about the issue. Really?! He didn't know?! Like, sure he might have never heard it before, but couldn't he tell by… context or something??? Didn't he have the internet to look it up? Was he unable or unwilling to find a definition?
"PLEASE, MONTY! TELL ME!" Shit! Had Sun been talking that entire time??? God damnit! Focus, you dumb alligator! You're here for him!
"S-sorry. Could you say that again?"
"Do you know it?!? Please! Please tell me what it means! I need to know what I did wrong! I have to know so I can fix it!"
Fuck… he really had to do this, huh? Welp. Might as well rip that bandaid off.
"Sunny… that… that word she used was a slur. It's a derogatory word towards people who are gay. She said it because the drawing was of her son liking another boy."
…
It became quiet in the daycare. Sun sat there in complete stillness, processing everything he had been told. It wasn't a lot, but it was the last puzzle piece he needed to see the whole picture.
"... She… she called her son and me… a slur? Because… because of a picture of two boys?"
"WAIT! She called you that too?! What a fucking bitch! Not only a bad mother, that dick!"
"M-M-MONTY! LANGUAGE, PLEASE!"
Shit. He only upset Sun more. Now he felt like a dick. He wrapped an arm around him and patted him on the shoulder, looking very concerned. "I'm so sorry for what she said. No one should have to be called something like that. Let Alone a kid. Tomorrow, you and I are contacting management and getting authorities involved!" He announced firmly, a serious look on his face.
Sunny stared down at him, almost amazed by his attitude. So caring, yet seriously headstrong. It reminded him of Moon. Who he only then realized had been concerningly absent since Monty found them. But he didn't have time to wonder about it, as the previously mentioned person spoke up again.
"Is there… Anything you need? Because I'm here. Just say what ya need, anything at all. I gotcha."
Actually… there was something. Something he needed more than anything. But he remembered what happened last time he had it. It became awkward and uncomfortable between them. He didn't wanna make Monty uncomfortable, so he just cradled his arms against his chest and shifted quietly.
Monty seemingly recognised his thought process, as his gaze turned more insistent, imploring him to voice his desires.
He felt… compelled to do so. Even though he felt like he'd be asking too much, that look on his face told him that it was ok. That he was free to say and do anything without fear of judgment.
"... Can I… have a hug? Please? I feel so… just… I feel exposed. Defenseless… please."
He felt more exposed after saying that, revealing himself to the world. Bare and open and vulnerable. He didn't like it. Only Moony was allowed to see him like that. He understood. He knew what to do. He would never reveal his weakness to the world. He could tell Moon everything without anyone hearing. He couldn't do that with anyone else.
But Moon wasn't here. He was hiding. But why? Why would he do this to him? Why would he force him to actually voice his weird, self-indulgent thoughts?
Then… comfort.
His body was enveloped in a new type of warmth, one he had never really felt before. It was fuzzy, but strong and heavy. It was like being wrapped up in a weighted blanket, except the texture was… so odd. How can something be fluffy AND scaley at the same time.
It had that same calming energy as one of Moon's hugs had, but it was so completely different. He could feel it. Physically feel it. And it wasn't as gentle and sweet as he was used to. It was, again, strong. It felt… protective. Like the comforting shield of a knight, defending a princess. Or… in this case, a prince. It was restrictive… somehow in a good way. It was unyielding, promising to never let go.
Sun all but melted into the feeling, forgetting about whatever he was so embarrassed about. He even momentarily forgot why he had been upset to begin with. It was amazing. The sound of Monty's voice as he spoke up made a reverberating sound in his chest. It made him feel even better.
"See? No worries. I got you. And, hey. Don't worry about that who… rrible woman. We'll get it sorted, alright? First priority of a Glamrock: the kids."
He was… half paying attention. Mostly he was just listening to the sound of soft fans whirring as he hummed and nodded in response. They provided some comforting white noise to his overactive mind. One of the hands around him moved away, making him subconsciously whine at the crack in his protection. Monty let out a gruff laugh, which made electricity spark in his chest from delight.
"Heh heh~. Don'tchu worry none, Sunny boy. Just fetching my bass. Think we might be here a while, so might as well provide some tunes" he spoke softly, conforming to the dazed, gentle atmosphere they had created in the room.
There was the nickname again. And yeah… a little music. He liked that idea. He could go into sleep mode like this, but he didn't want to. He wanted to savor the moment, hear every note plucked on the instrument as they sat on the padded floor, shoulder to shoulder, the taller one resting his head against the red mohawk.
Unknowingly, he began to hum along to the music the gator played, too spaced out to think about it. Monty let out a (somehow) breathy laugh and gave him a little pat on the leg before continuing his playing.
A thought passed by his system as he played, making him wonder. Did… did Sun know about homosexuality? He seemed completely lost on homophobia, but the word 'Gay' seemed to spark a reaction. That would explain why he didn't even flinch or tilt his head at the admission that Jeremiah liked another boy. Or maybe he was just that oblivious. But, then again, he seemed completely horrified after learning what that slur meant. So he must have some awareness about it.
That sparked another errant thought in his mind… was Sun… not straight? Like, they were never programmed with… desires. But they were learning AI. Hell, Monty's caught himself staring at some pretty guests. But Sun was… a mystery. He never seemed repulsed or oblivious to intimate acts. He just seemed embarrassed or shy to the gator. But that could just be him. For all he knew, Sun could totally be Ace. But… he wasn't sure.
And he honestly didn't care at that moment. Asking would be inappropriate and would break this peace they created. He didn't find himself in these types of moments very often, if at all. It was close and personal, yet innocent. It was… comfortable. Yeah. Yeah that was it. Comfortable. He liked it. He liked Sun. He liked the daycare.
Monty would be sure to come back here again soon. If he left, that is.
… Which he would once the lights turned off. He couldn't stand the thought of Moon and him bickering being the last thing happening before he left.
Nah. This would be a sweet ending to his night.