Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter One

Beautiful

November twenty sixth, twenty-twenty one. The start of the holiday rush at the Mega Pizza Plex. One whole month where the underpaid staff were pushed even harder and took out the seasonal frustration on the robots of the Plex. Thankfully, to the staff, there were plenty of mechanical punching bags. 

Not only was there the band consisting of Four Glamrocks animatronics there were three supporting characters and several staffbots. The staffbots seemed to take the brunt of their human counterparts' abuse. Maybe the fact that Management was commissioning more of them was making the human workforce nervous. 

The Band consisted of four animatronics. Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie Bunny, Chica Chicken, and Roxanne Wolf, all four were Glamrocks. The ‘supporting cast’ consisted of three animatronics. Montgomery Garor, who was a Glamrock himself, Sun the daycare attendant, who was not a Glamrock, and DJ Music Man who was also not a Glamrock. 

DJ Music Man was definitely the most different from the gang, or at least he supposed he would be. Being a twenty foot tall beetle like animatronic felt like something different, then again Sun was a celestial jester so maybe it was impossible to say.  DJ Music man, though he preferred  to be called DJ, was stationed  in the West Arcade also called the Fazcade. Due to his large size he was unable to leave the arcade. He had an unusual design of a squarish head  with pupiless black eyes, blue eyebrows, blue cheeks and a stripe on his chin just under his open lit up maw of a mouth, piano key teeth, and a large pink nose. He wore neon green headphones atop a top hat. His body was a strange oval shape, with six arms, each ended with a gloved hand. DJ Typically used two as primary arms and the other four to move around, or hold himself up. He had two blue stripes going down the front and back of his body, and a speaker sitting on his chest and on his back. This combined with his size made him an easy target or particular frustrated staff.

Not only was DJ unable to leave the arcade, should he ever complain of the treatment he received from the staff or defend himself management would just shrug him off or punish him with an electroshock. After all, what could a five foot human do to a twenty foot robotic bug? The most he could do was hide from the staff in his tunnels between performances. The tunnels were built so he could maneuver around the arcade and perform his ‘ janitorial duties ’. Though even he wasn’t sure what those were or how he was supposed to fulfill them, being massive and what not. It wasn’t the only feature he had that he didn’t understand. He was apparently equipped with a ‘ Bouncer Mode’ , but was told never to use it as it would void his warranty. Something about it still being in development? Considering they punished him for even knocking a human staff over, by accident or otherwise , DJ obeyed and avoided turning on bouncer mode at all costs. Stuffing the practically reflexive reaction deep down.

On the day of black friday DJ was performing his usual duties, playing music during showtimes, and hiding his tunnels from staff. Occasionally moving in the direction of the ‘ Lounge room’  meant for private parties, but DJ was never booked for them, usually one of the other five, not including Sun , were. 

One would think, being his area, DJ’s stage would be in the center, the main focal point of the Fazcade. It wasn’t. DJ was literally in another room, only connected by a circular arch he could not fit through, and a hallway just tall enough and just barely wide enough for him. Not that DJ liked wandering around the arcade, almost as if it was an afterthought, and given his popularity, or lack thereof, it probably was. He was usually limited to the ceiling and walls since the game cabinets were clustered together, separate enough that people could maneuver around but not him. It wasn’t even enough of a space for one of his massive hands. So he was mostly in his one room. On his stage. In the center of the arcade was a massive statue of the Glamrocks, Bonnie, Freddy Chica and Roxanne. DJ still remembered when it was Foxy there and not Roxanne but when they scrapped and replaced him they changed it. It took one single day. 

DJ was sitting on his stage when MapBot wheeled in. The staffbot specifically designated to handing out maps to patrons of the Plex. DJ saw him enter and zoom past the entrance, no doubt towards the hall that would put him next to DJ’s stage, as there was a step down onto the dance floor that would have trapped the legless bot there. DJ had taken to calling him Mappy

“ Hey Mappy,” DJ greeted as the bot finally wheeled up to his stage.

“ Take a map.” Mappy waved. He was limited in what he could say and tended to rely on body language to convey what he was saying. Unfortunately he was limited in how he could move too so most struggled to understand him. DJ had nothing but time on his many hands to learn the ways of Staffbot communication. 

“ What brings you to the arcade?” DJ asked, Mappy visited more often than most but still not as often as DJ would have liked. DJ wouldn’t admit it to anyone, more because he was sure nobody cared than because he was prideful, but DJ got lonely alone in the arcade.

“ Take a map,” Mappy held up one of his maps and mimed hiding behind it. Tapping Monty’s image with one of his fingers. DJ tried not to let his disappointment show. Oh. He was hiding from Monty. It wasn’t DJ’s favorite reason for a visitor, not that he’d complain. . . outloud. 

 DJ couldn’t even be surprised. While DJ was fairly new himself he was still older than Sun, Roxanne and Monty. Both Roxanne and Sun were made to replace Foxy. Sun was made to handle his daycare duties when it became clear Roxy’s personality wouldn’t work with kids. Monty was the newest of the group, he had been around long enough that no one even remembered he was the newest. But he was, DJ wondered who Monty was intended to replace, and when that would happen. Since Monty’s arrival he’d clearly had an aggression problem and regularly broke something. Property, Staffbots, himself.  DJ lost count of how many arcade cabinets had been removed due to Monty punching it in rage. While DJ would admit the number had dwindled as of the last six months. He still had his days though and today was one of them.

“ That oversized handbag isn’t even in the band,” DJ resisted to say the word yet, “ Who does he think he is?” A stab of irritation hit him, and DJ had to remind himself to keep calm or bouncer mode might try to come on. As recently as a year ago bouncer mode had been triggered more frequently. It started small with actual security threats DJ had to ignore and let the human security staff handle, then escalated to DJ simply getting angry enough or scared enough or really any emotion that wasn’t Happy or content. Which was a hard feeling to come by these days. He had once humored the idea of reporting the problem so a technician would look at it, then thought better of it. If it proved to be too difficult to fix they’d just get rid of him, and DJ wasn’t ready to go yet. 

“ Take a map,” Mappy shrugged. DJ hummed. It was that moment the elevator doors opened and DJ saw three adults step into view through the dance floors archway. Two were looking at the statue of the four Glamrocks while the third took in the whole dark space. It was a lot to see with dark walls, darker floors and the only lights being the neon blues and purples throughout the arcade. The occasional yellow, green and red. It was two females and one male wearing grayish blue jumpsuits with the Fazbear logo on them. DJ tilted his head in confusion  as he observed them. He wasn’t due for a tune up was he? One of the women, wearing a red and orange Freddy bag locked eyes with him, her own went huge.

“ WOAH WHAT IS THAT?!” She sprinted into the dancefloor and skidded to a stop in front of DJ’s stage. It was then she was close enough for DJ to grab a scan of her face and pull up her employee profile. He froze when he realized who she was, “ VERNON COME LOOK AT THIS THING!” She called back, the man entered the room and looked up at DJ.

“ Woah, what the hell,” He moved closer. The second woman stayed by the statue but was watching them, and observing DJ. DJ didn’t need to scan her to know who she was anyway. It was obvious once he got the first. These three were the Glam-Techs . The three sibling team of Faz-Techs responsible for designing, building and programming the Glamrocks. All  of the Glamrocks. 

Cassidy Bailey, the brown doe eyed woman in front of him with copper brown hair that she kept in a messy ponytail, and freckles covering her cheeks and nose was the head Programer. She programmed all of them but was most applauded for her work on Chica, Roxanne and Bonnie. She was the Baby of the family apparently, her age saying she was twenty three. 

Beside her was her brother Vernon Bailey, he like his sister had brown eyes, they seemed to have a blaze in them. His own black hair was a touch too long to be well kept but too short to be pulled back. He had a five o'clock shadow with some pig hairs on his chin. According to his file Vernon was twenty six and specialized in engineering and Robotics. He was most known for his work on Bonnie, Roxanne and Monty, giving DJ the impression he liked making strong animatronics. 

The third must be Heather Bailey and though DJ couldn’t scan her he could pull up her profile by name.She was the eldest by a single year. She had brown eyes like her siblings but they were cold. She had copper brown hair that she kept tied in a messy but tight bun. She was the jack of all trade regarding Robot building but seemed to specialize in design. She was more notable for Freddy, Roxanne, and Monty.  If they were here it could only mean one thing.

DJ was getting replaced. 

“ They didn’t tell us there was a character already here,” Vernon said, confirming DJ’s fears. Cassidy nodded.

“ Right?”  She stated, gesturing to DJ. The longer they stood the longer DJ felt his anxiety turn to panic. He glanced at where Mappy had been to find he had fled. DJ wanted to be mad but found he couldn’t bring himself to blame the staffbot. The Glam-techs were well known.

“ What’s with the giant bug,” DJ heard Heather ask and looked back at her to find she was talking to a staff member wearing a dark purple polo with neon blue and pink shaped sprinkled over it. The supervisor of the Fazcade employes. Dale DJ thought his name was.

“ Oh uh, that? It’s you know, one of the characters,” He explained weakly. Heather seemed unimpressed with his answer as she deadpanned him with what DJ had heard referred to by older patrons as a ‘Resting Bitch Face’ . “ It was an experimental thing I think” Dale quickly continued, “ Inspired by those Music Men from the pizzarias, the um,” He mimed clapping his hands, “ The ones with the cymbals?” She turned away from him, her face never changing as she stepped down into the Dancefloor, and crossed it to her siblings. Standing between them, hands on her hips as she looked up at DJ.

“ How long has this been here?” She asked, Dale shrugged.

“ Longer than me,” He said, following her. She rolled her eyes in annoyance to the response.

“ I’m surprised it hasn’t outlasted you,” She spat, Dale and DJ flinched. The action was more noticeable from DJ, making the other two siblings jump in surprise.

“ Oh woah is it on? It’s been so still, just staring at us I thought it was off,” Vernon commented. Dale shook his head.

“ Can’t turn it off, too big, won’t come back on if we do,” He explained, “ It kinda sleeps, like a sleep mode at night but it doesn’t turn off,” Vernon looked at him.

“ Why’s that,” Dale shrugged again, “ Wow you are just a fountain of information aren’t you,” Vernon drawled sarcastically, turning back to DJ, “ How sentient are you? “ He asked, and it took DJ a moment to realize he was asking DJ himself . He thought about answering, but his paralyzing anxiety finally shifted fully into fight or flight panic. He chose flight. Backing into his tunnel away from his stage. The huge space was very small for him, with no room to turn around til he found a connecting tunnel. He didn’t get that far before Vernon was climbing onto the stage clearly intending to follow him, “ Woah woah woah, Big guy where are you going!” Vernon called. 

“ Yeah he does that hold on,” Dale climbed onto the stage as DJ continued to back away from them. He held up a small square Ifor DJ to see and though it was hard to make out in the low light DJ knew what it was. The controlled shock remote. DJ froze, unsure what to do. Bouncer mode tried to come on but DJ dismissed it, stuffing it down, “ Get back out here, these three wanna look at you,” Dale ordered. DJ hesitated, then slowly crawled back to his stage. The other two backed up and Dale stepped off the stage as DJ returned to the mouth of the tunnel. Vernon didn’t, taking the opportunity to look DJ over as he moved.

“ So. . . Pretty damn sentient?” Vernon asked, DJ looked over at him, making Vernon step back in surprise.

“ No more than anyone else,” DJ finally said. Vernon nodded.

“ Cassidy you gotta check his code,” Vernon said leaning over to look at his sister, Cassidy looked to Heather who nodded. Cassidy quickly climbed onto the stage and gestured for DJ to lower himself as she dug through her backpack. DJ glanced at Dale who was still thumbing the remote, before slowly lowering himself so he was laying on the stage. His fingers drumming anxiously off the edge. Cassidy tapped at his left headphone.

“ Is this your control panel?” She asked, DJ hummed in confirmation, and she opened the small panel door. Vernon seemed to finally get enough of a look because he jumped off the stage. 

“ He’s pretty damn impressive, he moves so fluidly considering his size,” He commented as Cassidy plopped herself cross legged on the stage, her tabled connected to DJ’s control panel. 

“ You have his file.” It wasn’t a question. It was a demand. Dale instinctively, and stupidly patted himself down before pointing to the archway leading back to the arcade.

“ Yeah! Yeah it’s in the office, hang on,” He sprinted out of the room. 

“ Do you actually need it or were you just getting rid of him,” Vernon asked, sending his sister a smirk. Heather sent him a look, and Vernon chuckled in response. 

“ What’s your name?” Heather asked DJ, who rhythmically drummed his fingers  harder on the stage.

“ DJ Music Man?” He responded. Heather raised an eyebrow at him.

“ Is that your name or are you asking me?” DJ felt his systems heat up and his fans kicked on to stop him from overheating.

“ M-my name,” He managed. Heather nodded, holding her hand out behind her as Dale returned, folder in hand. He handed it to her, and she opened it.

“ What is it you do here, DJ Music Man,” She asked, DJ didn’t answer right away, there was too much happening and he felt like he was suffocating, despite the fact that he did not need to breath.When he took too long to answer Heather looked back up at him eyebrow raised.

“ S-Sorry I’m nervous,” DJ quickly sputtered before continuing, “ I-I play music, remixing,” DJ was squeezing the stage and could feel it straining under his grip but drumming his fingers was no longer helping. Not when he was pleading his case for existence. Heather seemed to accept his excuse for his hesitancy.

“ I suppose you should be nervous,” She said, looking back to his folder, “ Is that all?” She asked, DJ heard the stage creek from his hold.

“ Alright let go of the stage,” Dale ordered, presenting the remote again, DJ reflexively released the stage. Heather shot him a glare and Vernon turned on him.

“ Do not push that button while my baby sister is that close to him, she’ll get shocked too,” Vernon practically growled. Dale flinched.

“ But he’ll break-”

“ Then let him. '' Vernon snarled, “ Let him break the stage, it’s a stage, it doesn't take long to fix but you electrocute my sister and I will break you.”  Vernon warned him, Dale pocketed the remote, hands up in surrender, Vernon turned back to DJ. 

“ Do what you gotta do big guy,” Vernon said, his voice a 180 degree from how it was a minute ago. DJ hesitantly placed his hands back on the stage, and started drumming his fingers again. Heather turned back to DJ’s folder.

“ What else do you do?” She asked again. DJ found himself gripping the stage again.

“ I p-preform janitorial duties,” please don’t ask for clarification, please don’t ask for clarification, PLEASE don’t ask for clarification.

“ Could you clarify what those are,” Damn it!  DJ would sink in on himself if he could.

“ No. . .I-I can’t,” He admitted, Heather hummed.

“ So you don’t know what they are either?” DJ stared at her. Either? Vernon noticed too.

“ Is it not in his file?” He asked, looking over at her, she tipped the folder so he could see it better, Vernon leaned over his eyes scanning the page, “ Woah woah, hold up,” He pointed at DJ almost accusingly, “ You have a Bouncer mode ?! What is that? How does that work?!” He asked, DJ stared for a moment and amazingly they waited for his response, but Dale was faster.

“ Bouncer Mode doesn’t work, it’s still in development,” He explained, Vernon glared at him, and turned his accusatory finger on him.

“ First off, didn’t ask you, ” He snapped, “ Secondly, That’s not what it says in his file! Says it’s been done with development for a while now,” he leaned over to double check the file, “ Bouncer mode has been completed and can be used as soon as April third twenty- YEAH! It’s been done a while now, he should be able to use it,” Vernon turned to DJ who  was staring wide eyed, not that anyone could tell with his pupiless gaze.

“ I -I was told it would void my warranty,” DJ sputtered automatically. Vernon shook his head.

“ Bull shit, these people just didn’t want a lawsuit! Look at him, he’s TOO BIG!” Vernon snapped, gesturing to him. Heather turned the file away from him, flipping through the pages as she let her brother go off, “ I mean he tried to stop any fights in here he’s gonna squash the people involved and then BAM lawsuit, He can clean jack squat because he’s too big to go anywhere, there is no space on that ground floor,” Vernon snapped, pointing to the archway leading to the arcade, “ It’s like they made him for shock value and then were like, ‘ doh shit, how do we make this practical? I know SLAP A BUNCH OF USELESS FEATURES ON HIM!!!’ “ He shouted, slapping his hand five times with his last few words. DJ desperately wanted to run again, but didn’t since Dale still had the remote, and the third Glam-tech sibling was still attached to his control panel. Heather turned a page in DJ’s folder with a sigh.

“ I am a foot from you.” She reminded him, “ there is no need to shout.”  Vernon let out a frustrated groan.

“ BUT HIS CONCEPT IS SO COOL!” Vernon exclaimed, gesturing to DJ, “ It has so much potential, it’s just not utilized correctly,” He huffed finally. Heather closed the folder.

“ We’re on the clock, if you’re gonna jiz your pants over his mechanics go somewhere else,” She snapped, Vernon sent her a playful glare, “ Cassidy hows the code look?” She asked, Cassidy looked up as if she had completely zoned out the last several minutes.

“ Hm? Oh! Yeah, it runs so smooth I can’t believe it’s not butter,” She laughed at her own joke, and actually got a chuckle out of DJ. She giggled at the sound of it,  “ Heh, I bet you needed a laugh huh,” she patted his head, “ anyway yeah it really nice code, who ever designed this knew what they were doing.” Heather hummed.

“ And Bouncer mode,” She asked, Cassidy hummed as she messed with her tablet.

“ Um. . . I’m having trouble accessing it to get a clear look but it looks okay from what I can see,” She said, Heather nodded.

“ alright then,” Heather held up her phone and took a picture of DJ, Vernon quickly fumbled and followed suit, taking a picture from his side, confusing the beetle, “ I have what I need,” Heather said, pocketing her phone, “ C’mon Cass,” Heather turned and started for the elevator, Vernon followed but at a slower pace while Cassidy unattached herself from DJ, and stuffing her tablet and cable back into her back before jumping off the stage to sprint after her siblings. Vernon sped up once she caught up. Dale and DJ watched them go, and when they were gone Dale sent DJ an annoyed look. DJ half expected a shock to come, but it didn’t. At least not an electric shock.

“ Well now, your days are numbered,” Dale walked away.The weight of what had just happened hit DJ so hard he almost collapsed on the stage, instead he sunk into his tunnels to hide away with his existential dread. 

Ten Days passed. Ten agonizing days where DJ was forced to smile and play music, waving to the occasional patron or fellow animatronic that came around. DJ briefly thought about telling someone about what was happening, but then he figured they knew, the staff certainly did, constantly whispering about it or talking about it like he wasn’t there. If they didn’t know, then he figured they didn’t care. When DJ wasn’t performing he was hiding away, trying his best not to panic, not to let bouncer mode come on. Trying to keep it together, occasionally wondering why he bothered anymore. Why not let it come on, then his fear would circle back around and he wouldn’t bring himself to let it come on. 

On the tenth day, December Sixth.It was before the Plex opened when the Glam-Tech siblings returned, looking tired but pleased with themselves. They wheeled in a tall eleven foot mass covered in a protective sheet into the arcade and past the arch way to the hall connecting to the stage. DJ saw them. Dj Panicked, and backed into his tunnel, and hid deep inside it, far enough they wouldn’t see him, close enough so he could see them. 

“ Oi!” He heard Vernon snap, “ where'd he go?” Vernon climbed onto the stage and looked into the tunnel, “ HEY! “ He called, cupping his hands over his mouth, “ COME BACK HERE!” DJ didn’t move. Cassidy stepped onto the stage next to him, and clicked on a flashlight, its beam pointed to the ground. Well shit. DJ didn’t count on a flashlight. She lifted the beam to shine in DJ’s face.

“ There he is!” She said cheerfully, DJ flinched at the slight and moved a hand to cover his eyes.

“ Hey big guy! Come on out, we gotta get this show on the road before the guests show up!” Vernon called, less loud since he knew how far DJ was this time. DJ shrunk in on himself and backed further into the tunnel, “ No no, don’t do that! I don’t wanna chase you through these tunnels man,” Vernon called exasperated. DJ wanted to snap that he didn’t want to die but fear held his voice box hostage. Heather came into view.

“ I’ve had enough of this if you’d rather we shut you down and put a new AI in it, fine but I got the impression you wanted to keep existing.” She snapped in annoyance. DJ froze.

“ W-what?” He asked, Heather shook her head.

“ It’s cheaper to transport your perfectly good AI than build a new one!” She snapped, “ Come out here so we can move you to the new body,” She ordered. DJ didn’t move, uncertain of her intentions.

“ H-How do I know you’re telling the truth?” He asked, “ How do I know you actually plan to move me,” He tilted his head to the side. Heather impatiently crossed her arms while Vernon and Cassidy looked at her. 

“ You don’t.” She said simply and coldly, “ But your options are to come out here, and get transferred to a new body, with the possibility that I’m lying to you about it, or ” She stressed the word, “ You can do what you’re doing now, running from us and guaranteeing your end because we’ll just go and come back when we have a new AI for it, and definitely shut you down.” When she put it that way DJ didn’t have much of a choice, he wasn’t really debating as he was processing. Then slowly, he started crawling forward again. Nervously hovering at the very opening on the tunnel, not quite on the stage. Cassidy grinned at him.

“ You wanna see it before we move you?” She asked, DJ hesitated, then nodded. Vernon pointed to a spot off stage Right. An uncovered animatronic body stood there, strapped to a dolly. It was tall, as previously mentioned with a similarly shaped head to his own. A little more rounded than his awkwardly blocky head. It’s eyes were blocked out but Vernon informed him it would have multi colored pupils that change color once it was powered on.

“ To make you seem less creepy, people will be able to see where you're looking,” He explained. The body still had blue eyebrows, blue cheeks, a blue stripe on its chin, and a pink nose. Still had neon headphones with a red band over a top hat, but there appeared to be dials on either phone.It’s mouth wasn’t the gaping maw DJ had, it was flat, and seemed to resemble a digital screen. 

“ You’ll be able to emote more with this, make practically any expression you want!” Cassidy exclaimed excitedly.  Its body was painted to look like it was wearing a white V-neck dress shirt under a pair of neon green shoulder pads. A speaker was sitting in the center of the V and the space around it that wasn't the painted on white ‘shirt’ was painted dark gray. DJ’s blue stripes were reinterpreted to be suspenders on the body that connected to a magenta belt that connected to its legs that were also painted white til it got to calves where it was painted to look like it was wearing black knee high studded boots. The body had four arms, the biceps were painted to look like it was wearing white sleeves complete with painted cuff buttons, while it’s forearms were painted a dark gray. It had red studded bands just before its wrist joints. Each hand was painted white to resemble the gloves he currently had. 

Once DJ had gotten a good look at the body that Heather claimed would be his own soon, DJ lowered himself to the stage, Cassidy patted his headphone lightly, “ Poor baby, so nervous,” She baby talked, and it did not comfort DJ, he wasn’t even sure if that was her intention or if she was teasing him. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was the empty body in front of him.

If DJ was able to feel anything during the start up process it would be relief. Instead that wave hit him when he was conscious and staring into the worn not well maintained face of his old body. It’s mouth was dark as it was no longer powered on. Vernon squatted down in front of DJ from the stage, so he was closer to DJ’s eye level.

“ Alright follow the pen,” He said, holding up the pen and moving it around, DJ’s gaze quickly locked onto it and followed its motion. Vernon nodded, “ Alright now repeat after me, She sells seashells by the seashore ” Vernon said, DJ raised an eyebrow, “ Say it,” Vernon pressed.

“ She sells seashells by the seashore?” DJ repeated, noting how quiet his voice sounded in his smaller body. Vernon reached over and turned the dial on his left headphone. 

“ Now say Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,” He said. DJ obliged. Flinching as his voice boomed at a volume that he was much more familiar with but still wasn’t expecting.  Vernon winced too, Cassidy flinched, and covered her ears, only successful with one since she was holding a tablet in her hand. Heather grimaced. Vernon reached over and turned the dial back the other way a little, “ let’s get TaterTots and Lots-A-Tots at the Tot Lot, ” Vernon said, and DJ already understood the game, repeated it. This time his voice was what most would consider a normal volume. Vernon nodded, “ Alright voice box works, Cassidy hearing test,” Vernon said, Cassidy tapped on her tablet and DJ flinched when a loud sound of cymbals went off to his right, he turned trying to found the source of the sound, only having enough time to process that nothing was there before the sound happened again, this time from the left. DJ spun around instinctively to find the source. He stumbled on two unstable legs and fell on his butt. Vernon and Cassidy were laughing.  Vernon recovered first.

“ Alright alright, can you stand up and cross the dancefloor to that wall?” He asked, pointing to the wall across the room. DJ blinked at him, processing both what had just happened and what he had just been instructed. There was a long stretch of nothing.

“ Did you not put enough processing power?” Cassidy asked, to which Vernon clearly took personal offense.

“ I put enough processing power in there,” He snapped. Heather put a hand on his shoulder.

“ As much as I to want to move on, we do have to keep in mind he just went from that,” She jerked her thumb at the twenty foot husk behind them, “ To that,” She pointed to DJ sitting on the floor still, “ Give him a moment,” And with that the three fell silent as they watched him.DJ hesitated from his spot on the floor. He looked down at his feet and experimentally tilted his left foot to the left, then the right, it tapped against his right foot with a metallic tung . DJ hesitated again before making his right foot tap against his left twice to hear the tung tung as they connected. He felt a giggle bubble up in him but he swallowed it down. Feeling the pressure of six semi patient eyes on him. 

He looked at all four of his new hands, quickly giving each of them experimental finger wiggles, wrist rotations and fist making. Then he realized he still had to get up from the floor. He paused as he questioned how he’d get up. Surely he’d seen staff fall down before, they usually braced themselves didn’t they? That wasn’t too different from how he used to move around in his old body.

DJ looked around at the ground before cautiously using his two lower arms, his secondary arms , to push himself while using his primary left hand to brace himself on the stage as he lifted himself unsteadily to his feet. Then he looked up at the siblings. Vernon pointed to the wall across from the stage. Reminding DJ what his actual  task was. DJ turned and took a cautious step towards the wall, then after a pause he took another. Then another, by the time he was halfway across the dance floor there was no hesitation between steps. He pressed a hand to the wall as he reached it and looked back. Cassidy clapped and bounced a little, Heather looked unimpressed but Vernon sent him a thumbs up.

“ Good, good, now come back,” He called. DJ felt that giddy excitement well up inside him again and this time he couldn’t contain it. A grin spread across his face and he broke into a full sprint back to the stage. Stumbling slightly as he struggled to stop. He caught himself by slamming his primary hands on the stage floor, his secondary arms stuck out at his sides to keep his balance. There was a beat of silence Cassidy broke into a fit of giggles. 

“ Awe!” She squatted down, poking his shoulder and cheek repeatedly in a baby voice, “ He got a little excited!” DJ didn’t appreciate the condescending nature of her tone, but given that it was what happened, and they did just literally spare his existence by transferring his AI instead of deleting it, he didn’t complain. Instead he sent her a sheepish smile. Vernon huffed and squatted down on DJ’s right side, lifting DJ’s right primary hand off the stage and rotating the wrist joints. 

“ Don’t do that, you’re very expensive,” He scoffed, setting the right hand down and reaching out for the left, DJ obliged and let Vernon check it. 

“ So motor skills, voice box, visuals? All good?” Heather asked, arms crossed as she moved to stand between her two crouching siblings. DJ tried to look up at her, which alone felt unnatural, but it was especially difficult with the empty shell that was once his body laying deactivated on the stage. It triggered an uncomfortable icy feeling deep in DJ’s chest as he tried to ignore the massive thing looming over them. He ended up looking away. Unable to look at it anymore. 

“,Um I mean, he’ll probably need time to adjust, and we still haven't tested EVERYTHING, but the basics are good yeah,”  Vernon reported, “ Scuffs are fine, avoid dents,” Vernon added, pointing at DJ’s face before standing by himself. DJ blinked in surprise then chuckled.

“ I’ll try,” He joked, Vernon pointed warningly at him. Heather ignored this. 

“ Alright then, let’s debut him,” She said, climbing off the stage and heading towards the entrance of the dance floor. Vernon and Cassidy followed her, leaving DJ standing by the stage. They all crossed the Dance floor threshold then paused, looking back at him expectantly. They stared at each other for a moment then realization hit DJ.

“ Oh! Right!” He ran to catch up to them, pausing at the archway. An Arch way literally hours ago he was too big to fit through, he had to duck his head a little to step through it. HIs eyes wide as he took in the arcade from the ground floor for the first time in his entire existence. It was massive, it was beautiful and it was a little overwhelming. DJ almost felt like the room was swaying from the colors. The massive gold stature looming over him for once. 

“ Big guy we’re going,”  Vernon called, as they headed to a door labeled Staff Only . The staff tunnels, tunnels DJ had heard of but had never seen. He headed towards them.

“ Sorry, I’ve never left the arcade before,” DJ said as he looked around, he began tapping the knuckles of his secondary hands rhythmically. Subconsciously.  Vernon chuckled.

“ Yeah I bet.” He said holding the door open for DJ. DJ dipped his head again to enter the tunnel, and start down the stairs. The staff tunnels were dark and DJ couldn’t see much. But the walk to wherever they were taking him kept him from worrying about as they continued to inform him of features he had, but they didn’t have time to test. 

“ LIke Dark halls like these won’t be a problem once you use bouncer Mode.”  Cassidy informed him excitedly. DJ felt a shock run through him. He still had bouncer mode? “ You’ll have thermal and night vision, only active in bouncer mode of course,” She giggled as they reached the bottom of the stairs, and passed a sign with three location written on it. One pointed up the way they came and read West arcade . While the other two pointed in the direction they were heading and read Parts & Service and the other read MAIN  STAGE . 

“ I can’t use bouncer mode,” DJ reminded her, “ It voids my warranty,” Vernon scoffed in an annoyed way.

“ No it doesn’t,” He huffed, DJ gave him a confused look. Heather sighed and turned her head to look back at him while she walked.

“ We talk to management about that, they confirmed that they mainly told you that so you wouldn’t injure a patron by accident,” She explained, DJ felt a flare of annoyance hit him. “But now that you’re smaller, bouncer mode could actually be utilized,” She finished. They passed a hall that seemed to have an assembly line in it. It was lined with inactive endos. One twitched. DJ flinched. He hoped they were inactive. DJ turned back to her, forcing himself to not dwell on it.

“ I can’t use bouncer mode,” DJ stressed. Heather came to a dead top, making the other three stop with her. DJ actually stumbled a bit. She turned, hands on her hips, eyebrow raised. 

“ Why?” She asked, “ Is there something wrong with it?” She leaned forward a little. DJ felt anxiety start to creep back into his chest. What could he tell her? That bouncer mode had been trying to activate on it’s own for a year now? That he struggled to keep it off? That he didn’t know what would happen or what he would do if it did come on? DJ shook his head. 

“ N-no. . .” He forced a smile, Heather eyed him for a moment longer then they continued walking past two large red double doors. A charging station was positioned next to the doors. DJ imagined it was for the other animatronics since it was roughly their size. Large lettering hung above the door. PARTS & SERVICE . They turned right towards a hall that led to a large shutter door. It lifted and revealed a large circular platform. Heather released a breath.

“ ALright, I’m heading up to start the announcement, I’ll radio you when it’s time to send him up,” She said to Vernon who unclipped a radio from his hip and pressed the talk button making both radios beep. Heather nodded, and headed for a door labeled stairs. DJ watched this happen, anxiety growing in him. His rhythmic tapping got faster. 

“ Um. .  what’s happening?” He asked, as the door closed. Vernon turned to him.

“ It’s opening time, time to show the public the new you,” He explained, guiding DJ onto the platform. DJ primary hands were clenching and unclenching at his side nervously. DJ could hear Heather above him talking but she couldn’t make out what she was saying.

“ Send him up,” Heather’s voice cut through the air from the radio. DJ felt the anxiety turn to panic so quickly it practically gave him whiplash. Vernon pushed the button and stepped back from the platform.

“ On route,” he said into the radio, “ Break a leg,” He called to DJ. DJ stepped towards him, he wasn’t ready for this, he wasn’t sure what this was, but he wasn’t ready for it.

“ Wait! Wait! Wait! What am I doing?! What’s happening-” Vernon was gone behind a wall as the platform lifted up. DJ was left alone in the dark slowly moving space. DJ turned back the way he was originally faced, trying to steady his ever wavering nerves. The walls slowly slid past him as the darkness seemed to enclose around him. It wasn’t like small spaces were new to him, his tunnels had always been just big enough for him to go one direction through. Maybe it was because the space would have been too small for him mere hours ago, maybe it was because everything was so new to him and he was getting overwhelmed by it all, either way the shadows felt like serpents trying to crush him. 

The ceiling above him opened up and a blinding light poured into the space, DJ had to shield his eyes with his right primary hand, his secondary hands no longer tapping and instead squeezing each other tightly. He could hear Heather’s voice more clearly now. 

“ So I’d like to introduce, or reintroduce, the NEW and IMPROVED ,” DJ was suddenly passing the ceiling opening and as his eyes adjusted he became aware of the new lights, flashing and continuously blinding him. Photos being taken, he realized. Something he was a little more familiar with. His eyes adjusted to those too and he realized he was standing in the center of a massive room he’d never been in before. He was on a stage, before the stage was party tables, and several staff bots, and even the Glamrocks themselves, staring agape at him. People were lined up on the balcony of the second floor,  he could see signs for each of the attractions and could even see Sun standing by a sign that read Kid’s cove . Covering his mouth in shock. All eyes were on DJ as his brain finally processed where he must be. He was standing on the MAIN STAGE and even

more people were pouring in from the second floor as Heather finished her introduction, “ DJ MUSIC MAN! ”

More fan art by oobbbear! It's so many doodles but they're all so cute! :D

Chapter Text

“ DJ MUSIC MAN!” Heather gestured to him. Everyone was staring at him, staff, customers, staffbots, even the Glamrocks were staring at him. Everything in DJ’s code was telling him to run, he had even taken a step back, his eyes desperately searching for an escape route. Heather put a hand on his secondary bicep, keeping him there. Not that he had anywhere to go.

“ No changes were made to his AI,” She assured the audience, “ How ever in this, newer body model, he has bluetooth capabilities, allowing him to perform his DJ duties while now being able to mingle with guests,” She held up the arm she had a hold of displaying his wrist, “ He now has faz-coin dispenser in all four arms, so he can assist with token exchange,” She dropped the arm and circled him as she continued to explain bouncer mode, the choice to make him smaller, even his volume control which were in his head phones. Left for his voice box, though he’d already deduced this, and right for his music output. DJ felt like an object being appraised and in a way he supposed he was. DJ was so distracted trying to maintain his composure despite his desire to completely fall apart, and get out of this situation, he didn’t notice one of the Glamrocks just off stage had disappeared.  Heather stepped away from him, still talking. DJ jumped when a hand came down hard on his right shoulder.

“ Alright Heather, we get it! DJMM’s small now, oooooooh shiny!” A voice teased, DJ turned his gaze to the Glamrock that had come up onto the stage while they were distracted. 

Bonnie Bunny stood about two feet shorter than DJ, he was blue with black wing like eyeliner under his eyes. He wore a star shaped pair of sunglasses atop his head and was designed to look slender in comparison to Freddy, Monty and even DJ himself. Painted to look like he was wearing a pink jumpsuit with a star on his chest, with a purple headband, and matching shoulder pads, gloves and leg warmers. He gave DJ a grin and a wink. “ We may not have lungs,” Bonnie whispered, moving his hand to DJ’s left shoulder so he could pull him down a little to hear the bunny better, “ But breath , you look like you’re gonna piss yourself,” DJ blinked at him.

“ Wha-” Bonnie gave him an encouraging shake before releasing him and stepping forward. Some of the eyes left DJ as Bonnie continued to talk to Heather. DJ blinked then took a deep breath, it did help to settle his nerves a bit. Heather seemed absolutely fed up with Bonnie when he returned his attention to what was happening. 

“ Bonnie,” Heather started with forced patience as the bunny turned to lazily smile at her. It was clear that for him this was an act, a game, “ I realize this is hard for you to grasp, but this is not about you. ” She snapped. Bonnie gasped dramatically, holding his face with his right hand in mock shock and horror.

“ WHAT?! But Heather! Everything is about Mua! ” He posed with a dramatic flourish, getting a small chorus of laughs from the audience. 

“ I’m not playing games bunny, get down. ” Heather growled, DJ took an uneasy step back.

“ Well then! ” Bonnie huffed, “ You don’t gotta tell me twice,” Bonnie moved towards the steps off the stage, “ I’m not the kind of guy who needs to be told to get off the stage, I know when I’m not wanted,” He passed DJ, then spun around. He draped his arm across DJ’s back again to put his hand on DJ’s left shoulder again, pulling DJ down a bit, “ When I’m told to get off the stage, you  know this about me DJ, When I’m told to get off the stage, I get off the stage, right?” DJ stared at him.

“ I-I wouldn’t-”

“ Exactly! ” Bonnie cut DJ off, earning more laughs from the crowd before them. Bonnie kept talking, releasing DJ, and heading back towards center stage, “ I’m not like other folks, won’t name names, Roxy , who don’t know when to get off the stage,” The guests laughed some more.

“ Hey! ” Roxanne Wolf climbed onto the stage from the floor before them, her huge mass of hair is what people often saw first, her own yellow eyes locked on the blue rabbit, her expression a mock snarl as she brushed off her painted red and black two piece. Her gray coating contrasted to Bonnie’s bright blue. She was designed to be more slender than Bonnie but not by much. Her black shoulder pads were not as long or obvious to Bonnies. She got into the rabbit’s face, “ You wanna go bunny boy?” She asked, Bonnie cocked his head to the side, smirking.

“ I dunno, maybe I do Little Red ,” He teased, all attention was officially off DJ and on Bonnie, and Roxy’s bit. 

“ Oooh ho ho, I know you did not just call me that,” Roxy laughed, “ you wouldn’t stand a chance against me, I’m the best at everything!” she turned to the audience, “ AM I RIGHT?” She called, and was answered with cheers. Bonnie scoffed.

“ I could beat you any time anywhere,” Bonnie challenged in response. DJ felt a hand grab his secondary right wrist, and he looked over to see Chica beside him, gesturing with her head for him to follow her to stage right’s set of stairs off stage. DJ looked back at Bonnie and Roxy’s act to find Heather fuming as she tried to interject and get both of them off stage, only to be cut off or talked over by one sending jeers and jabs at the other. DJ took a hesitant step in the direction Chica and gestured to, then when Heather did notice, he followed her off the stage and towards a door Monty was holding open as Chica rushed DJ inside, and down a small set of stairs to yet another hall DJ had never seen before. It was small, barely tall enough for Chica and Monty who trailed behind them, to fit without scraping their heads. DJ had to quickly bend over to avoid hitting his head on the low ceiling. Chica led him to a point where the hall bended, and let DJ settle himself against the rounded corner. Resting his primary right hand against the ceiling to keep himself from trying to stand up straight and bang his head. Chica spun around once she released him and came to stand next to him to his left, where DJ could see the hall continued and took another bend to the left. Monty leaned against the wall next to him on his right. HIs arms crossed over his chest.

Chica was a white, slender modeled chicken, designed to resemble and eighties fitness trainer with a pink one piece torso and a pink and green painted “Leg warmers”  and “ wrist bands”  She had feathers atop her head that were “tied”  up with a pink bow. Her right purple eye had a pink ring around it, and two peddle shapes were just under her left eye. Monty gator was a “Shirtless” green gator with a yellow underbelly, “wearing” Reptile patterned “Pants”.  His hair was a red mohawk. HIs red eyes eyed DJ carefully. Both of them, like Bonnie were shorted than DJ by two feet.

“ Sorry,” Chica said, clasping her hands in front of her as she bounced on her feet nervously, “ It was the only door close enough to sneak you off to,” She explained, DJ nodded, he was a fan of the small dimly lit space, bur he was grateful to be off the main stage.

“ We sure this isn’t a new guy? Was she serious about not changing his AI?” Monty asked, DJ couldn’t tell if he was concerned or not given his casual stance. Chica paused.

“ I don’t know. . . Are you?” She asked, at least she looked disheartened at the idea of him being replaced. 

“ Yeah- I mean No, I mean- BAH!” DJ struggled for a moment, earning a chuckle from Monty, “ They transferred me,” He explained. Chica gasped excitedly. Clapping her hands and bouncing more.

“ Oh! That’s great! This is exciting! I knew Heather had a heart of gold deep down,” she gushed, DJ shrugged.

“ She said something about it being cheaper to move me than replace me,” He clarified. Chica deflated, Monty let out a grunt that sounded like “ figures” but DJ wasn’t sure. 

“ Oh well. . .  At least you’re still. . .'' Chica made a vague gesture to DJ, “ You! ” She did a small hop with the last word. DJ smiled, it was interesting to see the Glamrocks this way. Easier to make out their smaller details, smaller mannerism. 

“ Oh! There you are!” A fourth joined them, Freddy, an orange bear in a top hat and bowtie. HIs shoulder pads a deep red to match his red and blue face paint over his own blue eyes and stripe down his own chin. On his chest he had a blue lightning bolt and red shins. He was being followed, much to DJ’s surprise, by Sun. Sun was taller than the glamrocks by a foot but not as tall as DJ, still he too bent his head down so he could fit in the small space without scraping his head. He was a yellow sun themed animatronic with noodle-like arms that had red ribbons tied at the wrist. Bells were attached to the ribbon, making bell noises as Sun moved. His torso was a bubble-like chest with orange buttons on it and a cylinder-like middle that ended in a red frill tied around his waist. He wore Yellow and red striped jester pants and orange slippers. His head was a flat circle with a curved line through his face for some reason. Half of his face was white but the other half glowed yellow. He had white pupiless eyes and sun rays that fanned his head. 

“ Oh ho ho ho! New friend? Old Friend,” Sun asked as he rushed past Freddy who came to a stop next to the wall across from Monty, diagonal from DJ. Sun came to a skidding stop right in front of DJ, who instinctively pressed himself against the wall at the sudden lack of personal space, “ Oh A tour is in order! You must come to the Daycare! Oh! Oh! And-” Monty rolled his eyes as Sun rambled, and reached over. Grabbing Sun by a ring that was on his back, DJ never knew why it was there, and pulled him back to stand between Monty and Freddy. 

“ Easy Sunshine,” He said evenly, “ It’s just DJ, they made him look less like a freak,” DJ inwardly flinched. Sun smacked Monty’s shoulder lightly.

“ Rude. “ Sun scolding, Freddy hummed giving Monty a disapproving look. 

“ Still, when there is time, we should give the DJ a tour,” Freddy smiled at DJ, "I believe you’ve never left the West Arcade before have you?” He asked, DJ shrugged sheepishly.

“ I wasn’t able to-” 

“ Wasn’t able to?” Monty asked, raising an eyebrow, DJ looked at all four and realized they all looked confused. 

“ I mean. . . . not like I could fit through a door before, did you guys think I stayed there by choice ?” DJ asked, Sun rushed forward and hugged DJ suddenly, which was awkward since both of them were too big for the space, Sun practically doubled over so he could wrap his arms around DJ’s middle and rested his head against DJ’s chest. DJ froze, unsure what to do.

“ OH. MY. STARS. You poor thing! I’m practically stuck in the Daycare all day and it gets dreadful sometimes, no good no good, but at least I get to leave after hours! You must have been so lonely! Oh if we had realized, ah but shoulda, coulda, wouldas mean nothing now!” Sun pulled away, and examined DJ's secondary hands and arms, “ But look at you now! Itty bitty, well not itty bitty but still! Smaller!” Monty pulled Sun back by his ring again. 

“ And here I thought you preferred to be alone,” Chica tutted. Monty turned his attention back to DJ.

“ So you were basically a staffbot?” Monty asked, DJ felt a spike of annoyance stab him. Bouncer mode tried to come online but DJ pushed it down.

“ What’s wrong with staffbots,” DJ asked evenly. Monty shrugged.

“ Well nothing but-” 

“ SO!” Bonnie cut in as he loudly pushed the door open and made his way down the stairs. Roxy closed behind, “ This a Foxy situation or?” Bonnie asked as he squeezed past Freddy and leaned against the wall across from Chica, diagonal from DJ. Roxy also moved past Freddy and Sun to stand between Chica and Bonnie. Freddy shook his head.

“ No I believe Heather said she made no changes to his AI,” Freddy said, Bonnie rolled his eyes.

“ I don’t believe a word out that woman's mouth, not after Foxy,” He said, Monty hummed in agreement.

“ Says they transferred him,” Monty said, jerking his thumb at DJ. Bonnie nodded, grinning as he relaxed.

“ Ah! Nice! Didn’t think you were due for an upgrade Big Guy!” Bonnie beamed. DJ’s smile tensed, and he forced a nervous laugh.

“ I wasn’t,” He informed them, earning a confused look from all six, “ I was due for a replacement.” Save Monty and Roxy the look that was on each of their faces was some kind of horror. Some sympathetic, some just flat out, Monty was hard to read, Roxy clearly didn’t care, checking her nails.

“ Oh I get it, Heather was cutting corners by moving you instead of making a new AI,” She stated, DJ’s smile felt so strained as he nodded, she scoffed, and flipped her hair, “ Typical.” Bonnie released a breath, like he had been holding it, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“ Dang man,” He started, shifting his position so both of his hands were behind his head, elbows sticking out at his side. 

“ I’m not surprised, I mean, not like he’s selling shirts,” Monty commented. Sun hit him again, this time it looked like it hurt, “ Ow! What?!” He asked, rubbing his arm. Sun’s expression was hard to read due to his pure white eyes, but his hands were on his hips in a scolding pose, “ Uh. . .” Monty suddenly seemed sheepish, “ Sorry?” DJ glanced at the others who didn’t acknowledge this behavior. Bonnie was exchanging a look with Freddy before he turned back to DJ.

“ How long did you know? Did they tell you at all?” He asked, DJ hesitated.

“ Oh gosh,” Chica gasped, covering her beak, “ They didn’t tell you at all did they?!” DJ felt nervous laughter bubble out of him, he rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding looking directly at them, and instead turning his gaze to the ground. 

“ They technically told me?” DJ settled on, making a so,so  gesture with one of his secondary hands. Everyone waited for further explanation, “ I dunno on black friday they came in, they didn’t know I existed ,” DJ explained, “ When they found out I was there, they asked some questions and left. Came back this morning with this,” DJ gestured to his body, Bonnie hummed.

“ But they didn’t tell you that they were gonna make you a new body,” he asked, DJ hesitated again.

“ No. . .” He finally said.

“ Did they tell you WHEN they’d be back,” Bonnie asked, DJ started tapping his secondary knuckles together again, “ Well?” Bonnie pressed when the silence stretched on for too long. 

“ No. . .  “ DJ admitted, Bonnie made a loud exasperated sound, turning away from the group, he took a few steps down the hall behind Chica and Roxy. Crossing his arms, and chewing on his thumbnail. Freddy leaned over to watch him better for a moment,

“ You must have had a rough week,” Freddy said, turning his attention back to DJ, “ I believe many of us had private events in the lounge rooms, why didn’t you tell any of us?” He actually sounded concerned. DJ stared at all of them for a moment.

“ I-I well you know, I -, You guys are busy with your stuff, I had my stuff-”

“ To be clear,” Bonnie cut in, pointing at DJ without turning to them, “ Your stuff was believing you were being decommissioned at any moment.” He turned to them as he finished his point. DJ had no response, a part of him felt ashamed for keeping the dread to himself, but the other part of himself was angry. Frustrated that they’d act like they were his friends, this was the most he’d spoken to any of them outside of the major events in the Fazcade. 

“ Well. . .” DJ started, choosing his words carefully and keeping his tone even,  His knuckles tapping harder,“ I was under the. . . impression that you all had better things to worry about.” Bonnie’s ears dropped shamefully, Chica’s gaze fell to the floor, Freddy grimaced, even Monty shifted uncomfortably. Roxy gave her hair an awkward toss. Sun rushed forward after a pause, his hands finding DJ’s tapping ones, gently forcing them to stop. 

“ Of course! Course, course, course!” Sun exclaimed woefully, “We never visited, we never talked, of course you’d think we didn’t care!” Sun tutted. 

“ To be fair,” Monty cut in, “ I don’t care” Roxy laughed and she offered a high five to Monty  who took it. Then he realized Sun had turned his head a full 180 degrees sharply to stare at him. Monty fumbled earning more laughs from Roxy.

“ Oooh trouble in paradise,” She teased, Monty sent her a glare. 

“ Shut Up! Sun, Sunny, Sunshine, I was joking , I care!” He insisted, Sun slowly shook his head before he turned back to DJ. If DJ could flush he was sure he would be, just a little. Seeing someone like Monty at the mercy of someone else was something DJ hadn’t seen before, and the fact that it was in defense of himself was also new. DJ wasn’t use to having any kind of defense. 

“ Ignore him,” Sun huffed “ You  have every right to be angry with us, all things considered.”

“ DJ? Mad? This guy doesn’t get mad,” Monty scoffed, 

“ I know right, from what I’ve seen he’s more of a doormat,” Roxy laughed, earning a look from Chica. 

“ Nah nah, more like a stereo, cuz he plays music,” Monty countered, DJ felt Bouncer mode try to come on as they continued to make jabs at his expense, despite the disapproving looks from Chica and Bonnie, while Freddy actually trying to get them to stop. DJ was sure he imagined it, but his vision seemed to turn a faint red. He shook his off and managed to stuff it down, returning his attention to what was in front of him. He jumped when he realized it was Sun. Sun was still in front of him, and he was starring. His hands still over DJ’s, his head tilted ever so slightly to the side. DJ couldn’t figure out if he was confused, curious, or both. 

“ I don’t know . . .” Sun suddenly said softly, DJ blinked at him. 

“ You don’t know what?” He asked. Sun Jumped, then released DJ’s hand. 

“ Oh! Oh my, don't mind me! I wasn’t talking to you, how rude of me,” Sun explained, laughing. DJ stared at him for a moment. 

“ WHo-” The door to the Atrium burst open. 

“ HEY! THE PLEX IS OPEN FURRIES! IT AINT TEA TIME!” An employee in a green polo with writing on it shouted from the top of the stairs. DJ was not shocked when he realized it was a Monty Golf uniform. Sun responded first.

“ OH! MY STARS! THE DAYCARE!” Sun exclaimed before pushing past Freddy and Monty and sprinting from the hall and out the door. The Monty golf employee being shoved against the door in the process. 

“ WATCH IT NIGHTMARE FUEL!” The employee shouted after him. DJ heard Monty let out a growl, his eyes narrowed on the employee. Freddy put a hand on Monty’s shoulder quickly speaking up. 

“ Apologies, we got caught up with the news, everyone, stations,” Freddy ordered, before guiding Monty to the door. DJ noticed Freddy also sent the employee a disapproving look as he quickly rushed Monty out the door. Chica and Roxy followed suit, Bonnie lingered. 

“ Our attractions,” Bonnie clarified, “ So for you, the Fazcade ,” He did jazz hands as he said the word then held jazz hands while he waited for a response. After a pause DJ mimicked him, awkwardly due to the small space , doing two sets of Jazz hands. Bonnie laughed, “ You know how to get to the Fazcade from here?” Bonnie asked, DJ shook his head, “ AH well I can show you, Bonnie Bowls right next to it,” Bonnie informed him, heading towards the door where the employee was still waiting with an annoyed expression. DJ followed Bonnie out into the Atrium by the main stage. DJ turned his head to look at the sign above the door they’d come through. Backstage staff ONLY . 

“ Hey,” Bonnie started, catching DJ’s attention again. “ Did you actually think we didn’t care?” They stopped at an escalator by Roxy Raceway, and Bonnie turned to him fully, waiting for a response. After a long pause DJ finally shrugged, tapping his secondary knuckles anxiously, not meeting Bonnie’s gaze.  The bunny sighed as he turned to step on the escalator, his ears falling flat against his head. DJ followed, “ Man, I am sorry, we had no idea,” Bonnie explained, looking back as the escalator took them up. DJ chose not to comment. Anger and frustration from before seeping back in. Maybe if they had visited they would have an idea. His expression must have given away his thoughts though because Bonnie grimaced.

“ That’s no excuse, you deserved better, we failed you Dee, and for what it’s worth, I really am sorry, this place is already hell, we should be sticking together, looking out for each other,” Bonnie gestured to the plex as they reached the second level and started heading for the escalator above Fazer-blast, “ Monty and Roxy don’t get it, not really they’re newer, they don’t know what it’s like to wake up and realize they’re friend of several years is are just gone,” Bonnie’s gaze fell on something behind them, DJ followed it to realize it was on Kid’s Cove. He looked back at Bonnie. 

“ It’s. . .  It’s alright,” DJ shrugged again as they approached the second escalator, “ Out of sight out of mind right?” He offered, Bonnie chuckled weakly, stepping onto the escalator,

“ I appreciate you trying to let me off the hook. But seriously, you shouldn’t have almost slipped through the cracks like that, we’re gonna do better by you man,” Bonnie promised, lightly punching DJ’s arm as they passed Bonnie Bowl, then to the large lit up sign that read Fazcade over the arch to an elevator. Bonnie clapped DJ on the back.

“ You think you can find your way from here?” He teased, DJ chuckled.

“ Oh I dunno, maybe,” He returned Bonnie gave his shoulder a friendly punch.

“ Ah well you give a shout if you get lost, the network still the same right?” DJ checked then nodded, Bonnie returned the gesture, then turned and made his way back to Bonnie Bowl.  Guests young and old were looking at him. Kids pointed and whispered, adults were less subtle. 

“ I mean it is less creepy,” He heard one say. He took a deep simulated breath to ease the anxiety, brushed off his front to give his hands something to do, and entered the elevator. Followed by guests on their way to the arcade. 

Somehow they moved his old body before the guests started arriving to the arcade. DJ wasn’t sure he wanted to know how they managed it, but he was grateful for it. The arcade was a strange combination of new and familiar. DJ knew every tile, every light fixture, every trashcan, every arcade cabinet, but he was never able to walk amongst them. He was never able to climb the stairs to the second floor with his own legs, he was never able to cross the bridge connecting the two upper levels, he was never able to enter the private lounge rooms. 

At first kids didn’t know how to take DJ’s new appearance. Some were scared, but that was normal, some just starred, also normal, but one caught DJ off guard. He ran up to the animatronic while he was examining a game titled 5 coins . 

“ WOAH!” He exclaimed, looking up at DJ as he turned to give the boy his full attention. He was about ten years old, with freckles that covered his chocolate skin, his even darker hair was messy and unkept. He was wearing an orange Sun shirt with a red square under Sun’s face, “ You’re like Machamp!” He gaped, pointing. DJ blinked, quickly searching online for what that was. 

“ Oh! Oh yeah, yeah, kinda,” DJ agreed, the kid grinned at him.

“ That’s so cool!” He held up an orange notebook with Freddy’s face on it, DJ froze. He’d seen the others be given this book but he wasn’t sure what to do with it. He slowly took it with his primary hands and opened it. It fell open to a natural creese in the spine. One the pages were two names in different fonts.

  No, signatures. DJ realized. One was was for Sun, it was a big swirled signature. A doodle of a smiley face with sunrays around it just below the signature. CLouds were doodled across the page. Believe in yourself! Was written above his signature. The signature on the other page was Bonnie’s. He’d drawn bunny ears off his B and put a small cotton tail at the end of his e . He’d also turned his o  into a bowling ball, Bowling pins scattered about the page. Rock out Strike out ! Was written under his name. DJ was about to hand the book back when he realized the boy was offering him a purple Mr.Hipp pen. DJ was sure he was over heating from both embarrassment at not realizing when this boy wanted, and how touched he was that the boy wanted his signature.

“ Sorry! Never done this before,” he admitted, chuckling nervously as he took the pen. The boy beamed at him. DJ flipped to the first blank page, pausing when he saw the signature on the previous page.

Dream Big. Dream Often. Moon.  Moon? DJ stared at it for a moment, an eyebrow raised. Who was Moon? DJ had never seen a Moon , though if he were to use his common sense he’d guess Moon worked with Sun in daycare. The signature was smooth like Sun’s if not as loud. Stars sprinkled about the page. DJ started as he realized the kid was still waiting. He tried to write in a way that felt natural to him, but none of what he was doing did. He ended up with a dark Jagged print from how hard he’d pressed the pen to the page. DJ glanced back at this Moon’s signature, comparing the two before scribbling a bunch of music notes around the page with his own little note. Follow the beat of your heart . Then he offered the book back to the kid, silently wishing his signature was neater. The kid didn’t seem to mind, grinning as he took it. 

“ Ok honey, get in close for a picture!” A woman’s voice called suddenly, catching DJ off guard yet again. He turned to find who he assumed was the boy’s mother, she held up her phone sideways. The Boy moved closer to DJ, facing his mother, a big grin on his face. It was a good thing his default expression was a big grin because the shock of his photo suddenly being taken would have shown in the picture otherwise. 

“ Alright, let’s go pick up your sister from the daycare, then get to your appointments,” The woman said, ushering the boy away. DJ watched him go, the bizarreness of the interaction keeping him still, til a shout from a different child about a broken game caught his attention and got him moving again as reporting broken games seemed to be part of his janitorial duties now. 

Aside from that interaction the day was, DJ didn’t want to say normal but as normal as it could be. When the arcade finally closed DJ found himself walking through the arcade aimlessly, lost in the labyrinth that was his thoughts. Processing the day, considering what Bonnie had said, considering that somewhere within the plex was an animatronic he had not seen, that somewhere deep within the tunnels of the Fazcade was his empty shell of a body. That thought made something in his core go cold. How close of a call had that been? How long had the glamtechs known they were going to try saving money to transfer his AI, was that the only reason they did it? To save money and time? 

DJ found himself standing on his old stage. Something he’d been avoiding all day, looking into the maw that was his tunnel. He slowly sunk to the floor of the stage, sitting cross legged as he stared into it, unable to look away, or steer his thought away from the what if’s plaguing him. He heard the elevator door open, and turned his head to find Bonnie, Chica and Freddy heading towards him. 

“ THERE HE IS!” Bonnie called, waving his arms to DJ, who waved both of his right hands. Chica ran up to the stage, doing a little hop spin so she sat on the stage next to DJ, her back to the tunnel. Freddy stayed standing a few steps back, his shoulders, arms and hips moving in what kids in the arcade would call a dad dance . His toe tapping to the nonexistent music. DJ briefly humored the idea of turning music on, knowing the dancing would become more energetic if he did, but chose not to, seeing as it wasn’t like Freddy could control that programming bug. “ How’s your first day being only slightly abnormal sized,” Bonnie asked, nudging DJ’s arm with his elbow. DJ shrugged.

“ Pretty cool, I got to look at the games and walk around,” DJ gestured to the arcade with both of his left hands, “ Oh and a kid actually seemed happy to see me!” DJ added, choosing to ignore the look Bonnie and Freddy exchanged. Chica smiled at him.

“ Well that’s nice,” DJ also chose to ignore the almost condescending tone. DJ nodded.

“ Yeah, yeah, he gave me one of those books with Freddy’s face on it,” DJ mimed signing a book with his secondary hands as he spoke. Bonnie jumped on him, shaking him hard as he yelled out.

“ OH SHIT! DJ GAVE OUT HIS FIRST AUTOGRAPH!” He cheered, DJ felt a grin spread on his face as the atmosphere changed suddenly and dramatically. He laughed nervously.

“ Yeah! And he got a picture,” DJ added, Freddy beamed at him, his ears wiggling as he did.

“ That’s great! Sounds like a good first Day,” He said, DJ nodded, turning back to the tunnel, there was a pause.

“ So. . . why are we staring into the abyss,” Bonnie asked, DJ shrugged.

“ It’s. . . I Don’t know, weird, I used to be . . “ DJ gestured to the size of the tunnel. Bonnie nodded.

“ Say, what did they do with. . . you?” He asked, DJ gestured to the tunnel again.

“ It’s. . . in there. . . somewhere, probably in my room ” DJ did air quotes with his secondary hands, “ I haven’t gone into the tunnels yet,” He trailed off. 

“ Why not?” Chica asked, DJ didn’t answer, he just stared at the darkness. If he was honested with himself, he’d say he was afraid, but he didn’t know of what.

“ Well,” Bonnie cut the silence with a knife, “ We’re here to give you that tour of the plex,” Bonnie offered, DJ turned to him.

“ Oh. . . Oh yeah! Yeah let’s do that!” DJ spun around and slid off the stage. Bonnie laughed, and started for the elevator, The other three followed.

“ Would you like to start from the main entrance or here?” Freddy asked, DJ paused.

“ Oh I don’t know, there's so much I haven't’ seen, or met-” 

“ Met? ” Bonnie spun around walking backwards towards the elevator, his head cocked to the side. DJ nodded, “ Pretty sure you’ve met every animatronic here, you mean a staffbot?” He asked. DJ shook his head.

“ No, At least I don’t think so, they signed the page before me, I think the name was Moon ?” DJ explained, Bonnie stopped.

“ You never met Moon?” He questioned, DJ shook his head.

“ No I haven’t.” Bonnie sprung forward and started pulling on DJ’s arms.

“ You’ve been in this arcade too long!” He grunted as he pulled, then moved to push DJ towards the door when pulling proved ineffective, his feet sliding against the floor as they remained in one spot, “ You gotta go! Go! Go! Go! Go!” DJ chuckled and let Bonnie push him into the elevator, ducking his head as he entered. Chica giggled as she and Freddy followed. The doors closed as Bonnie panted from his ‘ efforts’ . 

“ You’ve never met Moon? That’s crazy, he’s been here as long as Sun!” Chica explained, DJ nodded to her.

“ I figured with a name like that he’d be working in the daycare with Sun, I guess I’m surprised it took three animatronics to manage what Foxy did,” DJ explained. Freddy nodded.

“ Yes Foxy did manage quite a lot, but I believe you are misunderstanding the Daycare Attendant’s situation,” Freddy started, DJ turned to him, “ You see they are two AI’s occupying the same endoskeleton,” DJ looked to Bonnie, an eyebrow raised. The rabbit snickered at his confusion.

“ Two people, one body,” Bonnie clarified. DJ processed this before responding.

“ So. . .  they’re sharing a body,” He asked as the elevator doors opened. Chica was out first, “ How. . .  How does that work?” DJ asked as he followed her out, nearly bumping his head as he almost forgot to duck.

“ It’s hard to say, the only ones who truly get it are themselves,” Bonnie waved the question off as he followed them out, Freddy close behind.

“ Monty has a good idea of how it works,” Chica argued, Bonnie shrugged.

“ Does he? Besides, he spends most of his time with Sun . Hardly anyone sees Moon, Hell I’m amazed that kid got Moon’s autograph, should sell it on Ebay,” Bonnie turned back to DJ as he spoke.

“ So . . Moon keeps to himself?” He asked, the other three nodded.

“ Oh hell yeah, kinda why we thought you liked to keep to yourself ,” Bonnie started, pointing to DJ, “ And that was wrong of us,” He added before anyone could interject, not that DJ was sure anyone was going to. Bonnie turned to look out over the Atrium, “ In fact I'd say Monty knows Moon best, aside from Sun, obviously, and that’s not saying much, and is mostly because of the Monty Sun thing,” Bonnie leaned over the railing, as if scoping the area. 

“ The Monty Sun thing?” DJ asked, Chica giggled.

“ You didn’t hear? They’re together!” Chica gushed, “ Been together for a few months now?” Chica turned to Bonnie who nodded without turning back to them.

“ Six months now actually,” Bonnie confirmed. DJ blinked, and looked to each of them, his mind racing.

“ Together?” He started, Bonnie’s ear twitched while the other two watched him, “ As in,” He interlaced the fingers of his secondary hands, as if the gesture meant anything. “ LIke the human’s do? Bonnie finally turned to him. All three stared at him, Making DJ uncomfortable, “ That’s . . . that’s a thing we can do?” DJ trailed off, there was another beat of uncomfortable silence.

“ ACK!” Bonnie mock gripped his chest as if he was having a heart attack, he stumbled over to Freddy, “ Oh God, How Freddy!” Bonnie put his hands on Freddy’s shoulders and dropped so he was hanging from them, “ How’d we let it get this bad Freddy!” Freddy looked unamused by the Bunny’s antics. 

“ To answer your question,” Freddy turned to DJ as Bonnie released his hold on Freddy and collapsed on the floor, “ Yes that’s a thing we can do.” 

“ HE DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO LOVE!” Bonnie cried from the floor.

“ For a second example,” Freddy continued as if Bonnie wasn’t writhing at his feet. “ Chica and Roxy have been together a year,” Freddy gestured to Chica who covered one of her cheeks as if she was embarrassed and did an oh stop hand gesture. DJ looked down at Bonnie who was still writhing on the floor, then looked back up at Freddy who sighed, “ Yes and for as long as we’ve been online,” Freddy smiled softly at the Bunny, “ Bits gone stale Bun,” He added, at this Bonnie stopped writhing and laid flat on his back. 

“ Has it?” He asked, Freddy offered his hand.

“ It has,” He confirmed, Bonnie took Freddy’s and let the bear pull him to his feet. 

“ Ah, alright then,” Bonnie brushed himself off, “ The tour then? We’ll start here,” He made a grand gesture to the elevator they had just exited, “ This is the Fazcade! Home of DJ Music Man! And Several arcade games! But only several,” DJ scoffed as Bonnie spun around and continued along the third level. He couldn’t help but notice staff bots seemed to be avoiding them or not looking at them as he tried to wave to them. He tried not to take it personally, they all seemed to be doing jobs like mopping or wiping tables. They were probably just busy. 

They finished the tour in the main entrance, to be specific gift shot titled Glamrock Gifts . They were on they’re way to the  lower level of the gift shop when DJ stopped, spotting two framed posters on the wall. 

“ Is that him?” DJ asked, pointing to the blue poster. It was of a cartoon character that resembled Sun but was a moon sleeping. Advertising a sleepytime Candy . What ever that meant. Bonnie raised an eyebrow as he smirked at him.

“ Man you are just hung up on that guy aren’t you?” He asked, Chica gasped. 

“ Oh my gosh! Bonnie! They’re both single! “ Bonnie gasped in playful response, slapping his cheek.

“ Oh my gosh! You’re right! Quick! Let’s plan the wedding!” Chica laughed in and his Bonnie’s arm as he cackled.

“ I feel it is best not to meddle with others lives,” Freddy said evenly to the other two, “ To answer your question DJ, Yes, that is Moon, I imagine,” Freddy spoke up, turning back to the other two, “ you are curious since Moon’s been here a while without your knowledge, “ Freddy turned back to DJ, who nodded quickly. 

“ Ah probably for the best, I get the feeling he’s like Foxy,” Bonnie checked his clawed nails. DJ tilted his head.

“ Like Foxy?” He asked, Bonnie waved him off.

“ Not interested in dating, like at all,” Bonnie explained, “ Foxy just didn’t have those feelings programmed in him. “ He shrugged, “ Got the impression Moon’s the same way. “ DJ nodded, looking over at Sun’s SunnyDrops poster, comparing the two. Sun had his eyes wide with blue pipis arms up as if  he was jumping. While Moon appeared to be sleeping.

“ It’s almost time for the staff to get here. we should return to our stations, “ Freddy said, placing a hand on DJ’s arm, “ Will you be able to find your way back to the west arcade?” He asked, DJ nodded.

“ Oh yeah! Yeah, it’s just through those doors and take a left?” DJ muttered to himself, trying to remember, Freddy nodded and bid him farewell, ushering the other two towards Rockstar Row. DJ followed them through the staff tunnels, turning off when he thought he saw the hall that would lead to the Fazcade stairs. 

THOUGHT being the key phrase because almost an hour later DJ was STILL  in the staff tunnels. He ended up at Monty Golf five different times and was about to lose it. Wishing he went through the atrium, at least then he’d have signs . By the sixth time he found himself at Monty Golf bouncer mode had been alerting him for the past five minutes. DJ saw his vision go red and blue, he kicked a box in fistration. The strange vision went away as quickly as it came. DJ felt panic start to replace the anger. 

Was that Bouncer Mode?! Or was he just mad? What did he kick? Was it important? It wasn’t important was it? DJ stood there, unable to move his legs, his secondary knuckles tapping, trying to calm himself.

“ Need an escort?” A voice, DJ didn’t recognize, asked from behind him. The former Beetle spun around, finding the hall behind him empty, “ I realize you’re used to being the tallest thing in the room but you should practice Looking up. ” the voice teased, DJ raised his gaze, and froze.

If his jaw was capable of the action it would have dropped. Sitting in a strange combination of Frog like and Cat like on the rafters a good two feet above DJ sat the very person Bonnie had said he was ‘ hung up on ’.

“ You must be Moon?” Was all DJ could Manage.

Chapter Text

“ You must be Moon?” was all DJ could manage. Moon greatly resembled Sun in design, which made sense since they shared a body. However there were some strong difference. While both of them had a split down their face in the shape of a crescent moon, which now felt too obvious to DJ, how didn’t he notice sooner, that was painted white, Sun’s other half of his face had a yellow glow while Moon’s had been blacked out. In fact if it wasn’t for the splitting gapped tooth grin and the yellow pupil staring at him from that side of Moon face, DJ would swear the other simply didn’t have half of a face plate at all. 

Sun’s eyes were completely white and pupiless. While Moon’s eyes were blacked out with yellow pupils, they were lidded as they looked at DJ as if Moon found him amusing. Sun had sun rays around his head, Moon did not, he did have a blue nightcap with a bell on the end. It was littered with stars, and while Sun wore striped jester pants, Moon’s were in the same star pattern as his cap. 

The Other thing that was different was their behaviors. Sun was almost constantly moving and tended to stand straight. He spoke fast, often and tended to move as he spoke. Moon was literally crouched on a rafter beam like a predator watching its prey, and while he too fidgeted, it was a slow tapping of his fingers on the beam, or a slow turning of his faceplate. Reminding DJ of a vinyl record. Moon somehow seemed. . . calm. Not only that he seem to radiate calm, forcing others to relax around him. Including DJ. In response to DJ’s question Moon chuckled, letting his face platespin so it was upside down.

“ Oh that’s right~” He dragged out the last word, he was teasing DJ, that much was obvious, “ We haven’t formally met, have we?” DJ scoffed, fighting a soft chuckle.

“ No. We have not,” He answered. Moon hooked his legs around the beam so he could drop, hanging upside down so he was even with DJ’s hight, his face plate was now right side up while the rest of him was upside down. He rotated his torso so it was backwards allowing his arms to be right side up when he extended one to DJ. 

“ I’m Moon,” He grinned, his tone still teasing, “ You might recognize me . . . “ He titled his head sharply, “ From my poster?” DJ felt his processors stop. They must have because for a full minute he couldn’t think. Then he had too many thoughts bombarding his mind at once. DJ slowly took Moon’s hand and shook it.

“ Have . . . have you been following me all night?” DJ asked, Moon’s grin stretched, his eyes lidded from the bottom in a gleeful expression.

“ Not the whole night,” Moon waved the question off, “ Monty does like to spend time with his boyfriend after all,” Moon tilted his head the other way, his gleeful expression shifting back into calm amusement, “ You seem lost?” Moon’s head continued to tilt, doing a full spin. DJ scoffed indignantly. 

“ No!” DJ stupidly denied. Moon raised an eyebrow at him, still smiling. Then he shifted to look past DJ.

“ The lightbulbs say otherwise,” He countered calmly, DJ looking over his shoulder at the box he kicked/destroyed. He could now barely make out the word neon green light bulbs.  DJ looked back at Moon who had his hands casually behind his head, his face plate upside down again. A smug grin on his face. 

“ Well. . .” DJ started, “ The light bulbs are liars,” He offered a small nervous smile to let the other know it wasn’t a serious defense. Moon chuckled.

“ Well how dare they,” He tisked, pulling himself back so he was upright on the beam, his back to DJ. But his face plate was still backwards to look at him.

“ Right? That’s why I kicked them, can’t stand liars,” DJ crossed his primary arms, his secondary at his side. This was fun. DJ dare say he actually felt normal for the first time since the twenty sixth. Moon dropped from the rafters, swinging himself with one arm from the rafters, swinging himself with one arm so he landed just a foot from DJ, making the taller jump back in surprise. 

“ Ah, so you’re here with a purpose then?” Moon asked, DJ blinked.

“ Wha-”

“ Well you have to be here for a reason,” Moon pointed out, his grin seem to stretch as he spoke, “ Other wise you would have take the left three halls back,” He pointed with his thumb to the hall behind him. DJ stared at the empty hall over Moon’s shoulder for a moment, then looked back at the animatronic himself. Even he knew it was quiet for an abnormally long amount of time but Moon waited patiently.

“ I’m lost,” DJ finally admitted, Moon hummed at him.

“ Are you,” He teased, DJ sheepishly laughed, his secondary knuckles tapping while he rubbed the back of his neck with one of his primary hands. 

“ Yeah. . . I am,” when Moon didn’t respond of move he continued, “ COuld you . . . show me how to get back to the west arcade?” Moon raised an eyebrow, DJ shrunk in on himself a little, “ Please.” Moon let out another chuckle.

“ So you would like an escort,” Moon stated, DJ felt his fans kick on suddenly, was he overheating? 

“ Uh,” DJ took a step back from Moon and the uncomfortable heat he seemed to cause, Moon’s smile faltered, but other than that his didn’t react,” Yes?” Moon nodded, taking a step back before turning on his heal and walking back down the hall. When DJ didn’t move he stopped, and turned back. Beckoning with a finger.

“ Follow, follow, follow, follow,” He sang, DJ blinked, then quickly moved to catch up, Moon waited. Then they walked in silence for a while before DJ had to ruin it. 

“ Bonnie said you and Sun share a body,” DJ stated, MOon chuckled.

“ You’ve been asking questions about me?” Moon grinned at him, “ WHat are you, hung up on me? “ DJ felt his fans kick on again, he suspected Moon heard them because his grin turned smug, “ Yes we do,” Moon answered, “ Sun spent most of the night with Monty, I was on my way back to the daycare when I passed you in the giftshop,” DJ scoffed, skeptical of that.

“ No way, how come we didn’t see you then,” DJ asked, moon snickered.

“ Did you look up?” He asked, DJ was about to argue then realized he had to thing about it. “ I was in the window above the stairs, “ He clarified. DJ snickered. 

“ Oh ok, weird, but ok,” Moon shrugged, in response. There was another pause where the only sound was their footsteps, then DJ ruined it again. 

“ Bonnie said only you and Sun know how that works,” DJ stated, and this time Moon hummed. DJ couldn’t tell if he was annoyed or not. 

“ Are you asking me how that works?” He returned, DJ hesitated, then nodded. Anxiety flooded him suddenly. 

“ Y-yeah, I think I am, if you don’t mind telling me, if not that’s find,” DJ rambled think I am, if you don’t mind me telling me, if not that’s fine.” DJ rambled, his two secondary hands behind tapping their knuckles again, “ I was just curious, I mean I didn’t even know you existed a day ago, heck I thought I was getting deleted  a day-” 

“ DJ,” The voice was gentle but firm, a hand gently gripped one of his secondary wrists, stopping him from his nervous tapping, “ It’s fine, a bit personal to me and Sun admittedly, but not a secret,” He explained, DJ tilted his head in confusion. 

“ They why haven’t you told anyone,” He asked, Moon smiled softly at him.

“ No ones asked,” he continued down the hall. DJ followed, “ How it works,” He started, “ Is that our body’s mode determines who’s in control, this is my mode, naptime mode, dark mode, moon mode, what ever the techs call it,” He waved off the titles with annoyance, “ Our light sensors determine what mode we’re in so because it’s dark in here, the body is in dark mode, I’m in control, but if I stand in the light like say in the atrium or the main entrance, the body would go into light mode , Sun would be in control,” Moon explained, DJ nodded along.

“ Does Monty know how it works?”  DJ asked, Moon snorted, a sound DJ did not expect from the other. He fought a laugh so not to offend him.

“ He sure thinks he does, and he’s close, but he thinks we swap out completely, and the other looses consciousness,” Moon rolled his eyes, DJ thought about it. 

“ So  you mean, like, even though you’re in control now,” DJ started, Moon raised an eyebrow as he waited for DJ to finish, “ Sun is still seeing and hearing?” Moon looked impressed.

“ Look at you, using that big head of yours,” DJ gave a weak laugh, unsure if he should be offended or not, “ yes, Sun says hi by the way,” DJ hesitated, then waved awkwardly. 

“ Uh, hi,” Moon snickered at him. 

“ Now I can block him out for a more. . . . private conversation, and he can me, but otherwise both of us are almost always present,” Moon finished. 

“So. . . So you were there yesterday? and why hasn’t Sun told Monty and-” 

“ My my full of questions,” Moon teased, DJ fell smile, smiling sheepishly, “ Monty has not asked, and yes I was there yesterday,” Moon answered, “ Segwaying from that, I have a question for you DJ sir-asks-a-lot,” Moon stopped at the foot of some stairs, one hand on the railings on either side. Blocking them. 

“ DJ thought this was an odd place to stop until he saw the sign just past Moon, pointed up. It read Fazcade . 

“ Yeah?” DJ couldn’t begin to know what Moon would want to know about him.  

“ What happened yesterday,” Moon asked, DJ gave him a confused look. 

“ Um, well,” DJ thought back, “ I got a new body, obviously, Oh! A kid wanted my autograph, that’s how I found out about you actually, you signed the last page,” Moon raised an eyebrow, a small amused smile forming on his face, “ Oh! He wanted a picture too!” DJ  finished, Moon snickered, shaking his head slowly.

“ That’s nice, very happy for you, not what I’m talking about,” Moon clarified, leaning forward a little, “ Yesterday in the backstage staff tunnel, Monty and Roxanne were bullying you” Moon started, DJ sputtered. 

“ Bullying me? No,” The phrase sounded so childish despite how true it was. Moon hummed.

“ Mocking, name calling, making light of your very real near decommissioning, ” Moon listed off, counting on his fingers, “ Sounds like bullying to me, but sure, not what I’m asking about,” He made a motion that DJ at first thought was him wave it off, but looked more akin to him sticking a pin in a cork board, “ when  they were doing this, something happened,” Moon leaned forward, tapping DJ right between his eyebrows, “ In here, you tensed,  you’re eyes changed color, then they completely blacked out , which, correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe in not normal for them anymore,” DJ’s secondary knuckles began tapping as anxiety started to seeping from the shadows. 

“ I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” DJ lied quickly, Moon huffed, leaning back.

“ Don’t give me that, ” Moon waved the statement off, “ You’re a terrible liar, you look anywhere but at the person you’re lying to, you can’t get away with that anymore, you have pupils now,” DJ blinked at him, “ You also tend to fidget more, you’re voice box does that auto tune thing,” Moon continued to list off his tells, Tells DJ had for a long time. 

“ How long have you been spying on me,” DJ asked suddenly, and loudly. Much louder than he meant to. He reached up and turned his voice box down a little while Moon raised an eyebrow at the reaction, taken aback. 

“ Spy is a strong word” He said carefully, “ I would pass by ,” He wasn’t looking at DJ, he was looking at the ceiling as he spoke, “ and you” He turned back to DJ, “ don’t look up, you notice a lot of things when people think they’re unobserved,” DJ felt the anxiety change to anger. 

“ You’ve been watching me. All this time?” DJ asked, he didn’t know if he was creeped out, angry or hurt, “ and you didn’t once stop and say Hi ?” That seemed to catch Moon off guard, his eyes went wide, and he seemed to shrink on himself. DJ pushed past him, climbing the stairs, he paused at the first landing, looking back. Moon was gone. He released a breath he had been unnecessarily holding, then continued up the stairs to the Fazcade. 

The day went by in a blink, more kids, not many but more, had approached him with autograph books, more pictures were taken. It was enough to make the mornings frustrations and encounter fade away, until after closing that is. 

Chica had come to collect DJ alone and guided him towards the escalators, chit-chatting about her day at Mazersise and Rockstar Row. DJ tried to wave at a staffbot that was cleaning a table outside the Prize corner. It glanced at him, and then quickly retreated into the darkness of the Prize Corner. DJ stopped to stare at the unfinished table in confusion. Chica nudged him to keep walking and after a pause DJ did. She lead him to the food court between Kid’s cover and FazerBlast where Monty, Bonnie, Freddy, Roxy and Sun were sitting at a round table. Monty was fuming, scratching at the table with his claws while Sun gently rubbed soothing circles into his back. 

“ It was completely stupid!” I was good all day! ” Monty snarled looking up at the others. Bonnie was lazily leaning on the table with his elbow, his eyes lidded as if he was uninterested. Freddy sat next to him nodding a long, Roxy was on Bonnie’s otherside arms crossed, she nodded to Chica as they approached, patting the seat next to her, “ I didn’t even snap at that staffbot for knocking my ball!” Monty snapped, Sun smiled at him and gave his hand a squeeze.

“ And that was very good! You’ve made so much progress!” He said encouragingly.

“ You mean the ball that was in the walkway?” Bonnie asked dully as Chica sat next to Roxy sitting, leaning to the side so she was against the wolf. DJ stood awkwardly about a foot away from the table, unsure if he should join them or not. Monty turned on Bonnie while Sun sent him an exasperated look. Freddy raised an eyebrow at the bunny disapprovingly. 

“ You play it where it LANDS ! Everyone knows that!” Monty snapped, leaned over the table as if he was about to bite Bonnie’s head off, Sun ran a hand through Monty’s mohawk.

“ Sh sh sh, he’s teasing you, breath,” Sun instructed, Monty  released a breath, then went back to scratching shapes into the table’s surface. 

“ What happened,” Chica asked. Roxy’s arm had worked its way around her shoulders at this point. Monty let out a sudden angry yell while Sun’s gaze shifted to DJ. 

“ So the lights in Monty golf were supposed to get changed today cuz they’ve been blinking n shit!” Monty started, “ But some asshole Smashed them, ” DJ winced, and glanced back at Sun who raised an eyebrow at him. Right . . . he was there. . . technically. 

“ Oh no,” Chica sympathized, Monty banged on the table.

“ Yeah! And the real kick in the shin is they think it was me!! ” Monty shouted, Sun gestured to Monty with hand, subtle enough so only DJ noticed. It seemed to silently say “well?”  DJ grimaced, and his secondary knuckles started tapping.

“ Oops,” Was all DJ managed. All eyes were on him. Monty stood up, Sun stood with him, apparently not expecting this kind of reaction.

“ Oops?!” Monty shouted, Sun placed a hand on Monty’s shoulder, it seemed to be in an attempt to ground him, or maybe in preparation to hold him back, DJ wasn’t sure, “ What do you mean ‘oops’ “ DJ stumbled over his words, pressure squeezing his insides tight.

“ I-I got lost this morning, on my way back to the Arcade,” He started, “ I kept ending up by Monty golf, it was an accident,” DJ didn’t mention that Bouncer mode had possibly come on due to his frustrations. Monty let out an annoyed yell, turned away from the table they were at, and moved to a table behind them. He banged his fists repeatedly on the other table. Sun let him be, his hands on his hips as he eyed DJ disapprovingly. 

“ An accident ,” Sun stated, DJ shrunk in on himself a little, feeling much smaller than his eleven foot frame under Sun’s pupiless stare. Monty had stopped when Sun spoke and spun around, pointing at DJ.

“ Why’d he say it like that?” Monty demanded, “ I’ve taken enough mini escape artists back to the Daycare to know what his scolding tone sounds like,” Bonnie was biting his fist with a  big grin on his face like he was watching his favorite soap opera, while Freddy and Chica exchanged nervous looks. Roxy was leaning her elbow on the table now, taking mild interest in the situation before them. 

“ It-I-I . . . I was . . . frustrated,” DJ half admitted, “ I kicked it without thinking,” He was rushing through the rest of his confession, “ I didn’t even know what it was until Moon told me-”

“ Moon?!” Bonnie exclaimed slamming his hands on the table as he stood up himself, “ Oh the plot thickens !” He grinned at Freddy who rolled his eyes at Bonnie, while Monty glared at the bunny. DJ’s gaze fell to the table and he took an anxious step back.

“ I’m sorry,” He finished awkwardly, “ I’ll tell staff it was me, I-I wasn’t trying to cause problems,” Monty stared at him for a moment, then let out a sigh glancing at Sun before speaking.

“ No, don’t, I’ll take the wrap this time,” He said, waving it off. DJ blinked in confusion, even Sun seemed taken aback, but then he looked proud, “ Do not do it again ,” Monty added, pointing at DJ. He sat back in his seat, and Sun sat with him. 

“ Why. . . “ DJ started, “ Why would you-” Monty waved him off again.

“ Look I have my share of property damage because of frustrations, and you did have a lot going on recently,” Monty turned back to his graffiti on the table, Sun resting his head in both his hands as he watched Monty talk, his elbows on the table. His smile grew as he continued, “ But you’re new.  . . new-ish, point is, if they think you’re prone to anger like me, they’ll consider deleting you, I have merch sales, party bookings, a fanbase covering my ass, “ He looked up pointing to DJ. Sun took this opportunity to open a small compartment in his chest piece, and slide a peace of paper and a red crayon over Monty’s graffiti without the other noticing. “ You don’t, you might, sometime, probably, but right now, they’d toss you before you finished explaining,” DJ stared, dread sinking in. 

“ Oh . . .” Was all DJ could say, Monty scoffed.

“ Yeah, oh. Don’t do it again, I aint covering for you again,” DJ nodded, “ And quit standing there, there is a chair you know,” Monty pointed to the seat across from Sun beside Chica. DJ hesitated before awkwardly sat down. His secondary hands folded in his lap, his primary gripping the table edge awkwardly. Monty made to return to his scratches when he noticed the paper and crayon sitting over them. He gave Sun a deadpan look, Sun just beamed back at him and winked before turning away from him. Monty rolled his eyes and picked up the crayon and started doodling on the paper instead of damaging the table further. Bonnie leaned over the table towards DJ.

“ Sooooooo you met Moon?” Bonnie asked, Monty glanced up, eyebrow raised.

“ Met? Did he not know Moon,” He glanced at Sun as he asked, who shook his head.The Gators sudden calmness gave DJ whiplash, he was sure of it. He was behaving as if he hadn’t been ready to rip someone’s head off seconds ago. 

“ No! He didn’t, but he does now!” Bonnie drummed his hands on the table excitedly, “ So what did you think, was he everything you dreamed he would be,” Bonnie mock swooned, earning a giggle from Chica and soft chuckle from Freddy accompanied with a head shake. Monty snickered and even Sun giggled, covering his mouth to hide the reaction. DJ found himself wondering if Moon was listening and what he thought of Bonnie’s joke. Sun caught DJ’s eye and seemed to fight his giggles harder. DJ felt his fans kick on, and tried his best to act casual as he turned back to the bunny.

“ W-well he decided to be taller than me by hiding out in the ceiling,” DJ tried not to let the bitterness seep into his voice, gesturing to the space above himself. Sun’s smile fell a little, while Monty laughed.

“ I know exactly what you mean, I hate it when he does that,” Monty  returned to his  crayon sketch. It looked like he was trying to draw Sun, “ Did he do that thing where he spins his body all the way around,” He asked, DJ chuckled as the tension in his body finally eased.

“ yeah, yeah he did,” Monty snickered in response.

“ Creepy when he does that, I hate it and he knows it, it’s why he does it!” Monty squinted at his sketch, then tried to scratch a mistake off. He tore the paper. He growled, and Sun wordlessly placed a fresh one over it. Monty grumbled a thanks before starting his sketch over. 

“ What was your impression of the Naptime Attendant?” Freddy asked, DJ hesitated. What was his impression? At first Moon had been cool, patient, even relaxing to be around. Funny, but the implication that he’d been watching DJ for a while, that he could have spoken to DJ at any time and chose to lurk out of sight made DJ mad and uncomfortable. He glanced at Sun who tilted his head to the side, waiting for his response like everyone else. 

“ He’s. . . interesting,” DJ settled on, opting not to tell the others about the whole story, “ That’s about all I got,” DJ turned back to Freddy, who nodded understandingly.

“ AH, he is not the most. . . friendly,” Freddy said sadly, “ He does tend to be rude when meeting others, especially on his own,” DJ blinked in confusion, and Freddy noticed, “ Was that not your experience?” DJ shook his head , then after a pause he shrugged. 

“ No? Not at first I mean, he seemed perfectly friendly,” DJ glanced at Sun, who was covering his mouth again as if hiding his expression, “ he was patient, even, answered any questions I asked,” 

“ What ,” Monty looked up at him, “ Moon was patient with you?! He can’t wait to start throwing things shit at me!” Monty exclaimed, “ I breathe and he’s done with me!” Monty snapped, Bonnie, Freddy, Chica and Roxy stared at him, Bonnie recovered first. 

“ ANY question you had? You have a lot of questions?” Bonnie teased. DJ’s fans kicked on again.

“ I had a few,” DJ said curtly, and Bonnie cackled in response. 

They chatted for a few more hours, DJ starting to feel a little more comfortable around them. They eventually broke off in pairs, leaving DJ alone, he opted to wonder the plex aimlessly in a vain attempt to memorize the layout. He was on the second level banister looking over the railing at Monty golf, the golf themed ride looking a little less impressive from the second level. He turned back to the metal shutter doors, wondering where those led when they opened and a familiar staffbot rolled out. 

“ Mappy!” DJ! Called, Mappy stopped and turned but didn’t move closer. DJ grinned as he moved to his friend, and hugged him, lifting him into the air as he did. His first hug since he got the new body, “ Where have you been hiding?!” DJ asked as he set the bot down. Mappy tilted his head to the side in a confused manor.

“ Take a map?” He wheeled back a bit, putting space between them. DJ’s smile faltered and he laughed nervously at his friends actions. 

“ What. . . what do you mean? What kind of question is that? You’re my friend,” DJ was suddenly unsure, Mappy just stared back, then he pressed a map into DJ’s primary hands.

“ Take a map,” Then he turned and wheeled off leaving DJ standing there. DJ stared numbly after him, he looked down at the map, then moved to the metal shutter doors. They raised as he approached, he made his way down the short hall, passing advertisements for Monty golf, Faz-watches, and Roxy Raceway to another shutter door. It opened to reveal a Bakery, a hand written sign was tucked half haphazardly to the side of the door by the cashier counter. It read Chica’s bakery is closed til further notice we apologize for your inconvenience,- Management . DJ continued into the dark bakery. The Cupcake statue atop the shop loomed over him and would have unsettled him if he was not preoccupied with his confusion of what had just happened. He made his way to the raised platform in the center of the room where a few tall round tables sat and sat in the chair closest to the platform's steps, his back to the bakery. 

It wasn’t just his imagination. The staffbots had been avoiding him. His friends had been avoiding him, was it the new body? Did it matter that much? He was still the same DJ Music Man! Were they ever really his friends? Had he just been a convenient hiding spot from human staff, and when Monty or Roxy went on a rampage? DJ held his head in his hands, leaning on the table. His secondary hands shook as they held onto the map. 

“ Hey, HEY ” DJ jumped and turned his head. Moon was crouched atop the bakery shop, his head tilted a little too far to the left as he watched DJ, “ Are you okay?” DJ glared at him.

“ What do you want?” DJ turned so he was facing Moon, “ Are you following me again,” Moon grimaced, but shook his head, pointing to the vent above himself. 

“ Passing through,” DJ raised an eyebrow, “ Monty golf is there,” He pointed to the floor to indicate it was below them, “ And the daycare is there,” He pointed to his left, DJ’s right, “ I am passing through. I saw you through the vent cap, a weird place to be lingering, didn’t take you for a sweets person,” Moon added, sinking to a sitting position on the bakery roof. One knee brought to his chest, the other swinging lazily over the edge. DJ rolled his eyes.

“ I’m not programmed to eat, I was,” He looked around for an excuse and looked at the map in his hands,” reading this map,” He held it up, Moon raised an eyebrow.

“ Reading a map,” He repeated, DJ nodded, “ In the dark,” DJ glanced at the single light over the platform, “ Fair enough,” Moon said, pushing himself off so he landed on the floor, “ Is that the most recent edition? “ Moon asked, pointing to the map. DJ hesitated, looking at it.

“ Um, I think so? Mappy-” DJ cut off as a stab of hurt hit him, “ The Mapbot gave it to me,” the sentence left DJ feeling sick. Moon climbed up the steps to the platform, DJ noticed Moon seemed to grip the railing rather tightly as he did. Moon gingerly took the map from DJ as he moved to lean against the railing of the platform across from so to give him personal space.

“ Then yes, it is, and thing about this copy is it doesn’t have this area on here,” He opened the map and held it open for DJ to see, sure enough it claimed the area didn’t exist, “ They’ve closed this area down til they figure out what to do with it, baked goods don’t really go with Chica’s new health conscious image,” DJ hesitated, then shrugged.

“ So? I wanted to see where this went, the door opened, I don’t see why you need to be bothering me,” DJ snapped, Moon crossed his arms, and shrugged.

“ You’re brooding,” DJ sputtered indignantly, “ Monty broods a lot too, I know what brooding looks like,” DJ snapped before he could stop himself.

“ Oh yeah? You spy on him too,” Moon frowned.

“ Sun’s boyfriend.” He reminded him, DJ hummed, and turned back to his map. Moon didn’t move for a long time, “ I’m sorry,” He said finally, DJ looked over at him, “ I should. . . I should’ve stopped and introduced myself at least once. . .. I can understand why you would feel. . . “ Moon seemed to struggle with his words.

“ Creeped out,” DJ offered, “ Privacy invaded,” He added, Moon winced with each suggestion.

“ Yeah. . . that,” He finished, DJ huffed, and looked back at his map.

“ Why didn’t you, all those times you passed through ,” DJ used air quotes. Moon didn’t answer right away. 

“ Would you believe I’m shy,” Moon offered half heartedly, DJ raised an eyebrow.

“ No.” He said simply, Moon snorted.

“ Well I am. . . I don’t really do . . . conversation, or people, “ Moon shrugged awkwardly, “ And you ,” He pointed at DJ, “ Were very intimidating,” DJ blinked at him.

“ You seemed awfully cocky this morning,” DJ countered, Moon tapped his wrist as if he was pointing to a watch.

“ Yesterday,” he corrected, “ And by then I had seen you have a panic attack on the main stage, fumble through several social interactions, and get bullied by animatronics two thirds your size,” Moon listed off on his fingers, “ I realized you were just as socially inept as me, and there for you could not judge me,” Moon laughed weakly, “ At least that’s what Sun said, but I managed to upset you too,” Moon rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. DJ turned back to his map, unsure how to respond to him. Moon moved closer, leaning on a chair that was to DJ’s right. 

“ Why are you hiding in here?” Moon asked again, DJ didn’t answer, “ I get the sense that you cannot see well in the dark so it doesn’t make sense,” DJ sent Moon a glare and he went quiet. He then chose his words carefully, “ I’m sorry, you’re right, it is not my business, but you might feel better if you talk to someone,” Moon suggested, DJ stood up and started to walk  away.

“ And you think that someone should be you, because you spied on me?” DJ snapped, as he made his way down the platform stairs towards the bakery. Moon hesitated then followed. 

“ Well you’re not exactly open to talking to anyone else,” Moon retorted, “ And I do happen to know you better than them-”

“ Because ” DJ’s bouncer mode tried to come on as DJ turned towards Moon, “ you spied on me ! That doesn’t count ,” DJ snapped. Moon blinked, then took a step back, “ Why do you seem to think you’re entitled to some kind of explanation from me about what I do?! I shouldn’t have to justify why I’m in here, I don’t need you to talk to, I have friends,” Except he didn’t. That reminder stabbed into DJ’s coded heart, he didn’t have friends. He thought he did but he didn’t. Everything happened too fast for him to process, his vision turned red and blue again. He heard glass shatter, his vision cleared. He found himself standing his back to the bakery but his fist in the now broken window. As if he had swung his arm to the side, he was panting. Or simulated panting anyway. Moon stared at him. DJ felt panic start to sink in again, he slowly sat down on the stairs, holding his head in his hands. He broke it, he broke the window, Monty told him not to break stuff again, and he broke a window. Moon took a cautious step closer.

“ DJ? “ DJ didn’t answer him, what could he say? This was the second time Moon had witnessed him loose control of Bouncer mode, it had to be bouncer mode, that’s all that made sense, “ DJ it’s fine, no one even comes in here, no ones’ going to notice,” Moon tried to assure him, DJ glanced up at him.

“ T-they won’t?” He asked, Moon shook his head, “ I-I didn’t mean. . . I just,” DJ floundered with his words for a while before he gave up, hugging his knees to his chest with his primary arms. Moon took another step closer.

“ What was that?” He asked, “ First the lightbulbs, now the window, this doesn’t seem like you, ” Moon said, DJ scoffed bitterly, resting his chin on his knees as he glared at his feet. Moon gave a weak laugh, “Alright, fair enough, what do I know,” He moved close enough to sit on the steps next to DJ, “ But really what is going on, “ DJ hesitated, Moon had now witnessed Bouncer mode come on twice . THat’s what it had to be. There was no other explanation. DJ hugged his knees tighter. 

“ Is Sun here?” He asked suddenly, Moon gave him a confused look, then shook his head.

“ No, I blocked him out as soon as I got control so I didn't have to hear him tell me about his cuddlefest with Monty,” Moon sounded annoyed, then in a sadder voice he asked, “ Why did you want to talk to him?” DJ shook his head.

“ No, I . . I don’t,” DJ hesitated, Moon nodded, his eyes wide, “ I have. . . a security feature,” Moon’s lid’s dropped as he raised an eyebrow. 

“ You do?” he asked sarcastically, “ Gee that feels like something Heather should have announced the other day,”  DJ let out a weak chuckle and Moon looked rather proud of himself. 

“ Oh yeah, She did, didn’t she, A-anyway, it’s called Bouncer Mode, and I’ve always had it, it’s not new,” This seemed to catch the other by surprise, he raised an eyebrow, “ And I’ve never used it, I was told not to by the higher ups, they said it would void my warranty,” Moon blinked in bewilderment.

“ Then why do you have it?” He asked, DJ waved his primary hands in the air, releasing his knees and letting his legs stretch out a little.

“ That’s the million dollar question aint it!” DJ exclaimed, standing, Moon remained sitting, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his palms clasped together, his index fingers pressed to his mouth as he followed DJ with his yellow eyes. DJ started to pace as he went into a rant, “ apparently Management didn’t want me using it because they were afraid I’d hurt someone, so they lied to me about it, and I listened, obviously, but a year ago it started trying to come on on it’s own,”  DJ occasionally stopped to look at Moon who nodded along to show he was listening, “ It started small, actual security and safety threats I had to let go, because I was told not to use it ! Then it got worst, less and less started triggering it, now if I get upset or angry it tried-” DJ cut himself off, pausing ,and giving all four hands a nervous shake before continuing, “ It does come on,” He corrected. Moon leaned back against the shop door.

“ What happens when it comes on?” Moon asked, DJ hesitated.

“ My. . . My vision turns red and blue, I don’t know what else, it all happens too fast, the vision goes red or blue or both and then something is broken,” DJ spoke frantically with his hands. Moon hummed.

“ That’s probably the Thermal vision Heather said you had,” Moon suggested thoughtfully, “ How many times has it come on,” He asked, DJ looked over at him.

“ Twice,” he answered, Moon blinked in surprise.

“ Ah, so I’ve witnessed both time,” He noted, “ Interesting, anything else you can think of,” Moon asked. DJ shrugged.

“ I-I don’t know. Like I said I never used it. They told me not to and since they would shock me just for looking in their direction too long I wasn’t about to push my luck!” The silence that followed caught DJ off guard. 

“ They. What. ” Moon’s did not give any emotion away. DJ looked over at him, to find the Nighttime Daycare attendant was staring at him with a stiffness to his posture that felt unnatural, “ DId you just say,” Moon started, his brows furrowing, “ That they punished you, for existing ,” DJ tilted his head to the side in confusion.

“ Isn’t. . . Isn’t that normal,” DJ was pretty sure he knew the answer before he finished the question, a part of him had always known the answer but he had convinced himself otherwise. Moon pressed a fist to thinning line that was his mouth, his eyes still on DJ before he responded.

“ I’m sorry, they abused the controlled shock system, made you afraid of your own security protocol and you’re asking me if that’s normal ?” Moon’s voice finally gave way to an emotion, and it was anger. DJ took a hesitant step back, “ No! No it’s not normal! It’s damaging your processor's ability to recognize a threat” DJ started tapping his secondary knuckles nervously, uncertain as to why Moon was angry. 

“ I’m sorry,” DJ looked down at the ground, “ I- You asked, and- I didn’t mean to-” Moon cut him off, waving his hand.

“ No no, DJ I’m not mad at you ” Moon assured him, standing up, “ I’m mad at them ,” He gestured to the metal shutter door that blocked them from the rest of the plex, “ They intentionally give us advance AI meant to mimic a human psyche and then ” Moon was shouting now, at a volume the rivaled Sun’s. DJ stared in awe at him, “ Then they go and do shit that damages that psyche! Moon clenched his fists in frustration. He took a breath, and turned to DJ, he was clearly forcing himself to stay calm, maybe for DJ’s sake? “ I think you should let Bouncer Mode activate,” He suggested, DJ felt panic hit him like a sandbag. 

“ No, I-I can’t,” DJ took a step back, something in him told him to run, his eyes darted to the metal door behind Moon, who must have noticed because he reached out and placed his hands on DJ’s primary forearms.

“ DJ, DJ,” Moon called, attempting to ground him, “ Look at me,” DJ let his gaze flick back to Moon’s face, “ No one is making you do anything, it is a suggestion , you don’t have to do it,” Moon put emphasis on the words. DJ took a breath before responding.

“ I-I don’t,” He stuttered, Moon shook him gently.

“ You don’t have to do anything DJ, but I think your problem is that you’re suppressing it, not the program itself,” DJ shook his head.

“ No, it’s bugged, it has to be, wouldn’t the problem have gone away when I got the body if it wasn’t,” Moon shrugged.

“ wouldn’t they have gotten rid of it if it was bugged,” Moon asked, DJ laughed a panicked laugh.

“ No, they’d gotten rid of me ” Moon didn’t laugh, when the silence stretched on for two long DJ started tapping his secondary knuckles. Moon sighed.

“ look, I have to go get the daycare ready, but think about it okay,” Moon took a step back and a large hook hanging on the cable came down and Moon reached up without looking away from DJ and grabbed the cable. Hooking onto the ring on their back. 

“ Oh that’s what that’s for,” DJ found himself saying, Moon gave him an amused look before snickering.

“ See you around,” He said before the cable lifted him into the air, he swung his way back to the roof of the bakery shop, detached the hook and climbed back into the vent. DJ stared at the vent for a moment, then turned and made his way back to the Atrium to head towards the Fazcade. 

Chapter Text

The Glamtechs approached him that morning, Heather was messing with her employee grade Fazwatch while Vernon examined his reflexes, joints, whatnot. Cassidy watched as if on standby. 

“ We need to discuss your behavior,” Heather stated. DJ froze, had Monty told on him about the lightbulbs after all? Had they heard about the window in Chica’s bakery? 

“ O-Oh?” He stuttered out, Heather finally looked up at him. 

“ Yes, I’d rather you stop spending time with the other robots,” she stated, DJ blinked in confusion at her.

“ what?” Heather rolled his eyes. 

“ The staff bots,” SHe clarified, “you were seen with one on the cameras last night, it’s not . . .” Heather paused to think of the word, “ Becoming of a Glamrock,” she turned back to her Fazwatch. DJ raised an eyebrow.

“ Why not?” he asked, though he didn’t see himself hanging out with Mappy or any other staffbot anytime soon. Vernon snorted as he rotated a few of DJ’s wrists, checking the joints in them. 

“ Cuz she didn’t make em,” He sent her a teasing look, she didn’t look up or argue.

“ That’s kinda dumb,” DJ knew he shouldn’t have said it the moment it left his voice box. Heather’s cold gaze snapped to him and stabbed him right in his coded heart. Vernon eased the tension, whether he meant to or not DJ would never know, by laughing loudly.

“ RIght?! Don’t even get me started on the Daycare guy when Monty decided he was going to start acting romantic with that guy she threw a tantrum, Cassidy and I debated putting her in the daycare,” He practically cackled, shaking his head and checking DJ’s finger joints, “ She hates the amount of time you guys spend with him because of Monty, oh my god,” He added, Heather’s gaze shifted to her brother, though it wasn’t nearly as harsh. 

“ They’re below you,” She said simply, DJ felt a bit of annoyance spike through him, “ and I would advise you to interact with them as little as possible.” She finished. DJ debated asking which them she was referring to. The staffbots or Sun and Moon. Vernon wrapped up his inspection as Cassidy pulled out her tablet.

“ How’s the new pupils working out for you,” She asked, DJ shrugged, eager for the subject change.

“ People seem less put off by them?” He offered, Cassidy nodded tapping at her tablet.

“ The bluetooth work?” She asked, DJ responded with two thumbs up followed by a loud Bass drop from the fazcade speakers, “ What about the thermal vision?” She asked, DJ hesitated.

“ Uh. . .” All three siblings stared at him, “ Fine. . .  I think. . . I haven’t really been in Bouncer mode long enough to really know ,” DJ admitted slowly, Cassidy nodded, humming understandingly.

“ Well turn it on now and check,” She ordered, DJ didn’t move. 

“ What’s the hold up?” Heather demanded, DJ was about to answer but Heather cut him off, “ And if you start on that warranty bullshit again I’m taking a crowbar to your tophat!” She practically spat, DJ took a startled step back, Vernon stepped between his sister and DJ.

“ Hey now, I spent seven days on that thing!” He jerked a thumb at DJ, “ You take your crowbars to the spare endos downstairs!” DJ felt a pang of pity for whatever endos were active downstairs, and hoped the answer was none.

“ Then he better have a good reason as to why he’s not using the very security feature that is the only thing keeping him active ,” She shouted at the beetle. DJ stared at her as his processors struggled to understand what she just said.

“ What?” He asked. Heather scoffed.

“ You think management was okay with me trying to cut corners by moving you instead of making a new AI, they wanted something new so yeah they were annoyed, they almost wouldn’t let us do it, but between the money they’d save and that bouncer mode that turns out is damn near impossible to replicate, they let us do it, if you refuse to use it, management will want you gone,” DJ stared at her, a strangling feeling coming over his internal systems. After a long pause he forced himself to breathe. 

“ O-oh. . .” Was all he said. Heather let out an annoyed sigh. 

“ We don’t have time for this today, I don’t know what your hang up is, but you need to get this figured out, if you don’t want your AI to end up in the disposal,” She snapped, “ C’mon we still need to install those new eyes in Roxanne,” Heather added to her siblings, turning sharply. Vernon and Cassidy followed, Vernon turned to walk backwards, looking at DJ.

“ No pressure,” He called before turning back towards the elevator. DJ stared after them, unable to move, then his world came crashing in all at once. Panic, and anxiety hit him like a heat wave. Bouncer mode tried to come on and DJ instinctively dismissed it, pacing the dance floor frantically as he struggled to think of something.  Maybe it was the panic consuming him, maybe it was the desire to talk to someone , and he already knew about bouncer mode. DJ wasn’t sure, but he found himself reaching out through the network to another animatronic for the first time ever. He’d used the network to contact staff, and security, but never his fellow animatronics. There was a pause as the connection went through.

“ Yes?” The voice of Moon sounded a bit confused in DJ’s head. It was weird to actually hear another voice in his head. DJ hesitated, unsure where to start, Moon did not seem to have the patience for DJ today. 

“ DJ if you’re not going to talk I am supposed to be helping Sun monitor twelve preschoolers,” Moon reminded him, DJ felt his panic spike at the thought of Moon hanging up on him.

“ No! Wait, sorry, I-I need your help,” DJ sputtered out frantically, Moon was quiet, “ With Bouncer mode,” It was was a good thing the fazcade was empty, since to patrons it would have looked like DJ was just pacing the dance floor silently as he tapped his primary knuckles. A thought occurred to DJ, “ Sun can’t hear this can he?” He asked, Moon hummed.

“ Not if I don’t let him, same with any of us, what’s going on with bouncer mode?” Moon asked, DJ explained what happened, what Heather had told him, and other than the occasional hum to show he was listening, Moon was quiet. 

“ And she says I’m scrap if I don’t figure it out, I don’t know what to do,” DJ confessed, Moon was silent for a moment.

“ Why did you call me ?” Moon asked, DJ shrugged despite Moon not being able to see it. 

“ I-I don’t know, you know about it already, a-and you seemed to have ideas on what to do about it,” DJ explained. “ and I’m freaking out right now and for some reason you seem to calm every space you reside in ” DJ thought, there was another pause, then Moon snickered.

“ Future reference,” Moon started with a teasing tone, “ No thoughts are private in a network call,” DJ’s fan’s kicked on, “ I can come by after close, think you can keep it together without my calming aura till then?” Moon asked, DJ felt a little relief fill him as he chuckled.

“ yeah. . . thanks,” Moon snickered back.

“ Don’t mention it,” He disconnected. The day was agonizingly slow but DJ tried his best, the patrons were never the wiser that something was amiss. DJ’s problem arose when Bonnie came to the West arcade. 

“ Hey hey! It’s the big guy!” Bonnie greeted as DJ was handing out Faz-tokens to a kid trying to beat a highscore. DJ glanced at Bonnie and waved sheepishly.

“ Hey, h-how are you,” DJ asked, straightening. Bonnie looked around the Fazcade.

“I’m good, saw the Glamtechs were here this morning,” Bonnie started, DJ raised an eyebrow as he straightened to his full height.

“ Yeah, I have a Glamrock body now,” DJ said evenly, “ They’re my Techs too now,” Bonnie chuckled.

“ yeah yeah, but she came out of here looking ticked, what did you do to piss her off now?” Bonnie asked, DJ turned away from him, moving towards a row of arcade games where kids were playing. Bonnie followed, falling behind a bit as he got stopped by kids wanting autographs and selfies. 

“ I was seen talking to a staffbot,” DJ half lied, it wasn’t what set Heather off but it did irritate her. He wasn’t about to tell Bonnie about Bouncer mode. 

“ Oh yeah, She’s weird about that, not that staff bots want to spend time with us,” Bonnie shrugged, “ But that can’t be all, can it,” Bonnie pressed, DJ looked back at the rabbit again. 

“ It can, it is,” DJ said evenly. Bonnie raised an eyebrow.

“ C’mon man what was Heather’s problem, you can talk to me,” Bonnie offered, DJ hated it when he did that. Hated it when any of them did that. Moon had done it the night before. Acted like they had a right to know what his problems were. DJ was about to snap at the Bunny when his ear twitched, and Bonnie turned his head to it, then Bonnie rolled his eyes, “ I’m needed in Bonnie Bowl, guess a birthday girl noticed I wasn’t there, We’ll talk later though right?” Bonnie playfully punched DJ’s arm, but DJ didn’t respond. He watched Bonnie go. DJ sighed and returned to his job. 

Partly so he wouldn't miss their meeting, and partly because DJ didn’t want to deal with Bonnie, he didn’t leave the arcade. Even when Chica came to collect him. He was left waiting, pacing the dance floor for a couple hours but Moon did show up. 

“ Well I didn’t mean right after close,” Moon teased as he lowered himself to the stage floor via his cable, “ Sun usually has plans with Monty,” DJ continued his trek around the dance floor once he watched Moon sink to sit on the stage floor, shrugging.

“ I didn’t know, I wasn’t sure, and besides Bonnie’s been prying and I didn’t want to deal with that,” DJ gestured to the elevators, Moon hummed understandingly.

“ Ah, I can understand that. . . sorry though, I should have been more clear,” Moon added, He looked around the arcade, “ you know I think this is the first time I’ve been on the arcade floor,” Moon admitted, DJ let out a weak chuckle.

“ Oh really? You mean cuz you were hiding up there,” DJ pointed to the ceiling with his primary hand. He came to a stop in front of the stage then leaned back on it so he was next to Moon. His secondary arms crossed as Moon scoffed in response.

“ I wasn’t hiding ” he argued, DJ looked over at him and raised an eyebrow, “ Per Say ” Moon added. There was another pause then Moon sighed heavily, “ I . . . Had every intention of speaking to you whenever I came but. . . I’d . . . I don’t know, freeze up,” Moon admitted, “ I’m not proud of it.” DJ sighed.

“ Why were you even coming through here,” DJ asked, “ Daycare’s on the other side of the building,”  Moon leaned back on his hands,looking up at the ceiling. 

“ To talk to you,” He answered, DJ stared at him.

“ You would come here, to talk to me, then not talk to me,” DJ stated, Moon didn’t move.

“ I’m sorry, it’s dumb I know, I. . . I use to think,” Moon started, “ I was different from the others, I didn’t cause trouble with the human staff, I didn’t start fights with staffbots, I keep to myself, maybe I thought I was better than them, I don’t know, but I’m realizing that I am not. . . in fact. . . I’m worst.” DJ blinked in surprise, “ I came here more often than anyone here, I saw how you were quiet when no one was around, and how you didn’t do much, and I saw how alone you were,” Moon leaned forward pulling on the red ribbons around his wrists as he spoke, “ And I actually thought you preferred it that way just like everyone else,” Moon looked over at him, then grimaced when they’re eyes met as guilt crossed his features and he looked away again, “ and. . . I’m realizing that you were not Chill as Monty puts it, you were apathetic at best, and depressed at worst, and I . . . I could have done something . And I didn’t. ” Moon stared at his lap, wrapping the ribbon around his fingers, tugging on them, then going back to just wrapping it around his hands and fingers, “ and then the whole thing with the staff torturing you-”

“ They didn’t-” Moon held up a hand to stop him, and DJ fell silent. Moon made the waving motion that reminded DJ of a pin being stuck in a cork board again before continuing.

“ I don't think I can ever make up for it, but for what it’s worth I am truly sorry,” Moon looked back at him, despite the fact that he looked like it made him very uncomfortable. DJ stared back. Something was different about Moon’s apology to everyone else’s. Even Bonnie’s on DJ’s first day didn’t feel like he truly regretted it, more like he felt bad about how it turned out. 

“ Yeah,” DJ finally said, “ You could have, but so could they,” DJ reminded him, “ They’re less busy! You’re a daycare attendant, and yeah I’m mad at you because you were clearly around and I-I didn’t even know you existed ,” DJ explained, “ You know so much about me, and I know nothing about you, and that’s not fair,” DJ looked up at the ceiling. Trying to find where Moon could have possibly been hiding.. Moon didn’t respond, “ But they could come around during the day , when they were booked for parties, and at night, I’ve never blamed the daycare attendants for not coming around, I never blamed Foxy , I never blamed Sun .” DJ sighed heavily, “ You know, it really irritates me when they act like they have a right to know what’s going on with me, Like I’m supposed to tell them,” Moon chuckled awkwardly.

“ We noticed,” Moon said softly, DJ glanced at him, then realized we meant him and Sun, “ They’re trying to do better.”

“ Why?” DJ asked, pushing himself off the stage and pacing the dance floor again, “ They didn’t care before, why do they care now? Is it the new body, is it because I’m supposed to be one of them now, is it because I’m less of a freak . .” Moon cringed.

“ Because,” he leaned forward, “ We do care, we just. . . failed to show it, You don’t owe us forgiveness though,” DJ stopped, and looked back at Moon, “ You don’t owe us anything, not forgiveness, not an explanation. . . Not even friendship, don’t let them make you feel like you do.” Moon pulled a knee to his chest, letting the other hang off the stage, “ That’s your choice, and that happens on your time,” DJ felt a weight lift off his shoulders as he observed Moon. There was a long pause of silence before DJ finally released a breath.

“ Well, I don’t know about them yet,” DJ crossed his secondary arms, his primary on his hips, “ But I forgive you,” He pointed at Moon, who looked genuinely surprised, then he smiled sheepishly, “ Just stop hiding in my ceiling,” DJ added, smiling back at the other, “ It’s creepy.” Moon snorted.

“ I make no promises,” He returned, but his tone suggested he was joking. DJ chuckled. There was a beat of comfortable silence before Moon had to inevitably break it, “ So they want Bouncer Mode,” Moon said, cutting back to the original reason for his visit and through any sense of calm DJ had. DJ sighed, tapping his secondary knuckles together.

“ Yeah. . . . I don’t know what I’m gonna do,” DJ admitted, Moon hummed, resting his elbow on his knee, his chin propped against his hand. 

“ You’re positive something is wrong with it?” Moon asked, DJ nodded, then shrugged rubbing the back of his head. 

“ Yes? No? I don’t know,” He admitted with a sigh. Moon let his knee drop and he leaned forward a little.

“ Mind if I take a look?” he asked, DJ looked at him, an eyebrow raised.

“ Take a look?” He repeated, Moon nodded.

“ You may remember that maintenance for us who aren’t Glamrocks is a bit . . .” Moon waved his hand as he tried to think of a word, “ Inconsistent,” Moon settled on. DJ nodded, it felt like he’d seen the techs more in the last three days than his entire existence, now logically he knew that wasn’t true but it sure felt like it, “ So I learned some basic robotics and programming, so I could repair Sun and myself should something happened, I would be able to tell if something was wrong with Bouncer Mode,” Moon assured, “ And you wouldn’t subconsciously mask your code because I’m not going to delete you,” DJ’s eyes went wide. 

“ That’s a thing?!” Moon nodded, despite all this DJ hesitated nervously.

“ If you’re not comfortable with that-,” Moon started.

“ No!” Even DJ was surprised by his outburst and he sheepishly reached up and turned his voicebox down before speaking again, “ No, I mean, I need someone to look at it right, and-and I guess I’d feel better if it was you,” He admitted, “ Since you’re not going to scrap me,” Moon nodded understandingly. 

“ Alright,” Moon stood up on the stage, towering over DJ, “ Parts and Service, Staff bot repair or your old stomping grounds,” Moon asked, gesturing with his head to the tunnel behind him. DJ stared into the darkness, it seemed to get beggar and felled his chest with ice. DJ took a startled step back.

“ Now? Where?!” He stopped talking, and held his breath as he looked up at Moon, hoping he didn’t catch the panic in his voice. Moon’s head tilted a little too far to the left, and he dropped to a crouch, gesturing for DJ to come closer to the stage. 

“ Crap, he heard it,”  DJ thought as he obliged.

“ The sooner I take a look,” Moon started, putting a hand on DJ’s shoulder and looking him in the eyes, “ The sooner we can figure out what to do from there,” He spoke in a soft voice that made the tension in DJ’s shoulders loosen a bit. A voice probably more for soothing upset toddlers and not panicking animatronics. DJ stared into Moon’s face for a moment, “ We don’t have to do this right now if you don’t want to,” Moon reminded him. DJ took a slow breath, then nodded his head.

“ Upstairs,” He pointed up with his primary hand, “ Staff bot repair, I haven’t gone in there since. . . “ DJ trailed off, looking past Moon, into the maw that was his tunnels. Moon nodded, and gently nudged DJ to the side so he could jump off the stage, and headed for the archway and to the stairs upstairs.

“ Any reason for that?” Moon asked, DJ followed him.

“ I don’t know . . . I guess I’m . . . afraid?” DJ offered as they started up the stairs. Moon tripped on a few and held tightly to the rail. DJ could hear Moon’s fan’s running and noticed the other kept glancing at him almost nervously. DJ looked away, at the statue of the band and pretended not to notice. Moon’s fans quieted a bit. 

“ Afraid of what?” Moon asked, DJ glanced at him, taking a moment before answering.

“ Afraid of finding. . . Me? I guess?”  DJ’s secondary knuckles started tapping again, “ I don’t know when I got transferred  I- it was left on the stage, empty . . . Dead. “ DJ looked down at his feet, “ It. . . does something. . . in here,” He tapped his chest with his primary hand, “ and it . . scares me, it’s stupid I know it’s just my old body but-” 

“ It’s not dumb,” Moon assured him, placing a hand on his primary biceps, “ I think it’d be more concerning if it didn’t,” DJ looked over, meeting Moon’s gaze. Moon smiled softly at him, and after a pause DJ returned it sheepishly. Then Moon tripped again, this time it was on the last stair, and his hand slipped off his support railing. 

DJ’s reaction had been instinctive. He grabbed Moon’s biceps with one of his primary hands, while his secondary arm wrapped around Moon’s waist, hand on his hip to steady him. Moon had instinctively gripped DJ’s shoulder. There was a pause then Moon looked up at him, his eyes wide, his pupil tiny pin pricks. Moon’s fans being the only sound for a full five seconds before DJ’s fans kicked on. DJ released Moon and they both took a startled step back. 

“ S-Sorry I am so sorry,” DJ started, Moon dusted himself off, pointedly not looking at DJ. 

“ No, No it’s fine , I’m not- I’m not use to using stairs, I usually use the cable,” Moon gestured to the ring on his back, “ I -I just thought you’d want the company and . . .” Moon trailed off,tugging on his ribbons. The awkward silence that followed was long and hung in the air like a weighted blanket. Moon finally broke the silence by making a sound akin to one clearing their throat, “ Should we,” Moon gestured in the direction of the security office, and by extension the staffbot repair room. DJ nodded and Move to the door, Moon followed. Moon’s hands reached up to mess with his hat as he entered the doorway.

“ Alright so, I can either just look and tell you after or i can walk you through what I’m doing,” Moon said quickly, possibly trying to move past the awkward thing that had just happened. However it didn’t matter though as DJ was distracted by the fact that Moon’s hat was now tied in a knot behind his head, almost like a bun. Moon moved one of the many office chairs to the side, gesturing for DJ to sit, DJ did, still staring at Moon’s hat bun. 

“ Oh my god that’s so cute, ” DJ thought. Moon sat in the chair in front of the computer, pausing for a moment, his head turned slightly. Then he turned it fully to DJ who quickly looked away so as not to be caught staring. 

“ Is that you?” Moon asked, DJ looked back at him, an eyebrow raised.

“ Is what me?” he asked, Moon didn’t answer, he just rotated the chair towards DJ, resting his elbow on the desk, head in his palm as he raised an eyebrow at the beetle. It was in the silence DJ realized there wasn’t silence.

She’s so F***ing cute, yeah, she making my mind so confused, yeah 

DJ felt his fans kick on again as the song played, muffled slightly from the fazcade. DJ realized he was still connected to the fazcade speakers . He mentally scrambled to disconnect himself while Moon continued to stare at him. His expression shifting from confusion to amusement. 

“ Didn’t think you listened to stuff like that,” Moon snickered, leaning back in his seat. DJ didn’t look at him as he struggled to think of an excuse. 

“ I listen to a lot of stuff,” he managed, finally getting the song to stop. Moon watched him for a moment, then his head tilted sharpy to the right.

“ Like what?” He asked. DJ thought for a moment. 

“ Um well, like Like it loud by Cash cash,” He shrugged, Moon snickered again, turning back to the computer.

“ Now that I expected,” Moon said, “ So, walk through, no walk through,” Moon asked again, DJ considered his options.

“ No walk through,” He finally said, Moon nodded, opening his small chest compartment and pulling out a cable.

“ Where’s your port?” He asked, DJ paused again. Before it was in his headphones but now?

“ I-I don’t know,” He admitted, Moon hummed, and pushed himself away from the desk, standing.

“ You mind if I look for it, I’ll very much be in your personal space,” Moon warned, DJ blinked.

“ Um. . . sure okay, I mean we gotta find it right?” DJ rambled, Moon nodded taking a step closer and leaned over him. DJ stiffened as Moon examined him, a hand was ghosting over seams, searching for his control panel. Moon moved behind him, pausing at the base of his neck. DJ felt the soft pop of a panel door being opened. 

“ Interesting. . . “ Moon mused, DJ tried to look back at him, the light from the monitor casting shadows over what he could see of Moon. Which was mostly just his yellow eyes flicking up to him. 

“ What?” Moon made a soft sound that could have been a laugh, gently gripping DJ’s chin and guiding his head foreword again. 

“ Your charging port is the same as mine,” he explained, sealing the door and continued to look, “ I suppose it’s not that interesting. We all probably have the same port, wouldn’t make sense otherwise,” DJ hummed, unsure how to respond. He was very uncomfortable in a way he didn’t know how to explain. Moon did manage to find what he was looking for in DJ’s small top hat, and connected him to the computer. DJ tapped his secondary knuckles as rhythmically as he waited. They sat in silence for a while, it ate at DJ. His Tapping getting faster and louder, he thought about reconnecting to the speakers but didn’t trust what would play. The only sound other than DJ’s tapping was Moon’s typing and clicking as he worked. FInally DJ broke the strangling silence.

“ Moon?” DJ started, Moon glanced at him.

“ Yes?” he typed something on the keyboard. 

“ How do you know programming?” DJ asked, Moon stopped, “ I-I ddidn’t think the techs would teach us that or is it some kind of program, or,” DJ trailed off, he suddenly wished he didn’t have a voice box as he watched Moon’s still frame. Moon exhaled and continued typing. At first DJ didn’t think he was going to get an answer.

“ Foxy taught me,” Moon said evenly, “ Most techs like to keep the trade secret close to their chest but,” Moon gave a soft laugh then in an almost perfect pirate imitation said, “ but Vernon and Cassidy, they be gabbers,” Moon snickered some more. Almost sadly. DJ chuckled.

“ Oh yeah there was some crossover time between your guy’s start up and Foxy’s . . .” DJ trailed off, Moon nodded.

“ Yep, they felt it would be easier on the kids if he” Moon took his hands off the keyboard to do air quotes “ Trained us for a month,” Moon returned to his task, “ Sun was already overwhelmed with the daycare duties, and I only had naptime so he decided he should teach me how to do minor repairs since odds were we wouldn’t see parts and service as often as we should,” DJ nodded understandingly then he stiffened as a thought occurred to him.

“ Did Foxy know ,” DJ asked, Moon scoffed.

“ Course he knew, he’s the one that told us ,” Moon replied. DJ blinked at him.

“ But the band was caught so off guard by it, everyone was caught off guard by it, a-and,” Moon paused his typing and DJ cut himself off. Moon sighed.

“ He told us because he had to,” Moon explained, not looking over at DJ, “ He thought we knew, I mean we should’ve, they said he was training us why wouldn’t we know, but we were naive, and thought we were suppose to be his assistance,” Moon’s hands fell into his lap, “ He didn’t tell the rest of the band though,” 

“ Why not?” DJ found himself asking and he was really wishing he would shut up. Moon shrugged.

“ Something about not wanting his last days to be sorrowful, “ Moon waved him off, “ I’m kinda done with this subject if you don’t mind,” He added, DJ nodded.

“ Sorry,” Moon returned to the computer, DJ thought back to the month Before Foxy’s decommissioning. He had suddenly started visiting the west arcade a bit more, having found more free time with his aid, or aids, DJ supposed with Moon being there too. He wondered what that was like, how well they worked together, two jesters and a pirate seemed like an odd combination even if it was only for a month. Then he thought about what Bonnie had said, about one day waking up and finding out they’re friend was gone. Did they realize he had known? Was that why it seemed to bother them so much that DJ hadn’t told them?

“ Okay,” Moon’s voice pulled him from his mental labyrinth, as he stretched his hands above his head, his back arching slightly as he did, “ Bouncer mode isn’t bugged,” He assured the other, “ But it is struggling to recognize a threat, we knew this already,” Moon leaned an elbow on the desk, resting his cheek on his fist. “ because it’s now tied so tightly to your emotional state, once you start using Bouncer mode, it might be a case of Pandora’s box,” DJ stared at him, “ You may struggle to control it and that could result in some damages,” Moon clarified. DJ nodded grimly, “ However if you never use it not only will Heather throw a tantrum that will no doubt put the three year olds in the daycare to shame,” He leaned back in his seat talking with his hand as he spoke, “ But it will either force it’s way on or, burn out your processors,” DJ started trembling slightly as he processed this information.  

“ So- So what should I do?” DJ asked, Moon hummed, thinking. 

“ Well,” He looked up at the ceiling, his arms crossed, Propping a foot atop one of the many Freddy trash cans,  “ The only thing we can do is turn Bouncer mode on.” DJ didn’t interrupt but panic did shoot through him. The green code on the computer monitor flashed red, Moon’s eyes glanced at it, “ In a controlled environment,” Moon finished, DJ tapped his knuckles and let his gaze fall to the floor. Moon let him stew in his anxiety for a moment, “ I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do,” Moon assured him. DJ looked back at him with a grimace.

“ But if I don’t do the thing I don’t want to do, Heather will delete me,” DJ said weakly, Moon hummed nodded.

“ Yeah, but that’s your choice to make,”  he stated. DJ thought about it.

“ what would the controlled environment be?” he asked, Moon leaned forward a bit. 

“ We meet here at night, and you turn on bouncer mode,” Moon suggested, the anxiety and pressure were a bit too much, a panicked laugh escaped DJ’s voice box.

“ How is that controlled?!” DJ asked, Moon tilted his head to the side.

“ Well for one, you would be choosing  to turn on bouncer mode, “ Moon said, counting on his fingers, “ And for another, I would be there if  something goes wrong,” Moon assured him. DJ gave him a skeptical look.

“ Okay, no offense,” DJ started, Moon scoffed.

“ Love sentences that start with that,” He retorted.

“ Byt if I do something crazy, like break something, what are you going to do?” DJ gestured to Moon who lazily took his foot off the Freddy trash can and sat up fully, “ You’re practically tooth picks! A-a-a life size Tim Burton puppet,” DJ added, Moon raised an eyebrow, seeming to have taken offense to that one, but was choosing to let it slide. DJ made a mental note to not use that comparison again, 

Moon rested his elbow on the desk surface, hand extended to DJ, palm open. DJ stared in confusion before Moon rolled his eyes and reached over. Taking DJ’s right primary wrist, and pressing DJ’s palm to his own. He used his left hand to push DJ’s right elbow to the desktop. DJ realized what was happening, and he leaned back. 

“ Now hold on,” DJ tried to pull his hand free but found his hand didn’t budge as Moon’s fingers tightened around his hand. Not painfully just enough to keep him there.

“ On three,” Moon said, DJ looked into Moon’s face. He looked smug, and DJ was really starting to regret his puppet comment, “ Don’t hold back~” He added in a sing song voice that made a jittery feeling come over DJ.

“ Moon hold on,” DJ started, giving up on pulling his arm free. So Moon had a good grip, but he could still damage him! 

“ One~” Moon continued in that sing-song voice, no jittery wasn’t the right word for the feeling, fluttering? Yeah fluttering sounded right. 

“ I don’t want to break your arm,” DJ pleaded, ignoring the feeling. Moon’s bottom eyelids went up gleefully.

“ Two~” Butterflies. Maybe? He’d heard the term from staff and patrons, but never actually seen a butterfly. He’d have to look into it later, now was really not a good time. DJ had decided to just hold his ground, so to speak, then he wouldn’t damage Moon, “ Three.” DJ was caught off guard by the force suddenly pressing against him. DJ arm was halfway from being flat against the desk. Moon’s grin stretched, DJ stared at him in shock, then laughed as Moon’s point was made painfully clear. DJ finally decided to humor the other, and tried to force Moon’s arm back, but Moon’s arm didn’t budge. Moon snickered, then pressed more force against DJ’s arm. Slowly pushing it down til it was pinned against the desk. DJ blinked at Moon who grinned his lidded, smug grin. 

“ I-I was caught off guard,” DJ playfully insisted, Moon let out a signature snort.

“ I told you not to hold back~” Moon teased in that sing song voice. The fluttery butterflies came back, and DJ’s fans kicked on. 

“ Best two out of three,” DJ challenged though he was sure he was going to loose. Moon scoffed and reset his arm, sighing heavily.

“ Oh if you insist,” He sounded bored but his smile indicated he wasn’t. DJ chuckled.

“ I do!” He accidentally boomed, besides a small flinch of surprise at the volume, Moon didn’t seem bothered. 

As expected, DJ lost three to nothing. He thought about Egging Moon into a best three out of five but by the third Match Moon actually did look bored, so he didn’t.

“ Alright, I get it, you’re stronger than you look,” DJ relented then after a pause, “ Sorry about my puppet comment,” Moon leaned back smirking at him.

“ It was the TIm Burton part really but thank you, you are forgiven,” Moon nodded to him. DJ hesitated.

“ So  . . . we meet up here and turn on Bouncer mode?” DJ asked, some of the anxiety from before came back but DJ was able to keep himself together. Moon nodded, stretching as he stood. Moon leaned over to DJ who stiffened again. HIs fan’s kicking on as Moon removed the cable from DJ’s port.

“ So, I’ll meet you here at around,” Moon paused his wrapping the cable back up as he made some mental calculations, “ Two, two thirty, Sun doesn’t always meet with Monty but I can never be sure when they do or don’t, Monty refuses to keep a schedule,” Moon sounded bitter at that, “ So it’s safer to assume they do every night than don’t,” DJ nodded, standing up himself.

“ You’re. . . You’re not going are you?” DJ asked, earning a raised eyebrow from Moon, “ I just mean, it’s only,” DJ checked the time on his internal clock, “ Three fifty,” DJ rubbed the back of his neck with his primary right hand while his secondary knuckles were tapping. He looked away from Moon, “ There’s you know, games in the arcade, I haven’t gotten a chance to really play any of them, but they look fun, and maybe. . .” DJ trailed off, looking back at the other who’s expression was unreadable, then Moon sighed, hands on his hips.

“ One game,” He said sternly, holding up a finger. DJ beamed.

“ I got just the one! It’s called FIve coins! It’s really popular,” DJ excitedly hurried out of the room, leaving a surprised and amused Moon to stare after him before following.

Chapter Text

One game turned into two, then three, DJ wasn’t sure how he managed it but he even got Moon to do their knock off version of DDR. Fitness Chica Frenzy. 

“ I’m too heavy for the controls!” DJ had argued when Moon told him to play the damn game himself, “ And I just want to see what it does!” DJ had expected Moon to half ass it, but he actually played the game properly, even showing off by doing a round of it while doing a handstand. They tried to play the newest game added to the arcade, Princess quest , but it wasn’t fully installed yet. Six am came and Moon practically flown out of the arcade to go back to the Daycare. DJ waved him off and begrudgingly got ready for his own day at the Fazcade. 

There was a private party that day, DJ hadn’t been booked for it, but he still greeted the Birthday girl when she came through to go to her private lounge room. It wasn’t anything elaborate, a simple “ Happy Birthday” With a wave as she passed. She smiled uncertainty at him and waved back as she passed. Her guest profile said she was sixteen. Not too long after she made it into her lounge room Monty entered the arcade.

“ Sweet sixteen?” DJ asked, Monty huffed in an exasperated way as he rolled his eyes.

“ Yeah, teenages kill me man, I hope she’s not one of those weird teens who thinks I double as a stripper,” He huffed, DJ’s eyes went wide.

“ Ex-Freaking- Scuse me?!” He blurted out, Monty laughed.

“ You heard me! Most aren’t serious, they’re just being obnoxious teens, the girls get it worst,” A grimace crossed Monty’s features, “ Still not fun,” Monty looked up at the second level of the arcade, “ You wanna come?” He offered, side eyeing, DJ scoffed.

“ Ah! After that incredible pitch? How could I possibly refuse?” DJ took a step back as he spoke, “ Oh wait like this, No,” DJ’s grin widened as Monty laughed.

“ C’mon! It won’t be that bad,” Monty stepped closer to playfully punch DJ’s arm. DJ thought about it, then chuckled.

“ Alright alright, but if she turns out to be weird, I’m out, she booked you,” DJ said teasingly as he pointed to Monty. The gator laughed.

“ Fair enough, c’mon,” He lead DJ up the stairs and to the private party. They looked up as monty mock kicked in a door. This looked very stupid to DJ since the lounge rooms didn’t have doors. The teens cheered anyway as Monty let out his signature;

“ ROCK N ROLL!” He gestured for DJ to follow him into the room, “ You guys meet the DJ yet?” He asked, clapping him on the shoulder, the birthday girl nodded, but the others all stared. DJ hesitated, then gave a flick of his primary wrist, a greeting that had been his signature when he was in his old body. 

“ Sup?” That was new though, Monty turned to look at him in surprise, then his expression shifted to amusement. 

“ Not much,” one of the teens that was leaning against the wall said, “ Sup with you?” DJ’s response even made himself cringe but it was an automatic preprogrammed line he blurted out whenever a gues triggered it.

“ Just these beats,” He triggered the room to light up and bass to drop before a series of beats and strings of music played from the speakers. Since Monty was booked for the party DJ tried to make it Monty themed, and judging by the grin on Monty’s face, he was successful. He didn’t play it for long, but when it was over the teens cheered. DJ felt a smile grow on his face, he’d never quite gotten a reaction like that before, since he was usually on his stage. A background feature. Monty clapped DJ on the back. 

“ Nice, listen you don’t have to go, you don’t have to stay but I am gonna track you down in a bit,” Monty informed him before turning back to the party. DJ chose to slip out of the room, not before getting snagged for a selfie by wall kid. About three hours later Monty found DJ watching a kid play a game that had finished being installed around eight that morning. 

“ These stupid blob rabbits, this games ridiculously hard! It’s like you’re not supposed to play it!” The kid whined, apparently the kid didn’t realize DJ was there because he jumped about a foot in the air when DJ hummed, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

“ I dunno kid, sucks, here,” DJ held out his secondary hand, revealing four faz-tokens, “ I’ll tell someone to take a look, maybe it’s bugged,” DJ offered, the kid took the tokens and ran off. Monty growled as he leaned on the arcade cabinet, watching the kid go.

“ He didn’t even thank ya for the extra two!” Monty snapped, DJ blinked at him. 

“ Was he supposed to?” DJ asked, the gator huffed as he rolled his eyes.

“ It’s polite ,” he grumbled. DJ chuckled, crossing his secondary arms while his primary sat on his hips.

“ Sun really rubs off on you don’t he,” DJ teased, Monty raised an eyebrow at him. 

“ Funny you mention Sun, walk with me,” Monty said, pushing himself off the game cabinet and heading towards the elevator out to the atrium, gesturing for DJ to follow. 

“ It’s operating hours,” DJ stated, Monty raised an eyebrow at him, then barked out a laugh as he shook his head.

“ You can leave your attraction during the day,” Monty informed him, DJ made an ‘ oh ’ sound and continued to follow the gator. 

“ I thought that was just when you got booked for parties,” DJ admitted, Monty shook his head again as he entered the elevator. DJ ducked his head as he too entered the small space.

“ Nah, as long as you’re where guests can see you and you go back every couple hours for a bit you can go wherever you want,”  Monty explained, DJ hummed, feeling a bit more bitter about how none of the glamrocks came to visit him despite this. The doors closed,  there was a pause where the only sound in the small space was the elevator music. 

“ So. . . “ Monty broke the relative silence. DJ looked down at him, “ Sun said Moon spent a good chunk of the night with you?” Monty wasn’t looking at him. He faced forward, arms crossed. Clearly forcing a casual stance. DJ hesitated before responding.

“ Uh. . . we lost track of time,” DJ explained, trying to shrug off the weird question. 

“ Doing what?” Monty pressed, DJ raised an eyebrow at the gator, who still didn’t look at him. 

“ Playing arcade games. It’s an arcade.” DJ responded curtly. 

“ Moon went to the arcade to play video games with you ,” Monty questioned, DJ felt a surge of annoyance course through him. What was Monty trying to say? That Moon wouldn’t want to hang out with him ? That DJ wasn’t good enough? Bouncer mode tried to come on, and DJ briefly considered letting it, then figured being stuck in an elevator with an unsuspecting gator would not count as a “ Controlled environment” . DJ instead clenched his primary fists, his secondary knuckles tapping an aggressive beat to the elevator music. 

“ He came to the arcade to help me with something, after that we played games,” DJ clarified evenly. 

“ What?” Monty looked up at him this time. DJ felt the annoyance spike, and a sharp pain in his fingers. He looked down at his secondary hands, checking them for damages before crossing his arms, his primary hands still fists at his side. Monty took a small side step away from DJ. The doors opened and DJ hurried out of the elevator. He was caught off guard by the amount of people in the atrium, he’d forgotten it was operating hours and was a little relieved he didn’t lose it on Monty.

“ Woah is that the music guy?” He heard a kid ask as he stepped out. 

“ Sick, it’s like an anime,” another said, DJ didn’t know where he was going since originally he had been following Monty, but now he wanted distance from the gator. Said gator couldn’t take a hint though. 

“ Hang on! You didn’t-” Monty was cut off by a child’s excited yell.

“ Mom! Mom! Look it’s Monty!” Monty soon had a small crowd stopping him from following DJ. Who just walked across the third level, occasionally stopped by a guest who wanted a photo. Something DJ was still getting use to. Most of the conversations went the same.

“ Hey aren’t you the DJ from the arcade?” They would ask, to which DJ would reply;

“ Sure am!” 

“ Woah sick body man,”

“ Thanks!” Then DJ would compliment something of theirs in return. DJ eventually found himself standing not to far from Mazersize. Chica was outside it doing some selfies with guests. SHe shot up when she spotted DJ and waved, DJ returned it. She gestured for him to come closer as she started walking towards him. DJ obliged, having nothing better to do. 

“ Hey! Look at you! Wondering around! “ Chica cheered, DJ chuckled sheepishly.

“ Yeah I just learned I could do that, and thought why not?” DJ half lied, he didn’t really want to talk about Monty. 

“ Oh my god we forgot to tell you!” Chica gasped, covering her beak. DJ chuckled again, they still tended to forget about him didn’t they?

“ It’s fine,” He lied, waving her off. Chica smiled sheepishly at him, but he noticed she didn’t apologize. 

“ So who did tell you?” She asked. DJ grimaced.

“ Monty,” He managed to say without spitting out the name, but Chica caught the irritation in his voice anyway. 

“ Oh no what did that dummy do now?” SHe asked, hands on her hips. DJ scoffed.

“ Nothing, he just asked me some stuff,” DJ shrugged, Chica hummed.

“ Ah, he tends to use poor word choice,” She said understandingly, “ I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it,” DJ hummed skeptically. Chica clapped her hands as she started walking back towards Mazersise, DJ followed.

“ SO!” She grinned at him, “ What was Moon doing in the fazcade so late?” DJ groaned .

“ Not you too, how’d you even hear-” He started, cutting off when he saw Chica’s confused expression. She pointed to something about DJ’s head, he turned and looked up. A rafter beam was high above them, and flush against the fazcade wall was an open vent just big enough for the robotic jester. 

“ I saw him leaving, the Daycare opens earlier than the rest of the plex so it was weird to see him out,” She explained, “ Why, is that what Monty was grilling you about,” DJ nodded.

“ Yeah, sorry, how early does the Daycare open?” DJ asked.

“ Six thirty, most of the kids are employee kids,” Chica shrugged, the beetle rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

“ Oh. . . Oops,” That explained why Moon left in such a hurry. Chica giggled. 

“ So what were you two doing?” Chica hopped onto a round table, swinging her legs. DJ was amazed the table could support a robot’s weight. He sighed.

“ Playing Video games,” DJ answered, leaning against a nearby photobooth. 

“ Oooooh~ I didn’t know Moon liked video games,” Chica practically sang, DJ shrugged, wondering if that  was what Monty meant earlier. But Moon seemed to be having fun. 

“ I dunno, I know he’s good at FCF,” DJ offered. Chica gasped.

“ Awe! You played my game on your date!” She gushed, DJ felt his fans kick on.

“ No! No no no no, NOT a date!” DJ sputtered, hands up in defense. Bounder mode flashed, but thankfully didn’t try to come on. Chica giggled at DJ’s panicked reaction, the beetle forced a sheepish smile.

“ No? Well, still,” She flipped her feather hair, “ What else did you boys do on your not date .” DJ’s fans were currently on their max setting to try and prevent DJ from overheating. 

“ W-well” He tried to ignore the fact that he suddenly felt like he was being smelted down, “ We played Five Coins, tried to play Princess quest but it wasn’t active yet, they activated it this morning but somethings wrong with it, it’s impossible to play. I gotta notify someone it might be bugged-”

“ BORING!” What else did you do?” DJ sent Chica a look, she returned one that gave DJ the impression she’d stick her tongue out at him if she could. DJ rolled his eyes. 

“ We arm wrestled, “ He offered, Chica hummed, interested.

“ Really now? What brought that about?” She asked, DJ shrugged.

“ I made a comment on how I thought I was stronger, and he wanted to prove a point,” DJ explained, waving it off. Turning his head to watch some parents wearing Chica brand athletic gear drag some unhappy kids into Mazersise. What was the point of this attraction? Chica tilted her head.

“ Who won?” She asked, DJ chuckled, looking back at her.

“ Well he proved his point,” Chica gasped.

“ No!” She exclaimed, DJ grinned.

“ Yes.” he returned. 

“ No way! Him and Sun are so skrawny!” She exclaimed, DJ nodded.

“ Yeah I know,” He chuckled.

“ They’re like those wooden people artists use to reference,” Chica continued, DJ shrugged.

“ I could not move his arm even when I wanted to,” DJ informed her. 

“ I don’t believe it! “ She pushed herself off the table, and moved to sit at it, placing her elbow on the surface, “ I need a reference,” She said. DJ titled his head.

“ You sure?” He asked, as he moved to sit across from her. He’d learned the night before not to underestimate his fellow animatronics.

“ I can handle it, c’mon,” She encouraged, DJ sat down and placed his right arm on the table.

“ Alright, alright,” DJ said, then realized there was a small flock of Chica fans quickly clustering around them. He didn’t mind crowds. It was crowded in the west arcade. He was comfortable there, so he didn’t know why this crowd bothered him so much but something in his programming told him this was where he was supposed to be.  Besides it wasn’t that big, the ones in the fazcade were way bigger. The fans started shouting cheers for Chica.

“ You got this Chica!” One shouted.

“ Kick his butt!” another said. 

“ On three?” Chica asked, DJ nodded, forcing a smile.

“ Sure.” 

“ One! Two! Three!” Chica pushed, she grunted, and was clearly struggling to push against DJ’s arm, which hadn’t moved. She looked up at DJ while he tried not to laugh at her struggles. He broke when she herself let out a laugh and burst into a fit of chuckles.“ Are you even trying?!” She accused. DJ’s grin widened.

“ No,” he admitted, shaking his head, before he put a little pressure to Chica’s arm.

“ Ah! No no no!” She laughed as her arm slowly moved to the table’s surface, “ No!” She playfully cried in defeat, “ Oh my god and Moon beat you?” She straightened, DJ nodded. Bonnie suddenly slid up to the table, seemingly out of nowhere, and slammed his hands on the table.

“ OH HO!? We’re arm wrestling now?!” He exclaimed a bit too loud and a bit too excited, DJ chuckled, while Chica gestured to DJ.

“ Yeah, Moon beat him last night, and I just couldn’t believe it,” Chica explained. Bonnie’s eyes went wide.

“ What?! No, they’re basically made of pipe cleaners,” He exclaimed, Chica nodded.

“ I know right,” DJ glanced between the two of them. Nobody really thought much of those guys did they? He was suddenly feeling really bad about his comments the night before. Bonnie playfully, and gently forced Chica out of the chair.

“ Well my turn my turn my turn!” Bonnie chanted excitedly as he sat across from the beetle, and put his left arm on the table. DJ glanced at the growing crowd around them before obliging. He’d play Bonnie, then head back to the arcade, it was getting too crowded out here for his liking. Chica did the countdown to three, and eager to go back to the arcade DJ made quick work of beating Bonnie.

“ Whhaaaaaaat?” Bonnie exclaimed looking over at Chica, who nodded.

“ RIght?!” She giggled as Bonnie’s bewildered expression. DJ made to get up, but Bonnie stood up faster and pointed at him.

“ Sit, Stay,” He ordered like DJ was a dog. DJ hesitated, then his programming kicked in and forced him to play along. DJ sat down and rested his elbow on the table, chin in hand.

“ Woof.” He responded sarcastically, earning a giggle from the child in the crowd. Bonnie moved to the railing, and leaned over it. Looking in the direction of Fazer-blast.

“ FREDDY! “ DJ jumped and stiffened straight as Bonnie shouted much louder than a human could, but not as loud as DJ could get. What was Bonnie doing? Why shout for Freddy when he could use the network to contact him? “ FREDDY! DJ MUSIC MAN IS ARM WRESTLING US YOU GOTTA GET UP HERE!” DJ stood up, realizing what Bonnie was doing. He was putting on a show, drawing in an audience. He started to back away towards the Fazcade, hands up as if shielding himself.

“ Now hold on, I didn't wanna start a tournament here,” DJ started, Bonnie quickly moved closer and grabbed DJ’s secondary arm and started pulling him back.

“ C’mon it’ll be fun! “ Bonnie insisted, DJ shook his head.

“ No I’ve been away from the arcade a while I-I should get back,” DJ continued. 

“ Nah! C’moooooooon, you know you wanna! Besides! This’ll get your face out there!” DJ hesitated, his programming kicked in again and forced him to let Bonnie put him back in his chair. It wasn’t long before Freddy and Roxy rounded the corner, a small crowd following them. 

“ So I have found,” Bonnie said, loudly enough for DJ to catch over the crowds chatter, quietly enough for the crowd itself to miss, “ That you have to treat every interaction like a performance, but “ he held up a finger as DJ grimaced, “ Don’t focus on the guests. Focus on us, Focus on the bit, try to have fun,” He added“ It’s just us, but still perform, cuz it’s them too,” He finished. DJ hesitated. 

“ That’s. . . That feels like a contradiction,” DJ responded, Bonnie clapped him on the back, and gave him an encouraging shake.

“ Now you’re getting it!” He exclaimed, DJ just stared at him, very much wishing he wasn’t there. Freddy joined them at that point.

“ What’s happening here?” Freddy asked, while Roxy raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed. 

“ DJ is wiping the floor with us Freddy,” Bonnie cried in mock dismay, “ You gotta defend our honor!” the crowd giggled, while Freddy tsked. 

“ Oh you poor Bun, “ He said, “ Very well,” He sat in the chair across from DJ and offered his right arm. Bonnie gave DJ a firm shake. 

“ Oh you’re in trouble now!” He announced, then quietly to DJ said, “ Be yourself, focus on Freddy, you got this,” Then he quickly moved to stand behind the bear. DJ inhaled, then placed his own primary right arm on the table. Not looking anywhere but at the bear. 

“ Ready?” Freddy asked, DJ let out a weak chuckle.

“ As I’ll ever be,” Freddy gave DJ a confused look then side eyed Bonnie in a way that seemed disapproving. Bonnie didn’t seem to notice, as he did the countdown. Freddy was also easy to beat, easier even. The crowd booed playfully.

“ Awe Babe, I thought for sure you had him!” Bonnie exclaimed his hands on Freddy’s shoulder.Chica sent Bonnie a look. 

“ You’re stronger than Freddy,” She pointed out. A chuckle went through the crowd.

“ Oh yeah, sure, but I thought for sure he’d let Freddy win, since he’s like our boss and all,” Bonnie explained, Freddy reached up and pulled Bonnie down a bit so he was closer, he whispered something to the rabbit. The rabbit in question gave the bear a sheepish smile, and whispered something back. Freddy raised an eyebrow but released the rabbit and offered his hand to DJ.

“ Good match, very impressive,” Freddy smiled encouragingly. DJ hesitated then smiled, some of his anxiety ebbed away. He shook Freddy’s hand. 

“ Thanks,” Freddy’s ears wiggled making DJ chuckled. 

“ Alright let a real challenger have a go!” Roxy said, shoving Freddy out of the chair. Freddy caught himself easily, leading DJ to believe this was part of the act, “ No shame in giving up now,” Roxy said as she sat across from DJ. Flipping her hair as she did, and offering her right arm, “ Before you embarrass yourself in front of all-” Roxy’s eyes darted to something behind DJ, he turned in time to catch Bonnie, who had moved behind him, was he circling the table or something? He was making a slashing motion across his neck and was giving her a look, but quickly tucked his hands behind his back when he realized DJ was looking at him. He smiled sheepishly, “ Us.” Roxy finished. DJ looked back at her, the crowd started laughing again. DJ looked back again intime to see Bonnie hide his hands behind his back, and casually whistle the band’s theme. DJ raised an eyebrow at him, a laugh trying to bubble out of him. Anxiety from before mostly forgotten. 

DJ turned back to Roxy, propping his own right arm on the table. He felt a tap on his left shoulder, he turned his head to find no one there. He realized what happened when the crowd laughed. Roxy snorted. 

“ Alright,” Chica called, “ On three! One! Two!” He felt a tap on his right shoulder and without turning his head, he reached back with both of his left hands and successfully grabbed Bonnie’s wrists. The bunny let out a surprised yelp then laughed.

“ Three!” DJ pinned Roxy’s arm in seconds, two of his hands still holding onto Bonnie’s. There was a loud gasp that hadn’t happened with the others. It only took DJ a moment to realize why. Roxy was staring at her right hand. DJ released Bonnie as the tension thickened. Her gaze flashed to his, and he was sure his systems had shut down because his body went cold. She barred her teeth. 

“ Again!” She snapped, setting her arm back up. DJ hesitated then put his arm back on the table. He beat her again, “ AGAIN!” She shouted, DJ flinched. This wasn’t part of the bit. He felt Bonnie put his hands on DJ’s shoulder, and lean heavily on thim so he could lean over DJ’s head.

“ C’mon Roxy Poxy don’t be a sore looser,” He teased, Roxy’s murderous gaze turned on the rabbit. 

“ You wanna go,” She growled. 

“ Only if you can catch me, Little Red,” Bonnie snarked, he gave DJ a quick friendly double tap on his left shoulder as Roxy stood. Clearly intending to climb over the table and pounce on Bonnie. Then the bunny sprinted towards Bonnie Bowl, and the west arcade. Roxy followed.

“ YOU CAN’T OUTRUN ME!” She shouted, Bonnie took a hard left into the Prize corner, nearly slipping from it. DJ relaxed when he saw the grin on Bonnie’s face. Maybe he wasn’t playing a character anymore but he clearly had it under control. Freddy sighed heavily

“ He’ll wear her out,”  Freddy confirmed DJ’s thoughts, his hands on his hips as he watched his boyfriend being hunted by a wolf. He turned to DJ, “ Are you doing well?” He asked DJ, who gave him a confused look, “ I get the impression you’re not comfortable here?” He added quietly enough for most of the crowd to miss. DJ grinned and shrugged.

“I mean. . . At first but I’m okay now,” He assured, Freddy nodded. Heavy footsteps caught their attention. They all looked up.

“ My turn,” Was all Monty said, his arms crossed as he stared DJ down. DJ stared back. Irritation from their previous interaction came back.

“ What’s wrong, Shuffle,” Monty asked as he moved to the chair across from DJ. He propped his right arm on the table, “ ya scared,” The gator asked, DJ raised an eyebrow at him.

“ Shuffle?” DJ questioned, Monty nodded.

“ Yeah, like them old Ipod things,” Monty explained quickly, “ You arm wrestling me or not?” DJ didn’t know how to respond. Words couldn’t express how offended and angry this gator made him. First he implied Moon wouldn’t want to hang out with DJ. Like he wasn’t good enough. Second he pried into a personal matter to DJ and didn’t drop it. And Now he was telling DJ was the equivalent of a God damn ipod shuffle?! DJ propped his arm on the table, squeezing Monty’s hand tightly. Part of him hoped the casing cracked. Monty returned the grip with similar force.  

“ Oooooh?! Drama?!” Bonnie came skidding back to the table, DJ didn’t look at him, but he heard Freddy turn to him.

“ Did you lose Roxy already?” He asked, Bonnie made a non confirmative sound.

“ Probably not, she’ll be along soon I’m sure, Ok, ok, ok, on three!” Bonnie sounded down right giddy. Monty smirked and sent DJ a wink. “ One!” DJ’s brows furrowed, and his eyes narrowed, “ Two!” Time seemed to slow. Bouncer mode alerted, his vision flashed Red and blue. He saw a startled look come across Monty, “ THRE-” Bonnie was cut off by a loud crash. DJ blinked and Monty was gone. So was the table. DJ’s right arm was over to his left side, his gaze followed it to realize he’d. . . accidently thrown Monty into the table, sending both to the floor. Monty pushed himself up into a sitting position, his red eyes locked with DJ’s. He looked shocked, and confused.  DJ would have gone pale if he was capable of it. 

“ THAT WAS AWESOME!” Bonnie cheered, shaking DJ’s shoulders, “ Monty you alright?” He asked. Monty slowly stood up, his eyes still on DJ for a moment longer, before he started laughing. 

“ Oh man, remind me not to get on your bad side,” Monty practically roared as he bent down to fix the table. DJ smiled weakly, unsure about what just happened but trying not to panic. 

“ I’m sorry I didn’t mean to do that,” DJ said, standing up himself. He meant it, he really did. Monty eyed him for a second, then nodded.

“ S’alright,” He meant it. DJ relaxed. 

“ I really should get back to the arcade now,” DJ said, taking a step towards it. Monty and Freddy nodded, but Bonnie gasped. 

“ No! No no! We gotta go to the Daycare!” Everyone turned to the bunny.

“ What?!” both Monty and DJ exclaimed while Freddy put his hands on his hips.

“ Bonnie,” He said warningly. Bonnie grinned and pointed to DJ.

“ You told Chica Moon beat you, right?” Bonnie exclaimed, DJ nodded uncertainly, Monty gave him a surprised look.

“ What? That can’t be right, I mean sure they’re stronger than they look but I always beat Sun when we arm wrestle,” Bonnie pointed to Monty.

“ EXACTLY! DJ need’s to challenge Sun!” Freddy shook his head, and grabbed Bonnie’s arm pulling him closer. 

“ I’m sure DJ is very busy in the arcade,” Freddy said loudly, “ I’m sure he’s got many friends to meet there,” Bonnie scoffed.

“ No! No he’s got time!” Freddy’s hints going over the rabbits head. DJ looked over at Monty who seemed to be in thought, “ TO KID’S COVE!” Bonnie exclaimed and then ran towards the escalators. Roxy happened to be approaching at this point, she must have blown off her steam because she merely glared at the rabbit as he sprinted past. Freddy pressed his index knuckle to the space between his eyes. 

“ I am sorry,” Freddy sighed, looking at DJ, “ He has a hard time understanding when he’s taking things too far,” He explained. DJ shrugged.

“ Well after Sun there isn’t anymore animatronics to arm wrestle so at least it’ll be over,” DJ mumbled, rubbing his arm. The crowd of people started to get board of what was happening after DJ threw Monty into a table, but some were still lingering. 

“ Moon beat you ” Monty cut in, DJ turned to him, nodding, “ how is that possible,” Monty mused, DJ shrugged.

“ I don’t know, maybe they don’t share strength,” DJ suggested, Monty shook his head.

“ No no no, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work like that way,” Monty waved him off, Chica giggled.

“ Maybe Sunny’s been letting you win,” she teased, Monty scoffed. 

“ No he wouldn’t,” Then he paused, “ Actually he might,” He finished thoughtfully. DJ shrugged.

“ You’ll never know because when he finds out i beat you he’ll be sure to let me win,” DJ chuckled weakly, Monty raised an eyebrow at him. 

“ Maybe. . .: Was all he said back. Bonnie Popped back up at the escalator. The one designated for going down . So he was continuingly climbing as he yelled over at them.

“ HEY! I SAID TO KID’S COVE! LET’S GO!” Monty laughed.

“ We’re coming Cottontail!” He shouted back. Bonnie pointed at him warningly before stage tripping and letting the escalator take him back down, earning more laughs from the patrons. Roxy flipped her hair.

“ Yeah I’m bored of this, I’m going back to Rockstar Row,” Roxy huffed. DJ looked over at her.

“ Not the Raceway?” he asked, Roxy shook her head. 

“ Nah it’s under construction, something about a sinkhole in the center of the track.” She huffed grumpily, “ Bonnie called me through the network, “ She added, DJ nodded. 

“ Oh,” Freddy nudged him.

“ We should get going before he does that bit again,” concern laced Freddy’s voice as he started for the escalator. DJ and Monty followed. Chica managed to snag Roxy for some photos for some of the guests. When they got to Kid’s cove, Sun was standing by the light house slide, a dozen children ranging from three to five. He waved an eyebrow raised when he spotted them. Bonnie naturally got to him first. 

“ SUN! SUNNY! SUNSUN! SUN! You gotta arm wrestle DJ!” Bonnie exclaimed loudly, catching all the kids' attention as he shook Sun by his shoulder comically. Sun easily played into the bit, making his head swing exaggeratedly to make the shaking seem more violent than it actually was before pushing Bonnie to an arms length away from him, swaying slightly as if he was dizzy. Half the kids giggled the other half stared at the glamrocks. 

Monty and Freddy waved to them. Freddy doing a basic wave while Monty stuck out his tongue and flashed them a rock and roll hand gesture. A good chunk of the kids cheered for Freddy while another chunk called out to Monty. DJ tapped his secondary knuckles nervously, as he gave a flick of one of his primary wrists. A small amount waved back to him looking as nervous as he felt. DJ turned his attention back to Sun who was attempting to shoo Bonnie away.

“ So as you can see I cannot, I am much too busy busy busy ,” Sun did a little spin with his arms out as he spoke, “ Busy bees we are, aren’t we?” He asked the kids who laughed and started running around the play area, arms out, making buzzing sounds. 

“ Oh c’mon Sunny! It’s the showdown I need to see!” Bonnie whined, Sun shrugged.

“ I’m sorry friend, it can’t be done,” Bonnie pouted, then he turned his head to look at the buzzing kids, then back at Sun with a smug look. Sun gasped, hand on his chest.

“ Bonnie Bunny don’t you dare,” Sun warned, Bonnie grinned and turned to the kids, moving to them.

“ Hey Kids!” He called, “ Rockstars!” The kids stopped buzzing, Sun huffed, his hands on his hips, “ Kids! You see that big guy over there with the four arms?” Bonnie asked, pointing at DJ. A little girl with curly dark hair pigtails pointed to him. She had chocolate skin with freckles sprinkled all over her reminding DJ of that boy who asked DJ for his autograph on his first day. 

“ MACHAMP!” She exclaimed. Bonnie looked back at DJ with a raised eyebrow, DJ shrugged, Bonnie turned back to the kids.

“ Yeah!” He continued, “ He thinks he can beat Sunny in an arm wrestling match, you guys think Sun can beat him?” Bonnie asked, most kids nodded, but a few shouted;

“ No!” Bonnie grinned at them. 

“ Well Sunny won’t play him, can you guys help me encourage him? “ The kid’s cheered, “ Great! We just gotta chant, SUNNY! SUNNY! SUNNY!” Soon all twelve preschoolers, Bonnie, Monty and a few patrons that were very invested in this tournament were chanting. Freddy chuckled after a few chants and joined in as well. Sun finally sighed in defeat. 

“ Oh alright, one Match,” Sun relented, Bonnie cheered.

“ WOOH! Monty get a table!” Bonnie shouted as he sprinted towards the food court, Monty laughed and followed. Freddy shook his head chuckling before turning his attention to the kids that had started to flock around him. Asking him a million silly little questions. DJ took a step towards Sun while the others were distracted, Sun tilted his head slightly as DJ leaned over to whisper to him.

“ I have no idea what is happening right now or why,” DJ hissed, Sun giggled.

“ Yeah they do that to you,” He sighed, then giggled some more, “ Moon’s laughing right now by the way,” He added, DJ felt his fans kick on and he forced a grin.

“ Greeeeeeeaaaat,” Sun was trying not to laugh as Bonnie and Monty returned with a table and two chairs. Monty placed the table, while Bonnie placed the chairs. Monty pulled Sun’s chair out for him, and gestured for him to take a seat. Sun took it and giggled when Monty pushed his chair in a bit.

“ Awe thank you~” Sun sang, Monty smiled at him and took a step back, his arms crossed. DJ sat across from him. Sun propped his left elbow on the table, “ Do go easy on me,” Sun teased, “ I am Oh so fragile,” DJ chuckled as he put his own left arm on the table, taking Sun’s hand.

“ Oh don’t give me that,” DJ scoffed. Monty chose this moment to speak up.

“ Just a warning DJ if you wreck my sunshine like you tried to wreck me I will be mad,” Monty said, Sun froze. His grip tightened ever so slightly, his head tilted sharply. 

“ You did what now?” Sun asked tensely. DJ hesitated, but Monty continued. 

“ Oh yeah, practically threw me to the ground, nearly took my arm off,” Monty added, rotating his arm as he spoke. Sun’s pupiless stare bore into DJ.

“ ONE!” Bonnie started the countdown, “ TWO!” DJ glanced at Monty who winked, “ THREE-” Again Bonnie was cut off by a loud crash, this time it was DJ picking himself off the floor, The kids cheered as Sun stood up, stretching his arms as he did.

“ My my my, I guess I don’t know my own strength, “ He practically drawled, checking his nonexistent nails. Monty chuckled and gave Sun a playful shove. 

“ So you have been letting me win!” He accused. Sun gasped dramatically.

“ What? Me? Let you win, Monty please,” Sun faked innocents earning a scoff from the gator.

“ Oh don’t play dumb on me now, I just saw it!” Monty said, pointing to DJ as he got back on his feet. Sun sighed heavily.

“ It made you feel better,” was Sun’s response, crossing his arms. Monty wrapped an arm around Sun and pulled him into a hug, pressing his snout quickly to the cheek of Sun’s face plate. Sun giggled.

“ Ah, I’d be mad if I didn’t love ya,” Monty said before releasing Sun, “ Alright I gotta go back to the golf course, hey you guys be sure to let me know if he’s a big meanie!” Monty called to the children as he left. He received a chorus of “ we will” as a response. Sun’s head did a small roll like one does when they exaggeratedly rolled their eyes. Then he shook his head, an amused soft smile on his face. A familiar soft amused expression. DJ felt his systems heat up slightly and his fans kick on, and quickly looked away when Sun tilted his head in DJ’s direction an eyebrow raised.

“ Yes we should all be getting back to our attractions, “ Freddy patted DJ on the shoulder and grabbed Bonnie’s arm, dragging him away from the kids, “ Bonnie! Bunbun, I will escort you to Bonnie Bowl, “ Freddy said in a tone that suggested Bonnie was about to get scolded. Bonnie gave his boyfriend a sheepish confused smile, but followed. DJ glanced at Sun whose expression changed to a smirk. 

“ Guess I should head back to the west arcade,” DJ laughed nervously, starting to walk away. He turned and started for the Atrium. 

“ Oh! Wait, Olivia! Sunbeam You stay here with me!” Sun called, DJ turned to find Sun moving to him, he then looked down to find he had a shadow. The small pigtail girl was so close she was practically underfoot. DJ jumped back in surprise, the little girl beamed at him, pointing at him again as Sun scooped him up.“ Sunbeam it’s rude to point,” Sun scolded. She giggled.

“ Machamp!” She said, DJ chuckled, and gently booped her nose.

“ Actually my name's DJ kiddo,” He corrected, she giggled, reaching both arms out to him. 

“ Machamp!” Sun took a step back, giggling as he did. 

“ No no no, You’re staying here with me, you are much too young to be wondering the other attractions without Mummy or Daddy,” Sun explained, turning to the other kids, “ Let’s head back sunrays, it’s almost naptime,” Sun looked over his shoulder at DJ, “ And you’re not invited, no beetles allowed,” Sun said with a teasing tone, DJ snickered while Sun burst into a fit of giggles. The little girl pouted as Sun carried her back towards the SuparStar Daycare. She stuck her tongue out at Sun before begrudgingly waving at DJ. 

“ Bye bye Machamp,” She called, DJ hesitated then waved back. Taking a step back, as he watched Sun and the other kids disappear into the internal daycare. Then he took another, then turned away from Kid’s cover. Making his way back to the west arcade. 

Chapter Text

The rest of the day was less eventful, much to DJ’s relief. This time when the plex closed DJ left the Fazcade on his own, finding Bonnie at the elevator doors when they opened. The bunny took a surprised step back. 

“ Hey hey! Look who’s heading out on his own! I was just coming up to get you!” Bonnie lightly punched DJ’s arm. The beetle shrugged as he chuckled.

“ Yeah, I figured I had some time to kill before I meet up with Moon,” He wished he kept his voicebox on mute as he saw Bonnie’s eyebrow go up.

“ Oh ho? What’s the story there,” He asked, DJ sighed heavily, getting real sick of people asking him about Moon. Why did they care? Why did it matter to them? Why did DJ care? 

“ Nothing! We’re friends , we’re hanging out,” DJ huffed, walking towards the escalators, and ignoring his own confusing feelings. Maybe he’d check out Chica’s bakery again, actually look around this time. 

“ Yeah but Moon hates people,” Bonnie said dismissively, DJ turned back to the bunny sharply, catching the rabbit off guard and causing him to nearly bump into the eleven foot tall animatronic. Irritation filled DJ, what did he know about Moon? 

“ Yeah?” DJ started, his voice reaching a bass level that even DJ hadn’t known was possible, “ Like how I hated people,” DJ asked evenly. Bonnie’s ears flattened against his head.

“ O-Ok but Moon actually hates people.” Bonnie stuttered, DJ raised an eyebrow and crossed his secondary arms, while his primary rested on his hips, “ A-and I said I was sorry,” Bonnie defended, DJ scoffed, shaking his head.

“ So?” DJ asked, Bonnie looked taken aback. 

“ So? SO?! So you’re suppose to- You can’t-” Bonnie turned away, letting out a frustrated groan before turning back to DJ sharply, “ It’s not like you couldn’t talk to us , we passed by often enough, “ Bonnie snapped, DJ narrowed his eyes at him.

“ Why would I? You all made it clear you didn’t think of me, ever . You didn’t even realize I couldn’t leave the arcade. ” DJ snapped, “ And sure you said you were sorry, but no one else did, Chica and you both keep prying into my business, or you make fun of my ignorance, and you still don’t think of me, no one told me I could leave the arcade during the day, Monty told me but not Freddy , not Chica , and not YOU ,” DJ emphasized his point by poking Bonnie in the chest, the bunny in question just glared at him. 

“ We’ve been trying to help you,” Bonnie said evenly, his fists at his side and shaking slightly.

“ By turning me into a spectacle?” DJ asked, Bonnie’s control of himself seemed to snap.

“ YES! That’s our whole existence, we are SPECTACLES! Attractions! You nearly got decommissioned because No one was coming to see you, Now a crowd of people know of you! Kids know of you!” Bonnie shouted, gesturing to the Atrium. DJ rolled his eyes.

“ Yeah and I could’ve done that on my terms, in my time,” DJ returned, Bonnie laughed mockingly at him.

“ Oh yeah, cuz that worked for you before didn’t it?” He retorted, then shook his head, “ why do you have to fight us so much?!” Bonnie asked, sounding exasperated, “ Why can’t you just let us help you Foxy!” DJ raised an eyebrow as Bonnie processed what he said, he cleared his throat, “ DJ. . . I meant DJ. . .” 

“ That’s what this is about,” DJ spat, “ I’m just a thing you’re using to ease your conscience about Foxy, “ Bonnie sputtered at the accusation. 

“ That’s- that’s not true!” And don’t bring him into this!” Bonnie yelled, DJ scoffed. 

“ You brought him into this! And it is true, he didn’t tell you either! And you feel bad about it! So you’re using me to make yourself feel better about how much of a bad friend you are!” DJ shouted, he could hear the neon lights vibrating from the force, “ Well I’m NOT Foxy Bonnie!” Bonnie sneered at him.

“ No, No you’re not, you know why? Because when they scraped him people noticed , if you were to get deleted tomorrow, no one would, not the patrons , not the staff , not us, “ Bonnie paused, getting a smug look as he continued, “ and not Moon ,” DJ couldn’t explain why that one stung him the most. Maybe because a small piece of him felt it wasn’t true, but the rest of him wasn’t sure. 

“ The Hell man!” Bonnie and DJ jumped and turned to see Monty standing in the Prize Corner entrance, Sun lingered not far behind, “ That was just mean Bonnie, “ Monty said clearly in shock. Bonnie walked past DJ towards Monty, pointing at the taller as he shouted.

“ Me?! You hear what he said?! ” Monty crossed his arms. 

“ Yeah “ He responded, “ And he’s right, that’s messed up, you’re the one saying he should’ve been deleted,” Monty raised an eyebrow at the other. Bonnie pointed at him.

“ Not what I said!” He snapped.

“ No, but you didn’t have any friends so if he was no one would notice,” Sun said carefully in a tone that unsettled DJ despite it not being directed at him. Sun seemed to be shaking as he put a hand on Monty’s shoulder. The gator glanced at him, DJ noticed his hand move to Sun’s back, “ I think it would be best if you left friend ,” Sun finished in a forcefully sweet tone. Bonnie’s ears were flat against his head again as he took a step back, then he sent DJ a glare before storming off in the direction of Fazer-Blast. Sun took a step forward trying to watch him, and DJ could now see Monty was holding onto the ring on his back. It was that moment DJ realized Sun hadn’t put his hand on Monty to ground the gator, it had been to ground himself. 

“ You alright Pandora?” Monty asked, DJ’s gaze snapped at the gator, about to ask if he was seriously trying to pick a fight when he realized Monty wasn’t looking at him in any antagonistic way. DJ turned fully to him, eyebrow raised.

“ Have. . . have you been trying to come up with nicknames for me?” He asked Monty beamed at him suddenly. 

“ Yeah, got a list! I’m pretty proud of em!” Monty informed him. DJ stared at him for a moment, then a much needed laugh burst out of him. 

“ Oh my god,” DJ leaned on a nearby food stand, “ Don’t call me Shuffle ever again,” DJ managed between laughs, pointing at the gator. Monty released his hold on Sun’s ring as he followed DJ with his gaze. Sun moved to the railings, looking over them to watch Bonnie’s journey while Monty raised an eyebrow. Then Monty laughed as realization dawned on him.

“ Is that what pissed you off earlier?!” He asked, his hands on his hips. DJ straightened as he recovered. 

“ Among other things,” DJ admitted with a chuckle, moving to stand next to Sun and looked over  the railing in time to see the fuming bunny enter Fazer-blast. With the tension from earlier lighter DJ felt guilt ooze over his code. He grimaced as he leaned heavily on the railing, using his secondary arms to hold himself up. 

“ I shouldn’t have said that,” He sighed, Sun hummed in agreement. 

“ Probably not, it was true though, and after what he said,” Sun sighed, pushing himself off the railing. Crossing his arms as he looked up at DJ, “ You should’ve said it differently but things like this rarely come out in rational conversation,” DJ chuckled weakly nodding. 

“ Yeah. . . I’m honestly lucky Bouncer Mode didn’t try to come on,” DJ admitted, Sun tilted his head, confusion on his face.

“ What does Bouncer Mode have to do with this?” He asked, DJ froze.

“ I shouldn’t have said that ,” He said, Monty made a huff sound, and DJ could imagine the gator rolling his eyes. 

“ Alright Rubeus, you gotta start answering questions if you’re gonna keep dropping hints,” Monty retorted, DJ looked back at him, his arms were crossed, he had an eyebrow raised. DJ thought about it for a moment, then nodded, turning to face him. Leaning back on the railing. 

“ Alright, I guess I technically owe you an explanation,” He started pointing to Monty, “ I did almost take your arm off,” Monty chuckled, Sun looked between the two of them.

“ Should I go?” He asked, DJ considered that, then shook his head.

“ No. . . It’s okay. . . I think,” Sun sent Monty a look, DJ couldn’t read but Monty clearly could because he nodded.

“ Let’s head back to the golf course, “ He suggested, gesturing for DJ to follow him, “ You need a break from the arcade and this probably shouldn't be out in the open,” DJ hesitated, then followed, Sun touched his primary forearm.

“ Is. . . Is that what Moon’s been helping you with?” Sun asked as he followed DJ down the powered down escalator. DJ nodded, “ Do you want me to wake him?” The jester asked, DJ blinked at him, coming to a stop at the end of the escalator, “ It would still be me fronting,” Sun quickly reminded him, but he’d be here,” DJ thought about it. He decided he would feel better if Moon was at least present in the conscious sense. 

“ Yeah, “ He finally said, “ If you don’t mind,” Sun smiled softly at him.

“ Wouldn’t offer if I did, I’ll wake him and bring him up to speed with our memory bank, I’ll catch up,” Sun assured.

“ C’mon Spotify, legs don’t go places if you don’t use em,” Monty called from the second set of escalators. DJ chuckled and moved to catch up to him. 

“ Sorry, Sun was asking if he should wake Moon,” DJ explained, Monty raised an eyebrow in confusion , then both brows went up. 

“ Ooooh! That’s how it works, that makes more sense,” Monty seemed to say to himself. DJ chuckled.

“ Oh yeah I forgot you didn’t really know how them sharing a body worked,” DJ smiled sheepishly, Monty laughed.

“ I’m figuring it out!” he retorted, the beetle tilted his head to the side.

“ Why don’t you just ask?” he asked.

“ Because! I like trying to figure it out myself! Every now and then I get a piece of the puzzle to fit, and it impresses the hell out of Sun,” Monty bragged, “ Moon too, but he won’t admit it and I care less about that,” DJ laughed.

“ I’d rather have it explained to me,” DJ admitted, Monty nudged him with elbows.

“ Sounds like you already did,” Monty pointed out, DJ chuckled nervously as they approached the Monty Golf lift. Sun jogged over to them, “ Moon up?” Monty asked, Sun gave Monty a surprised look then sent DJ a playful glare. 

“ It’s cheating if someone tells you,” Sun teased, Monty gave a noise of mock outrage. 

“ What? No! Say’s who!?” Sun giggled in response.

“ Me!” He said before pressing his face plate to the side of Monty’s face, making a soft mwa sound as he did. Monty rolled his eyes before pressing the elevator button, “ And  yes, Moon’s up,” Sun turned to DJ , “ What’s to know if you’re okay,” He added, DJ smiled sheepishly.

“ I’m okay,” He assured him, Sun scoffed.

“ He doesn’t believe you,” He informed the beetle, DJ laughed weakly. 

“ C’mon I put in effort to look you in the eye and everything ,” he joked as the elevator doors opened. Monty snickered, entering the small space. DJ started nervously tapping his knuckles to the elevator music. 

“ So Gator Grub is the most lit area in the place, you can start now or there ,” Monty informed him, “ Up to you,” DJ inhaled deeply, he felt Sun place a hand on DJ’s primary wrist, giving it an encouraging squeeze, kind of like Moon would. DJ released the breath.

“ So. . . The thing about Bouncer Mode. . .” DJ started. 

DJ had been surprised by Moon’s reaction, but it had been nothing compared to Monty’s. Monty had gone quiet just before the elevator doors opened, then went into a rage as he stormed out of it. He ended up punching on of the mechanical Gator heads that roared at people on the path when it popped up at just the wrong moment as they walked careful to stay in the well lit pathways. It was very broken now. 

It was extremely different from how he’d reacted to hearing deleted. Was it because it was somehow worst? Or because the rest of the band wasn’t there? DJ didn’t know. He’d also thrown a chair once they reached Gator Grub, breaking a trashcan in the process, and the Fizzy Fax machine located next to the food stand. DJ and Sun watched him, DJ nervously as he leaned against the food stand and Sun with concern from railings that circled the designated eating spot.  Monty was currently punching the RV obstacle nearby repeatedly, sending chips of it scattering.

“ Careful not to damage yourself,” Sun called, Monty roared something unintelligible, before storming past both Sun and DJ into Gator Grubs kitchen. DJ winced, crossing his primary arms as he listened to pots and pans crashing behind him. 

“ Sorry,” DJ offered weakly, Sun’s gaze, which had been following Monty, turned to him.

“ Why?” He asked, DJ gestured with his thumb to the kitchen window behind him as Monty stormed through a door into the kitchen, moving deeper into the back areas of the attraction. 

“ I-I set him off, I didn’t-” Sun waved him off.

“ Oh no no, DJ he’s . . .” Sun sighed, holding his head, “ This is a setback ,” Sun admitted, “ But not your fault , you’re not responsible for-” A particularly loud sound of smashing and electrical sparking cut Sun off, he leaned over to look past DJ into the kitchen, then moved to lean over the counter, looking towards the two doors on his right.

“ You okay?” He called, then when he got no response he called louder, “ Monty?” Monty stumbled back through the security door, and made his way to them. Panting, and shaking his right hand like he was trying to shake of a pain.

“ I’m good, I’m good, Punched one of the monitors but I’m good,” He assured Sun as he practically fell onto the counter between DJ and Sun. The sunny jester carefully reached over the counter adn Took Monty’s right hand in one of his own, examining it as his other gently combed through the gators mohawk, “ Sorry,” monty finally said softly, Sun hummed.

“ What was that? Two weeks since your last major episode?” Sun asked, “ New record,” Monty chuckled weakly. 

“ Yay. . .” Monty huffed sarcastically, Sun gave Monty a peck on his forehead before turning back to DJ.

“ As I was saying, you’re not responsible for others' reactions,” Sun assured him, Monty barked a bitter laugh.

“ No if anyone’s to blame for my reaction it’s those assholes ,” 

“ Language,” Sun chimed in.

“ It’s those Jerks! ” Monty corrected in the same tone, “ That- I’m getting worked up again,” Monty realized, clenching and unclenching his fists. Sun rubbed his arm comfortingly, Monty took a breath, “ So that’s what happened yesterday?” was it already past midnight? DJ nodded, “ Calling you Shuffle pissed you off that much that it triggered Bouncer mode?” The beetle laughed nervously.

“ No, kinda,” DJ rubbed the back of his neck, “ It was the straw that broke the camels back,” He tried to explained, “ It tried to come on earlier in the elevator when you ambushed me,” He pointed out, Monty blinked in surprise while Sun raised an eyebrow at his boyfriend.

“ You ambushed him in the elevator?” Sun asked, but it was more of a demand for an explanation. If Monty was able to, DJ was sure he’d have gone pale and broke into a sweat. Instead he simply froze. Sun took a step back and crossed his arms, “ Well?” He pressed, “ We’re waiting,” DJ blinked in confusion then fought a small smile when he realized Moon wanted an explanation too. Monty turned towards them, as it was two AI’s bearing down on him. 

“ Alright look I was looking out for Moon ,” He started, “ I thought you were worried about last night, and since we don’t know much about him, I thought, well I better scope this guy out, ya know, and I thought the elevator was perfect . No guests to overhear, nowhere for him to run,” Monty trailed off. After a pause Sun shook his head. 

“ No, I like my boyfriend intact,” Sun said to himself with a sigh. 

“ No, ” DJ corrected himself mentally, “ He’s talking to Moon ,” Monty came to the same conclusion because his tone and demeanor changed.

“ Hey! Hey! I was looking out for you man! And You were the one that said he had a tendency to run! “ DJ glanced at Sun with an eyebrow raised. Moon talked about him? To other people? “ And If I had known you were stronger- Ah who am I kidding, I’d done it anyway,” Monty scoffed, turning to DJ, “ Shouldn’t have done that though, I’m sorry,” Monty offered, DJ smiled at him.

“ Sorry I threw you into a table,” He offered back, Monty smirked.

“ And smashing my lightbulbs?” He added, earning a playful smack upside his head from Sun. DJ laughed.

“ That too,” He agreed, Monty stuck out his tongue at Sun who shook his head again.

“ So,” Monty raised an eyebrow, “ What’s Moon’s plan for Bouncer Mode?” He asked, DJ who rubbed the back of his neck again as his secondary knuckles started tapping.

“ Um. . . He wants me to turn Bouncer Mode on while he. . . supervises,” Monty looked back at Sun who had an eyebrow raised, he nodded after a pause, Monty’s expression turned disapproving.

“ And we’re sure that’s a good idea,” He asked, Sun blinked, then held his head.

“ That’s too much for me to pass on, we need to switch,” Sun sighed, Monty straightened.

“ You sure?” He asked, Sun nodded.

“ I’m not really part of this conversation anymore, and it’s almost two anyway,” Sun explained. Monty nodded.

“ Alright well, this place is pretty dark but I think up tops the darkest, “ Monty pointed to the ceiling, DJ looked up and saw a large network of catwalks high above them. Sun nodded, pushing himself off the counter. They made their way to the Catwalk steps, pausing before entering the dark stairwell. Sun gave Monty a peck on the cheek before stepping over the stairwell threshold. 

The transition was an interesting thing to witness. Once Sun stepped into the shadows his head spun. Fast, too fast for DJ to see where the rays went or where the long nightcap came from. Sun’s face dummed and his eyes blacked out before two yellow pupils seem to blip into existence. The black and Blue of Moon’s color scheme bled into Sun’s yellows and oranges. It reminded DJ of Disney Princess scenes like in Beauty and the Beast, or the Little Mermaid. Moon’s eyes were on Monty as he quickly gripped the stair railing, then he glanced over his shoulder at DJ, then did a double take. 

“ That’s a new color,” He noted, DJ tilted his head in confusion.

“ What?” He asked, Moon jumped, then shook his head quickly as if he was embarrassed.

“ Nothing, I’ll explain later,” Moon said too quickly as he turned back to Monty who watched the exchange with a raised eyebrow but said nothing, “ As I was trying to explain to Sun,” Moon started, climbing the stairs behind Monty, DJ behind him. DJ noticed Moon was once more tightly gripping the support railing and carefully placed a hand on the railing behind him. Ready to act should Moon trip. Moon did not. “ The problem is that he doesn’t know how to control it, my theory is the more he uses it, the more control he’ll have, the less of a problem it will be,” Moon explained. 

“ Okay, but,” Monty pressed, opening the door to the catwalks, and stepping onto the metal grate flooring, “ What if he damages you, he did throw me into a table,” the gator reminded him. A snicker escaped Moon before he cleared his throat. 

“ You were a jerk, who deserved it,” Moon replied, his head tilting too far to the left, “ And I’ve already proven I’m stronger,” Moon added, his head snapping back into place as he moved to lean against one of the many railing, looking smug as Monty’s tail flicked in an irritated manor. DJ lingered by the door taking in the gator car rides and toy guns mounted to the railings. Was this for maintenance or an attraction? Monty scoffed, earning a raised eyebrow from the daycare attendant. 

“ Strength isn’t everything,” Monty pointed out, “ he still out arms you,” DJ started at this revelation, then looked down at all four of his hands anxiously.

“ I’m faster,” Moon countered.

“ You test that too?” Monty asked, Moon sputtered indignantly.

“ Why are you even worried about it,” Moon snapped, dodging the question unsuccessfully since Monty pointed at him.

“ One You’re my friend smart ass-”

“ Language,” Moon tutted, DJ felt a snicker escape from him, and Moon glanced at him, a small proud smile forming on his face. 

“ Two ” Monty continued, not correcting himself like he had with Sun, “ You happen to share a body with my boyfriend , If DJ accidentally takes you out with a lucky punch Sun suffers too,” Monty pointed out, Moon grimaced while DJ took an anxious step back, but then he jumped right back to the defence. 

“ He’s not going to go into a destructive rage,” Moon said, lazily twirling his hat around a single finger. DJ found himself staring, why was he so cute when he did stuff with his hat? It’s a hat . “ He’s not you, ” Moon added, pointing to the gator with his other hand. Monty shook his head.

“Do you think I’m stupid?” Monty asked.

“ Very much so, yes,” Moon quipped without missing a beat. The gator gave a sarcastic ‘ha’ before speaking.

“ My lightbulbs, ME ,” He listened. 

“ The bakery window,” DJ offered, his knuckles tapping. Monty pointed to him.

“AH! A secret third incident?” Monty shouted, Moon sent DJ an exasperated look. 

“ C’mon who’s side are you on,” Moon asked playfully, DJ chuckled weakly.

“ Sorry?” he offered with a small shrug. Monty rubbed the space between his eyes like he had a headache.

“ Besides where were you two gonna do this? Because I know you ,” He pointed at Moon, “ Are not stupid enough to think he can just break shit in the arcade and not get scrapped,” DJ hadn’t thought of that, and he looked to Moon for an answer. Moon’s head was tilted slightly to the side, a single finger up as if he was about to respond, then he curled the finger and brought it to his lips, his eyes on the floor and brow furrowed in thought. DJ’s jaw would have dropped. 

What if I just lie to heather?” DJ offered in a panic, making Moon look to him with an expression of surprise and concern. Monty pointed at DJ.

“ That’s a good idea,” He agreed, Moon glared at the gator.

“ No it’s not!” Moon snapped, “ I mean sure for the short term, maybe , but it will still eventually burn out your processors, remember,” Moon reminded DJ, who started to pace up and down his part of the catwalk nervously. Monty glanced at Moon, eyebrow raised again, Moon sighed, “ Sit,” He suggested, gesturing to the spot next to him, “ you’re awfully fidgety,” DJ hesitated, then moved to where Moon was and sat on the floor next to him. Moon turned back to Monty while DJ pulled his knees to his chest, his gaze on his shoes as he made them tap together lightly, “ He still needs to learn to control it,” Moon continued, “ So the Fazcade isn’t the best spot, I’ll think of something,” Moon assured them. DJ felt Moon’s hand on the back of his head, his thumb lightly brushing back and forth on his casing. It felt nice, and helped DJ ease the death hold he had on his legs. Monty let out an annoyed sigh.

“ Okay, what about here,” Monty offered, DJ lifted his gaze to the gator while Moon tilted his head.

“ Here?” He repeated, considering this, Monty nodded.

“ yeah, I break things regularly, and I could help supervise, “ Monty explained, DJ looked at Moon who had a sour expression on his face, then he shook his head, waving the idea off.

“ No, No good,” Moon said evenly, 

“ Why not?!” Monty snapped, DJ flinched, Moon seemed to notice because he started gently petting the back of DJ’s head.

“ Because. . .” Moon seemed to have to think about it, “ Too many patrons come through here, if something were to be broken too frequently they’d check the cameras,” Moon explained. Monty let out an irritated huff, his tail slapping the floor.

“ Oh NOW you’re worried about people seeing the damages,” DJ heard the faint sound of a music box in the ear. Monty didn’t seem to notice, Moon didn’t seem to react to it. DJ decided to focus on it, closing his eyes. It sounded like the band's theme but slower. Like a lullaby. DJ felt a calm come over him and his head thumped against something to his side, DJ assumed the railing. The music box got a little louder. 

“ We need a place where no one goes through often, so if someone were to notice damage, they wouldn’t go looking into it,” Moon’s voice brought DJ’s attention back to the conversation. Monty scoffed.

“ This place is crawling with people, even at night now! They just hired that nightguard,” Monty grumbled.

“ Nightguard? What nightguard,” Moon asked, sounding a little nervous.

“ Yeah, Vanessa’s her name I think,” Monty sounded dismissive, “ She’s alright, Freddy say’s she’s nice,” Moon scoffed.

“ Freddy thinks everyone is nice,” Moon pointed out, Monty chuckled. 

“ Yeah but Roxy said she was chill,” Monty added, Moon let out a huff.

“ Well if Roxy says she’s fine, “ Moon said sarcastically, then after a pause, “ There myst be somewhere.” He trailed off. DJ’s mind called up the image of a giant cupcake looming over him. 

“ What about the Bakery?” DJ asked, without opening his eyes, the surface he was leaning on jumped. He opened his eyes to look up at what he was leaning against only to discover it was Moon. The music box coming from the lunar animatronic. “ O-Oh I’m sorry,” DJ scooted away from Moon, his fans uselessly trying to combat the heat in his systems. Monty chuckled while Moon waved the apology off. 

“ No, no, you’re fine, I-I figured you had a long day, a lot happened,” Moon reminded him, DJ nodded weakly as he thought back to his day. Monty moved closer to Moon and gave his shoulder a rough but playful shove. 

“ What the hell, you are more patient with him than me!” Monty complained, Moon sent him a deadpanned look.

“ You’re an idiot,” He said with a shrug as if that explained everything. Monty chuckled.

“ C’mon does our history mean nothing,” Monty teased, Moon’s pupils shrunk almost as if in panic as his gaze flickered to DJ. But he recovered.

“ It’s our history that makes me positive, you’re an idiot,” Moon said coolly, turning back to the beetle, “ Now, back to the matter at hand,  the Bakery,” Moon asked, not looking at the gator. DJ wanted to ask about this history they were referring to but had learned by now that if Moon changed the subject it was best to leave it.

“ You told me no one goes through there,” DJ reminded him, “ not since it closed, it’s not even on the maps,” Moon considered this, then nodded. 

“ That’s a good idea,” Moon agreed, Monty crossed his arms.

“ I still want to be there,” He stated, Moon also crossed his arms, rolling his eyes.

“ No. You don’t need to be there, I can handle this,” He snapped, Monty shook his head.

“ I don’t care, my boyfriend’s wellbeing is at risk, I’m helping if you're so dead set on this,” Monty snapped back. DJ nervously held up a hand from his place on the floor, like a child would in a classroom. Moon noticed first and gave him an amused smile.

“ Yes DJ?” He acknowledged, DJ’s secondary knuckles started tapping.

“ I-I think I’d feel better if he was there too. . . so I can’t ‘out arm’ you” DJ admitted, a sour look came over Moon again, while Monty sent him a smug one. Moon sighed heavily.

“ Okay, okay, fine,” Moon huffed, holding a hand to his forehead, “ If it’ll make you feel better about it, but if you change your mind,” Moon sent Monty a glare, “ Let me know,” DJ nodded. With another sigh Moon bent down slightly and offered DJ a hand, “ Should we get going then?” Moon asked, DJ froze.

“ What Now?!”

Chapter Text

“What? Now?!” DJ asked, Moon retracted his hand, giving DJ a sympathetic look. 

“ If you're not up for it today, we can-” Monty cut Moon off.

“ No no no, he can’t put it off!” Monty snapped, Moon turned to Monty, his back to DJ. 

“ I’m not going to make him do something he doesn’t want to do,” Moon’s stance was tense, and it almost looked like he was trying to shield DJ from Monty. THe Gator in question gave him an incredulous look. 

“ I get where you’re coming from Firefly-”

“ Don’t call me that,” Moon cut in, Monty waved it off but continued.

“ But his existence is on the line, his options are “ Do it” or “ Die”  Not “ Do it “  or “ or wait around til you wanna, ”  Monty snapped, “ You said it yourself, he waits too long it’ll burn out his processors,” Monty reminded him, Moon’s stance slackened. He sighed.

“ I hate it when you’re right,” He grumbled, while Monty crossed his arms. Moon turned back to DJ reoffering his hand, “ Yes. Now. “ Moon stated with a grimace. DJ hesitated before taking it, letting Moon pull him to his feet. “ It’s going to be alright,” Moon assured him, gently patting his arm. “ I’ll meet you two there, I can’t take the elevator, too bright,” Moon explained. DJ hesitated, but nodded. Monty gave DJ a friendly pat earning a sour look from Moon. 

“ Don’t worry Moonpie I’ll get him there,” Monty assured with a mocking tone laced in. Moon’s eyes narrowed a bit more as his cable lowered behind him. He pointed at Monty, not breaking eye contact as he reached behind him and attached the hook. 

“ Thin. Ice.” He hissed, Monty chuckled in response moving to leave the catwalks. Moon turned to DJ, he looked like he wanted to say something but opted to just wave weakly. DJ returned it. 

“ See you,” DJ said, Moon nodded and let the cable take him up and out of sight. Monty waited by the stairway door

“ Alright let’s go,” He called before heading down the stairs to Monty gold and towards the elevator. DJ looked up in the direction Moon had gone as he followed Monty.

“ So . . .” DJ started, curiosity getting the best of him, and eager for a mental distraction, “ What was that about?” DJ asked, Monty laughed.

‘ Ah Moon Hates nicknames, and I like messing with him, if he was really mad I’d be in parts and service right now,” Monty explained approaching the elevator, DJ shook his head, but made a mental note of it. 

“ No no no not that ,” DJ waved Monty’s answer off, “ The “history” thing, what did that mean?” Monty laughed again as they entered the brightly lit space. 

“ Oh! We dated, “ Monty stated bluntly, pressing the elevator button. DJ started at Monty with wide eyes. 

“ What?! “ DJ blurted out, Monty turned to him, eyebrows raised.

“ Yeah, like “ Monty counted on his fingers “ FIve months ago? For like two weeks?” Monty struggled to remember. DJ stared and Monty snickered, “ Why? You Jelous?” he asked, DJ sputtered, his fans kicking into high gear.

“ No! No I’m just. . .  confused, cuz Bonnie said y-you and sun were together for six months now,” DJ stuttered, Monty nodded.

“ That’s right,” He confirmed, DJ did the math again. 

“ Those number don’t add up man,” DJ complained, shaking his head, Monty laughed again.

“ So, it was Sun’s idea, we were all new to the whole romantic relationship thing, “ Monty started, “ And those two sharing a body raises a lot of questions, especially in the romance department, and Sun worried that Moon was feeling left out so we tried a Poly thing where I dated both of em at the same time. “ Monty shrugged, “ Obviously it didn’t work out, I don’t feel that way about Moon, and was really only doing it for Sun,” DJ just stared at him some more as the elevator doors opened. 

“ DId Moon realize he wasn’t into dating?” DJ asked suddenly, Monty looked at him with a confused look. 

“ I don’t think so? Did Moon tell you that?” He asked, DJ felt embarrassment, come over him as he rubbed the back of his neck. 

“ Bonnie told me-” 

“ Man you have got to stop listening to Bonnie!” Monty rolled his eyes,” Bonnie don’t know squat . He likes to think he does, cuz he’s got those fancy ears , and he’s technically a security bot because he can hear things though like three walls, but he don’t ,” Monty continued up the stairs as he spoke, DJ followed, “ From what I could tell, Moon’s problem with the relationship was that he doesn’t like to share, he got very jealous of Sun during that first week,” Monty started, “ You would think being a DAYCARE ATTENDANT he’d- Monty stopped, then looked back at DJ,” Why’d you want to know if Moon dates?” He asked, DJ shrugged.

“ I-I don’t know, I was curious, “ DJ offered, Monty turned fully to him. 

“ But why ” Monty pressed, “ Why are you curious?” DJ blinked.

“ I. . . I don’t know,” DJ said again, Monty observed DJ for a moment, DJ let out a beath his fans kicking on again, “ Nevermind, you’re right it’s not my business-” 

“ What do you  think of Moon?” Monty asked suddenly, crossing his arms, “ And don’t just say “ interesting ” this time,” he added. DJ blinked.

“ Uh w-well,” his secondary knuckles started tapping “ He’s nice? “ the beatle offered, “ and funny?  He’s a little off, and down right creepy sometimes, but it doesn’t seem intentional, and he tries not to be, he’s pretty calming to be around. We had fun last night, he’s really smart, and he did this thing with his hat, it was really cute, his eyes are pretty and-” DJ realized he was saying too much, DJ rubbed the back of his neck. Monty snickered, “ Sorry, I . . . um,” Monty laughed.

“ So you got a crush on him, it aint that big of a deal,” Monty said, turning away, DJ sputtered. 

“ What?! No, No I do not,” DJ hesitated, “ A-at least I don’t think so,” Monty looked back at him again, hands on his hips. 

“ Let me ask you something,” He started “ Do you want something like what Sun and I have or Chica and Roxy, or even Freddy and Bonnie, but with Moon, “ Monty asked, DJ thought about it. He tried to picture a couple of scenarios he’d seen between the other animatronics but happening with him and Moon. He tried to picture Moon sitting next to him while DJ had an arm around his shoulders, or Moon pressing his faceplate to the side of DJ’s face, he felt the butterflies come back with a strange sense of longing.

“ Y-Yeah . . .  I think I do,” DJ confessed Monty shrugged as if to say, “ well there you go” and started for the bakery again, “ But I can’t actually right?!” DJ called after the gator. “ I only just met him! I didn’t even know he existed four days ago!” DJ exclaimed as he followed Monty into the hall that lead to the bakery. Monty stopped at the corner. 

“ Hears run on their own time line, coded or not, sides yer just, ah what’s the word, Sun uses it a lot,” Monty snapped his fingers as he though, “ Infractu-, yer just infatuated with him, Monty pointed at DJ '' Don't take a lot of time for that , “ DJ looked down the hall towards the bakery. Where Moon was no doubt waiting for them. 

“ But, But, what do I do about it?” DJ asked, Monty crossed arms, sighing heavily.

“ In my experience, feelings like this are kinda like wild animals, you can either ignore them and hope they go away, and usually they do, or you can take them in and hope they don’t eat ya alive, “ DJ hesitated.

“ And. . .  and which should I do?” he asked, Monty shrugged.

“ That’s up to you . How badly do you want that with him? Are you willing to risk losing him as a friend, because it can happen, I almost did,” Monty warned. DJ looked back down the hall towards the bakery.

“ I. . . I guess I have to think about it?” DJ looked back at Monty who nodded. 

“ Sounds good you do that now, before moon loses his patience and comes after us,” Monty waved for him to follow as they continued to the bakery. Moon was waiting, arms crossed not far from the door. Far enough away that what little light that momentarily pooled in from the doorway couldn’t reach him. 

“ Hey Stranger,” Monty greeted, as the door shut behind them, once it did Moon closed the distanced between them. He looked like he was trying to examine DJ without being obvious. 

“ He wasn’t a jerk was he?” Moon asked the beetle, who smiled weakly at him. 

“ No, no, he . . . he’s given me a lot to think about.” It seemed that wasn’t what Moon wanted to hear either because he sent Monty a warning glare. 

“ Alright well. . . Le’ts get started,” He said, moving closer to the shop. DJ looked over at the broken window as he followed and grimaced, “ Try turning bouncer mode on,” Moon suggested, leaning against the railing of  the raised platform. Monty leaned against the employee admittance booth, his arms crossed. DJ hesitated, “ Whenever you’re ready,” Moon added, DJ took a deep simulated breath, then he turned bouncer mode on. It was weird doing it intentionally. DJ’s vision blinked to blue, Monty and Moon’s forms turning a faint orange. DJ blinked and looked around at his surroundings that were all blue shapes with very little details.

“ Okay, good,” Moon sounded pleased.

“ God that’s creepy,” Monty said, DJ turned back in time to see Moon’s form throw a stray fizzy faz can at Mony’s. Monty yelped as if bounced off him. 

“ It is! His eyes are all black it’s creepy!” He snapped, Moon turned back to DJ. 

“ Ignore him, what’s it like,” Moon asked. DJ smiled, letting out a relieved laugh.

“ It’s. . .  odd, everything is blue, except you guys, you’re orange, I can’t make out any details, just. . . shape DJ admitted. 

“ So you can’t see how many fingers I’m holding up?” Monty asked, holding up two fingres, DJ raised an eyebrow. 

“ I can see  that it’s two Monty, but you don’t have a face , DJ clarified, Monty was quiet, then started snickering. 

“ Stop making faces before it gets stuck like that, “ Moon warned, Monty only laughed harder. Moon shook his head, turning back to DJ. 

“ You should have more functions now, try to use some of them, “ Moon suggested, DJ looked around not hearing Moon as he observed his surroundings in the new perspective. He couldn’t believe he’d been scared of it! He moved to the front of the shop. Chucking at how the guant cupcake on the roof was much less intimidating through this vision.  “ DJ” Moon called DJ turned to him, Moon’s head seemed to have done a 180 degree spin to look at him, “ C’mon Music box stayed focused, DJ blinked and felt the butterflies flutter at the nickname. He couldn’t stop the dopey grin that spread across his face, “ Try accessing the security cameras,” Repeated Moon, sounding amused. DJ nodded, and tried to access the camera feed.

“ See I told you it was fine,” Moon said to Monty, turning his head back to the gator. Something fell over in the shop, making a faint crashing sound. DJ heard it and turned his head towards it. Task forgotten.

“ Yeah but you guys made it sound  more like my anger issues,” Monty respond, almost bitterly. DJ moved to the shop doors, peering through the glass.

“ Well when he fights it, it’s bound to cause problems,” Moon scoffed, DJ pulled open the door and entered the shop, it was small and had two display shelves full of fake pastries meant to advertise the goods once sold there. Exactly what they were DJ couldn’t tell with his current vision. A large cupcake statue was to his right and in front of him, past the display shelves was the shop counter. Moon and Monty’s conversation muffled behind the shop doors as they closed. DJ was about to turn and rejoin them when he heard the sound of metal scraping. DJ turned and moved towards the back of the shop. 

“ Hello?” He called, he turned the corner and stopped when he saw a figure crouched on the ground with an arcade cabinet. He couldn’t make out any details given his vision, but he could tell they were a biologically living being due to the bright red and orange colors the figure was. Two ears, much like Bonnie’s, stuck out from the top of it’s head. It froze, DJ blinked at it. 

“ Are . . . you supposed to be back here?” DJ asked stupidly. The figure stood, DJ saw something in its right hand, its left reaching up to its ear. DJ realized they were holding a knife just as a high pitched ringing filled the air making DJ’s vision scramble for a moment. When his vision recovered an alert was flashing in front of his vision. The figure still standing there. 

Security Threat Detected . DJ’s body moved on it’s own, he tried to punch the figure. It dodged and his hand crashed into the wall behind them. DJ turned his head, the program tracking the figure, it seemed in shock as it just stood there a moment while DJ’s body straightened and turned to it. The ringing gave him a splitting headache, the figure bolted and his body followed. They attempted to knock an arcade cabinet over in his path. DJ easily stepped over it, reaching for the figure. Internally though DJ was panicking, he currently had zero control over his body and actions. 

The figure managed to dodge his grasp, DJ lunged at them, only to collide into the wall when the figure dodged again to the left. They started backing up towards a photo booth and a closed window labeled Chica’s cakes . DJ tried to charge at them again when he felt a force collide with his chest, throwing him off balance. Once he was down he felt two sets of hands pin his shoulders to the floor. He could see the forms of Moon and Monty above him, the figure taking a few more steps back. DJ couldn’t hear anything other than the intense ringing. He felt Moon shake him as if he was trying to talk to him. DJ’s body was still trying to get up. 

It took more willpower than he’d ever used before for DJ to turn Bouncer mode off, when he did he went still, control of his body’s finally his once more. Staring at the spot the figure had been in moments before. It was gone now. 

“ Okay!” Moon’s voice sounded almost scared, “ That was . . . Not ideal, “ Moon carefully released DJ’s shoulder, and after a pause Monty did the same. 

“ Not- wow,” Monty snapped at the other, DJ let his head fall back on the floor, staring at the ceiling as his head throbbed. Monty put on a poor limitation of Moon’s voice, it being a pitch too high, “ He’s not gonna go into a violent rage, Monty, it’s not dangerous, Monty,” DJ closed his eyes and brought a hand to his head. Moon seemed to ignore the gator, his own fingers gently touching DJ’s temple.

“ Are you alright,” Moon asked softly, DJ opened his eyes looking over at him.

“ Y-yeah, I-I think so?” He wasn’t sure to be honest. He sat up slowly, using his secondary hands supporting him as he held his head. 

“ what happened,” Moon asked, “ We looked away for a second and you were gone,” DJ sat up wincing as his vision glitched, still recovering. 

“ I heard a noise in there,” He jerked his thumb towards the shop, “ There was a person then a ringing,” DJ started shaking “ I-I couldn’t control myself, I-I couldn’t hear , I-I couldn’t stop ,” Moon’s music box filled the air while the lunar themed animitronic rubbed gentle comforting circles on DJ’s back. 

“ Were you trying to attack this. . . person?” Moon asked, DJ nodded. 

“ I-I don’t know why, It was like my body had a mind of its own, I just saw a security alert a-and,” DJ took a breath. 

“ You weren’t attacking a person,” Monty started, DJ blinked, “ We heard you playing some weird song, from your speaker,” Monty tapped the speaker on DJ’s chest, “ It was like an alarm but also a song? And then we heard a bunch of crashing and saw you run into a wall then try to charge into another one, no one else was here,” DJ felt his head throb again, he shook it.

“ No, no there was a person! M-messing with the arcade cabinet in there, t-they had a knife? I-I think it was a rabbit?” He looked to Moon who slowly shook his head. 

“ We didn’t see a rabbit, only rabbit in this plex is Bonnie, and he’s in Faze Blast,” DJ stared at him for a moment, then held his head, squeezing his eyes shut, “ Are you sure you’re alright?” Moon asked, DJ shook his head.

“ I don’t know,” He was scared, he felt like he was losing his mind, his head hurt still, “ I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t-” Moon shushed him, gently squeezing his shoulder.

“ It’s okay, let's call it for tonight,” Moon soothed, DJ wanted to throw up, but due to a lack of a stomach he didn’t. Instead he groaned and curled in on himself.  

“ You said nothing was wrong with bouncer mode,” Monty snapped at Moon, DJ felt Moon continue to gently rub his back, trying to sooth him. THe music box helped. 

“ I didn’t see anything wrong,  but I-I’ll double check it later,” Moon put his hand over DJ’s secondary one, “ You think you’re ready to head back to the west arcade?” Moon asked, DJ nodded, and made to stand, then stumbled and fell back onto his butt. He shook his head, “ Okay, take all the time you need,” Moon said reassuringly, Patting his shoulder gently. Monty huffed, looking conflicted.

Once DJ had recovered Moon helped him up and offered to walk him back to the Fazcade, which DJ accepted with a nod. Monty followed them out of the Bakery. 

“ Hey DJ, bad time I know, but I almost forgot, we’re all hanging out in Bonnie bowl tomorrow,” Monty informed him as they walked. DJ grimaced thinking back to his last interaction with Bonnie, then he sighed. 

“ Okay,” DJ  was tired and he didn’t bother trying to hide it. Moon pulled on his arm gently to get DJ moving again, waving goodbye to Monty.

“ I don’t want to go to that,” DJ groaned once Monty had turned away from them, Moon gave him a sympathetic look. 

“ Then dont?” he offered, DJ humored the idea then sighed. 

“ I-I have to, I-I don’t know why something in my code. . . . it was the same with that stupid arm wrestling mess,” Moon gave him a surprised look. 

“ What?” He asked, DJ held his head, closing his eyes as they approached the escalator leading up. DJ made sure to let Moon start up first before following.

“ If I had it my way it would have never made it to the daycare, hell it wouldn’t have made it to Monty,” DJ informed him. Moon paused.

“ DId Bonnie force you to do that?” He asked, sounding mad as he looked over his shoulder at DJ. 

“ No, but my code wouldn’t let me fight him very hard on it, like even though I didn’t want to be there, I had to be there, I got use to it as time went on , I managed but. . . the crowd, the-” DJ let out a huff, looking to Moon, “ I didn’t want to be there,” Moon nodded.

“ That makes sense, you were programmed to be an extrovert, so your code would put you in places where people are,” Moon sighed heavily, “ But we’re a learning AI so your AI learned from your experiences that people suck, so you would avoid crowds,” 

“ But. . .” DJ started, “ I-I mean that makes sense but then why don’t I hate the crowds in the arcade? If My AI has learned to hate them?” DJ asked, Moon shrugged. 

“ Maybe because it’s your arcade. It’s your space. You know it inside and out, every hide away, every escape should you need it,” DJ hummed pondering this, then sighed. 

“ I have to go. . . at least to say sorry to Bonnie,” He mumbled,  Moon nodded, there was a long beat of silence before Moon broke it. 

“ Tomorrow night I’ll take another look at Bouncer mode, I-I’m sorry, I must’ve missed something, I’m so sorry I put you through this,” Moon apologized, DJ blinked at him.

“ You didn’t know, you looked, it was all fine til I saw that person, but. . . that person wasn’t there?” DJ sighed, “ I don’t know, b-but it’s not your fault, I-I really appreciate your help,” DJ assured, moon smiled weakly, but didn’t look convinced. They stopped at the elevator doors to the Fazcade. 

“ Will I see you at Bonnie Bowl?” DJ asked, Moon shrugged, nodding. 

“ Sun will be there with Monty so yeah,” He said, waving and turning to leave, DJ reached out and caught Moon’s wrist, stopping him. Moon turned to him.

“ That’s not what I meant,” DJ clarified, Moon stared at him for a moment, then reached up and started playing with the end of his hat nervously. Making the bell ring as he pulled his other hand free.

“ I-I don’t really like gatherings,” Mood admitted, DJ nodded.

“ Then I’ll see you after,” DJ stated, Moon nodded, his cable descending behind him. DJ turned back to the elevator doors as Moon attached his hook. 

“ DJ?” Moon called, the beetle turned back, “ For what it’s worth, “ He started, “ I would have noticed if you got. . .” He trailed off. DJ blinked, then smiled softly. 

“ I know,” Moon returned the smile, then ascended into the darkness.

Chapter Text

DJ started the next day with a heavy head and a heavy chest to match. It was a friday so the plex was still slow and would be till roughly four PM, then it would pick up as kids got out of school and parents out of work. So DJ didn’t have much to distract himself from his problems. Not only did Bouncer Mode seem to be malfunctioning after all, so he and Moon needed to regroup and figure out another solution, but there was also his feelings for the lunar animatronic. He didn’t know what he wanted to do about them. The more he thought about it, the more he was sure he wanted to hold Moon’s hand, to hold Moon himself, to be held even he wanted Moon to look at him way Freddy looked at Bonnie, he wanted Moon to be lean against him as if it wasn’t something that would set DJ’s fans on their max setting. However the more he thought about what he wanted the more he considered what he had . What he had was a friend who knew him. Truly knew him, he’d never felt known before. Barely noticed at best, If it wasn’t for his size he was sure no one would’ve noticed him at all. Maybe this desire to be known was why DJ was ready to look past the means by which Moon came to know him, maybe it was why DJ found himself with these feelings in the first place.

DJ wasn’t sure he was willing to lose that feeling that someone knew him. For what? A relationship he wasn’t even aware he could have four days ago?! With an animatronic he didn’t even know existed four days ago ?! DJ was so lost in thought he nearly missed a kid trying to get his attention about Princess Quest, which was still impossible to play. He’d have to report it again. The kid complaining was wearing a Bonnie shirt, and that reminded DJ of his other problem. He still owed Bonnie an apology for what he’d said the night before. Sure Bonnie had been awful to him too but still. DJ hoped he’d get to do it before that night, it would be awkward walking into Bonnie Bowl otherwise, especially if he wasn’t wanted there. 

DJ was pulled from his thoughts again when an alert popped up on his vision. 

ALERT! 

CODE PURPLE: OLIVIA VINSON. 

AGE: FOUR

LAST KNOWN LOCATION: SUPERSTAR DAYCARE

DJ blinked at the image of the child. It was the girl from the day before, the one that tried to follow him out of the daycare. She was missing? DJ hoped nothing bad-

“ MACHAMP!” DJ turned his head towards the voice and sure enough, there she was. Standing two feet from him, grinning. DJ turned to her, primary hands on his hips while his secondary crossed over his middle.

“ Aren’t you supposed to be in the daycare?” He asked in a teasing voice, then girl, Olivia, giggled and clasped her hands as she rotated her body back and forth. 

“ Nooooo~” She practically sang, obviously trying to look cute, and god damn it was she successful. DJ squatted down, he still towered over her, but at least he wouldn’t accidentally step on her. She was wearing a magenta T-shirt under a pair of bright green overall shorts. She had bright red shoes with equally bright blue socks. He could've sworn the last time he saw her she was wearing Foxy gear but none of this looked like the Fazbear brand at all. He mentally shrugged it off, reaching through the network to Sun and Moon while he spoke to Olivia.

“ Did you walk here all by yourself?” He asked, she nodded looking proud of herself, “ Wow that’s such a long way!” DJ gasped, she beamed.

“ Not for me! I’m a big girl!” She did a little bounce. Moon picked up DJ’s call. 

“ Yes?!” He sounded stressed.

“ I found her, ” DJ informed him, Moon let out a relieved laugh. 

“ oh thank god” Moon sighed heavily  “ Let me tell Sun, hold on” DJ turned his attention back to Olivia. 

“ That might be true but Sun and Moon are worried sick about you ,” he told the child, a sour look the reminded DJ of Moon crossed her cute face. 

“ But I wanted to see you !” She whined, “ And Mr. Sun said no! And Mr.Moon said maybe but then Mr.Sun said no again!” She crossed her arms and pouted grumpily. DJ tried not to laugh, she was adorable. 

“ Why on earth would you want to see me ?” DJ asked playfully. Moon came back at that moment. 

“ Alright can you bring her back to the daycare?” Moon asked.

“ Cuz you’re my favorite!” Olivia announced, DJ froze.

“ I’m her favorite?” he thought.

“ What?” Moon sounded confused and surprised. DJ felt embarrassment flood him.

Sorry run away thought, yeah I’ll bring her now,” DJ responded, still staring at Olivia who had tilted her head to the side, confused by his silence. Moon snickered.

“ Thanks, and Congrats, ” He added, DJ felt warmth fill his chest as a grin spread across his face. Moon disconnected. 

“ Oh well thank you Olivia, but I do have to take you back to the daycare,” He told her, she whined in response.

“ Nooooooo!” DJ carefully picked her up, a little hesitant since he’d never held a child before. 

“ Yeeeeeeees,” He whined playfully back  as he stood up. She gasped once he was at full hight. 

“ High!” She exclaimed, DJ chuckled.

“ Yeah I’m tall,” He agreed, she somehow managed to crawl onto his shoulders, “ Hey! Hey! No! That’s not safe!” DJ froze, unsure how to stop her without accidently hurting her. His hesitance allowed her to comfortably sit on his shoulders, holding onto his headphone band like it was a handle bar, “ I’m not a jungle gym!” He informed her, she giggled in response. DJ considered his options and decided he didn’t feel confident enough to remove her himself so he carefully placed his primary hands behind her back so she couldn’t fall off before he continued walking towards the elevator. 

“ WEEE!” She exclaimed, DJ fought a chuckle. 

“ Head Low,” He warned her as he ducked even lower than he normally would into the elevator. She parroted him on the way out.

“ Head Low!” She sang, DJ stopped when he spotted Bonnie talking to some patrons in front of Bonnie bowl. Olivia tried to stand on his shoulders so she could lean over his head to look at him but DJ managed to snag the back of her overalls with his index finger the second he felt her try it. 

“ Ah ah ah, No . This is risky enough,” DJ stated, Olivia giggled but settled back on his shoulders. 

“ What’s a matter Machamp?” She asked, DJ rolled his eyes.

“ My names ‘ DJ’ kiddo and I’m. . . I. . .” A part of DJ wanted to apologize, he really did, but his anxiety made him turn sharply and start for the escalator by Mazersize. “ Bonnie and I aren’t talking right now,” Olivia leaned heavily on his head. 

“ Why?” She asked.

“ Cuz he said some mean stuff,” DJ explained.

“ Why?” 

“ Cuz I said some mean stuff,” DJ admitted. 

“ Why?” 

“ Cuz he was being. . . Pushy,” DJ settled with. 

“ Why?” DJ sighed heavily.

“ Because he was. . . trying to help me. . .” DJ stopped walking, “ and he sometimes goes overboard.” 

“ Do you feel bad?” Olivia asked, DJ looked back at Bonnie across the way. He hadn’t seen DJ, he supposed, because he was still outside of Bonnie Bowl.

“ Yeah. . .” DJ admitted.

“ Maybe he feels bad too?” She suggested, “ Mr.Sun says sometimes when people feel bad but don’t know it they think they’re mad, “ the child informed him. DJ laughed weakly. 

“ Mr. Sun sounds smart,” DJ noted, Olivia giggled.

“ Yeah! He is! Mr.Moon says he’s not too bright though,” DJ snickered.

“ Well that’s mean of him!” DJ gasped as he started making his way towards Bonnie Bowl, “ We’re gonna talk to Bonnie real quick”

“ YAY!”  she cheered, DJ rolled his eyes chuckling. 

“ you just don’t want to go back to the daycare,” He accused, she laughed in response.

“ No!” she agreed, DJ inhaled deeply as he got closer to the rabbit.

“ Hey! Bonnie!” DJ called when he saw Bonnie move to enter Bonnie Bowl. The purple bunny turned, eyebrow raised, hsi gaze flickered to the child on DJ’s shoulders and a ghost of a smile appeared on his face while he waited for DJ, arms crossed, “ Listen, um,”  DJ started nervously, talking with his secondary hands since his primary hands were occupied, “ I wanted to say I’m sorry,” Bonnie’s stance seemed to relax, “ I shouldn’t have said what I did. . . it was wrong,” DJ had more to say but given the patrons and the four year old on his shoulders he left it at that. Bonnie seemed to consider this, then he smiled. 

“ I’m sorry too, I took. . . A lot of things are too far. . . “Bonnie paused, “ Are you coming by tonight?” He asked. DJ nodded while using one of his primary hands to stop Olivia from messing with his voice box volume on his right headphone. 

“ If I can,” He said, Bonnie grinned.

“ Course you can big guy! We’ll talk more then!” Bonnie offered his left hand, DJ took it with his secondary left, and shook it. 

“ Sounds good,” DJ grinned, Bonnie nodded, then glanced at Olivia again. He chuckled and shook his head.

“ Alright I gotta ask, what’s the kid doing up there?” Bonnie asked, pointing to Olivia, who giggled. DJ tilted his head to the side, dipping his shoulder ever so slightly so Olivia tilted too. She laughed.

“ Kid? What Kid?” DJ asked, Bonnie raised an eyebrow, then grinned, pointing more exaggerated as he raised his voice a little. 

“ That kid! What’s that kid doing?!” Bonnie asked again, DJ shrugged with his secondary while using one of his primary to “scratch” the top of Olivia's head in confusion, He was actually just gently poking at her pigtails . She squealed and laughed.

“ I don’t know what you’re talking about,  you feeling alright?” He asked, using his secondary hand to “Check” Bonnie’s temperature. Bonnie laughed and swatted his hand away. DJ chuckled, “ She crawled up there before I could stop her, and I’m afraid to remove her, “ He explained, Bonnie nodded. 

“ If you squat down, I can take her off your hands. . . shoulders, “ Bonnie corrected, nudging him playfully with his elbow. Before DJ could respond Olivia piped up.

“ NO! I want Machamp to bring me to the daycare!” she yelled, gripping the headphones band tighter. Bonnie’s eyebrows went up in recognition. 

“ Oh yeah! I remember you!” He laughed, DJ groaned playfully.

“ It’s DJ kid!” He corrected, “ I better get her back to the daycare, she’s not coming down til then,” Dj sighed, Bonnie laughed, shaking his head.

“ May Sun have mercy on your code,” He said sorrowfully, DJ grimaced.

“ Maybe Moon will convince him to spare me,” DJ joined Bonnie yet again, raised an eyebrow at him, but didn’t ask. 

“ I always thought Moon was the strict one, but then again I don’t know him well,” Bonnie admitted with a shrug.DJ smiled and returned the shrug making Olivia squeal and laugh again.

“ I’m about to find out,” DJ said, turning on his heel. Bonnie laughed.

“ Good luck!” He called after him. Sun was waiting at the open metal doors between Kids cove and the Daycare. His arms crossed, his foot tapping. DJ smiled sheepishly when his eyebrows went up upon seeing DJ. He sprinted towards the beetle, the kids in the daycare behind him gasping and laughing, their faces pressed against the glass, trying to get a better look. 

“ ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!?” Sun practically screeched, DJ made a sheepish shrugging gesture with his secondary hands. 

“ I was too afraid to get her down,” DJ tried to explain, Sun easily stood on his tip toes and plucked Olivia off his hsoulders. She hung onto his headphone band, forcing DJ to bend back as Sun pulled.

“ Ah! AH!” He yelped, Sun froze, and held her in one hand carefully as he trying to gently pry her fingers off DJ with his other.

“ This is NOT funny Moon!” Dj heard SUn hiss under his breath. DJ felt his fans kick on as he reached back with his primary hands to hold Olivia so Sun could use both of his own. His secondary stuck out so he wouldn’t lose balance. 

“ I agree, not funny!” DJ said over Olivia’s giggling. Sun managed to pry Olivia off, and carried her back towards the Daycare, calling over his shoulder.

“ Thank you DJ!” DJ waved in response, despite Sun not being able to see it. Olivia waved enthusiastically back.

“ Bye Bye Machamp!” She called, DJ chuckled.

“ It’s DJ!” he called back, She had to be doing it on purpose at this point right? Once Sun had disappeared into the Daycare DJ was left to return to the west arcade, once more consumed with his problem regarding his feelings for Moon. It consumed him for the entirety of the rest of his Day. When the plex closed DJ was more than ready for a distraction from it and practically booked it to Bonnie Bowl. Nearly plowing into the rabbit who was waiting by the elevator door inside said attraction. 

“ Woah! You got a runaway train of thought?” Bonnie laughed after he managed to dodge the beetle. DJ blinked,then chuckled nervously. 

“ KInda,” He admitted, looking around Bonnie Bowls entrance.The space greatly resembled the entrance to the bakery, except instead of ATM’s and advertisements for Fazwatches there was a bowling memorabilia lining both walls. Bonnie shook his head smiling.

“ Well at your size, it’s probably best if the conductor stays at the engine,” Bonnie advised, DJ nodded. There was an awkward pause .

“ Listen I-” They both started at the same time, then stopped. Bonnie cackled while DJ chuckled nervously. 

“ You first,” Bonnie said,  gesturing for DJ to speak, he took a breath. 

“ I know you’re trying to help, and I admit you do, that girl. . . she said I was her favorite,” DJ admitted, unable to stop the smile that spread on his face, Bonnie returned it.

“ Nice, congrats,” He lightly punched DJ’s arms.

“ Thanks, and she never would have seen me if that whole thing didn’t happen, but. . .” DJ shrugged, “ I tried to leave. . . and you wouldn’t let me,” Bonnie’s ears drooped, “ and it’s not just that, and admittedly it’s not just you,” DJ continued, “ Monty does it, Chica does it, Hell Moon did it, you guys keep trying to force me to talk to you about stuff I don’t want to tell you. . . we don’t really know each other,” Bonnie’s gaze fell to the floor, nodding, “ But I still shouldn’t have said what I said about Foxy, I’m sure you guys were good friends to him and he had another reason,” Bonnie sighed, looking up. 

“ I’m sorry too, for not taking a hint, and pushing, and prying. . . . It’s. . . I guess I’m thinking if I can help you then it would somehow make up for not being able to help him. . .” Bonnie rubbed the back of his neck, “ And also completely neglecting for most of your existence. . .” DJ frowned. 

“ I-I. . “ He sighed, “ I know it’s possible to forgive you guys for that,” DJ started, he forgave Moon after all, “ But it’s not gonna happen right away and not by dragging me into random shows,” DJ finished, Bonnie nodded.

“ I got yah, I’ll . . . Listen next time,” He promised, offering his hand, “ We’re good?” He asked, DJ smiled and shook it. 

“ Yeah,” He nodded, “ We’re good,” Bonnie awkwardly gestured to the space around them.

“ Welp, welcome to Bonnie Bowl,” he announced, “ You ever been in an attraction yet? Besides the arcade,” Bonnie asked, DJ nodded.

“ Yeah, I saw Monty golf yesterday, and Chica’s Bakery-”

“ The Bakery!?” Bonnie cut off, “ What were you doing in the Bakery?” The elevators opened at that point, Monty and Sun stopped. Watching the two carefully, “ it’s closed,” Bonnie finished, DJ glanced at Monty and Sun.

“ Exploring,” He offered, Bonnie gave him a confused look, tilting his head slightly.

“ But-” Bonnie’s eyes went wide as DJ felt annoyance start to seep in, “ Ah! I’m doing it again aren’t I? Ha!” Bonnie caught himself and turned sharply to go deeper into Bonnie Bowl, “ Exploring, got it,” DJ looked back at Monty and Sun. Sun grinned at him while Monty watched Bonnie skeptically.

“ You two good now?” He asked, DJ nodded, and Monty returned the gesture, “ Good, good,” He followed the bunny, Sun giggled, hanging back with DJ as they started down the hall as well.

“ He get’s so protective of the people you’d least expect him to doesn’t he? It’s so cute!” Sun gushed, DJ blinked, then looked ahead at Monty who had caught up to Bonnie. The two seemed to be joking with each other, giving playful shoves as they walked. 

“ What do you mean?” DJ asked, Sun gave DJ an incredulous look.

“ He wasn’t kidding, you are oblivious,” Sun teased, DJ blinked again. They passed sofas and metal door with fazcade written above it. DJ gave it a confused look but didn’t let it bother him. 

“ What? No!” DJ denied, Sun giggled, “ I just mean you’re his boyfriend, and Moon’s your. . . headmate?” DJ waved his hand trying to find an accurate word.  The rounded the corner, starting for a second Metal door. Sun laughed.

“ Brother.” Sun corrected, “ Moon’s my brother,” DJ blinked a third time. 

“ oh?” Sun nodded, playing with his ribbons, a nervous habit they shared DJ noted, “ Foxy gave us that title and we liked it.” 

“ Got it,” DJ nodded.

“ And I was saying you ,” Sun added, bringing the conversation back to it’s original topic, “ He’s being protective of you ,” DJ scoffed.

“ Why?” DJ asked, Sun shrugged in response.

“ I can’t say for sure, but I imagine he relates to your. . . BM situation,” Sun said with a wave, DJ nodded, he saw Bonnie’s ear twitch, his head turn slightly more towards them. Sun noticed too, “ And I’ll leave it at that,” He finished quickly, Bonnie glanced back at them, but turned back to Monty and they’re conversation as they entered the Bowling alley. It was a large space, to their left was a small arcade, while directly in front of them were stairs to the allies, to the right was a large sign that read ice cream . Bonnie and Monty were heading in that direction, DJ could see the others already waiting by the counter. He gaped at the space in awe. It wasn’t as big as Monty golf, or maybe even the west arcade, but it was bigger than the bakery. DJ followed Sun towards the Ice Cream counter. Chica spotted DJ and was suddenly sprinting towards him, making DJ freeze in place. She practically dove for him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she yelled.

“ AH! DJ!” She cheered, she somehow stll managed to catch the beetle off guard sto he stumbled back nearly falling, Sun grabbed one of his secondary arms to steady him while DJ’s primary hands instinctively held her up to keep her from falling. Sun covered his mouth with his other hand, clearly laughing as Chica chitted away, stilling hanging off him.

“ I was so worried you weren’t coming! Cuz of that fight you had with Bonnie! But you’re here! You two made up! THat’s so nice! I heard you let a kid ride on your shoulders! Reckless!” She scolded, finally dropping to the floor, DJ stared at her in shock, unsure how to respond.

“ Uh-” 

“ What if she fell off! Sun I hope you told him what for!” She turned to the celestial jester who gave his head a spin.

“ Oh you know I did,” He lied, as he had been too preoccupied with removing her to scold DJ, but DJ was too in shock to correct him. 

“ Good,” Chica turned on her heal and returned to her seat beside Roxy. Sun giggled as he watched DJ recover. Once he did he looked over at Sun.

“ Moon’s not awake, is he?” He asked, very much hoping he didn’t almost fall over in front of his recently realized crush. Sun gave him a knowing look.

“ He says ‘hi’ “ Was Sun’s answer. DJ groaned and covered his face, “ and ‘nice catch’ ” DJ chuckled, still covering his face.

“ Thanks. Moon,” he sighed, removing his hands and moving to join the others. Bonnie had gone to the back while DJ, Sun and Monty found seats. 

“ So what are we doing?” Monty asked, Freddy answered. 

“ Bonnie thought a game of bowling would be fun and a good way for us to bond with the DJ,” DJ smiled sheepishly, both touched that he was being thought of, and embarrassed he was being singled out.

“ It’s just DJ Freddy,” DJ reminded the bear. 

“ Of course, I am sorry,” He turned as Bonnie returned, slamming a box on the counter. Inside it was a bag with a green syrup in it. The box read Monty’s mystery mix. Chica gasped, leaning on the counter.

“ Is that?!” She asked, standing to look at the box, Roxy rolled her eyes, a rare smile on her face, Bonnie gave the chicken finger guns.

“ Told you I got you hooked up girl,”  Bonnie confirmed, pushing the pizza flavored syrup towards her, she snatched it up and tore into it ravenously, making everyone at the counter lean back a bit in surprise. 

“ Okay,” Bonnie started slowly turning to the rest of the group, “ Are we good for a game?”

Chapter Text

“ ALRIGHT!” Bonnie called, messing with the monitor and the head of one of the Allies, he punched his name in first, “ Who wants to try and follow me?” He asked, Monty scoffed.

“ I ain't afraid of you bunny boy, “ He shouted, Bonnie punched in his name, Roxy volunteered for third.

“ What about you DJ,” Bonnie asked, DJ jumped, and turned tapped his secondary knuckles.

“ Oh- Uh, I’ll go last,” DJ said sheepishly, “ I’ve never played before, “ He explained, Bonnie scoffed.

“ C’mon isn’t there like a bowling arcade game in the arcade?” He asked, DJ shook his head.

“ There aren't any games like the attractions,” DJ said, Monty gave him a confused look.

“ There's a golf game in Monty golf,” he pointed out. DJ turned to him.

“ What’s an arcade game doing in Monty golf?” DJ asked, Monty shrugged.

“ They put it in there today, I thought it was weird too,” Monty explained, DJ hummed, then shook his head, returning to the conversation.

“ Anyway, there's none in the arcade, “ Bonnie nodded, then turned to Freddy, who nodded. Bonnie punched in his name. 

“ Okay so we got me first, Monty second, Roxy third, Freddy fourth, Chica fifth?” he asked, Chica nodded excitedly, “ Sun sixth and bringing up the rear, DJ,” Bonnie listened, “ DJ, here Imma explain the rules on my turn sound good?” DJ nodded, Bonnie gestured for the beetle to come closer, DJ did. Bonnie selected a purple ball with a yellow star. “ Alright so I’m sure this is a given but the goal is to hit as many as those pins as you can, you get two tries each turn,” He explained, DJ nodded, The bunny pointed to a line of triangles on the floor, “ It doesn’t count if you cross that line, Balls only beyond that point- I heard it Monty Shut up!” Bonnie added, pointing at the Gator without looking at him. Sun sent his boyfriend a scolding look. Monty was clearly trying not to laugh, “ Anyway, so you hold the ball like this,” He showed DJ how he was holding the ball, DJ examined his own hand which was a tad bigger than Bonnie’s and it didn’t look like his fingers would fit in the holes. Bonnie hummed, “ Well as best as you can anyway, and roll it like this, “ He took a few steps forward, not crossing the line and rolled it under hand, sending it down the lane. It hit the center pin and knocked down all the pins, “ Damn I’m good, even when I’m not trying!” Bonnie sent the taunt over his shoulder at the gator and wolf who exchanged exasperated looks. Bonnie pointed at the pins.

“ That! Is called a strike, you get that your turn’s over, but normally you get two tries,’ Bonnie explained, DJ nodded.

“ So. . . don’t cross the line, underhand, two tries, unless all the pins are knocked down?” DJ repeated, Bonnie patted his arm a couple times.

“ Yeah you got it, watch the others, you got questions just ask,” He moved to sit next to Freddy while Monty took up a green ball. DJ sat next to Sun, who smiled at him. DJ smiled back. Monty was pretty good, knocking down eight pins, then on his second roll he knocked down the other two, Bonnie leaned over the space between him and DJ.

“ That is called a spare,” Bonnie informed him, Monty sent him a glare.

“ Hey! What are you trying to say?” the gator challenged, Bonnie leaned back, wrapping an arm around Freddy’s shoulders as Roxy picked a red ball.

“ Nothing nothing, just explaining the things, and letting DJ know what a spare is, and how it’s not as good as a strike,” Bonnie grinned, Monty scoffed.

“ Oh! OH! I see how it is,” Monty plopped himself on Sun’s other side, “ Listen just cuz I’m not a show off!” Monty started, Bonnie scoffed.

“ Me?! Showing off, I’m not a show off?! You wanna see me show off wait til my turn comes back around,” Bonnie retorted, DJ turned his attention to Roxy who rolled and got a strike. Freddy went up and selected an orange ball, he aimed the ball carefully then took one step then another, then he jerked forward, the ball slipping from his grip and rolling away, his legs still bent. Based on how he was shifting, One leg seemed to be stuck.There was a pause, then Monty started laughing, Bonnie stood up, and moved to him.

“ Yer servos lock up again old man!?” Monty called, Freddy laughed nervously.

“ It appears they have,” he said, Bonnie placed a hand on Freddy’s shoulder. 

“ Alright Babe, let’s get you back to your seat,” Freddy wrapped an arm around Bonnie’s shoulders, letting Bonnie help him get him back to his seat, limping heavily as one of his legs was still stuck in a slightly bent position. Bonnie gestures for Chica to go while Bonne knelt down. Chica sent him a worried look before heading up for her turn, “ On three, one, two, three ,” Bonnie forced Freddy’s leg straight, Freddy gave it an experimental bend then nodded.  

“ Thank you, I’ll have to say something to Parts and service tomorrow,” Freddy said, Bonnie nodded, but he seemed bothered. DJ glanced at Sun who shifted nervously. 

“ Freddy’s been acting up a bit lately, in fact if he wasn’t the brand's face. . .” Sun trailed off in a quiet voice. DJ’s eyes went wide, he looked back at Freddy who’s attention had turned to Chica, as if he wasn’t practically on the chopping block himself. Bonnie gave the bear one last worried look before the mask came back on. DJ turned back in time to see Chica’s score, she got eight pins.

 Sun skipped to the balls, and selected a yellow and orange striped ball, he spun an a full circle before rolling it, it fell into the small trench next to the lane, it rolled to the end and got no pins.

“ That is known as a gutterball,” Bonnie said, Sun rolled again doing the same spin, he hit two pins. Monty huffed, chucking as he shook his head, leaning closer to DJ.

“ Sun isn’t Bonnie's level of good, but I know he plays this badly on purpose, he always worries the person in last place will feel bad so he tries to make sure he’s last,” He explained DJ chuckled.

“ He would,” He said back.

“ Don’t tell Roxy though, on rare occasions it’s her,” Monty nudged his head towards the wolf. DJ nodded. Sun sat himself between them again. There was a pause, then sun nudged him. 

“ Your turn,” He reminded him. DJ gulped.

“ Right! Right,” DJ stood up and picked a ball, he settled on a blue one with some stars on it. He heard Monty laugh, and felt his fans kick on, he debated putting it back but then it would be too obvious so he ignored the gator. He hesitated, then he tried to roll the ball. The ball slipped from his grip when he swung his arm back and he heard Sun, and Chica yelp. He spun around to see Chica standing beside Freddy, Roxy looking impressed, Bonnie standing on Freddys other side, hand on the bear’s shoulder, Mony was leaning hard into the other side, his own arm shielding Sun. The space between the gator and Bonnie had DJ’s ball lodged deep into it. DJ shrunk in on himself. Bonnie put his fingers in the holes and gave the ball a tug, it didn’t budge.

“ Uh . . . Sun you’re stronger right?” Bonnie asked, Sun blinked then nodded.

‘ Oh! Yes, yes,” He stood up, gently pushing Monty’s arm away he gripped the ball and tugged. It nudged, but did not come free, “ Oh my, it’s really in there,” Sun braced his foot on the wall next to it, and tugged again, it still didn’t come free, Monty stood up.

“ Uh. .  you want some help?” He asked, Sun glanced at him, then nodded, Monty carefully moved so he was behind Sun, wrapping his arms securely around the jester's chest. “ on three?”

“ One, Two, Three ,” Sun and Monty pulled and the ball popped free, sending both of them to the floor. There was a pause then Sun held up the ball, “ got it!” Sun cheered. Bonnie took the ball and examined it. 

“ Thanks Sunny, Monty,” Bonnies stepped over the two, offering the ball to DJ, “ Okay so maybe try using two hands, it’s a handicap I’ll admit, but, until we drill bigger holes in a ball, it’ll be safer,” Bonnie demonstrated how he wanted DJ to roll the ball going forwards. DJ nodded, sheepishly taking the ball from the bunny. DJ hesitated then tried again, Bonnie stayed nearby this time. DJ let the ball go, it zoomed up and lodged right into the screen above the lane. DJ took a startled step back and winced, glancing at Bonnie, who’s eyes were wide. There was another pause then Bonnie started laughing.

“ Oh my god, and I thought Monty struggled his first time, he took out a ceiling tile, but just the one,” Bonnie told him, DJ started tapping his secondary knuckles, he wanted to leave. He wanted to run and hide in the arcade because he felt so much shame at that moment. Bonnie sighed, “ you’ll get it, you’ll get it,” Bonnie assured him, “ take a seat, you can try again on your turn,” DJ took a hesitant step back, and sank into his seat. He stared anxiously at his hands, twiddling his thumbs. Bonnie took his ball back, he pointed at Monty, “ You wanna see showing off Gator watch this,” Bonnie aimed, then He rolled. The ball hit the gutter wall, but bounced off it, and hit the gutter wall on the other side. It ricocheted off the wall and down the lane, and knocked down all the pins. DJ blinked in surprise while Monty shook his head. Sun caught the gators arm as he stood up to take his turn and whispered something to him. Monty nodded, and continued, Sun stood up.

“ I gotta get going, sorry everyone, see you next time,” Sun said, Bonnie gaped.

“ What?! C’mon we’ve only done one round,” Sun shrugged in response to the bunny’s outburst, and skipped away. Part of DJ humored the idea of leaving as well,  but his code kept him planted in his seat. Would it be bad if he left considering he caused pretty bad damage to the bowling alley so far? Or was it bad that he’d stayed? DJ had tuned out, wallowing in his own embarrassment before realizing it was Chica’s turn. She turned to do her second roll but paused her eyes wide as she spotted something behind them. 

“ Well I’ll be! WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE?!” She yelled excitedly, Everyone turned to see who she was yelling at. DJ’s eyes went wide and his fans kicked on. Moon was standing by the door, just shy of the light, he was holding his hat low over his head. DJ felt a grin spread across his face, Monty scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“ He’s probably here for DJ, they had plans after this,” Monty dismissed. DJ waved at Moon, who waved back, then with the same hand, beckoned DJ with a finger. Suddenly whatever was keeping the beetle locked in the seat released him. DJ stood.

“ I gotta go,” He said, Roxy chuckled.

“ He’s got you whipped already?” She asked, Chica gasped, Bonnie chuckled.

“ What? No, we’re not-” Monty shook his head.

“ Don’t defend it, that’s what’s funny, just go," he advised, DJ nodded, his fans still running as he turned and headed up the stairs. Moon exited the alley towards the elevator. Releasing his hat once he was in the darker room. 

“ I was expecting you later,” DJ admitted, Moon nodded.

“ I um, remembered what you said last night, about your code? And how it’ll make you stay in places you don’t want to be?” Moon started to explain, DJ nodded, “ Well after your turn you looked like you didn’t want to be there so I asked Sun if you could snag you early, I owe him a favor now, “ DJ smiled at him.

“ You didn’t have to do that, I would've been fine,” DJ said, though he was touched. Moon returned the smile.

“ I know, “ there was a pause as they reached the elevator. Moon eyed DJ curiously, “ I gotta figure out what that color is,” He said to himself, DJ tilted his head to the side.

“ What color?” He asked, Moon gestured to his own eyes as he answered.

“ Your eyes, they change color,” DJ nodded, he already knew that. Vernon and Cassidy told him as much on day one, “ And I realized they change based on what you’re feeling,  I’ve-” Moon snickered, almost bashfully,” I’ve been trying to place the colors,” He admitted, DJ chuckled, it was cute how embarrassed he was of it. 

“ Oh yeah? What have you got so far?” He asked, Moon gave him a surprised look, 

“ Oh! Well,” He started wringing his hands nervously, “ Yellow was the easy one. It means you’re scared, or anxious, or even just surprised, if it’s a quick blink of yellow it’s definitely the latter. Blue, light blue,” Moon clarified as he started to relax, going into a full on rant, “ means you’re natural or just thinking, I haven’t seen green a lot but I think it means you’re happy, dark blue i’ve only seen once, . . based on your body language I think it means you’re sad, I’ve only see red twice, once in the bakery and when you were ranting about the others the other day.”

“ So red means mad, how original,” DJ rolled his eyes, and Moon laughed, not a chuckle or a snicker, a full blown cackle, DJ grinned. 

“ Orange means annoyed, pretty sure everyone  knows hat one by now,” Moon continued, still snickering, “ I saw purple the other day when we were playing video games, it was when you got a really high score so I think that one means ecstatic, pink in embarrassed, but lately you’re eyes have been turning magenta ,” Moon mused, “ and I can’t place it. Your body language doesn’t help, I thought it was shock because the first time I saw it was yesterday at Monty golf, after Sun and I swapped, but then earlier with Olivia you were smiling, and just now, after everything that happened back there? “ Moon pressed a finger to his lip, his brow furrowed in thought, after a pause his gaze flitted up to DJ, “ What were you feeling?” He asked, DJ shrugged.

“ I dunno, ask next time they’re magenta,” DJ suggested, Moon scoffed.

“ Hey!” They both looked over to see Bonnie heading towards them, Moon seemed to shrunk in on himself a little and backed up a little, DJ gave him a surprised look as Moon basically slipped behind DJ and practically hid behind the taller. Bonnie stopped a few feet away.

“ Glad I caught you before you actually left, I just wanted to let you know, back there, dont’ worry about it, accidents happen,” Bonnie said, DJ blinking in surprise. 

“ Oh um . . thanks,” DJ felt sheepish again, “ I am really sorry,” Bonnie waved him off.

“ Really, don’t worry about it, Monty broke the ceiling by accident the first time he played but when he lost he broke at least five booths on purpose,” Bonnie jerked a thumb back behind him, “ so you two just gonna hang out in the entry to the bowling alley or. . . do you actually have plans?” Bonnie asked in a teasing voice. DJ felt Moon brush against him as he fidgeted nervously, judging by the bell sounds he was probably tugging at his ribbons again. 

“ What do you mean, we’re going,” DJ said casually. Bonnie scoffed.

“ Alright, just figured cuz I could hear you two all the way back at the alley, chitchatting away about colors,” DJ heard Moon’s fan’s kick on,  Bonnie chuckled pointing to the jester,  “ You’re awfully talkative with the right company aint ya?” He teased, Moon made a sound that could have been an awkward laugh but sounded more to DJ like a pained sound. He knew Bonnie was only trying to be friendly, but he wasn’t picking up on how uncomfortable he was making Moon. DJ stiffened, subconsciously standing at his full height, his eyes narrowing as irritation started to seem in. 

“ Alright that’s enough,” DJ said in a low voice, catching Bonnie off guard, “ We’re going now, see you later,” DJ reached behind him pressing the elevator button. Moon pulled his hat low over his head as he backed into the elevator, DJ followed. Bonnie grimace, seeming to realize what he’d done. 

“ Alright. . . sorry, see yah,” He waved awkwardly. DJ returned it as the doors closed. Once they did, Moon groaned and dipped his head low, subconsciously resting his forehead against DJ’s shoulder, reminding DJ greatly of adults who came through the arcade complaining about migraines. 

“ You okay?” DJ asked, Moon pointed a slightly shaky hand up, DJ followed it, looking at the ceiling, it was a single bright right light that illuminated the small space, decorated with stars- The Lights . DJ grimaced and looked back at Moon who looked miserable, realizing that Moon must be attempting to cover his light sensor with his hat. DJ frowned sympathedically. 

“ Oh, no, Moon  I’m sorry I should have let you get to a vent or something, I didn’t think,” DJ moved his primary arm, forcing Moon to move in the process, so his arm was around Moon’s back, not touching the other in a vain attempt to block the light from Moon with his hand. Either Moon misunderstood DJ’s intention or he was desperate for relief from the light, DJ wouldn’t know which, what he did know was Moon moved so he was leaning against DJ’s chest, his face in DJ’s shoulder again. The beetle stiffened, If he had a heart it would be pounding in his ears. DJ looked down at the lunar animatronic, who’s Body seemed to relax a little, engulfed in DJ’s shadow. DJ slowly let his arm fall. 

“ Well ” He thought, “ at least being abnormally large is useful for once in my existence ,” 

“ I didn’t think about it either, I just wanted out of there, “ Moon finally said with a sigh, he looked up, then his pupils shrunk, “ Oh jeez, I am sorry,” Moon’s fans kicked on, he made to back away then flinched when the lights hit him, he reached for his hat. DJ’s secondary arms wrapped around Moon’s middle and pulled him back against him. 

“ It’s fine,” DJ assured, he felt Moon relax a little, “ I was leaning on you last night, it’s only fair,” DJ waved the awkwardness off as best as he coil with one hand, while the other uselessly tried to block the light. 

“ I . . . I guess,” Moon mumbled sheepishly. The elevator doors opened, and Moon tapped at DJ’s secondary arm which DJ realized were still around Moon.

“ Oh! Sorry,” DJ released him, and after taking a breath, Moon pulled his hat down before sprinting towards the safety of the shadows.DJ followed, Moon laughed uncomfortable once he was away from the elevator lights.

“ That was um . . . thanks,” he said, playing with the hend of his hat. DJ smiled sheepishly back, then asked.

“ Does it hurt to shift?” Moon tilted his head at the question, “ It’s just yesterday when Sun switched with you, you two didn’t seem in pain,” DJ explained, Moon nodded, thinking his answer over before speaking.

“ It only hurts if we fight it,” Moon explained, leaning back against the railing, his back to the atrium behind him “ the more out of our element we are, the harder the body tries to shift from one more to the other, the more painful it is,” He finished, DJ moved to stand next to him, leaning over the out over the atrium. Bitterly wishing he hadn’t when he spotted Mappy zooming around on the second level, “ Sun’s more use to it, that’s why he doesn't seem as a affected by dim lightning like in Monty golf,” Moon trailed off, DJ could see Moon was watching him with his peripheral vision, then  Moon’s head turned 180 degrees to se what DJ was looking at, “ Why are we mad with Map bot?” Moon asked, DJ turned to him, the Daycare attendant pointed to his own eyes, “ Orange.” DJ scoffed and crossed his primary arms, turning his back to the atrium. 

“ It’s. . .” DJ huffed, “ Ever since I got this body, he- not just him, all the staff bots have been avoiding me,” DJ explained, “ Turned out they weren’t my friends,” Moon frowned.

“ Oh. . . I’m sorry, when did this. . . come to light?” Moon asked, DJ rolled his head to release the stiffness he was feeling in his neck before answering.

“ Tuesday, ran into Mapbot, he made it clear he wanted me to stay away from him, and gave me a map, and just left,” DJ glared at his shoes. 

“ So that’s what you were doing in the bakery,” Moon mused, DJ looked over at him, then let out a small chuckle.

“ Yep. . . Brooding,” DJ agreed, Moon smiled sadly at him.

“ I am sorry though, I know the staff bots were most of the company you got,” Moon said gently. DJ shrugged.

“ What can you do,” He sighed, Moon hummed, then pushed himself off the railings. 

“ SHall we head to the west arcade, take another look at your code?” Moon asked, pointing to the arcade. DJ nodded.

“ Sure,” He followed Moon back to his arcade, “ So do you guys fight a shift often?” DJ asked as they walked. Moon snorted.

“ What is this? Twenty questions? You ask one I ask one?” Moon asked, stopping by the elevator.

“ It could be,” DJ responded, Moon sighed, shaking his head. 

“ No, not anymore, when we first came online yeah Foxy would get on our case so much about it,” Moon hit the elevator button then took a step back, his Cable coming down. “ I’ll think of one,” He said as he attached himself, DJ tilted his head, “ my turn,” Moon reminded him, a teasing tone to his voice, “ See you in there~” He finished in that singsong voice that made DJ’s code flutter. DJ smiled and waved him off as he disappeared in the darkness above them. DJ entered the elevator and when the doors closed behind him, he leaned back on them and sighed. His memory replaying his last elevator trip.  A part of him wished Moon had entered this elevator with him, the other part of made his code churn, reminding him that being in such a well lit place would cause the other pain, and that he was being selfish. 

He held his head in his primary hands, his secondary arms hugging himself. His mind once more arguing with itself on what he wanted, was he willing to lose what he had. His memory play the night's events again.How Moon must have been out of his comfort zone when he came to collect DJ from the bowling alley, how he’d practically hid behind DJ when Bonnie came to talk to them. Moon’s words from that first night in the bakery came to mind 

“ Would you believe I’m antisocial, shy and you were very intimidating ” DJ hadn’t believed Moon was truly shy until now. It was cute. DJ chuckled to himself, a dopey smile spreading across his face despite his frustrations. He heard the elevator dinged, and he looked up to see Moon waiting by the statue of the band. The neon lighting gave what little light colors he did have, yellow, white and red, an almost black light effect.

DJ’s breath would have caught in his throat. He briefly wondered why he didn’t notice it before, then figured he’d had a lot on his mind at the time. DJ moved to him, Moon’s eyebrow raised. 

“ Ok, my question,” Moon started once he was close enough, DJ had almost forgotten the questions game. DJ smiled fondly att him as he came to a stop, “ What are you feeling right now?” DJ started, his fans kicking on. 

“ Wha-” Moon moved closer, pointing to DJ’s eyes. 

“ They were magenta! They turned Magenta right before you got in the elevator, and they were still Magenta when you came out,” Moon explained, DJ blinked, “ they didn’t change til just now, what were you feeling?” DJ’s internal battle started up again. On one hand this was the perfect opportunity, Moon was quite literally asking for him to confess his feelings, but on the other hand did he want to do that? And on the other other hand what if Moon didn’t like the answer, and  on the other other other hand, what if his eyes turning magenta had nothing to do with it?

Moon seemed to sense DJ’s discomfort as the silence stretched on and he took a step back. “I-I’m sorry you don’t have to-” DJ found himself waving teh apology off, decision made. He’d tread carefully.

“ No, I told you to ask,I’m just trying to uh, find words,” DJ admitted, Moon nodded, waiting patiently. After a long pause DJ sighed heavily, “ It’s. . . a light feeling, but also heavy, and tight,” DJ tried to describe, Moon tilted his head a little to far to the right, “ And sometimes it almost feels like a bird or a squirrel is stuck in there,” DJ added, tapping his chest, “ And I want to be around it more, but I also want it to go away, it’s a happy feeling, I can not smile whenever it comes over me,” DJ laughed nervously, opting to look up at the statue, instead of down at Moon, “ It’s also scary I- I don’t know what would you call that?” DJ asked finally looking down at Moon. He wished he didn't. Moon’s head had righted itself, his eyes were wide, after a pause Moon answered him.

“ . . . Affection.” His voice was quiet, then a little louder, “ I-I’d call that affectionate ” Was it just DJ or was Moon’s voice trembling a little, “ Is. . .” Moon started reaching out, then retracting hand, holding it to his chest. “ Is there something you want to tell me?” He asked, DJ wanted to look away, a part of him wanted to run. His code felt like it was being squeezed. But his feet remained planted, his gaze locked with Moon’s.

“ Yeah,” DJ admitted, his body started shaking, “ Problem is, I don’t know if I should ,” 

“ I -I think you should,” Moon responded quickly, almost eagerly, there was a pause as DJ tried to find the courage to continue. He couldn’t run now, he was backed into a corner, and he couldn't’ say he hated it. 

“ I-I . . .” Moon waited, “ I- I want what Monty and Sun have,” he admitted, part of him wishing he could look away, another keeping his eyes on the other, gauging his reactions, “ B-but with you,” Moon’s eyes widened a fraction, “ I want to hold hands, and- and all that, I think it’s so cute when you play with your hat, o-or tie it in that knot bun thing, a-and,” Once the flood gates were open DJ couldn’t stop . Moon starred at him as he continued to word vomit his feelings out, “ A-and I don’t even know if you’d want that sort of thing, Bonnie said you didn't,” An annoyed expression crossed Moon’s features, “ Monty told me to not listen to him,” Moon gaped in horror.

“ You talked to Monty about this?!”  He asked, covering his mouth. DJ nodded.

“ I-I asked about your history, he asked why I was so curious, and I-I didn’t have an answer,  I was completely unaware of my own feelings I-I didn’t,” DJ struggled to find words, “ I like you, that’s all I know,” DJ finished unceremoniously. Moon blinked at him. 

“ How long have you felt this way?” Moon asked, DJ’s coded heart sank, he looked down at his feet. 

“ S-since wednesday night? Maybe thursday morning?” DJ admitted, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously, his secondary knuckles tapping. 

“ even after. . . the ceiling thing a-and,” Moon trailed off, DJ nodded again.

“ Yeah I-I don’t fully get that one either,” DJ admitted with a weak laugh, Moon matched it, and DJ winced. Moon’s hand found DJ’s secondary ones, stopping their tapping. 

“ And here I thought I blew my chances,’ Moon said nervously, DJ blinked then looked up. 

“ What?” He asked, Moon stepped closer, a soft smile on his face.

“ You heard me,” He stated, shifting his hold on DJ’s secondary hands so their fingers were intertwined. Relief and joy flooded DJ’s systems, he actually staggered from the force of it, and One of Moon’s hands move to his shoulder to steady him, “ You okay?” Moon asked with a laugh. DJ felt a grin grow on his face, it would have physically hurt from how wide it was .

“ yeah-Yeah! I just- I didn’t expect- I didn’t know what to expect,” DJ admitted laughing. Moon snickered, “ Why?” DJ finally asked, Moon stepped even closer, and DJ felt his code flutter as the hand that was on DJ’s shoulder moved up and past it. So his arm was across DJ’s shoulders.

“ Wll, at first it was because I thought you were. . . mysterious,” Moon admitted “ and you were the first. . .. abstract design we saw here,” DJ blinked, “ And you were kind to us,” DJ gave him him a confused look, then gasped as realization dawned on him.

“ Right, you must’ve been awake when they introduced Sun,” DJ said, Moon nodded.

“ I was ~” A chuckle escaped DJ when Moon used that sing song voice, “ I’ll admit my feelings started to eb away when I officially met you, not only were you not what I thought you were,” Moon started, releasing DJ’s hand to wave his won sheepishly, “ But you were rightfully furious with me, then I got to know exactly who you really are,” Moon wrapped is other arm across DJ’s shoulders, DJ found his secondary arms settled comfortable around Moon’s middle, “ And I like him even more.”

“ Why?” DJ asked again, as far as he could tell he was a panicking mess. Moon snickered again, and gently traced the back side of one of DJ’s headphones with a single finger. 

“ You’re a very strong person, you know that? You’ve been through a lot, I think most humans would crack under the pressure they’ve put you under,” DJ blinked at him, “ and despite that, despite your experiences, you smile, you try to have fun, I’ve seen it through Sun’s eyes, and you’re great with kids, Olivia loves you, doesn’t shut up about you by the way,” DJ felt a little sheepish his primary arms wrapping around moon’s torso for lack of anything else to do with them, “ and you are more forgiving then any of us deserve, after everything. . .I don’t think I could be that big,” DJ smiled softly, shrugging.

“ I mean, what else could I do?” He asked, Moon scoffed.

“ Hold a grudge? I would,” Moon admitted, “ especially after what Bonnie said to you, Moon’s gaze shifted to the statue, glaring at the rabbit's golden twin, “ Well he’s really lucky I wasn’t fronting when he said it,” Moon finished, DJ chuckled and shook his head.

“ With all due respect Lullaby, you would’ve frozen on the spot, like you did in Bonnie Bowl,” DJ reminded him, Moon’s gaze snapped to him, and DJ thought he’d said something wrong.

“ Lullaby ?” Moon repeated, tilting his head to the side, then smiled, his eyes lidded, “ I like that, and yeah,” Moon agreed with a sigh, pulling away from DJ’s hold,  I probably would, but I’d like to think I’d tear his ear off,” He pantomimed the action as he turned away. DJ laughed.

“ I didn’t realize you had this feisty side,” He teased, he did, he’d caught snippets of it from Sun’s one sided conversations, but it was still cute to see Moon turn to him with a sheepish, nervous look, playing with his hat end.

“ Is. . . that bad?” He asked, DJ chuckled again, shaking his head.

“ No, I like it,” Moon relaxed, twirling his hand around his fingers nervously.

“ So. . . what happens now?” Moon asked, DJ shrugged, gesturing to the other.

“ I was hoping you’d know, you’re the one who’s done this before,” The beetle stated, Moon gaped.

“ How much did Monty tell you?!” He demanded, DJ laughed again.

“ I learned you don’t like to share~” DJ teased, Moon huffed, and crossed his arms.

“ Damn right, I already have to share a body, I don’t want to share my Boyfriend. ” Moon stated, DJ chuckled again and Moon laughed softly with him, then sighed, “ Alright let me check Bouncer Mode again,” He said softly, walking past DJ to the stairs, snagging the beetle’s hand in his own as he did. DJ felt some of the giddiness leave him. He frowned as he followed Moon up the stairs. Moon seemed to notice his mood change,  because he squeezed DJ’s hand gently, “ It’s going to be okay, we’re going to figure this out,” He promised, DJ smiled weakly at him.

“ Yeah?” Moon nodded.

“ I’ve finally got you after who knows how much time I spent pining, they’re not taking you from me without a fight,” He emphasized his promise by giving DJ’s hand a firm squeeze, DJ felt his code flutter.

Chapter Text

It was much easier to sit in the chair next to Moon as he searched DJ’s code, maybe it was because it was the second time, or maybe it was because he was giddy from the most recent development in his and Moon’s relationship. It was still awkward at times, but easier to laugh off when Moon caught DJ staring as he tied his hat into a bun, or when Moon would let his touch linger for a little too long, not that DJ minded at all. 

THe atmosphere changed as Moon searched, through DJ’s code his typing became agitated finally he groaned in frustration. 

“ I-I don’t understand, there's Nothing here! Nothing that seems wrong!,” but Moon held his head in hands, “ I saw it, I saw, so . . .” Moon looked up at the computer, “ Maybe . . . It’s because It’s a unique program to you?” Moon turned to DJ, “ Do you have any other programs or protocols that are just yours? Maybe I could compare how they run,” DJ shrugged.

“ I-I don’t know,” DJ looked over at the code, he couldn't understand the numbers running across the screen. Moon hummed then pushed the chair away from the desk. Maneuvering it to the nearby filing cabinet. He opened it from his seat, “ What are you looking for?” DJ asked, Moon flipped through the folders inside. 

“ Your file,” Moon answered, “ Your file will have all your programs in it,” He pulled out a blue folder, raising an eyebrow, “ Why are they color coded?” He asked under his breath as he tucked the blue folder away. DJ caught a glimpse of the words on the folder.

“ Why is there a copy of your file in the arcade?” DJ asked, Moon flipped through a few more files.

“ There’s copies of all of our files in each of the attractions, just in case we break down there or something, you’re the only one with one copy,” Moon pulled a yellow folder out of the file cabinet and returned to the desk, laying the folder down. “ Which I’m sure will change now that you can move around the plex,” He opened the folder, DJ froze when he saw the name at the top of the page, DIsc Jockey Music Man, DJ’s full name, technically/ He looked to Moon for a reaction, expecting mockery or at least surprise. Moon however didn’t react, he trailed a finger down the list of DJ’s duties and programs. 

“ Yes?” Moon asked not looking up, DJ felt his fans kick on. 

“ What?” Moon let his gaze move to DJ’s face.

“ You’re staring, did you need something?” He smirked, he was teasing.

“ No, not at all,” DJ looked away, Moon snickered

“ If you say so. . .  Disc Jockey,” Moon replied, DJ let out an annoyed huff, Moon snorted, “ I tease, I know you don’t like being called that,” He assured, placing a hand over one of DJ’s earning a surprised look from the beetle. 

“ Did you already know that my name was. . .” He started, gesturing to the folder, Moon raised an eyebrow.

“ DJ, I was rais- Trained by Foxy.” He stated. Embarrassment flooded him. 

“ Oh yeah. . .” Disc Jockey was all Foxy ever called DJ.

“ In fact I didn’t realize you preferred “DJ” until I heard you correct a staffbot,” Moon explained, DJ laughed sheepishly.

“ Yeah, I don’t know, it sounds dumb. . . . I don't mind when it was Foxy though,” DJ admitted, Moon nodded, turning a page in the folder. It was noted and schematics on his newer body. DJ noticed three different types of handwriting, as well as some frustrated scribbles, “ He didn’t visit often, but he still visited. . .  one time,” DJ didn’t know why he was talking about the fox, he knew Moon didn’t like talking about him, he made that clear last time, “ He somehow snuck a cleaning cart into the arcade, it was done up with a sheet and a broom or something to look like a pirate ship, and he rode it all over the place, down the stairs, off the stage,” Moon laughed softly.

“ It was a mop.” He corrected, DJ blinked, “ Sun helped him make it, and,” Moon looked up to smile sheepishly at DJ, “ I carried it through the staff tunnels for him,” DJ laughed.

“ what? Why?” he asked, Moon shrugged.

“ I don’t know why he wanted to do that, it was on his bucket list,” Moon waved the question off.

“ No, why did you two help him ,” DJ clarified, Moon laughed again.

“ I don’t know , when your Dad tells you to help him make and carry a “Pirate Ship” “ Moon used air quotes, “ To the west arcade so he can “Explore the unsailed territory” you don’t question him, you just do it, Sun was just happy he wasn’t trying to launch himself out of the prop canons into Bonnie Bowl again,” Moon turned another page, Normally the mental image of FOxy attempting to climb into a canon while Sun tried to stop him would have made DJ laugh, but his processors were stuck on one phrase that came out of Moon’s voice box. 

“ Your. . . Dad?” He repeated, Moon’s smile didn’t just fall, it dropped, like it was suddenly too heavy. Moon glanced at DJ, then tried to shrug it off.

“ Yeah . . . I didn’t mean to say that but. . .” Moon sighed, “ yeah. . .”  DJ frowned sympathetically at him. Moon glanced at him, “ Don’t look at me like that ,” Moon held up a hand both to block DJ from his field of view as well as to hide his face from the beetle. DJ hesitated before reaching out and taking Moon’s hand. Once it was in his hold, he looked away. There was a pause, then Moon let his hand drop back to the desk, squeezing DJ’s weakly. 

“ I’m sorry,” DJ started, not looking over at the other, “ That must’ve been hard,” He couldn’t empathize, he’d never been close to anyone like that until recently, but he could sympathize. Moon hummed, and DJ could imagine him shrugging again, “ Did he know you two. . .” DJ trailed off, there was a pause.

“ I think he did- well,” A snort escaped him, DJ risked a glance, Moon’s gaze was fixed on a page that had his old body’s schematics, but clearly wasn’t taking any of it in, a bittersweet smile on his face, “ I know he knew, Sun let it slip when . . . when we were saying goodbye, but. . .” He sighed, “ I think he knew the whole time, I think the sentiment was mutual because he didn't even bat an eye at it, he just smiled as said “ Take care of each other” ” Moon fell silent, DJ watched him for a moment.

“ Is that why you don’t like talking about him?” DJ asked, Moon looked over at him suddenly, “ I -I’m sorry I keep. . . I’ll drop it,” DJ looked away, Moon let out a quiet laugh.

“ I don’t not like talking about him. Sometimes I want to and sometimes I don’t. . . I-I've never really had anyone to  talk to honestly,” Moon admitted, turning his gaze back to the page, picking at a sticking note that was stuck there, “ It’s. . . I don’t mind it. . . It feels nice to get it out of my head, “ he smiled weakly at DJ and he returned it, “ I would like to drop it though,” He added, DJ nodded.

“ No problem,” He agreed. Moon returned the gesture, finally peeling the sticky note off the page, reading it. He growled suddenly. 

“ Why is he still working here if even Management thinks he’s stupid ?!” Moon snapped.

“ What? Who?” DJ asked, leaning closer to look, Moon tapped at the note on his old body’s schematics, still holding the sticky note in his other hand. 

“ It says here; Due to the large size of DJMM Its shut down protocol is specific and temperamental, should DJMM be shut down incorrectly it will not start back up.” Moon finished, DJ reared back in horror.

“ You mean I was one power surge while I was charging away from just being gone ?!” DJ asked, Moon gave an uncertain shrug.

“ Uh, maybe? Not necessarily, as long as your AI was intact you could be transferred, but given the cost of building a new body. . . probably,” He settled on, then offred the sticky note,” This is the part that really makes me mad,” DJ took the note and read ;

Just tell Dale it can’t be shut down at all, otherwise that idiot will try to shut it down just because he can and we can’t afford to replace it at this time . The choice of words made DJ think the note was old.

“ IT shows they knew what human staff were doing and didn’t care!” Moon growled out,” taking the note back and crumpling it up, He threw it towards a Freddy trash can, the can wasn’t open though so it bounced off and landed on the ground. 

“ Are you really surprised,” DJ asked, Moon sighed a long angry, dramatic sigh.

“ No.” He admitted, turning back to the file, turning the page, more programs and functions and programs written in more detail, “ Oooooh someone was a passion project~” Moon sang softly to himself, DJ tried to ignore the way his code flittered, and leaned over to see what Moon was looking at, the code still displayed on the monitor jumbled momentarily. Moon’s attention snapped to it, “ What was that?” He asked himself, sounding concerned. DJ rubbed the back of his neck with one of his primary hands.

“ I think that was me,” He admitted nervously, Moon huffed. 

“ Obviously, it’s your code,” Moon retorted, DJ chuckling bashfully.

“ No no I mean. . . say something in that voice again,” Moon raised an eyebrow as he side eyed him.

“ What voice?” He asked, DJ made a sound like clearing his throat, a nervous chuckle escaping him.

“ The um. . .the sing song one. . . . you usually use it when you’re teasing me,” He couldn’t look Moon in the eye, the lunar animatronic leaned back, a smug smirk growing on his face as he started to understand.

“ You mean this one~?” Moon asked, DJ’s code fluttered again, and this time Moon could see it happening on the monitor. He snickered and leaned closer, gently trailing a finger along DJ’s shoulder pad, “ Oh~ Do you like it when I talk like this~?” He asked, tilting his head a little too far to his left. DJ let out a nervous laugh, trying to fight the dopey smile that was trying to form on his face. 

“ Only a little,” DJ admitted, Moon hummed as he rested his chin on the hand he had resting on DJ’s shoulder, his other hand coming up to DJ’s chin and gently guiding his head to look at him.

“ Only a little~? ” He parroted in that sing-song voice, looking into DJ’s eyes, DJ pulled away, sputtering.

“ S-Stop it!” He laughed, Moon laughed with him. The door that separates the back area from the fazcade outside the security office slammed open with a bang. Cutting them both off. Moon stood and with one hand turned the monitor displaying DJ’s code away from the door, not looking away from said door. At the same time Monty slid in, gripping the door frame to keep himself from falling over, it looked like he ran there.

“ Moon! Yah gotta come to the golf course,” He said suddenly, out of simulated breath. Moon hesitated, then gestured to DJ who was still in the chair, connected to the computer by a cable. 

“ I’m busy?” He said, Monty waved that off, shaking his head.

“ I know, I know, I was briefed but you’re the only one here who knows how to repair any of us and Bonnie’s damaged ,” DJ’s eyes went wide, he stood up, accidentally causing the cable connecting him to the computers to yank him back slightly, causing him to yelp as pain suddenly formed like a stab between his eyes. Moon practically shoved him back into his seat while DJ nursed his sudden headache. 

“ What happened? Why were you all in Monty golf?” Moon asked, moving to the computer and clocking on some things with the mouse.

“ We weren’t he was,” Monty corrected, Moon rolled his eyes.

“ Fine, what was HE doing there then?!” Moon snapped, getting irritated as he moved to DJ and unplugged him from the computer, “ We’ll have to finish this later okay?” Moon added quietly, DJ nodded. 

“ I don’t know! He said he heard something and was going to the east arcade to check it out, next thing we know he’s pinging Freddy from Monty golf saying he needs help, and that he’s damaged,” Moon untied his hat, heading for the door. Monty started leading the way while DJ followed quickly behind them, “ I know you don’t like him right now, but all the techs went home hours ago and -” Moon cut the gator off by raising his hand.

“  I may be mad at him right now, but I wouldn’t just leave him to suffer . How Petty do you think I am?” He asked, DJ could see Moon’s cable lowering to meet them as they reached the stairs to the lower part of the arcade. 

“ Very,” Monty stated with a nervous laugh, Moon didn’t respond as he attached himself to the cable. 

“ I’ll meet you in Gator golf, it’s faster if I just,” He gestured to the space above them. DJ and Monty nodded, then Moon was gone. Monty practically sprinted to the elevator, DJ hesitated a moment before following, nearly tripped down the stairs as he did.The sprint to Monty golf was done in relative silence, they slowed to a stop as they approached the elevator to the golf course. Freddy, Chica, and Roxy were already there, but were being blocked by a blond woman in a security guard uniform. DJ hadn’t seen her before and scanned her as he approached. 

Vanessa A. Night Guard . 

“ Look, there's nothing to see, go back-” She was cut off by Roxy.

“ Nothing to see?! Bonnie pinged Freddy! He’s in there!” She snapped, literally in the woman’s face. 

“ That’s not your concern-” This time she was interrupted by Monty.

“ Not our concern?! He’s our friend , Freddy’s partner !” Monty added, DJ glanced over at the bear who was nervously wringing his hands, his eyes wide and fearful. His ears drooped. 

“ I-if I could just go check on him,” He pleaded, “ Sit with him until the techs arrive,” The woman rolled her eyes and DJ felt a spike of hatred towards this woman hit him. 

“ You can go back to your green room ,” She responded sternly, Freddy took a step closer.

“ Please officer Vanessa,” He begged, DJ’s code ached a little, he heard bells and felt someone take one of his secondary hands, he looked over at Moon who was clearly trying not to be seen while also getting Monty’s attention. The gator looked over at him and Moon whispered;

“ I couldn't find him,” DJ and Monty exchanged confused worried looks. 

“ Listen ,” Vanessa huffed angrily,  “ even if I wanted to let you in, there’s nothing for you to “sit with "" she used air quotes, DJ heard Monty growl and he felt Moon squeeze his hand as he leaned into the beetle's side. DJ wordlessly pulled his secondary hand free and wrapped the arm around Moon’s middle, “ There’s nothing active left,” She stated, Freddy’s eyes went wide and he froze.Chica took a step closer while Roxy’s ears went flat against her head.

“ What?” Chica gasped, Vanessa rubbed her temple.

“ There's nothing active left, hell I’ll be amazed  if the techs are able to salvage his AI<” Fredy shook his head slowly, and took a couple steps back. 

“ No. . . no, no,no, that can’t be- he pinged me ,” Freddy started, Vanessa shrugged.

“ I don’t know what to tell you,” Vanessa crossed her arms, her yellow eyes emotionless and cold as she turned to Monty, “ and where were you ?” She asked, Monty blinked in surprise.

“ What?” He asked.

“ Where were you when this happened?” She asked, Monty stared at her for a moment.

“ You think I-”

“ It’s your golf course,” She stated, Monty snarled in response, “ Not helping your case.” She deadpanned. 

“ Monty was with us,” Chica said suddenly, “ In Bonnie Bowl,” She pointed in the direction of the bowling alley. Vanessa nodded, then her cold yellow eyes turned on DJ. 

“ And you ?” DJ raised an eyebrow. 

“ The west arcade,” He answered evenly, “ why?” He could hear Moon’s bells and was sure he was anxiously tugging on his ribbons again. 

“ Well when an incident like this happens, I have to check the security footage,and well. . .” She sighed heavily, rolling her eyes like she was explaining a simple concept to an idiot, “ You seemed to have a nasty disagreement yesterday,” She stated, DJ didn’t look away from her.

“ We discussed that, and we’re fine now,” He responded. She hummed in a non believing way. 

“ You also have your violent outbursts,” She continued, “ The two don’t look good,” Moon stiffened against him. 

“ What?” Roxy barked an almost mocking laugh, “ DJ doesn’t have violent outbursts, he’s the literal definition of a Big Friendly Giant!” She gestured to him as she spoke. 

“ Not according to the cameras in the old baker,’ Vanessa said evenly, not breaking eye contact with DJ. 

“ The bakery?” Chica echoed.

“ So you were in that arcade alone?” Vanessa asked DJ, who quickly decided he didn’t like or trust this woman. This had all just happened, how was Bonnie not in there? How did she already have a case against him ? Why did she have a case against him? 

“ I was with my boyfriend.” DJ almost growled himself, his voice a dangerously low bass, Moon jumped in surprise, the others all looked at him. Vanessa raised an eyebrow. 

“ Your boyfriend?” She repeated, again sounding like she didn’t believe him. Moon sheepishly raised a hand, DJ wrapped his primary arm around Moon’s shoulders, his secondary still around his middle, ready to pull Moon away from this woman should she start throwing accusations at him for some reason. It was irrational, he knew but at that moment he didn’t care, “ He was with you?” She stated, Moon nodded, “ Alright then all of you go back to your attractions,” She ordered. Monty growled again.

“ Yer blocking mine.” He snarled, She let out a frustrated groan, like she was fed up with them. DJ clenched his two free hands. 

“ FINE, pick an attraction and stay there, all of you,” She snapped, Monty glanced at DJ and Moon.

“ We’ll be in the west arcade,” He growled, gesturing to the other two. Vanessa sighed.

“ Good, fine go,” Roxy grabbed one of Freddy’s arms as he was just staring numbly at the ground, DJ felt his coded heart ache for him again. 

“ We’ll be in Fazerblast,” The wolf said as she took Chica’s hand, who DJ now realized also seemed to be in shock. Roxy started to take them towards the space themed attraction. DJ felt the moon on his arm and turned to head towards the West Arcade.

Chapter Text

“ Is it just me,” Monty started as they walked towards the west arcade, “ Or is she already building a case against us,” He questioned, gesturing to himself and DJ. Moon was covering his mouth with his hand, his other holding onto one of DJ’s. 

“ Yeah I noticed,’ DJ said evenly, “ Why is she already checking old footage?” Monty’s tail flicked angrily.

“ Yeah! And you said you couldn’t find him?!” Monty asked Moon, who tripped on a stair of the escalator as they started to ascend them. DJ wordlessly caught and steadied him. Moon turned to the gator.

“ No I couldn’t, I-I know he was there, I-I found pieces of him by the hurricane hole in one bucket on the catwalks,” He explained shakily. Monty gaped.

“ Pieces of him” the gator echoed, Moon nodded numbly. 

“ This is bad,” Monty sighed, running a hand through his mohawk. Moon nodded again, Monty turned to DJ and Moon, “ And how long has this been a thing? DIdn’t we just talk about that,” He asked, DJ’s fans kicked on, Moon offered a shrug. 

“ Today? After we left the bowling alley,Moon rubbed his arm anxiously, DJ reached out and hit the Fazcade’s elevator button. 

“ And you just jumped into the boyfriend label,” Monty asked, looking pointedly at DJ, who’s fans went to a higher setter. 

“ Was I not supposed to? Earlier, you said-” DJ started, turning to Moon, who squeezed his hand gently.

“ No you’re fine, don’t worry about it,” Moon assured him, Monty scoffed, crossing his arms as the elevator doors opened. Moon quickly side stepped so he was in DJ’s shadow, away from the light. 

“ It’s just a little fast is all, “ Monty noted, putting a foot in the elevator door to keep it from closing. DJ raised an eyebrow at the gator. 

“ You were the one that said “ hearts run on their own timeline "" DJ defended, Moon snorted. 

“ You said that ?!” he fought a laugh as he spoke, Monty sputtered in an embarrassed manor, “ Sun thinks that’s adorable,” Moon teased , DJ chuckled, looking over at Moon.

“ Sun’s up?” He asked, Moon nodded.

“ I woke him when I left the arcade,” he explained, the beetle nodded, “ He wants to check on Monty,” He added, bringing back the somber mood. Monty let out a huff that could have been a laugh, entering the elevator, one hand gripping the frame to keep it open.

“ I’m fine Cher,” He said, Moon shook his head, and rolled his eyes.

“ You tell him,” he said under his breath, turning to DJ. Whatever Moon had been intending to do, he lost the confidence to do it when he met DJ’s gaze. HIs eyes went a little wide, and he smiled sheepishly. Waving awkwardly with one hand as he squeezed DJ’s hand with his other. “ I’ll be back after the ride,” Moon explained, before turning sharply. Monty snickered.

“ That was painful to watch,” He said. 

“ Shuttup,” Moon snapped as he sped into the light, Sun staggered a bit as he took control, then quickly moved to the gator, throwing his arms around Monty’s shoulders. Monty returned the hug, then after a pause, tightened his hold, and tried to bury his face in the red frill around Sun’s neck. DJ entered the elevator and hit the button to make it take them up. Sun pulled away from Monty.

“ Are you okay?” He asked, Monty released a breath.

“ I-I will be,” He admitted, DJ leaned against the wall, crossing his primary arms while his secondary hands drummed lightly on the metal surface. He tried to be respectful of this probably private conversation, choosing to inspect the posters on the walls, “ It’s just . .  surreal, and. . . but it’s probably fine, right, he’s probably already in parts and service,” Monty suggested hopefully, It sounded like denial to DJ. 

“ Maybe . . .” Sun agreed, “ You wanna talk about it? I know he was a good friend to you,” He offered, Monty huffed.

“ No. Not right now. . . I’d rather think of anything  else,” Monty sighed, then he added suddenly, “ So how did you and Moon happen? DId you grow a spine? Or did he?” DJ rolled his eyes as he began to understand what Monty was doing. He turned to the gator who was facing him now, an arm still around Sun. He chose not to call the gator out given the circumstances. 

“ He noticed my eyes change color based on my emotions, “ He started, “ He was stuck on magenta, I tried to describe what I was feeling, he kinda figured it out, backed me into a corner to confess-”
“ Backed you into a corner” Sun echoed, “ Is that how you felt about it?” DJ blinked, then sheepishly smiled when he remembered Moon was listening still.

“ Y-Yeah, but in a good way,” Monty and Sun exchanged looks, “ No really! I-I probably would have never admitted anything otherwise, “ He tried to explain, “ Monty shook his head.

“ Well then, you’re both social messes, perfect ,” He snarked, and Sun gave him a playful shove. The elevator doors opened, DJ shook his head as he placed his foot in the doorway. 

“ We are not social messes,” DJ defended, Monty pointed at him.

“ You can’t decide if you’re a social butterfly, or an anxious rolly polly!” He started, “ And Moon’s the monster under kid’s beds!” DJ crossed his arms, brows furrowed.

“ He is not .” DJ said at the same time Sun said;

“ That was mean, Monty,” Monty held up his hands in surrender.

“ I was kidding , Moon knows I’m not serious! But really, you saw him back there, he doesn’t talk to people besides us three, parents, when he has to , and the twelve kids he’s in charge of,” Monty counted off on his fingers, DJ raised an eyebrow.

“ That doesn’t make sense, how’d that kid get his autograph?” DJ asked, Monty cocked his head.

“ A kid got his autograph?” He asked, DJ nodded. 

“ On my first day in. . .” he gestured to himself, “ and a kid gave me an autograph book and on the last page was Moon’s signature,” DJ explained.

“ Oh! I remember you saying that before! It’s how you found out Moon was in the plex!” Sun continued for him, DJ nodded, “ And Moon says that was Cody, Olivia’s older brother, the family came to get her early during naptime, caught Moon completely off guard,”  Sun giggled as he reminisced. DJ chucked, imagining a shy flustered Moon trying to sign the book. A loud voice came on through the elevator speakers.

“ UH OH! It seems you have been holding up the elevator! Unless you are dead, or unconscious, please exit the elevator so other guests may use the elevator! Thank you! And have a Faz-tastic day!” DJ physically jumped, looking up at the speakers, he looked over at Monty and Sun, his eyes wide. Sun was covering his mouth, fighting giggles while Monty grinned at him. DJ pointed to the speaker.

“ What was that?!” he asked, Monty snickered.

“ Ah that’s just the intercom, ignore him,” He pressed his snout to Sun’s cheek before leaving the elevator, Sun followed. Like his brother, Moon staggered when he took control again. He looked nervous, tugging on his bells. 

“ What's on your mind Lullaby?” DJ asked, Monty raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Moon glanced at the beetle before his gaze fell to the floor again. 

“ Just. . . a lot of “what if’s” Moon admitted, “ Things are about to change. . . I don’t like change ,” He added, DJ hummed. There was a beat of silence, then DJ put his hand on Moon’s back, attempting to comfort whim while he turned to the gator.

“ Hey Monty, How much do you wanna bet Sun can’t beat Moon’s CFF score?” DJ asked, Pointing towards Chica’s Fitness Frenzy. Monty looked towards the game in question, then snorted.

“ If Sun wants to play it, then sure, you’re on,” Moon let out a weak laugh. The rest of the night was spent distracting themselves. 

The next day almost felt normal, it was Saturday, so kids piled into the arcade, keeping the DJ plenty busy. The only thing reminding him of the prior night's events was the kids chatting amongst themselves about Bonnie. Apparently the guests were being told the bunny was “ on vacation” . Some kids had asked the beetle directly where Bonnie was, DJ would sputter and fumble with excuses before another child would demand his attention about a broken game. It was usually Princess Quest. WHY Princess quest was STILL in his arcade, DJ didn’t know, he was honestly just thinking of removing it himself, who’d notice anyway? Between the crowd, and the kids constantly asking him about Bonnie specifically , DJ was starting to feel a little overwhelmed when a notification flashed in his vision.

Contact Request:

Daycare Attendant(Moon)

Y/N

Moon was calling him? DJ felt a little giddy that his boyfriend was calling and eagerly answered.

“ Yello Hello,” That sounded dumb. Why did he say that? DJ cringed. 

“ Hello, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?” Moon started, DJ raised an eyebrow despite Moon being unable to see it.

“ A favor huh?” DJ hummed, pretending to think about it, “ I dunno. . . awfully busy. . . .” He trailed off.

“ Oh, come on DJ, please~” Moon drawled in that singsong voice, DJ struggled to keep a straight face as his code fluttered in his chest.

“ That’s not fair,” the beetle sighed, Moon snickered, “ What do you need?” DJ asked. 

“ Olivia’s snuck off again, I figured she’s heading your way, so could you do a quick scope of the arcade before I put out another alert, that’d be two in two days and I don’t want management to think we’re slipping,” Moon admitted, sounding a little anxious. DJ nodded, forgetting yet again that Moon couldn’t see him. 

“ Sure thing, I’ll let you know what I find when I’m done,” the beetle promised. 

“ Thank you~” Moon sang, DJ chuckled.

“ Anything for you Lullaby,” DJ replied, hearing a satisfying flustered sound from Moon before he disconnected. He started to walk the arcade, only stopping to refund tokens. DJ got about halfway through the arcade when he spotted her, well he heard her first. 

“ ECHO! Echo! echo!” DJ turned to find her shouting into one of his old tunnels. He stopped about a foot behind her, she shouted again, “ ECHO!” she created her own echo with her voice before giggling. DJ made a sound like clearing his throat, primary hands on his hips, secondary arms crossed. Olivia spun around and looked up at him with those big brown eyes. 

“ MACHAMP!” She greeted, DJ raised, an eyebrow before squatting down. 

“ Olivia,” He returned, she gasped, beaming at him.

“ You know my name?!” She exclaimed, DJ chuckled.

“ Yeah, Mr. Sun and Mr. Moon told me, speaking of them ,” DJ trailed off, Olivia held her hands behind her back, and rocked on her heels. Innocently, “ It’s not safe to sneak out of the daycare by yourself, “ DJ reminded her, she huffed. 

“ Nuh-uh! I’m a Big Girl! ” She emphasized this with a stomp of her red sneaker. DJ tried to keep a straight face. Gosh she was cute. 

“ Even big girls have to follow the rules,” He pointed out, she gasped.

“ I made dis!” Did. . . Did she just try a deflection tactic on him?”  She pulled a folded paper out of her pocket, unfolded it, and presented it. DJ blinked at the paper. It was a crayon drawing of him, a smaller figure on his shoulders as they ran through what looked like . . .a farm?

“ Oh, wow, this is amazing. Is that a cow?” He asked, pointing to the brown and white blob in the background. 

“ Uh-huh! We’re at a cow farm!” She explained, proudly, DJ tilted his head to the side.

“Oh? Why are we at a cow farm?” He asked curiously. 

“ Cuz I like cows,” She stated. DJ chuckled, and waited while she folded it up, and tucked it into her pocket, “ Mr. Sun’s gonna hang it on the wall!” She explained. DJ hummed.

“ Gotta display works of art right?” She bounced on her heels.

“ Yeah!” She grinned at him, DJ quickly scooped her up, a little more confident than the day before, so he was able to keep her in a cradle hold in his secondary arms. 

“ To the Daycare,” He announced, heading for the elevators. Olivia kicked her legs uselessly in frustration. 

“ Nooooooooo!” She whined, “ It’s naptime! I don’t want a nap! I’m a big girl !” She crossed her arms and pointed, DJ resided the chuckle bubbling in his voicebox. He used his primary hands to poke her lightly, enticing giggles from her.

“ Big girls need naps too,” He informed her, mentally reaching out to Moon as he entered the elevator.

“ Yes?” He sounded nervous.

“ I got her, heading your way now,” DJ relayed, Moon sighed.

“ Thank you Lovebug,” DJ blinked.

“ Lovebug?” He repeated, Moon sputtered.

“ NothingIdidn’tsaythatbye!” Moon very quickly disconnected, DJ laughed, earning a confused look from the four year old in his arms. 

“ What's so funny?” She asked, DJ blinked, he felt his fans kick on.

“ Um, nothing, I was just telling Mr.Moon I found you and he said something funny back,” He explained.

“ What?” She asked, DJ floundered.

“ Uh- he said that,” DJ trailed off, “ Monty smelled like gator,” He lied. Olivia scrunched up her nose.

“ Ew,” She said, giggling. “ Who’s your favorite?” She asked suddenly. DJ blinked, taken aback.

“ well. . . you’re my favorite kid,” DJ answered. It wasn’t like it was a lie, but it wasn’t the answer she wanted. 

“ No! Your favorite friend! Like Mr.Sun, or Monty, oh! Or Freddy,” she clarified in frustration. DJ could see Kid’s cove, the daycare beyond it looked dark.

“ Uh, I couldn’t pick a favorite out of my friends,” that one was a lie, the four year old frowned, “ I don’t think any of us have favorites,” DJ continued. Olivia huffed.

“ THat’s what Mr.Sun said too, I told Mr. Moon you were my favorite and he said you were his favorite too!” DJ stopped for a half of a second on the threshold of the daycare, then he recovered, and continued into the dark quiet space. Fighting the grin that was trying to spread on his face.

“ Hm,” He answered instead of speaking. He looked  through the glass of the contained play area, he could see two large play structures, a security desk and a set of wooden double doors. Between the doors and the play structures on the floor laid eleven bundles, children sleeping DJ realized. He caught movement from the corner of his eyes, and turned his head in time to see Moon’s form jump from a platform high above everything else, and glide to one of the play structures. Once he was atop it, he dropped to a crawl, reminding DJ greatly of a cat. He pressed a single finger to his mouth, then pointed to the set of wooden doors. DJ nodded, and made his way to them, walking as quietly as he could. Moon crawled to the edge of the play structure, then silently dropped from it, easily tiptoeing around the sleeping children as he made his way to the doors. Almost as if they weren’t there at all. Moon opened the doors, and took Olivia from him. 

“ Olivia, you know better,” He scolded softly, she pouted, “ Go find a mat, naughty girl,” Moon set her down and she hurried off to the other kids, Moon turned back to DJ. “ Thank you so much for bringing her back, “ He added, placing a hand on DJ’s primary arm. DJ rubbed the back of his neck.

“ Oh, it was no problem,” DJ tried to be quiet, but his voice was just naturally loud. Moon stood on his toes a bit, reaching over with his other hand, turning down DJ’s voice box volume as he responded.

“Listen, I actually have something I wanted to tell you in person,” He whispered, DJ tilted his head.

“ What’s up?” He asked, his voice now barely above a whisper himself. Satisfied with that, Moon ushered DJ in, and pointed to the security desk, indicating where he wanted DJ to stand. Shutting the doors behind the beetle. DJ looked around, having yet to be in the actual Daycare. It was very fairy book-like, and if the lights were on DJ knew it would also be a lot of loud bright colors of mostly blues and Greens and purples. He could see a tower painted on the platform Moon had leapt from, and a doorway in the wall, a kin to a stage. Below it was a ball pit with a slide that led to the upper levels of the daycare, outside the contained play area. High above them he saw cloud shapes evenly spaced, DJ tilted his head slightly, were those the lights? That was kinda cute.

“ I’ll tell you in just a moment, okay Music Box?” Moon asked, grabbing DJ’s attention once more as he moved toward the mat Olivia had selected. DJ nodded, though Moon didn’t see it, his focus on the four year old. His music box was playing, its soft chimes filled the room as Moon knelt down next to Olivia and offered her a Foxy plush, which she took, and laid down, closing her eyes. Moon covered her in a blanket and tucked her in. As he watched her, waiting for her to drift off DJ realized this was the first time she was seeing Moon in his element, truly in his element. The thing he was built to do. Olivia yawned, and then was out. Moon stood, and crossed back to DJ leaned against the door so he could watch the kid’s while he turned to the beetle by the security desk.

“ Shouldn’t you be closer?” DJ asked, pointing to the bundles a little more than twenty feet away, “ In case they need something?” Moon smiled sadly at him, then shook his head.

“ no,” He whispered, “ Most kids don’t react well to this ,” He gestured to his face, “ Being the first thing they see in the dark,” DJ frowned.

“ What do you mean?” He asked, Moon’s gaze shifted to the kids, then he sighed. 

“ Let’s just say, Monty’s not the only one who thinks I look like the boogey man,” Moon said cooly, DJ’s brow furrowed, now wishing he’d laid into the gator more the night before, because clearly he didn’t know Monty “ wasn’t serious” 

“ He didn’t say-'' DJ started, but Moon interrupted him.

“ He may as well have, anyway,” Moon waved him off, and the beetle debating pressing this issue, not wanting to leave the lunar animatronic with any kind of self esteem issues, but chose to drop it. For now. “ Remember yesterday?” Moon started, “ When I said I would owe Sun a favor?” DJ nodded, “ Well he’s calling it in, I can’t come by tonight, he wants to spend the night with just Monty, make sure he’s okay because of the whole Bonnie thing,” Moon explained, DJ nodded. 

“ Oh, oh yeah of course,” He was disappointed, but he certainly couldn’t fault anyone, “ I understand,” Moon pushed himself off the doors, moving towards DJ.

“ I knew you would, thank you,” He placed a hand on DJ’s shoulder and pushed himself up, pressing his faceplate to DJ’s, making the taller freeze. 

It wasn’t a literal shock, DJ was realizing kisses weren’t the same for them as it was for humans, it couldn’t be. The sensation was the same as Moon putting his hand on DJ’s shoulder or holding his hand. Casing against casing. It was more what the gesture meant that sent a jolt of figurative sparks through DJ’s code. Moon made a soft “mwa” sound with his voice box as he pulled away, leaving DJ to stand there dazed. 

“ I’ll see you tomorrow, the plex will be closed so there’ll be more time,” Moon promised, DJ made a confirming sound, but did not move. Moon waited a moment before shaking him gently, “ DJ?” DJ still didn’t move, Moon shook him a little harder, “ DJ,” The beetle blinked, his gaze finally focussed on Moon.

“ Hm?” Moon snickered. 

“ You have to go back to the west arcade now,” Moon reminded him, DJ blinked at him.

“ The what?” He asked, Moon snorted.

“ The west arcade.” He said more firmly. DJ stared at him for a moment, then started as realization came to him, his fans kicking on.

“ Oh! Oh right, yeah, see you, “ DJ rubbed the back of his neck, “ Also don’t listen to Monty, I think you’re beautiful,” Moon stared at him, DJ felt himself internally screaming, “ Why did I say that, I better go, I love you- Ah” DJ skirted around the naptime attendant, reached behind him in a panic for the door, while Moon watched him with an expression that somewhere between amusement and shock.. “ WhydidIsaythat?!Bye!”  It was a good thing Moon turned down DJ’s voice box volume because he’d be shouting otherwise. DJ quickly and quietly escaped the daycare, shutting the door behind him, he held a hand in front of his face he sped walked away into the Atrium so he didn’t have to look at Moon through the glass. He let it drop as he passed the lighthouse in Kid’s cove. SIghing heavily as he held his head in his hands.

Why did he say that?! Was something wrong with his filter? Did he have a filter? Did he upset Moon? DJ paused when he received a Ping. Different from the mental call through the network. Four words flashed in front of DJ’s vision, making him stop.

I love you too.

DJ blinked, then he looked back at the Daycare, from where he stood all he could see was the shadowed forms of the structures. After another pause he turned, and headed to the west arcade, grinning to himself as the giddy feeling bubbled in his code.

The rest of the day went by quickly, but DJ found himself not knowing what to do once the Plex closed. He didn’t exactly have seeing his boyfriend to look forward to. The giddy feeling returned when he remembered that he had a boyfriend, that Moon was his boyfriend. Then guilt started to eat at him, making him sigh. He shouldn’t be happy at all . Not at a time like this. Bonnie had been badly damaged. There was still no word on when Bonnie was coming back, IF Bonnie was coming back. He shouldn’t be acting like a love sick child every time he thought about Moon, about how Moon kissed him, about how Moon had returned his sentiment when DJ had word vomited “ I love you” . Monty’s comment about how DJ and Moon were moving fast crossed his mind, but he shrugged it off. He gave contradictory advice anyway. 

DJ decided he’d go check on Freddy, see if the bear had any information on what was going on with Bonnie, or at least how he was holding up. He was about six feet from the elevator when it opened. Heather stepped out, her steel gaze on DJ, arms crossed. DJ stopped short, she was alone. Vernon and Cassidy were nowhere to be seen. 

“ We need to talk,” She said evenly.

Chapter Text

“ We need to talk.” Heather said evenly, DJ hesitated. 

“ What about?” He asked, Heather moved away from the elevator, but maintained roughly six feet of space between them. Practically circling the beetle, making him feel an awful lot like a mouse being stalked by a cat. Comical, considering she wasn’t even half his height. 

“ How’s Bouncer mode?” She asked, DJ hesitated before responding.

“ I’m working on it,” He promised, “ I was able to activate the thermal vision, it’s functional,” he half lied. Heather nodded, not looking at him as she continued to circle him, he had to turn to keep her in view. 

“ So you didn’t get a chance to check the other features before you decided to cause damage to the building?” She asked, checking her nails. DJ didn’t respond, ice seemed to form in his systems, “ Vanessa sent me security footage of you, procedure when something like last night happens, so we can determine if an animatronics at fault, if it’s a bug or a glitch,” Heather explained dismissively, “ I got a lovely little clip show of you “ she continued, “ Banging into walls, and smashing windows, your little argument with Bonnie, kicking boxes and destroying the contents inside,” DJ’s voice box must have broken down, because DJ had no words. He’s forgotten about breaking the light bulbs for Monty Golf. “ My favorite , “ She went on in a sarcastic tone,” Is the one where you almost tore Monty’s arm off during operating hours, ” She finally looked at him. Stopping her circle, “ With guests watching,” DJ’s voice box finally made a sound, a staticy sputtering one. 

“ I-I’m not used to it yet, But I-” Heather cut him off. 

“ “not used to it yet?’  No, going from six arms to four and two legs was something for you to get used to , this was something in your programing, this isn’t something you should be getting used to ,” She snapped, DJ stared at her.

“ I was told not use it,” He said evenly, “ I got use to not using it, I got use to ignoring it, now I’m trying to figure it out, like  you wanted, I don’t know what you expect-” 

“ I expect you to be functioning,” She stated, DJ felt a stab of annoyance.

“ I am functioning.” He returned. 

“ Not safely clearly, you realize you’re in a Glamrock Body now right? If you are a danger to guests that looks bad on me ,” She explained, “ I could lose my job,” 

“ Oh is that all? Course,” DJ scoffed, “ Your reputation is so much worse than me being deleted, or decommissioned,” He crossed his secondary arms, his primary hands on his hips. Heather rolled her eyes back.

“ Oh please, an animatronic gets decommissioned, call the news, it’s a national tragedy, oh wait, no one cares,” She mocked, DJ flinched internally, “ You know one would think you’d be more grateful, I was offered two attractions to make a glamrock for and I picked you ,” A laugh burst out of him. 

“ You didn’t pick me . You picked the West Arcade , you didn’t know I was here,” He reminded her, Heather scoffed.

“ Alright fine, you got me, I didn't. And I didn’t want the arcade, Vernon talked me into the arcade, said I need to let the Daycare go,” DJ froze. 

“ The Daycare.” He repeated. 

“ yeah, I spent most of my career in that booger infested hell hole,” Heather vented, crossing her own arms, “ Four animatronics, three of us, we all had a hand in Freddy, but Chica was Cassidy’s, Bonnie was Vernons, and Foxy was Mine . “ She shook her head, then continued her circle, though now it was more like she was pacing as she continued her thought, “ Sure I got a little experimental with the image, sure he wasn’t that 80’s Glamrock they wanted but since when has Foxy ever aesthetically fit in? That’s his charm! Whatever, sometimes you throw spaghetti at the wall and it doesn't’ stick whatever, we made Roxanne, no big deal, but then management hires some temp hack to replace my masterpiece ,” She pointed at DJ, “ They think I’m cutting corners with you, that idiot didn’t even build an animatronic for the Daycare! She just repurposed the one she was making for the stupid theater!” she shouted, DJ blinked as he tried to process what she was unconsciously throwing at him, “ When Management offered to let me make a Glamrock for the Daycare I wanted it, finally get rid of that nightmare fuel freakshow-” 

“ Do not call them that.” DJ cut in, his voice dangerously low. Heather turned, almost as if she’d forgotten he was there. She chuckled darkly.

“ Oh yeah, you’ve gotten awfully close to those clowns haven’t you,” She rolled her eyes, “ I think I see that nighttime one here almost everyday,” she added with a huff, “ Regardless, I digress, Vernon suggested we take the arcade, and if we hadn’t it only would have been a matter of time before you found yourself in a warehouse, collecting dust.” She put her hands on her hips, “ and you still could,” She added. DJ stared at her incredulously. 

“ Oh my god. . . you actually are a child,” He stated. Her jaw dropped.

“ Excuse me?!” She gaped, DJ blinked, shaking his head.

“ You’re a child, a spoiled brat with some kind of complex! You throw tantrums when you don’t get your way, they replaced Foxy and all you care about is getting rid of the Daycare attendants, I can’t get Bouncermode working as fast as you like so you’re here trying to scare me about it, but you can’t do anything can you? If you had the authority you act like you do, Foxy would still be here, or at the very least, Sun and Moon wouldn't be. You’re supposedly the best of the three but it was your “ masterpiece” DJ did air quotes, “ That got replaced. I haven't done anything, I broke a window, I broke some lightbulbs, but I didn’t hurt anyone, I haven't threatened any staff, or guests, you have nothing on me. “ DJ crossed his primary arms as well. “ I think the kids who come through here have better attitudes than you, you need a hobby,” he finished. Heather looked like she was about to explode. She stood to her full height, then a sudden calm came over her. 

“ A hobby?” She said casually, DJ raised an eyebrow, “ Like a new project, I suppose. . .” She continued her circle again, “ You know, I noticed on the security footage, there was a clip from last night, to confirm you were elsewhere when Bonnie got damaged,” she explained calmly, “ I noticed it looked like the . . . Daycare attendant ” She said the title with a sour sarcasm to it, “  was looking at your code, and the thing is, he shouldn’t be able to do that, it’s . . . well strange,” She mused. DJ’s primary arms dropped to his sides, he wasn't sure where she was going with this, but was sure he didn’t like it, “ and that combined with the complaints that are piling up,” She checked her Faz-watch, “ Oh wow, they’re close to a hundred. . . I’m sure if I made a case, “ she stopped walking, her back to the elevator, “ I haven’t looked at they’re schematic but if they’re two AI’s like I’ve heard, I could remove the problem, and leave the daytime one.” DJ made a bass drop sound, his vision shifted to Blue and red. 

“ If you so much as touch him ,” DJ started in a dangerously low bass voice, taking a step closer. He felt a bit of satisfaction in seeing her orange form take a startled step back, “ You will regret it,” She straightened, and chuckled. Catching DJ off guard. He blinked and turned Bouncer mode off as she brushed herself off casually. 

“ Well then, I have to punch out, and I’m very busy tomorrow, errands and what not, so I won’t submit the report til tomorrow night, “ She said as if this had been what they were talking about this whole time, what report? She snapped her fingers and pointed at him. “ You, Monday, eight AM, report to Parts and Services for an ARD and that’ll be that,” DJ blinked as she entered the elevator. 

“ A-An ARD?” He asked, Heather laughed as if she told a joke.

“ You threatened me, just now?” She informed him, “ it’s on the camera, can’t have that, so yes, an A I R emoval and Deletion ,” She clarified, DJ froze, staring at her as she smiled a smug grin, “ Enjoy your last weekend, DJ Music Man,” The doors closed. DJ wasn’t sure how long he stood there, processing what she’d just said but when it did click the gravity of the situation almost made his legs give out. He staggered as he moved to the staff tunnels, panic sinking in as he ran. He had to catch up to her, to apologize? Beg? He didn’t know what he’d do when he caught up to her, but he had to catch up to her. He came out by the main entrance, nearly knocking over a staff bot in the process, he caught and steadied the bot, muttering an apology as he looked around desperately. He continued towards the doors, deciding to turn Bouncer mode on again and risk another malfunction so he could flip through the security cameras to try and find her. It was all pointless though because he barely got through three cameras before a security notification popped up in his vision.

Security update:

Heather Bailer has left the Building

DJ collapsed to his knees. Blinking out of Bouncer Mode, only to stare at the linoleum floor. There was a long beat of nothing , where DJ just numbly existed in silence. Then it was broken.

“ Take a map?” DJ didn’t hear it at first. Not until a hand was on his shoulder, shaking him weakly, “ Take a map?” He looked over his shoulder to see Mappy standing behind him. He must’ve been the staff bot  DJ nearly ran over. His head tilted slightly to the side, “ Take a map?” DJ blinked.

“ What do you care?” DJ asked Dully, then shrugged Mappy’s hand off, pulling himself to his feet, “ That’s it then,” He sighed to himself, rubbing his forehead. After a pause he laughed weakly,  That’s really it, I’m. . .” DJ felt the panic start to come back, this time joined by grief, “ That’s not fair,” he moved to sit on the platform that held the giant Freddy statue, “ That’s not fair, I did my best,” He held his head in his hands. He heard motorized wheels follow him. 

“ Take a map?” DJ looked up, Mappy’s head was still tilted. DJ released a breath he had been uselessly holding, ignoring Mappy. He didn’t deserve to know what was going on, DJ didn’t owe him that. 

Hewas going to be deleted and replaced. It was AI Removal and Deletion . Not Decommissioned . . . . so they needed the body. 

“ Maybe I should throw myself down the disposal, that’ll show them,” The beetle said to himself darkly, "He wouldn't though, he knew he wouldn’t, he was too scared.

“ Take a map?!” DJ let out an annoyed huff and glared at the staffbot.

“ Will you leave me alone ?!” He snapped, Mappy wheeled back a little, taken aback. DJ sighed, guilt sinking in, “ I-I’m sorry I’m not in a good place right now. . . I just,” What? Wanted to be alone? That wasn’t true. He was too afraid to be alone, but he also didn’t want to talk to anyone. Mappy turned and pointed at DJ as he wheeled off towards Glamrock gifts, as if telling him to stay put. He wasn’t gone long, returning with a stuffed toy, a plush of Moon. 

“ Take a Map?” Mappy gestured with the plush, DJ took it, holding it in a weak grip. 

“ You heard about that huh,” DJ sighed, Mappy gently, so as not to knock it out of DJ’s hands,  tapped the toy.

“ Take a map?” DJ shook his head.

“ No, he- . . . he’s busy,” Not that he wouldn’t make time for him but the thought of going to Moon put fear in his code, “ Besides what would I tell him? Hey Lullaby you know how we’ve barely been together for twenty four hours? Welp! I’m being deleted! Bye! ”  DJ said in a mock cheery voice, Mappy made an alarmed gesture, “ Yeah,” DJ huffed, “ I’m being deleted and no one will notice because they’re going to put a new AI in. . .” Would Moon notice? Sure if DJ had been decommissioned he’d notice, but if he was replaced with a new AI that was identical to him, just. . . better? Would he still notice? Did DJ truly want that answer? He stood up, setting the plush down as he did. He started to walk back towards the staff tunnels. Mappy followed.

“ Take a map? Take a map?! Take a map!” DJ paused at the door.

“ Why don’t you just do what you’ve been doing huh?” DJ let the doors shut behind him, leaving Mappy behind. Once he was truly alone he felt the panic and grief start to strangle him. He needed to go, somewhere quiet, somewhere safe. 

POV Change

Monty let out a sigh, his head was currently in Sun’s lap as the other gently brushed back his mohawk. It was quite aside from the Daycare music, which was obnoxiously as always. Normally Sun would chat away about his day, or the daycare kids. Normally Monty and Sun would play a round of golf that would somehow turn into a reverse game where both parties would try to lose on purpose. Normally Bonnie would yell from Bonnie Bowl or Fazer Blast for them to “ get a room” . To which Sun would “ take offense” and Monty would have to “ defend his honor” . All part of the game. But now normal was changing.

For now. It was quiet, Sun remained silent, and given the news Monty had received just moments ago, he was grateful. Vernon and Cassidy had approached him after closing. They told him they needed him in Parts and Service on Monday at seven. He was getting a claw upgrade. . . So he could take Bonnie’s place in the band. Monty opened his eyes to look up at Sun’s smiling face, his pupiless stare used to be unnerving but Monty had come to find comfort in it. 

“ Hey Cher?” Sun tilted his head in response, “ DId it . . . what was it like when ya lost yer Dad?” Sun hummed, and leaned back on his palms. 

“ I personally,” Sun started, “ Felt lost. . .Foxy taught us everything we know so without him I felt we didn’t have direction, what’s a crew without a Captain after all?” He explained, “ Moon buried himself in our work,” Sun sighed then returned to combing his fingers through Monty’s hair, “ It gets easier, maybe not better, but easier I promise pumpkin,” Monty hummed, then sighed again, choosing to change the subject. 

“ Did you hear what DJ called Moon yesterday? “ He asked, Sun giggled.

“ You mean Lullaby ? I thought it was cute!” He tussled Monty’s hair, effectively ruining the mohawk, Monty rolled his eyes.

“ Yeah and Moon let him . Mr. Don’t call me that. Let DJ call him something cheesy like Lullaby ” Monty countered, Sun shrugged. 

“ Can’t say I’m surprised, DJ is his boyfriend after all,” Sun reminded him. Monty scoffed.

“ I was his boyfriend for two weeks! He still didn’t let me call him that, and for that matter he also wouldn’t let me call him my boyfriend ,” He started to vent, Sun leaned back on his palms again, listening, “ They’ve been a couple a day and he’s moving like three times the speed he let me,” Sun shrugged again.

“ Well he’s liked DJ a long time,” Monty grumbled, “ You knew that already,” Sun reminded him again, Monty growled.

“ Yeah it’s just. . . Look okay, I know , you explained that whole thing to me a bit ago and it’s been bugging me, I don’t like him, right,” Sun nodded, “ We tried that Poly thing, a-and I dunno, it kinda sucked  you telling me that he’s like the stupid bug since he first “ met ” him,” Monty did air quotes, since DJ didn’t technically meet Moon at the same time Moon had met DJ, “which means he never actually wanted me  I was just the stand in, and that hurts,” Monty admitted, something he could do only with Sun, and know Sun wasn’t going to judge him. 

“ Oh. . . I’m sorry Monty,” Sun started, Monty shrugged.

“ Not your fault, it’s just. . . it stupid, it doesn’t even matter, “ Monty huffed, Sun gently scratching a spot under Monty’s chin.

“ It does matter, and it kind of is, the only reason you and Moon tried that was because I pestered both of you about it, it wasn’t my best action,” He sounded a little guilty, “ Have you tried talking to Moon about it,” He asked, Monty shook his head.

“ Nah, I mean if it becomes an issue, sure but right now, I don’t think it will, it’s just something I gotta accept,” Monty explained, “ Thanks fer understanding though,” Sun smiled at him.

“ Anytime-” Sun jumped when a loud banging sound came from the wooden doors of the daycare. Monty grunted as he sat up so Sun could stand and answer the door. Mapbot was on the other side, holding what looked like a Moon plush. Mapbot offered Sun the plush.

“ Take a map!” Sun hesitated, then pushed the plush back towards Mapbot’s chest.

“ Thank you Friend!  But I don’t think this belongs to us-” Mapbot shook his head and pushed the plush back towards Sun.

“ Take a map! Take a map!” Sun looked back at Monty for help. The Gator stood, and wordlessly made a loose fighting stance, his eyebrow raised. Sun’s brows furrowed and he shook his head, Monty dropped his stance and shrugged at the other. Sun sighed heavily. 

“ Do ya need something?” Monty tried, Mapbot nodded, holding up the plush.

“ Take a map!” Sun blinked.

“ Oh! Oh I’m sorry friend, but Moon’s out for the night, he can’t help you right now,” Mapbot shook his head again, before wheeling himself into the daycare, lightly pushing Sun out of the way as he did. 

“ Hey!” Monty snapped, Mapbot ignored him, stopping at a row of crayon drawings by the daycare kids. He pointed to one that kinda looked like DJ . . . if you squinted . . . maybe. . . .

“ Olivia drew that, is this about her- Oh, No?” Sun interrupted himself  when Mapbot shook his head as he moved to stand next to the gator. Mapbot pointed again at the picture of the beetle, “ Is this about DJ?” The jester asked, Mapbot nodded, “ Is. . . Is alright, did something happen?” Mapbot tried to make gestures to convey what he was saying, Sun did his best to make sense of it. Monty decided to bypass this charades game and mentally reached out to DJ. The beetle didn’t pick up. 

“ Huh.” Monty’s voice seemed to get Sun’s attention because he turned to the gator.

“ What?” He asked, Monty held up a finger and turned his head away. Trying again to call DJ. He didn’t pick up, so Monty tried again. After the third time he came to his conclusion.

“ he’s ignoring me,” Monty said, “ I tried to call him three times, but he didn't pick up.” Sun stared at him blankly, Monty waited, sure the jester was trying himself. 

“ Nothing,” he agreed, Monty crossed his arm, trying to keep up a collected front but his tail flicked, revealing his nerves, good thing only Sun and Moon knew that tell. 

“ Wake Moon up, have him try,” Monty suggested, surely DJ wouldn’t ignore a call from his boyfriend right? He watched Sun go silent again, then he shook his head, tugging on his ribbons nervously. Monty huffed, turning to Mapbot. 

“ You know where he is?” He asked, Mapbot shook its head, “ ug,” Monty groaned, “ Alright well, we should go look for him right?” He asked Sun who nodded.

“ Should we start with the West Arcade?” Sun asked, Monty nodded.

“ Sounds good, “ The two headed for the arcade, leaving Mapbot behind. Sun continued to pull on his ribbons nervously. After what happened with Bonnie the night before, Monty was nervous himself. 

“ Moon keeps trying to call him but DJ is still not answering, he’s getting scared. . .” Sun relayed, Monty hummed in surprise. Moon being scared was foreign to Monty, he’d seen Moon nervous, shy, anxious and angry but not scared . 

“ Does he want to take over? He might find him faster,” Monty suggested, looking over the railing as they approached the arcade. 

“ Would you be okay with that?” Sun asked, Monty nodded.

“ Sunny, baby, I don’t mind losing a couple hours with you to make that lumbering idiot’s alright, I am gonna be mad if this is all over something stupid though,” Monty stated as they entered the elevator, Sun laughed as he followed.

“ That’s fair. . .  I hope it is something stupid though,” he admitted, Monty hummed in agreement. The elevator door opened, Sun sprinted into the dimly lit arcade. They usually staggered or swayed when they swapped, especially when they were in motion, however due to them being in a full sprint, Moon immediately tripped over his own feet and fell flat on his chest. It would have been funny on any other day but. . . okay it was still funny, Monty resisted the laugh in his chest as Moon pushed himself up and continued to sprint towards the dance floor. 

“ DJ?!” He called, looking up at the stage, continuing towards the hallway next to the stage when it was empty. Monty followed behind, looking up into the tunnels as Moon poked his head into the bathrooms, “ DJ?! DJ where are you?!” Monty glanced at the direction the other had gone as he recalled DJ coming out of the tunnels when he was bigger, so they had to go somewhere right?

“ Hey Moon?” Monty called, moving back to the archway of the dance floor, watching Moon take his cable to the second level, “ You think he might be in the tunnels,” The gator suggested, climbing the stairs. Moon looked into the lounge rooms.

“ No he wouldn’t go in there, He’s too afraid of what he’ll find,” Moon dismissed quickly, moving to the next lounge room, “ DJ?! Answer me!” He called, Monty paused, annoyance starting to sink in.

“ What? The Dark? He’s with the wrong animatronic if he’s afraid of the dark,” Monty tried to joke, seeing Moon this frantic was really starting to bug him. Moon sent him a deadpanned look.

“ He isn’t afraid of the dark,” He huffed, then leaned over the railing to look over the lower levels, “ Where is he?” He moaned, Monty shook his head. 

“ You really care about him don’t ya?” Monty sighed, his hands on his hips as he looked out over the arcade. Moon stiffened.

“ What is that supposed to mean?” He asked curtly, turning his head towards the gator. Monty shrugged. 

“ I just mean would you’ve torn the plex up looking for me?” He asked, Moon rolled his eyes.

“ Of course, Sun wouldn’t-” Moon started but Monty cut him off shaking his head. 

“ No I didn’t ask what Sun would make ya do, if Sun wasn’t involved, would you have torn up the plex lookin for me,” He asked again, Moon’s silence was all the answer Monty needed, “ That’s what I thought,” Moon turned sharply, heading for the door that lead to the back room.

“ We don’t have time to get into this ,” Moon said evenly, he pushed the door open, “ DJ?!” He called, Monty growled.

“ Just admit you were thinking about him when you were with me ,” Monty demanded, Moon ignored him, glancing into the security office before he continued. 

“ What? Why would you think that!? Why does it matter?!” Moon snapped, “ DJ!?” 

“ Sun told me all about how you’ve been giving that bug goo goo eyes since ya came online,” Monty pointed towards the arcade. The far back was clearly a makeshift parts and service for the beetle when he was too big to leave, but now it was littered with broken arcade cabinets. No DJ, eleven foot, or otherwise in sight. Moon turned, making to march past Monty, but the gator grabbed his arm to stop him, “ In fact I hear ya used to spy on him like a stalker, does he know about that,” Moon pulled his arm free. 

“ Yes he knows, I already told him I was sorry,” Monty grabbed Moon’s arm again, rougher this time. 

“ How come he gets to call ya pet names? How come he gets to call ya his boyfriend, and I wasn’t, you wanted me to be him ! Admit it!” The gator demanded, Moon ripped his arm free again. 

“ Why does that matter to you?! You never wanted me to begin with!” Moon shouted, “ Did it hurt your pride to learn you were second choice? Does it hurt your feelings to feel like second best ?!” Monty clenched his fists.

“ Yeah, it does! Not that you would know or care !” His tail swished angrilly, he could feel close to losing it. He looked around for something to break when he snapped, he didn’t want it to end up being the lunar animatronic, and by extension his own boyfriend. Moon laughed bitterly. 

“ Of course I do! That’s why I left you !” Moon snapped, his voice box cracking. Monty paused, looking back at him. All the anger suddenly drained out of him.

“ What?” he asked.

“ You made it clear that you preferred Sun, that you were only with me because Sun asked you to ! That way you’re feeling? RIght now? I felt that way about every day I was with you .” Monty let his stance slacken. Moon took a couple shaky breaths, Monty sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“ Well. . . I -I could a learned to love ya,” Monty reminded him, “ That was the plan,” Moon groaned in frustration.

“ I know , but I didn’t want you to learn , You didn’t need to learn to love Sun! It wasn’t fair! To either of us!” Moon held his head, a hiccup escaped him. Monty was taken aback, was . . . was Moon crying? Monty clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to fight the guilt, he wanted to be mad, but . . . Moon was right, that’s why he was okay when the split up happened. He sighed again, losing the battle against his guilt. 

“ I-I’m sorry, for being an Ass. . .  and Making ya feel that way,” He said awkwardly, Moon hiccuped again. 

“ Language,” He managed, Monty scoffed, there was a pause. 

“ Does he make you feel like his first choice?” The gator asked, “ DJ I mean. . . obviously,” Moon nodded, hugging himself. 

“ He didn’t need to learn. . . . he just does. . . for some reason,” Moon looked back towards the door. 

“ Ah, fluent in loving ya is he?” Monty teased, taking a cautious step closer, when Moon didn’t react other than glancing at him he continued till he was standing next to the other. Moon ran a hand over his hat. 

“  I wouldn’t say fluent ,” Moon chuckled weakly “ But he’s no novice. . . I know it hasn’t been long but. . . I can’t imagine existing in this plex without him,” Moon confessed, “ It’s stupid I know, but it’s a reality I can’t face Monty, I need to find him, after last night . . . what if he’s hurt somewhere and by the time I find him, Vanessa will tell me it’s too late,” Moon was tugging on his ribbons by the time he was done with his tangent. Monty put a hand on Moon’s shoulder, he let his tail curl around Moon's feet without touching him. 

“ That won’t happen,” Monty assured him, “ I mean, Bonnie pinged Freddy, we don’t even know if something is actually  wrong, Mapbot  got us.” 

“ That’s what worries me, DJ and Mapbot aren’t on speaking terms right now, so Mapbot looking for me is not good .” Oh. That was new information.

“ Okay,” The gator thumped his tail in thought, “ You think he’s hiding on purpose then? You told me his flight or fight picks flight every time,” Monty remembered, Moon nodded. 

“ I do. It’s the reason he’s not answering us,” Moon hugged himself again, squeezing a bit tightly. 

“ Maybe we should leave him alone then?” Monty suggested, Moon grimaced.

“ I-. . . between Mapbot, and Bonnie, I-I just need to make sure he's okay first, functioning at least,” Moon explained, Monty sighed. 

“ Alright then, “ There was a beat of silence, “ You’re sure he’s not in the tunnels?” Monty asked. Moon nodded.

“ LIke I said, he’s scared of them, last time I saw him try to hide from everyone he-” Moon’s eyes went wide, “ The bakery.” He breathed, “ He hid in the bakery, we gotta the bakery,” Moon sprinted towards the door, Monty followed. The lunar animatronic took his cable to avoid the elevator ride, leaving the gator behind. Monty easily caught up as Mon reached the metal shutter doors of the bakery. The doors lifted as the pair approached, illuminated some of the dark space. Monty could practically feel the relief that radiated off Moon when they saw the beetle sitting at a small blue table across from the door. He had turned towards the door when they entered, and was staring at them with small yellow pupils. 

“ DJ,” Moon called, “ What happened?! Why have you been ignoring us?” The beetle stared for another moment, then he pushed himself off from the table, trying to run deeper into the bakery. Moon stared in surprise, then quickly recovered, “ Oh no you fucking don’t!” Moon shouted as he pursued his boyfriend. Monty blinked in surprise, taken aback by Moon’s cursing,

“ Oh shit he mad, ” Monty breathed as the doors closed behind him. Moon easily caught up to DJ, grabbing one of his secondary wrists. DJ turned, pulling weakly against Moon.

“ No, no, no, you are not running from me, I called you twenty three times DJ!” Moon started in on the beetle, who’s eyes were still yellow darting around the bakery looking for an escape, “ DJ. DJ look at me ,” Moon put his other hand on DJ’s primary bicep. DJ’s eyes settled on him, there was a pause before Moon spoke again, “ You scared me, I was scared because I didn’t know if you were okay or not, you can't do that to me DJ,” DJ’s eyes blinked from yellow to dark blue, his stance slackened a little. Monty found himself thinking he should ask Moon for a color chart for DJ’s eyes. “ If you need space, then you need to tell me , but don’t ignore me, don’t hide from me,” Moon let his grip loose, DJ pulled his hand free, only to start tapping his secondary knuckles. Monty resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He hated that stim, the constant tapping annoyed him, but he knew better than to make the other stop. 

“ I-I’m sorry. . .” DJ’s voice was shaking. Moon sighed, and ran a hand down his own face. 

“ It’s okay just. . . don’t do it, again okay?” DJ let out a huff that almost sounded like a scoff. 

“ Okay. . .” Moon sighed again.

“ What’s going on?” Moon asked, “ Mapbot came looking for me, so I know something happened. I-if you don’t want to tell me. . . okay, but I’m worried,” Moon tugged on his ribbons as he pleaded with the beetle. DJ stared at Moon for a moment with his dark blue eyes then he released a heavy breath, and moved to a bench that was against the far wall of the baker. Next to What Monty assumed was supposed to be a cake making machine. He sat down on the bench, his primary arms resting on his legs as he leaned forward, his secondary resting on the bench next to him. Moon hesitated before sitting next to him, his own hands in his lap. DJ kept his dark blue eyes on the floor. 

“ Heather came to the arcade after closing,” DJ said evenly, Monty raised an eyebrow, that would explain why he wasn’t with Vernon and Cassidy earlier. At the time it was a blessing. Vernon and Cassidy were much easier to talk to than Heather. But that woman by herself was never good, as her siblings usually kept her from doing anything rash. That was proven true as DJ continued to retell what happened. 

How she’d revealed that Vernon talked her into making a Glamrock for the arcade.

How DJ had called her a spoiled brat.

How she had retaliated by baiting him. Not DJ’s words, but Monty recognized it as he talked. She often used the same tactic on the gator, sometimes regarding his lack of ability to control his anger, sometimes on the fact that he was built to replace the people he cared about, sometimes outright threatening Sun . The biggest difference being when she’d done it to Monty her siblings usually stopped her. By the time she had the gator to herself he was able to see right through it. Everyone was able to see through it. 

DJ though? He was still technically new to that whole song and dance, and you didn’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to notice how quick he was to Moon’s defense, or how hard he’d fight that fight. Of course he’d end up playing right into her hands. 

“ A-and she said. . . I’m supposed to go to Parts and Services on Monday. . . for- for an ARD,” DJ finished, not looking up. Monty didn’t know what an ARD was but between the context in front of him, and the way Moon was just staring at him gave Monty a good idea. 

“ She. . . “ Moon started, “ She can’t- She can’t do that,” She shook his head, “ That’s not fair,” DJ didn’t look up, Moon reached up and cupped DJ’s chin, gently turning his face to look at him, “ Were you not going to tell me?” DJ started trembling. 

“ I-I didn’t know how ,” His voice box made a static cracking sound, “ I’m sorry, I’m sorry I’m so sorry,” He held his head in his hands, sinking into more of a ball. Moon gently rubbed small circles into DJ’s back, his own face was still wearing a shocked expression. 

“ It’s oka-” Moon stopped, no doubt realizing it wasn’t okay, nothing about this was okay , the very reality he’d confessed to being afraid of was happening, and Monty wasn’t sure what they could do about it. Moon took a breath, “ It’s not your fault,” He settled on instead, DJ made a sound that almost sounded like a whimper. Moon scooted closer and wrapped his arms around the beetle in an awkward hold, resting his head on the space between DJ’s shoulders. “ A-and I’m here okay? I-I got you,” Moon’s own voice seemed to start failing him, but it was enough to break down whatever damn DJ had built himself because a cry escaped him. Monty winced sympathetically as that cry turned into a sob, and then the sob turned into a wail that echoed through the dark bakery.

Chapter Text

By the time DJ recovered it was early Morning, he leaned against Moon numbly playing his boyfriends ribbons on one of his wrists. Moon was playing his music box while his other arm was wrapped loosely around DJ’s back, his hand gently caressing the casing. 

“ Has she filed the report yet?” Monty asked suddenly, DJ didn’t look up as he continued to roll the red ribbon up, then let it go, watching it unfurl like a red carpet. Numb wasn’t the word he’d use to describe how he was feeling. He wasn’t numb. He was scared, angry, devastated, guilty, and overall tired. He felt too much and couldn’t find the energy to express them.

“ She said she’d do it Sunday night. . .” DJ answered, no emotion to his voice as he rolled the ribbon back up  between his fingers. “ So tonight I guess. . .” 

“ Oh well then might not,” Monty offered, “ If she ends up talking to her siblings, they’ll more than like talk her out of it, they don’t like extra work,” DJ felt Moon shift but did not look up at himself. 

“ What are the odds of that?” Moon asked, DJ started twirling the two ribbon ends together, then undoing it. 

“ I dunno they’re fairly close ain't they? They work together,” Monty said. 

“ So fifty/fifty, and that’s being generous,” Moon sighed, Monty let out a frustrated sound.

“ Look, I'm trying to help!” He snapped, DJ flinched at the sound, and found himself gripping Moon’s hand in both of his primary ones for comfort. 

“ I know,” Moon sighed, after a pause he pulled his hand free,” I need this back,” HE said, gently pushing DJ back a little, using his hand to lift DJ’s chin so he was looking at the naptime attendant, “ How about we go back to the Daycare hm? The plex is closed on sundays so it’s not like you have anywhere else to be, “ Moon tilted his head slightly, “ I-I do have maintenance today b-but Monty could sit with you while I’m gone?” Moon glanced at the gator who nodded, “ Yeah, a-and then it can just be you and me for the rest of the day, does that sound good? Or would you rather. . .'' Moon trailed off, clearly looking for some kind of input or response. DJ smiled weakly.

“ Sure. . . that sounds nice,” Moon hesitated, but nodded, accepting DJ’s answer. He stood up, pulling the beetle to his feet as he did. He held DJ’s hand as he guided him out of the bakery, Monty not far behind. 

“ So how come you get maintenance on a sunday?” Monty asked, DJ heard Moon hum. 

“ Only the Glamtechs get the privilege of having the weekends off.” Moon explained with a sigh. DJ raised his gaze enough to look at him.

“ Why were they here yesterday?” He asked, his voice still quiet, Moon seemed to grimace at the sound of it. 

“ Because of what happened to Bonnie,” He explained. 

“ Oh. . . what are you going in for?” He continued. Moon seemed a little relieved he was talking more. 

“ I’m getting a security update,” Moon answered. 

“ You are,” Monty asked, “ Why?” Moon shrugged.

“ I-I think because I’m a Daycare attendant, and I don’t do much so adding more functions to me isn’t risky, and they want a security bot in the Daycare,” Moon waved it off dismissively, turning his attention to DJ as they entered the daycare, “ It'll be an hour, two tops,” Moon promised, the beetle nodded. Moving towards the wooden double doors of the enclosed play areas. He felt a tug on his arm that stopped him. He looked back at Moon who pointed to a set of stairs leading to the second level of the daycare.

“ This way,” He said, DJ nodded, letting Moon pull him in said direction. 

“ Oh, I get it, you ever been in their room?” Monty asked as he followed them up the steps. Moon stumbled on a stair, hsi attention on DJ and not his own feet. The beetle wordlessly placed a hand on Moon’s lower back to steady and support him as they continued. 

“ No, “ DJ answered the gator, who waited for him to say more and when the beetle didn’t he made a throat clearing sound.

“ Oh.” was all he said. They approached a metal shutter door with a sign that read Superstar Theater. Inside was a small concession counter, it was dark. DJ spared the staffbot mopping a glance as they passed. It paused in its work watching him. They entered the theater where the Comedy bot stood on stage, telling her jokes. 

“ Boo!” Monty called, clearly trying to lighten the mood, Comedy bot stopped and stared up at them. At DJ. DJ let out an annoyed huff, looking down at the floor, his shoulders hunched. Moon squeezed his hand.

“ What’s wrong?” He asked as they reached a wooden door with a Movie poster on it, DJ sighed.

“ Mappy’s still a gossip,” He said, a little frustration slipping into his voice. Monty and Moon looked behind them. The staff bot in the concession area was still watching them, as well as a few other staff bots DJ hadn’t noticed. Monty’s tail swished as he growled, taking an almost threatening step in their direction. They all quickly returned to their tasks. 

“ That’s creepy, why are they staring?” He asked roughly, turning back to the door. 

“ Because they know “ DJ stated, Monty snarled in response, glancing over his shoulder at the staff bots. Moon hesitated then placed a hand on the knob of the door. DJ felt a chuckle escape him as he realized the poster on the door was for a Foxy pirate Movie. 

“ That’s cute,” He mused, Moon let out a weak, shy laugh. He opened the door, Moon pulled DJ through  into a small hallway. Monty followed and roughly shut the door behind them.

“ Our room’s a bit of a mess,” Moon admitted as they walked down the hall, “ But I figured if you wanted to be. . relatively left alone, no one comes in here,” He explained, DJ nodded, following Moon through another door. Sun and moon’s room was a bit of a mess. Boxes were haphazardly stacked in the corner, broken staffbots that looked like they were being tinkered with littered the floor. There were some blankets and pillows tossed about, a small arcade cabinet for BalloonBoy world tucked away in the corner. There was a small set of steps that led to an elevated platform. DJ thought he could see the daycare through an archway in the wall and realized he was looking at the platform he’d seen Moon jump from just the day before. Moon released DJ’s hand and started moving things, pushing broken staffbots aside while piling up blankets and pillows. DJ looked around the room aimlessly while Monty just stood there awkwardly, his tail flicking as he did. After Moon was done he took a step back to admire his handiwork. He had made a small nest of blankets and funky shaped pillows, he turned to DJ and offered his hand.

“ C’mere Music Box, sit down,” Moon cooed, as if DJ was as fragile as he felt. It was a surprisingly welcome comfort to the beetle. He took Moon’s offered hand and let the jester guide him to the nest-like pile. Moon crouched down while DJ sat against the blankets and pillows. It was pretty comfortable. Moon seemed to be acting on auto pilot, draping a blanket over DJ’s lap almost as if he was tucking him in. 

“ I ping parts and service to see if they could take me early, get it out of the way, you know?” Moon started, taking DJ’s primary hands in his own, DJ nodded, “ A-and they said they can take me now, so I’ll be back in a bit okay?” Again the beetle nodded. Moon squeezed DJ’s hands and leaned closer, pressing his face plate to the side of DJ’s face. 

“ I-I love you . . “ He said softly, DJ smiled weakly at him. 

“ I love you too Lullaby,” Moon nodded, then stood up, looking to the gator who was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. 

“ I’ll be back” Monty nodded with a grunt, Moon moved to the small steps to the platform, his foot caught on the first stair, but he recovered quickly and easily as he climbed up to the platform, summoning his cable and disappearing into the Daycare. There was a long stretch of awkward silence. 

“ Hey Monty. . .” DJ started, looking over at the gator. Monty turned to him, “ Can I ask a favor of you?” The gator paused.

“ Depends on what it is,” He replied. DJ paused, trying to find the words.

“ Treat the new guy better?” He finally said, Monty looked taken aback, but DJ continued, “ I just. . . I know things will be different for the AI they’re gonna put in,” He gestured to his body, “ this, but I still don't know if the others will treat him okay, will they resent him? WIll they even notice?” Monty hummed.

“ I hear ya. . .  yeah I’ll do my best,” he agreed. DJ nodded, “ Do. . . do you want us to tell the others about this?” DJ considered this, then shrugged.

“ I mean. . .  if they ask I guess. . .but if they don’t, why bother right?” Monty nodded again, there was another long pause, “ Do you think Moon will be okay?” DJ asked weakly, looking towards the daycare nervously, as if Moon would suddenly appear.  Monty followed his gaze, but didn’t answer right away. DJ continued, “ I just know he lost his- I know he was close to Foxy and Foxy. . .” DJ trailed off, Monty chuckled softly.

“ I know all about Papa Foxy,” He assured the beetle, DJ looked back in surprise, then scoffed.

“ Right, of course you would,” he picked up a pillow from the edge of his nest, it looked like a banana, or a crescent moon. Monty chuckled again.

“ You’re something else, you know that?” He asked, DJ looked up, confusion on his face, Monty shook his head, “ You're sitting here, about to be deleted and you're worried about what’s gonna happen to your replacement, to Moon, hell you’re more worried about maintaining Moon’s privacy than . . .” Monty trailed off, with a breathy laugh, “ Your something else. . . I really see why he likes you now. . . I think he’ll be okay. . . not right away but with time. . . it might not get better for him, but it’ll get easier,” DJ grimaced, looking back at the pillow in his hand, “ Sun and I will take care of him, you don’t got to worry about him,” the gator promised. DJ nodded. 

“ I can’t decide,” DJ started, “ which I hate more, the last time I thought I was being deleted, I thought no one cared, I was scared, and I felt very alone,” DJ confessed “ Or this time, where I know at least one person cares, if not more, and. . . I know i’m going to hurt them,” DJ started squishing the pillow with his hands, subconsciously trying to force it into shapes that were not natural for it. 

“ You’re not hurting anyone, for you to be the one hurting us, mean you made the choice, last I checked, you’re not choosing this,” DJ let out a weak laugh.

“ Yeah. . . I suppose that’s true,” He sighed, there was another pause. Monty sank to floor, sitting with one leg flat against the floor, the other was bent, his arm resting on it as he watched DJ. His tail still flicking.

“ Ya scared?” Monty asked, DJ inhaled deeply before hugging the pillow to his torso with his secondary arms, squeezing it tightly, his primary arms drumming nervously on his knees.

“ Terrified.” He admitted, “ It’s just nothing isn’t it? I think I only experienced that when I was being transferred to this body, I didn’t like it,” Monty coked his head to the side

“ It’s probably like shutting down to charge at night,” He offered, DJ wrapped his primary arms around the pillow as well.

“ I-I dont’ shut down when I charge, I go into rest mode,” DJ explained, the gator blinked.

“ Really? That’s weird,” He said, DJ shrugged.

“ It’s probably just habit honestly from when I was two times bigger,” He huffed, “Moon found something in my file that said if I was shut down improperly I wouldnt’ come back online,” He explained, Monty whistled.

“ Well it just sucks to be you don’t it?” he asked, DJ shrugged, a scoff escaping him.

“ It’s not so bad. . .I got to be with Moon,” He looked over at the gator who stared at him for a moment, then held up a finger before pretending to throw up in a box. A much needed real laugh burst out of DJ’s voice box. 

“ Ack! Don’t say cheesy stuff like that! Especially when he’s not even here to be embarrassed by it!”  Monty teased, DJ laughed again, the tension not  broken but it was cracked, and that made it easier to idly chat while they waited for Moon to return. DJ told Monty about his experiences being twenty feet tall while Monty would tell stories, some about Sun, some about Moon, he talked about how he was taking Bonnie’s place in the band, to which DJ offered some sympathy. The gator waved him off though, saying the beetle should really focus on himself for once. It took two and a half hours for Moon to return, appearing at the platform, and detaching his cable before entering the archway. 

“ Sorry I’m later than I said I would be, it was a bit more. . . invasive that I thought expected,” Moon explained, looking away, almost as if on purpose, so DJ couldn’t see his face. Monty got a clear look though as Moon easily hurried down the stairs to them.

“ What are those ,” Monty gasped, moving like he was about to stand, pointing at Moon’s face. Moon’s hands moved to his face, as if to cover something.

“ Nothing! Shut Up!” He snapped, Monty continued to stare. 

“ Those are not nothing , what did they do to you?” He asked, DJ shifted nervously, worry starting to overpower his other feelings. 

“ What did they do to you? “ DJ parroted, at his boyfriend’s worried tone Moon’s shoulder slumped. He turned to the beetle and grimaced, displaying his teeth. Before they were gapped, but flat square teeth, now they were sharp and pointed. Looking more akin to sharks. DJ blinked in surprise. Somehow, he couldn’t place how the sharped tooth looked suited the jester. Moon sheepishly looked away, tugging on his hat. 

“ They also gave me these,” He displayed his hands, one towards DJ and one towards Monty. They looked shiny, newer than the rest of Moon’s arm. Which was faded, and a little dirty. At the end of each finger was a razor-like nail. 

“ They gave you claws?! They gave a DAYCARE ATTENDANT, an animatronic who’s supposed to handle children CLAWS?! ” Monty gaped, “ Are they insane,” the gator asked, 

“ Well they’re-” Moon started, bringing his hands to his chest nervously, only one made there however. As DJ had taken the one Moon had extended to him into two of his primary ones, his secondary still hugging the pillow. He was rotating the hand, examining the claws at all angles with fascinated awe. Moon was quiet for a moment, making DJ lift his gaze to make eye contact. Moon’s eyes went a little wide and he heard the lunar animitronic’s fans kick on. Moon looked away, playing with his hat, “ T-They’re retractable,” Moon mumbled. Monty snickered, shaking his head. 

“ Did you know this idiot,” Monty started pointing at DJ who snickered at the insult, “ Doesn’t shut down when he charges” Moon chuckled softly, sighing after.

“ No, but it doesn't surprise me,” Moon turned back to the beetle, Monty leaned forward from his spot on the floor.

“ What happens to you man,” the gator asked, Moon shook his head as he sat on the floor himself, snickering as he echoed Monty under his breath, “Do you see a see like a screen saver? Is it like Freddy’s head, oh! Does it ever hit that corner perfectly,” Monty fired question after question, DJ laughed, the sound seemed to put Moon at ease as he relaxed in his spot and smiled softly in DJ’s direction. 

“ No, no, I kinda get snippets of my memory, they don’t always go together, sometimes it like a reliving of a day, and sometimes it’s like snippets of other days that mesh together into a separate that didn't’ even happen, and sometimes I don’t remember at all, like I know I saw something but can’t remember what,” DJ tried to explain, Monty looked lost, while Moon looked fascinated. 

‘“ You can dream?!” He gaped, DJ shrugged, wrapping his primary arms around the pillow, “ That’s. . . . that’s amazing,” Moon ran one hand over his hat while the other held his chin in thought, “ I have to look into why-” He cut himself off as a pained expression crossed his features. DJ squeezed the pillow as guilt ate at his code, Monty watched the two carefully. Moon released a breath, “ That’s amazing,” He said again in a softer voice, he turned to Monty, “ I can take it from here,” The gator nodded, pushing himself to his feet.

“ Can I have a word with Sun?” He asked, jerking a thumb to the door, Moon glanced at DJ who laughed sheepishly.

“ Don’t let me stop you,” He said, Moon nodded in response and stood up, following Monty into the hall. DJ could hear Moon and Monty’s voices talking back and forth, muffled by the door. The beetle rolled his eyes, if Monty wanted to talk to Moon too he could have just said so. He briefly wondered what they were talking about, then figured it was probably about him. He heard a click, then after a pause Sun’s voice exploded through the silence. 

“ WHEN I SAID TO “TALK TO MOON ABOUT IT” THAT WASN’T WHAT I HAD IN MIND!!” DJ raised an eyebrow, looking to the door. What? What was that about? Monty’s voice made sputtering sounds as he no doubt struggled for an explanation. There was more back and forth, then another click. Moon slipped back into the room, shutting the door behind him. DJ sent him a smile, Moon returned it as he sat down next to the blanket nest. 

“ So . . .” Moon started, “ How are you feeling?” DJ shrugged, squeezing the pillow. 

“ Alright, as alright as I can be,” He admitted, Moon hummed. There was a pause of nothing, “ Can I-” DJ started but didn’t finish. Moon placed a hand on DJ’s knee.

“ What is it? Whatever you want, I’ll make it happen, name it,” Moon said softly, DJ laughed awkwardly.

“. . . Can I hold you?” He asked, Moon blinked, his gaze fell to the pillow in DJ’s arms.

“ That’s all you want?” He asked, amusement in his voice, DJ nodded, Moon sighed, leaned forward to grip the pillow, “ Alright, you need to let this go then,” DJ hesitated before releasing the pillow, letting Moon take it and set it aside before crawling into its spot. His side pressed against DJ’s chest, his head on DJ’s shoulder. DJ wrapped his arms around Moon tightly, he felt Moon stiffen as if DJ’s hold was too tight. He released him, afraid of hurting the jester. Moon managed to catch two of DJ’s wrists though. 

“ I’m okay,” Moon said, “ I was just surprised, but I’m okay,” Moon assured him, DJ hesitated before wrapping his arms around him again.

“ Habit,” He explained, “ gotta be careful when you’re so much bigger than everything else, one wrong move and you can crush something. . . or someone,” Moon hummed.

“ Well I’m not that fragile,” Moon said. There was a pause, then DJ’s hold tightened again, he hid his face in Moon’s hat, he felt Moon trace aimless shapes into the casing of his arms with his finger as they sat in silence. 

“ So. . .” Moon broke the silence, “ As part of my new security duties, I have to go on patrol tonight,” DJ tightened his hold a fraction more, “ I thought since you didn’t charge last night it would be a good time to charge, you wouldn't even know I was gone,”

“ Noooo,” DJ whines, and he winces as he reminds himself of Olivia who’d he’d never see again, “ I don't want to charge, what’s the point?” 

“ DJ,” Moon cooed, It’ll take longer  to charge from a dead battery, so we’d lose hours together,” 

“ Can’t I go with you?” DJ asked weakly, “ I’m technically security too,” The jester pulled away his face even with DJ’s. He held DJ’s face in his hands.

“ It’ll be faster if I go by myself, you could go into rest mode and I’ll be back before you wake up,” Moon assured, DJ frowned, “ You need to charge and this is the most efficient way,” Moon explained, the beetle humming begrudgingly, “ It’s not til tonight and it won’t take me long, one lap around the pizza plex,” DJ eyed him.

“ You promise?” He asked, Moon offered his pinky, DJ hesitated, then chuckled, linking it with one of his own.

“ I promise. “

It was amazing how once you knew how much time you had left, how fast it seemed to slip through your fingers. It didn’t feel like very long before Moon was trying to coax DJ into rest mode, plugging him with Moon and Sun’s charging cord, since they had the same charging port. 

“ I’ll stay til you're asleep, and I’ll be back before you wake up ,” Moon promiesed again, pressing his face plate to the side of DJ’s. The beetle grumbled, leaning back against the pillows Moon had piled around him. 

“ I’ll hold you to that,” DJ stated, Moon snickered in response. DJ closed his eyes feeling Moon hold two of DJ’s hands in each of their own. The jester gave his hands a squeeze.

“I love you Lovebug,” Moon whispered, DJ hummed, started to slip into rest mode. 

“ Love you too. . .”

“ Monty’s not the only one who thinks I look like the boogey man . .”

“ If I made a case, I could remove the problem without removing the daytime one”

“ A I R emoval and D eletion” 

“ I pinged Parts and Service”

“ I have to go.” 

“ There's nothing to sit with, I’ll be amazed if the techs can salvage his AI-”

“ Moon?!” DJ woke with a start, his eyes wide and and his systems buzzing.The room was dark and Moon wasn’t there. DJ rubbed his forehead, the memories of the memories, or maybe the dreams as Moon had called them, faded away. DJ checked his battery, he hadn’t completed a full charge cycle so he suppose he couldn’t be mad at Moon for not being back yet. But he was charged enough to function for the rest of his time, so he reached back and unplugged himself, then stood up. He climbed the stairs to the balcony, stepping out onto the platform, looking out over the dark daycare. It was empty. DJ looked down at the ball pit below him. He considered jumping into it.

It was quite the drop, he was rather heavy, if he landed wrong that could make things difficult for the next AI. DJ sighed, and turned away, heading for the stairs into the room. Monty’s comment on how he was “ something else”  crossed his mind, making him stop. 

Screw it. They could fix the body, he turned, and sped walked to the edge then did a small jump off. The fall was roughly three seconds long, but it sent adrenaline through his systems. He landed on his feet, his knees bedding and sending his body rolling forwards. HIs primary hands caught him on the floor. Little plastic balls exploded everywhere, leaving the ball pit with roughly half the plastic balls it started with. DJ shakily stood up, examining himself quickly. After a pause he laughed. Understanding now why Foxy had decided to ride a cleaning cart down the arcade stairs. A part of him with Moon had seen it, the other part was sure the jester would’ve tried to stop him. 

The beetle stepped out of the ball pit and headed for the Atrium, he looked around fro Moon as he crossed kid’s cove. 

“ Ah! There you are!” DJ turned towards the familiar voice calling to him. Freddy was approaching from the direction of Monty Golf and Rockstar Row. He looked relieved to see the beetle, “ I haven’t seen you all day I was starting to get worried. Chica and I were quite surprised you were not in the arcade,” Freddy said rather quickly as he came to a stop a few feet from the beetle. DJ smiled awkwardly.

“ Hey Freddy. . . . How are you doing?” He asked, “ I meant to check in sooner but. . . . things came up,” He confessed, Freddy’s smile seemed to fall a little, concern crossed his face, but he quickly covered it with a smile.

“ Oh how considerate of you,  I. . . I will miss him. I do miss him,” Freddy admitted, looking up towards Bonnie Bowl, “ Things will not be the same without him,but. .  . the show must go on,” Freddy sighed, DJ felt a combination of pity and guilt eat at him. Then he turned back to the beetle, “ are you  alright?” He asked. DJ blinked, surprised at the question.

“ What?” He asked, Freddy looked around as if he was checking to make sure they were alone.

“ I heard Heather and Officer Vanessa exchange some troubling words last night. . .about you ,” He confessed, “ I also noticed the staff bots have been a bit on a tizzy, and when Chica and I couldn’t find you all day, I am probably overthinking it, but I wanted to make sure everything was alright,” DJ blinked in surprise, then considered his answer carefully. 

“ Well . . .” A Loud crash followed by a high pitch screech came from behind  DJ, he turned towards it, looking towards the food court, “ What was that?” DJ asked, Freddy moved past the beetle, towards it.

“ I do not know, but it sounded like it might have come from the kitchens,” the bear said, DJ followed.

“ Aren’t the kitchens downstairs ,” DJ asked, Freddy nodded.

“ Must’ve been quite a crash to be heard all the way up here,” He informed him. They hurried into an elevator that wasn’t as nice as the others. More designed for foot and cleaning carts, through the staff showers and laundry to the kitchens. Freddy pushed the doors open first, DJ not far behind. There were pans on the floor, scattered as if they had fallen, an oven door was hanging open, the floor covered in what looked like tomato sauce. In the center of the mess was Moon. The lunar jester was bent over, about to pick up a trash bag in his hands, he was also covered in red sauce, his head towards the door, purple eyes locked on DJ.

“ DJ,? What is it? What’s wrong?” Moon asked quickly, concern very evident in his voice. Freddy looked over his shoulder at the beetle who looked around, taking in the mess.

“ Uh- I- we heard a crash,” DJ started, the bear nodded, “ and a scream? Or a screech, or-” Moon chuckled.

“ Oh you mean this?” He shut the oven door, the metal screeching as it closed, DJ winced at the sound.

“ Maybe. . . what happened here?” he asked, gesturing to the mess. Moon chuckled sheepishly.

“ Um so I think chica came through here, because I found the place an absolute disaster, and i was tidying up but I knocked a bunch of this,” He gestured to the pans on the floor, “ Over, and “ He sighed, gesturing to the mess he was covered in in a disgusted manor. Freddy chuckled.

“ Chica does love her pizza, I’ll have to remind her to clean up after herself though,” He  sighed, “ Do you need assistance,” the bear offered. Moon straightened, DJ moved to the jester, taking the bag from him. 

“ I’ll help you,” He said before Moon could respond.

“ Oh, no DJ you don’t have to-” Moon started, DJ lifted the bag, mentally noting how heavy it was.

“ It’s fine , I don’t mind,” DJ assured, Freddy observed the two for another moment, then nodded.

“ Well I shall leave you boys to it, goodnight,” Freddy left the kitchens, once he was gone Moon turned to DJ.

“ What are you doing? Is everything okay?” He asked, DJ shrugged, looking around the space.

“ I woke up, I had bad memories, where do I?” DJ lifted the bag as he trailed off, Moon pointed to a large metal square box at the back of the room. Ah, garbage disposal, right. 

“ That must be your equivalent to a nightmare,” Moon mused, “ I’m sorry I wasn’t there, do you want to talk about it?”  the jester asked as DJ carried the bag to the disposal and placed it in the small space. 

“ It’s okay, I don’t really remember it, what is in this ?” DJ asked, turning to look over at Moon who was picking up the scattered pans, his expression bored as he looked at the bag.

“ Trash.’ He stated. DJ hummed, walking away from the disposal.

“ Okay? How much of your patrol do you have left?” He asked, Moon placed the pans back, continually glancing at the bag, as if making sure it would stay put. 

“ Not much, I just have Fazer Blast, and Roxy Raceway,”  He assured, grabbing a button that was hanging by a cord from the ceiling, his gaze finally back on DJ, “ Go back to the Daycare sweetheart, I’ll be there soon,” DJ leaned on the counter beside them.

“ Could’t I join you for the rest of patrol?” DJ asked, Moon smiled sweetly at him.

“ Nope.” He popped the “ P ” Intentionally, “ Your handsome face would be too much of a distraction,” Moon’s head tilted a little too far to the right. DJ laughed shyly, his fans kicked on.

“ Come on! Pweeeease,” DJ tried, Moon shook his head. 

“ Not this time ,” He said, DJ frowned, his shoulder drooping.

“ There won't be a next time,” he reminded his boyfriend. Moon watched him for a long time, then smiled. As if he knew something DJ didn’t.

“ Go back to the daycare.” He said again, DJ sighed, and pushed himself off the counter. He turned to leave, there was a loud slam that made Moon jump. He looked back to find the garbage disposal had been activated and was crushing the bag. Moon looked over at him.“ Sorry, it’s loud, go on, I'll be there soon,” Moon promised, DJ took a hesitant step back, then turned and left. 

As promised, it wasn’t long before Moon returned, he arrived via his cable landing on the platform, looking into the room, his yellow. Landing on DJ. He was still covered in red sauce, but didn’t seem to notice or care as he started down the stairs.

“ How long have you been up?” He asked, DJ blinked in confusion.

“ Um. . . a while, I had a nightmare?” he answered, Moon turned sharply towards him,and hurried to his side. Taking DJ’s face in both of his hands. 

“ What? Oh Musicbox I’m so sorry I wasn’t here, you wanna talk about it?” Moon asked, DJ pulled away, blinking at Moon.

“ No . . I don’t really remember it, like I said before,” DJ said slowly, Moon’s brow furrowed.

“ You said before?” He echoed, DJ nodded.

“ We had this conversation earlier, in the kitchens?” DJ started, Moon stared at him, tilting his head slightly, “ You dropped some pans, and Freddy and I heard it and came to check?” DJ reminded him, Moon’s gaze shifted to the floor, then he started as he looked at the fabric of his pants, “ Yeah you were cleaning the kitchens,” DJ continued, “ Chica made a mess?” Moon continued to stare at the red staining his blue pants, then he looked up at DJ, a forced smile spread across his face.

“ oh! Yeah, yeah, I just forgot, I’m sorry Love bug,” Moon dismissed, pushing himself up, and digging around in the boxes he had in the corner. THey appeared to be daycare supplies. 

“ Is something wrong?” DJ asked, Moon shook his head, not looking at the beetle as he finally found what he was looking for. He pulled some baby wipes out of the box, and what looked like a fabric detergent spot stick. 

“ No no, nothings wrong, I-I just. . .” Moon seemed to struggle for an explanation as he pulled a baby wipe out and started to wipe at the red mess on his torso.  “ Forgot?” He finished lamely, DJ was pretty sure Moon was lying to him, but he decided not to push it. 

“ Ok. . . do you want help?” DJ asked, Moon hesitated, then offered the baby wipes to the beetle. DJ took the package, and Moon sat down next to him so he could help clean the sauce from his casing, “ So how was patrol?” He asked, Moon sighed.

“ Boring,” he waved his hand dismissively, “ By the way did you hear something happen in the daycare while I was gone,” Moon asked, gesturing to the archway. 

“ No? Why?” DJ asked, Moon hummed.

“ Because the ball pit balls are everywhere , there were a few by the security desk, and in the play structures,” Moon explained, DJ busied himself with cleaning sauce from Moon’s upper arm, pointedly not looking at the other. Moon noticed, and looked towards the daycare, then looked back at the beetle, his eyes narrowed.

“ You did not.” He stated, DJ covered his mouth with a free hand to hide his laughter. “ DJ Music Man you did not jump off that ledge, you are not designed for acrobatics!” Moon scolded, smacking the beatles arms. 

“ But it looked so fun, ” DJ laughed. Moon continued to lightly smack DJ’s arms.

“ What if you landed wrong!” He snapped, DJ laughed harder. 

It took a surprisingly long time to get the red mess off of Moon’s blue pants but amazingly it didn’t stain. Much sooner than DJ would’ve liked it was time for him to go. Moon walked with him to parts and service. The closer they got, the tighter DJ’s hold on Moon’s hand got. Moon’s hold hold also seemed to get tighter.

“ You know it’s my time in parts and service,” DJ mused Moon hummed as they stopped before the red doors. Moon looked up at the beetle.

“ You ready?” He asked.

“ I mean. . . No? But  . .” DJ laughed nervously,  then he braced himself as he pushed the doors open. Beyond the first set was a second. A small room between the two. DJ huffed, gesturing to the space. 

“ Why does this exist? I just worked up the nerve for the first room, now I have to do it again,’ DJ groaned, Moon laughed weakly. 

“ Yeah. . . I hate it too,” the second set of doors opened, and Monty came out, examining his hands as he did. They had purple palms and claws. He was now wearing Bonnie’s star glasses. He stopped when he saw them, he grimaced. 

“ Hey good luck,’ He offered, lamely to the beetle, who nodded. The gator turned his attention to Moon, and jerked his head to the side to indicate he’d wait for him. Moon gave a single nod. Vernon peeked past Monty to look at them, possibly to see what the hold up was. 

“Oh. Hey. . . what’s going on?” He asked.

Chapter Text

“ Oh hey. . . what’s going on?” Vernon asked, making all the animatronics look at him in confusion. Monty glanced at DJ, who shifted uncomfortably.

“ um . . . Heather told me to be here?” He  managed in a weak voice, tapping his secondary knuckles. Monty grimaced at him while Vernon raised an eyebrow. Then his eyes went wide with realization. 

“ Oh my god, that spoiled brat!” Vernon shouted, DJ winced at the choice of words as Vernon whipped around and stormed back into parts and services. Monty looked between DJ and the doors before shrugging and following Vernon through the doors, after another pause DJ and Moon followed him . 

If DJ was to describe Parts and Service with one word he’d use “horrific” . It was a dimly lit space with a cylinder chamber in the center of the room. Stairs on either side of the cylinder lead to four doors behind it.In front of the cylinder, beside the door to it was a small desk with an old computer and a simple blue cooler next to that. Inside the cylinder DJ could see a reclined chair. The machines that circled the chair reminded DJ of a torture chamber He subconsciously pulled Moon closer with his secondary arm, pressing the lunar animatronic to his side and making Moon send a sympathetic glance his way, though DJ didn’t notice it. 

Vernon was at a work bench to DJ’s right, pressed against the wall. He was on a personal laptop and seemed to be scrolling through his Emails. Beyond him was a line of glass windows revealing cell like rooms. 

“ What’s going on?” Cassidy’s voice asked, making DJ turn his head to his left. She was sitting on her own workbench cross legged.  her laptop sitting next to her as well as a white soda can. She was eating what looked like a yellow cake of some kind. Beyond her was  some control panels and a row of cages, some with endos in them. These sights did not help DJ’s anxiety. He felt Moon tap at the arm that was wrapped around him.

“ Too tight,” he whispered, making DJ realize what he was doing. He forced his grip to loosen. 

“ Sorry. . .” He mumbled, Moon gave his hand a squeeze to let him know it was alright, though he didn’t speak again. DJ noticed Moon was practically hiding himself again, which wasn’t a shocker, he’d done the same thing with Bonnie three days ago, but just the night before he’d had no problem talking in front of Freddy. . .

“ Heather’s trying to make more work for us again!” Vernon snapped, still scrolling, and reaching into a bag of yellow candies he had on his desk. He popped one in his mouth, “ Specifically you ,” He added as he rolled the candy into one of his cheeks. Cassidy gave him an incredulous look, Fork in her mouth from the bite of cake she just took.

“ Mph! What?!” She exclaimed with a full mouth before she swallowed, “ That’s not fair! He’s been in that thing a week! She can’t be throwing ARD threats already!” Casidy whined, Vernon laughed an annoyed forced laugh.

“ Oh but she is!” He glanced at DJ, “ Give me a minute, I’m looking to see if she submitted the report, if she did and management approved it I got no choice, it’s out of my hands,” he shrugged before continuing to search his email. 

“ I don’t wanna build a whole new AI!” Cassidy complained, “ That’s gonna take forever!’ Monty scoffed, rolling his eyes.

“ Pretty sure this one doesn't wanna be deleted either,” He commented, jerking his thumb towards DJ. Vernon snorted.

“ Yeah I bet,” he stated, taking a sip off his own white soda can he had on his workbench. 

“ Ack! No offense man, this is awful,” He added, holding up the can before setting it back on the workbench. DJ blinked, unsure who he was talking to or why they’d be offended.

“ Oh don’t listen to him DJ, I like them,” Cassidy countered, well that answered the who . 

“ That’s your opinion,” Vernon deadpanned, “ And it’s wrong.” 

“ Why would I be offended?” DJ interrupted the siblings bickering, looking between them. 

“ It’s the new Fizzy Faz flavor!” Cassidy explained, “ They’re advertising it as a limited time thing to see how people respond to it.” DJ blinked.

“ A-and I’m the soda guy? I still don’t understand?” The beetle looked to Moon and Monty for help, the gator just shrugged. Vernon sighed heavily moving away from the workbench, and to the cooler by the cylinder. 

“ I’m in last week's Emails now, so I assume she hasn’t submitted the report, “ He pulled another white can from the cooler, “ Here,” He tossed it at DJ, who flinched and closed his eyes, bracing himself for the impact. It didn’t come. He opened his eyes and found Moon was holding the soda can, his eyes wide as if he was surprised he caught it. After a pause he offered it to DJ. The beetle hesitated before taking the can and examining it while Vernon returned to his computer, “ I’m gonna shoot Heather an Email, ask her “what the hell "" he said, looking at his younger sister as he said the last part. Cassidy took another bite of cake.

“ Sign my name to it too,” She said with her mouth full again. DJ examined the can in his hand, The white soda can had four colored rings on it. A red and Blue ring at the top, and a pin and green one at the bottom. In bright Red letters it read FIZZY FAZ along the top, in Magenta it read BASS BLASTING BERRY! DJ stared at it.

“ I don’t-” He started, but Moon wordlessly rotated the can in his hold before he could finish. Revealing a cartoon rendition of himself turning turntables that had a cherry and  a blueberry and place of records. The cartoon version of himself was wearing big goofy sunglasses, and a magenta shirt, but other than that it was quite the resemblance, “ It’s. . . my flavor? I have a flavor?!” DJ looked over at Moon and Monty. The jester’s expression was unreadable, while Monty smirked at him over his glasses. 

“ Yup! And it’s GOOD ,” Cassidy said pointedly in the direction of her brother, who stuck his tongue out and made a mock gagging sound. 

“ It’s a Kool Aid flavor, it doesn’t belong!” he snapped, Cassidy rolled her eyes.

“ Your opinion is invalid! You like Sodaroni! “ Cassidy returned, Vernon pointed at her without looking up from his laptop.

“ Hey! Hey! Sodaroni is good! I will not tolerate slander!” Vernon snapped, then continued before his sister could retort, “ Anyway like I said I don’t see it here, so I think you’re good, I’ll talk to Heather when she comes in today,” He said, popping another candy in his mouth. 

“ Hey since you’re here,” Cassidy added, leaning over slightly to look in DJ’s direction. It took the beetle a minute to realize she was looking at Moon who shrunk in on himself upon realizing this, and pressed himself to DJ”s side more, “ How many of those are recommended serving sizes for an adult?” She asked, pointing with her fork at Vernon. DJ looked down at Moon, who slowly turned his head towards Vernon, then back at her. He mumbled something that only DJ caught. 

“ What was that?” Cassidy asked, DJ squeezed Moon’s hand gently.

“ He said it’s printed on the bag,” DJ repeated for him, Cassidy looked at her brother.

“ No no no, those are kids serving size,” Vernon said dismissively, turning back to his computer, “ I’m good.” 

“ You eat like a bag a day!” Cassidy stated, “ that’s bad right,” The alarmed look that crossed Moon’s face was all the answer the woman needed,  “ Ah ha-”

“ Look I fought tooth and nail to get Heather off my back about these, you are not taking my Sunny Drops from me,” Vernon said, then popped three of the candies in his mouth to prove a point, “ one more thing, you gotta come back tomorrow,” He said, pointing at DJ, his mouth still full of candy, making him a little hard to understand.

“ I do?! Why?” DJ asked, Vernon waved it off.

“ I dunno, management says they got an update they want you to have, I’ll hunt you down when it’s time don’t worry, Bouncer mode working alright?” Vernon asked, DJ shrugged.

“ When I’ve hopped into it,” He half lied, Cassidy and Vernon made affirming noises. 

“ Alright then yeah, you’re good then,” Vernon finished, DJ blinked at him, still holding the soda can. Monty shook DJ’s shoulder lightly.

“ That’s your cue to leave Spotify,” Monty informed him, DJ blinked again, and felt Moon tug on his arm, as if trying to emphasize Monty's words.

“ Right, right, uh bye,” DJ let Moon and Monty guide him back out of Parts and Service. Cassidy giggling as the doors shut behind them. Once they were past the second set of double doors Monty clapped him on the shoulder. 

“ Talk about a close call huh?! Heather must be running late today or something,” Monty laughed, DJ stared at the space in front of him, Moon was still holding one of his primary hands while the Beetle processed what just happened.

“ Yeah. . . she. . . she didn’t . . I’m not gonna be . . “ He felt a smile grow on his face, a laugh started to escape his voice box, “ I’m not gonna be deleted! I got a soda flavor!” He added looking at Moon who smiled back at him. “ I can’t believe it! I could just-” DJ held the soda can in one of his secondary hands while he used his other arm to wrap around Moon’s middle, his free primary arm wrapping around Moon’s shoulders while he pulled the jester closer with the hand that was holding Moon’s. He pressed his face plate to Moon’s before he pulled away, lifting the clown up and spinning in a circle laughing. Monty snorted, shaking his head. Moon staggered slightly when he was set down, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at the beetle, covering his mouth with his hand. 

“ I think that’s first time you’ve kissed me ,” he mumbled, DJ blinked at him as he considered this.

“ Oh my god you’re right,” He pulled Moon to him again, wrapping three of his arms around him, “ Gotta fix that,” He proceeded to press many “kisses” to Moon’s faceplate, making him laugh and push against the beetle, his fans running at their highest setting.

“ Ah! No! Stop it! Not in front of Monty and Sun!” Moon exclaimed in embarrassment. Monty rolled his eyes.

“ Alright, I don’t mean to ruin the moment, but the daycares’ been open for two hours now, and we gotta get back to our attractions,” he reminded them, DJ looked over at the gator while Moon deflated slightly, “ I imagine Sun’s in a tizzy about it,” He added, Moon grimaced.

“ You’re not wrong,” He admitted, “ But . . .” Moon sighed and paced his hands on either side of DJ’s face, and pressed a kiss to his faceplate with an audible “mwa” before pulling away from the beetle, “ I’ll see you after close?” He sounded unsure, as if DJ would just vanish. DJ grinned at him.

“ Yeah! Yeah you will! Love you Angel~ ” DJ cooed, Moon wrapped his arms around the beetle's neck, resting his forehead against DJ’s.

“ Love you too~”  He returned in that sing-song voice that made DJ’s code flutter, Monty groaned impatiently when Moon made no move to let the beetle go. He grabbed Moon’s arm and pulled him free of DJ’s grasp. 

“ Seriously! We’re gonna get in trouble if we take too long, these two might already be in trouble,” Monty said evenly, gesturing to the jester who he still had a hold of. DJ chuckled, nodding. 

“ Right right,” he took a step back towards the direction of the west arcade, “ Bye,” Moon waved while Monty started to drag him towards Monty golf and the Daycare. 

“ Bye!” Moon called, stumbling as he was forced to walk backwards before spinning around and pulling his arms free. DJ turned, looking down at the soda can in his hand as he walked. It wasn’t a plush, hell it wasn’t even a shirt  but it was something with his face on it. DJ grinned, things were looking up!

Thinking you had run out of time in the world had a funny way of making you grateful to deal with even the brattiest of kids. Sure he wasn’t thrilled to deal with some punk in a Sun themed shirt, which DJ assumed was supposed to be ironic since the kid was fifteen, try to scam him out of extra faz-tokens but hey, he wasn’t deleted! DJ was thinking nothing could bring him down after what he’d been through recently!

Contact Request: 

Montgomery Gator

Y/N?

DJ blinked in surprise, slowing his stride as he walked through the arcade. Why was Monty calling him? The beetle answered. 

“ Uh, yeah?” DJ started, only to be startled when Monty let out a loud snarling sound. 

“ Have you heard what they’re tryin ta pull!” he asked, rage clear in his voice.

“ Uh no?” he stated, Monty snarled again.

“ They’re locking us down at night! All Glamrocks are to stay in their Green rooms now! In your case the arcade!” the gator practically yelled, there was another snarling sound. DJ hesitated.

“ Why?” He tentatively asked, immediately regretting it when Monty let out a fustrated snarl.

“ Because of what happened to Bonnie stupid! “ He shouted, then made a pained sound, “ Shit!” 

“ What? What’s going on?” DJ asked, worry for the gator starting to sink in. 

“ NONE OF YER BUISNESS! I just broke something,” Monty huffed, DJ hesitated again, inhailing before speaking.

“ Like, by accident or in rage ,” He asked, knowing the gator would more than likely hate the question. 

“ What’s the difference?!” he snapped, DJ shrugged despite it going unseen.

“ Well. . . in rage has some intention to it I think where as by accident is more like your tail bumped into it-”  Monty interrupted DJ with a snarl. 

“ Oh who cares?!” He growled. DJ rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortable, being ill equipped to handle this side of Monty. 

“ Um I think Sun does, maybe you should call him?” He tried, sure he was dumping Monty off on the solar animatronic but it was his boyfriend after all, and he was far better equipped for enraged Monty. 

“ Oh fuck that guy!” Monty snapped, DJ would have stared wide eyed at the gator if he was there. 

“ are. . . are you and Sun alright?” DJ asked, Monty immediately went on the defensive.

“ Why? What are you trying to say? Has he said something?!” DJ thought about pinging Moon for help on the matter, then realized he shouldn’t have thought about that while on call with Monty , “ Oh you leave HIM out of this! I don’t need him up my ass either!” The gator snapped suddenly, “ Stipid piece of shit,” He added after he no doubt broke something else.

“ Where are you?  You’re not in front of guests are you,” the beetle asked nervously. 

“ No! I’m in my Green Room !  Not that it’s any of your business! DJ realized this was the second time he mentioned having a green room.

“ Since when do you have a green room?” he asked, Monty huffed.

“ They gave me. . . .Bonnie’s. . “ He sighed, “ Ach my head. . .” DJ waited for Monty to speak again when he didn’t he tentatively asked;

“ You okay Monty?” The gator groaned.

“ Yes? No? . . .” He paused, “ Oh wow I really lost it huh. . .” He sounded ashamed of himself.

“ I don’t know for certain, I’m not there, “ DJ started, “ But I’d say yeah, sure sounded like it,” Monty groaned again. 

“ Crap, why’d I even- I don’t even know what set me off,  Maybe it’s cuz it’s Bonnie’s room, maybe it was because I’m not gonna see Sun after close. . . I dunno,” He sighed. DJ could imagine him shaking his head.

“ How’d you hear about that anyways,” he asked.

“ The maintenance guys were talking about it while they were working on my door, I guess they’re updating the security clearance on it so I wont be able to leave at night without Officer Vanessa ’s permission,” He said the name in a mocking tone. DJ felt a similar bitterness, “ They’ll probably send out an official notification after they’ve hit all the doors, “ DJ hummed.

“ I absolutely love the concept that I won’t be able to leave the arcade but Vanessa will be able to get in. That sits so well with me that I think I’ll have a tea party with it,” he said sarcastically, Monty chuckled darkly. 

“ Well she won’t be the only one with high enough clearance from what I hear, the security staff bots, and Moon will be able to bypass em too,” Monty clarified. DJ blinked in surprise.

“ Moon? Really?” DJ asked, Monty scoffed.

“ Yep. Figures…” he huffed, “ Ya know I lost the last three nights with Sun cuz of you ,” the gator snarled, DJ considered this, then realized yeah, he had. Sun had left bowling early so Moon could “rescue” DJ, then Sun had let Moon out so he could look for DJ when DJ was ignoring their calls, an action he still felt guilty about for causing his boyfriend such distress, then Sun had been ‘ out’ for all of Sunday and Sunday night so Moon could spend what they thought was DJ”s remaining time with him. Granted none of these things were directly DJ’s fault but he still felt guilt when it was brought to his attention and especially if what Monty was saying was true , he wouldn’t get to make those nights back up. 

“ Monty I’m really sorry. . . “ DJ started tapping his secondary knuckles, the gator sighed.

“ Yeah well it doesn’t matter. . . sides it’s not like you  asked for all that to happen. . .” Monty said awkwardly, “ I better go, show times in thirty,” 

“ Hey your first show isn’t it?” DJ tried to cheer the mood up, the gator huffed in an amused way.

“ Yeah. . . it is,”  He was quiet, DJ looked around nervously, a small crowd was gathering around one of the games, they were cheering so the kid must be having a good run. 

“ you should call Sun, talk to him about what’s bugging you,” DJ suggested, Monty grunted, but didn’t answer. He disconnected. DJ paused, turning back to the crowd of kids. They were starting to thin out a bit,either the game got boring to watch or the kid lost. The DJ approached the crowd. Some kids hurried off, not unusual since his size still tended to scare off kids, some lingered. It appeared the kid who had been playing the game was one of the absconders because no one was at the controls. He realized he was looking at Five Coins , DJ’s personal favorite, one that he himself had even gotten the high score on when he and Moon had played it together the previous week.

“ Dude some ten year old totally wrecked your score,” A teen DJ recognized as the wall kid from the sweet sixteen birthday party told him. DJ looked back at the game, some one beat his score? But he was an AI? Granted he was more designed to play music than be good at the games, but still.  DJ blinked as the demo animation started again,  Sure enough when the high score flashed it read;

HIGHSCORES:

GGY- 1280,558

DJM- 1280,543

Huh. Good for him. Impressive even. DJ realized the kids around him were watching him, almost expectantly. Was he supposed to be upset? Offended? Sure it hurt his pride a little but . . . 

“ So I have found ” Bonnie’s voice echoed from DJ’s memory, “ you have to treat every interaction like a performance ,” DJ blinked at the small crowd that was around him, what would the bunny do in this moment? How was he supposed to turn this into a show? The highscores blinked at him again. Bonnie had a competitive nature to him. When he had distracted Heather so Chica could sneak DJ off stage his first day he had antagonized Roxy. Bonnie had pitted DJ against every other animatronic in an arm wrestling match as a show.Even after hours Bonnie had antagonized Monty in the bowling alley. That made sense. Competition meant stakes. Stakes made for an attention grabbing show. 

DJ felt a little unnatural doing it, but he still made a show of stretching his primary arms over his head, while “cracking” his secondary knuckles.

“ We’ll see about that,” he said coolly as he approached the game and used his clearance to start it. The kids cheered him on as DJ managed to beat GGY’s score. Once he had they made a mad scramble for the controls to see if they could beat his score too. Once he stepped away from the small crowd DJ was pinged by Moon.

Olivia suspected to be on route please return :) 

DJ scoffed, and rolled his eyes. Of course she was. He decided he’d head her off today and approached the elevator. He was totally just trying to get her back to the daycare quickly, that was his motive and not because he was eager to see her after the events o previous day, nope. Not him. Responsible motives. 

DJ entered the small space,  while he waited in the elevator he decided to hop into Bouncer mode to look for Olivia on the cameras since the last few times he’d use it nothing happened, and the elevator was empty if something did happen. It didn’t take long for DJ to spot her sneaking around the second level by the entrance to the bakery. DJ snickered, shaking his head as he watched her scuttle along as if crawling from point A to point B made her invisible. Then the camera glitched, making the beetle frown. Olivia was still there, but every couple of seconds the camera would get a purple static to it. DJ tried to turn on the audio, see if he could hear her better than he seemed able to see her. All he heard was a familiar high pitch ringing before he got a screeching sound of speaker feedback, stabbing DJ’s mind like a hot poker. DJ recoiled from the sound, holding his head. He quickly turned Bouncer Mode before he had a repeat of what happened the last time he heard that ringing. He looked up at the doors, waiting impatiently for them to opened, tapping his secondary knuckles nervously.

It was irrational, he knew it was. The ringing, the figure he’d seen last time, those were problems with Bouncer Mode itself. But something in DJ’s code told him he had to get to Olivia. Fast . Once the doors opened, DJ practically sprinted out of them, the ground shaking as he did. He hurried down the escalator by Bonnie bowl, looking in the direction of Kid’s cove, she wasn’t by the bakery anymore. DJ reached the bottom of the escalator, and leaned over the second level railing, scanning the other side of the atrium.

“ OLIVIA?!” He called, unsure why he was compelled to do so. His voice booming and making several patrons look at him, some startled due to how close they were to him, some confused, “ OLIVIA!” 

“ Machamp!” DJ turned sharply to his right, and saw her running towards him from the elevators that lead to the main entrance. She was smiling at him as she ran. DJ sped walked to meet her in the middle, taking a knee as she approached. He didn’t expect her to jump into his arms and hug him, but he quickly returned the hold as the unexplained sension he’d been feeling finally drained out of him. The crowd around him made a chorus of “ awe” ’s and he was sure he heard some faz-cams go off. DJ finally pulled away the four year old, placing her on the ground, but keeping his primary hands firmly, but gently on her shoulders. She smiled innocently at him, and he sighed, shaking his head with a chuckle.

“ What am I gonna do with you Soundbyte?” he asked, she giggled. 

“ What do you mean~” SHe asked in a sing song voice that reminded the beetle of Moon. DJ poked her sides gently with his secondary hands, making her squeal and laugh. 

“ Oh you know what!” he grinned, before scooping her back up, “ You are such a troublemaker !” He sighed exasperatedly as he walked, she giggled. 

“ Nu-huh!” She denied, “ I was allowed!” She insisted proudly, DJ rolled his eyes.

“ Oh yeah? Mr. Sun and Mr. Moon just let you leave huh?” He asked doubtfully, she shook her head giggling.

“ No! I got permission from the rabbit lady!” DJ Physically stopped, his smile dropped as if it suddenly weighed three tons. He looked down at the four year old in his arms as she continued to giggle as if she hadn’t just dropped a bombshell on the beetle. 

Which was another question on top of the ever growing pile, why was this a bombshell? Why did this information set off so many alarms in his head?

“ A rabbit lady” He repeated, she nodded, her smile starting to falter as she no doubt started to pick up that something was wrong. 

If she had just said rabbit DJ could assume she meant Bonnie, which would mean she was lying since Bonnie wasn’t there anymore. But Rabbit lady ? And hadn’t DJ seen a rabbit figure that wasn’t Bonnie, and  could have been a lady that night? He couldn’t ask for details to confirm it because he had been in Bouncer mode and didn’t see any details himself. Besides when he turned Bouncer mode off the rabbit had vanished, AND neither Monty or Moon had seen the rabbit at all . Olivia continued to look up at DJ while he struggled mentally.

“ Machamp?” She called, DJ blinked and sighed.

“ Um. . . listen Soundbyte,” DJ said carefully, “Only Mr.Sun and Mr.Moon can give you permission to leave the Daycare  okay, and it’s very important that you stay there” He wasn’t sure what was different about this time, maybe his voice had a different weight to it, maybe she’d picked up on the fear he was feeling. But this time she didn’t argue or fight him. She didnt’ insist she was a Big girl . She simply blinked at him, then said in a small voice;

“ Okay.” DJ nodded, and started walking again. 

The Daycare was lit when they got there, DJ knocked on the wooden door, and Sun opened it. Grinning at them.

“ Olivia! You silly girl!” He exclaimed, plucking the four year old from DJ, “ You’re gonna have to go in time-” DJ grabbed Sun’s arm before the jester could walk away, cutting him off as he turned to look at the beetle.

“ I need to talk to you,” He said seriously, “ both of you,” He added. Sun blinked, then nodded, setting Olivia down.

“ Go play,” He toddler her, then turned back to DJ, “ What is it?” He asked with concern. DJ watched Olivia fish a pirate sword out of what looked like a costume box.

“ She says she was given permission to leave the daycare,” DJ informed them, Sun looked astonished.

“ What? Moon and I would never let a child leave on their own,” Sun pressed a hand to his chest as if he was trying to still a beating heart. 

“ Not from you or Moon,” DJ corrected, shaking his head, “ A rabbit lady.” Sun blinked at him in confusion.

“ Lady? ” Sun repeated, then shook his head, “ But . . . there is no Rabbit Lad-” Sun cut himself off with a grimace, looking to the floor, “ There is no rabbit anymore,” He finished, looking back up at DJ.

“ I know. . . Look . . . just keep an eye out okay?” He took a step back, this time Sun grabbed his arm to stop him .

“ Is something wrong?” He asked, DJ was sure the primary source of the concern was Moon, he looked past Sun at Olivia who was crawling through the tubes of the play structions, she seemed much faster than the other kids at it, as she easily caught up to the boy she was casing and proceed to swing at his ankles with the sword. Sun waved a hand in front of DJ’s eyes to regain his attention. 

“ Sorry um. . “DJ mumbled as he focussed on the jester, “ I- I think so. . . but i’m not sure, it’s more of a feeling,” he admitted rubbing the back of his neck, Sun watched him for a moment, then nodded.

“ Moon says since it’s a security issue he can make time to talk to you about it after close,” he informed the beetle, who chuckled, raising an eyebrow suspiciously at him.

“ Oh? Has he heard about the new security measure they’re planning? Because if he has it sure sounds like he’s making excuses,” DJ teased, Sun gasped in mock offense.

“ What? Moon? Make excuses?! Never! “ he exclaimed, DJ chuckled.

“ So you have heard?” He asked, Sun nodded, doing a quick 180 degree spin of his head to check on the kids behind him before looking back at DJ. 

“ Yes, maintenance came by earlier and updated the doors,” Sun wrapped his knuckles on the wooden door beside him to emphasize his words, “ How’d you hear? Don’t think they got to the arcades yet,” 

“ Monty called, have you spoken to him?” DJ asked, Sun shook his head, “ He had a um. . . Set back,” DJ informed him, “ It sounded bad ,” Sun grimaced.

“ Oh Poor Butter cup, I knew he was gonna eventually, so much is going on, he did so good, but no one can do it forever. . . ” Sun mumbled seemingly to himself, pulling on his ribbons, “  no he hasn’t called me, I’ll check in on him during Naptime,” A child cried out at this point, DJ and Sun turned to see it was the boy Olivia had been chasing, he seemed to have fallen down just outside the play structure and was crying, Olivia was watching from one of the many tubes. She looked over to see they were watching her, and scrambled back into the tube. 

“ Oh she’s my little crawling menace that’s for sure, almost fitting” Sun giggled distractedly, “ You being her new favorite I mean, you got those tunnels and god forbid I try to remove her from the tubes,” He turned his body towards the daycare, “ Well duty calls, bye DJ, Moon will see you after close,” He started towards the crying boy, the door closing as Sun was no longer holding it open. DJ hummed, and made his way back to the arcade. 

Upon returning he noticed the maintenance workers were messing with his doors to the staff tunnels, DJ didn’t bother asking what they were doing, there was also a slightly bigger crowd of kids, laughing and pointing at the same game cabinet as before. Once again no one was playing it, they were just watching the demo animation over and over. Laughing everytime the high score screen came on. DJ moved closer, and the kids looked up at him, some stopped laughing, others laughed harder. The high score screen blinked at him again, and DJ’s eyes went wide.

HIGHSCORES

GGY- 1280,880:

GET- 1280,582

GUD- 1280,578

DJM- 1280,575

GGY- 1280,558

DJM- 1280,543

DJ glanced over to see headphones wall kid was still there. He pointed at the arcade cabinet.

“ Was this the same kid?” He asked, the kid nodded.

“ Yeah, same kid for all three,” He confirmed, DJ put his primary hands on his hips, raising an eyebrow at the scores. A smirk tugging at his mouth.

“Okay GGY. . .” DJ said evenly, “ Game on.” 

Chapter Text

It didn’t bother him the first time. It really didn’t. It didn’t even truly bother him the second time, despite GGY’s taunts. By the fifth time this faceless kid beat DJ’s highscore, the “bit”  of him being upset about it stopped being a “ bit” . It frustrated him, how was this kid beating him repeatedly . DJ was an AI! AN AI ! It was DJ’s arcade! He should’ve at least seen the kid once , but no. No DJ would turn his back for two seconds on a cabinet and turn back to find more taunts from GGY. They included;

DUM BOT

DUM BUG

EAT POO and finally;

SUK EET.

DJ was losing his mind over this, he knew it was stupid but he was. He was going to show this kid up. As Monty predicted DJ got a notification just before close informing him that he nor any animatronics aside from Moon would be allowed to leave their designated lockdown zones. While this was a bummer, DJ tried to remain optimistic, after all, he wasn’t being deleted, and it meant he had nothing better to do than exact his revenge. He would play every arcade game in the west arcade, getting the top high score on every single one. 

He was about three quarters of the way done with this plan on the upper level of the arcade. Achieving the top score of Mangle's quest and moving onto Fazbear’s Pizzeria simulator, chuckling almost manically to himself as he threw pizzas at 8bit kids. 

“ Do I want to know what  you are doing?” DJ looked over his shoulder, towards the voice, then turned more fully when he found no one there, “ And why you are laughing like that?” He looked up, Moon was lying lazily on his stomach on a beam like he’d been there a while. One arm dangled down below him. DJ tilted his head, hands on his hips. 

“ What did I say about hiding in my ceiling?” DJ scolded but he couldn’t do it with a straight face, he was too happy just to see Moon. His boyfriend sighed, and pushed his upper body up, stretching like a cat. 

“ To not to,” He sighed before swinging himself down, landing atop the arcade cabinets across from DJ. The only sound made were his bells, “ And I guess I do want to know, what are you doing? And why are you laughing like that?” he asked, perched there. DJ huffed, shaking his head as he leaned back against the cabinet behind him. 

 So this kid, I don’t know who they are, haven’t seen them in person, so I haven't got a scan yet, but they beat my high score on Fazbear Noir! ” DJ pointed in the direction of the game, Moon raised an eyebrow at him, his head tilted slightly.

“ And?” He asked, DJ let his hand drop, his expression incredulous.

“ AND! They did it NINE TIMES Moon ! Not once! Not three times! NINE! ” DJ exclaimed, holding up the appropriate amount of fingers on his primary hands, Moon’s smile strained and he started to shake, like he was trying not to laugh. “ And! And they mocked me! “ DJ added, pointing at the jester who remained perched atop the cabinets watching the beetle with an expression that was a mix of concern and amusement.

“ If you didn’t see this kid, how did they mock you?” He asked, DJ pointed at the cabinet again.

“ With the highscores!” He exclaimed dramatically, Moon snorted, covering his mouth as he struggled to take his boyfriend seriously. 

“ I see. . .” 

“ But I got a plan!” DJ continued, intentionally trying to sound a little crazy for comedic effect. He even did a little jump squat, which made Moon guffaw. 

“ Oh?” His voice was an octave higher than it should be as he fought the laughter that was in his voice box. 

“ Uh huh! Yes! I’m gonna get ALL the highscore! It’s gonna be like Pokemon up in here! I’mma get em all!” DJ gestured to the arcade with all four arms, moving backwards while spinning on one heel as he spoke. He was a performer after all he was allowed a little theatrics once in a while . Moon followed him, crawling along the tops of the cabinets. 

“ How do you know they're regular?” Moon asked, DJ grinned at him. 

“ I don’t!” He said cheerfully, Moon snorted again.

“ Then. . .” He chuckled, letting his head fall forward before taking a deep breath and looking back up, “ Then how do you know they’ll come back?” The jester finished, but he seemed to know the answer already. DJ held up a single index finger, holding a dramatic pause.

“ I don’t!” he said again, Moon guffawed again, “ But if they do I’ll have all the highscores!” He exclaimed, extending all four arms again, Moon plopped his butt on the cabinet once he reached the end, and let one foot hang off the edge while the other remained propped on it. He held it to his chest, shaking his head. His expression had morphed from confused amusement to concerned  amusement.

“ OKay. . . whatever makes you happy Musicbox,” Moon chuckled, then he sighed, “ So.. . .about that security issue . . .” DJ’s smile dropped, and he sighed as well.

“ Right. . .” He started tapping his secondary knuckles, I can’t explain it, Like I said it’s mostly just a feeling-”

“ You have security protocols programmed into you, a feeling is all you need,” Moon assured him, the beetle relaxed a little, nodding before he continued.

“ I hopped into bouncer mode to try to find Olivia on the cameras,” DJ explained, Moon’s eyes went wide.

“ You did what?!” He exclaimed, DJ shrugged, “ No, don’t just shrug ! Last time we discussed Bouncer Mode it wasn’t working!” DJ hesitated, then shrugged again, getting a frustrated sputtering sound from his boyfriend, DJ chuckled despite himself. 

“ I dunno, I slipped into by accident with Heather Saturday,” Moon nodded, as DJ had told him that before, “ And then I did it again after that but before you and Monty found me because I was looking for Heather to- I don’t know, try to reason with her? Either way I hopped it to look at the cameras, That’s why I told Vernon and Cassidy it was kinda working,” He explained quickly, Moon hummed in acknowledgment.

“ So . . . my original theory about you just needing to get used to it was right?” Moon asked, he sounded uncertain and confused, DJ grimaced as he shrugged a third time, “ Shrug again and I'm taking your shoulders,” Moon said, he was joking, DJ could tell, he laughed weakly.

“ I’m not sure because see, today like I said, looking for Olivia,” Moon nodded again,” and while I was looking the cameras started glitching and I heard the ringing again,” DJ started to pace as he spoke, “ And I just. . I had this feeling that she was in danger and I had to get to her,” DJ finished, tapping his knuckles.

“ Well you weren’t wrong, she said a rabbit lady gave her permission to leave the Daycare,” Moon recapped, “ In fact, what she told Sun after you dropped her off was this Rabbit lady tried to get her to follow her somewhere but she wanted to see you ,” Moon said, “ Then there's the rabbit lady. . . you said you saw a rabbit didn’t you?” Moon recalled, “ That night in the bakery,” DJ nodded.

“ Yeah, it was definitely a rabbit, but it wasn’t there, you and Monty couldn't see it,”  DJ reminded him, Moon nodded, brow furrowed in thought.

“ That is the only wrench I can’t seem to pull out,” He sighed. DJ tilted his head.

“ It’s dumb, it’s really dumb, but I can’t shake the feeling that it was never Bouncer Mode, that it’s. . . something else,” DJ suggested. Moon sighed heavily, leaning back against one of his palms atop the cabinet. 

“ I. . . I’m not saying it’s not a possibility, “ Moon started, “ I just don’t know what else it could be, I don’t have enough information,” DJ nodded.

“ I know, Neither do I,” He agreed. 

“ We’ll have to keep an eye out,” Moon sighed again, DJ nodded again. There was a pause. 

“ So. . . you think Heather threw a fit when she realized I was still around?” the beetle asked, trying to lighten the mood, apparently this was the wrong topic to pick, because Moon frowned, and looked away. 

“ Heather never came in,’ Moon informed him. 

“ What? Why? Did she call in sick?” DJ asked Moon shrugged, he almost seemed nervous.

“ No call no show,” He said simply, DJ stared for a moment. 

“ Moon,” He started, making Moon look at him, “ Is there something you’re not telling me,” DJ asked, taking a couple steps closer to the jester, who tugged on his ribbon, grimacing.

“ I-I. . .” Moon closed his eyes, and sighed, “ Ok, look, with everything that was going on last night, I- I didn’t want to worry or freak you out more than you already were, and now I’m freaking out and-” DJ placed his two primary hands on Moon’s shoulders, while his secondary took Moon’s hands. 

“ Moon, Lullaby, Angel, It’s okay, I get it, talk to me now , what’s going on?” DJ asked, gently rubbing small circles into the back of Moon’s hands with his secondary thumbs. Moon grimaced again. 

“ I-I don’t remember talking to you and Freddy in the kitchens . . .” He confessed. It took all of DJ’s will power not to roll his eyes or respond with a sarcastic “ no Kidding ” Instead he released a breath. 

“ No?” He said instead, Moon shook his head. 

“ No I-I blacked out, I didn’t think anything of it til you said you talked to me ,” Moon continued, DJ gently squeezed Moon’s hands while he held up a primary index finger.

“ Back up a second Angel, you “blacked out” ? And you didn’t think anything of it? Do you black out a lot?” He asked, Moon smiled weakly.

“ Yeah. . . I do. . . see, as the naptime attendant I don’t see much use during the day so I get forced into a sort of rest mode if I’m inactive for too long while Sun’s in control. It’s to save energy in the body. I really should’ve known something was off when I woke up outside of Fazer-blast- and this whole Heather thing,” Moon stressed, his voice going up an octave. DJ used his primary hands to hold Moon’s head still, looking into his eyes. 

“ I’m here okay? Calm down,” DJ wasn’t sure great at comforting, he wasn’t built for it after all, but after every near breakdown Moon had helped him through, he was going to try to do the same for Moon. Once the jester had calmed down a little he asked. “ What does Heather have to do with this?” Moon tried to pull his hands free, it seemed like a subconscious thing more than intentional because after one tug he just squeezed DJ’s hands instead. 

“ You-You know how you and Monty were saying she must not have come in last night to submit your report?” Moon started, his voice small, DJ nodded, letting his primary hands rub up and down Moon’s arms, trying his best to comfort him, still unsure if he was helping, “ She did.” DJ froze.

“ What?” He asked, Moon nodded.

“ I-I guess because of my security update I get n-notified when staff enter or leave the building.” He explained, DJ nodded again. 

“ Yeah I get those too, only when I’m in Bouncer mode though,” he admitted, Moon chuckled weakly. 

“ Well I get them all the time now,” He sighed, “ It’s a little annoying. . .but last night while I was patrolling the east arcade I got a notification that Heather entered the Plex,” DJ blinked in confusion.

“ That late?” He asked, Moon shrugged.

“ Well those reports can only be done on the office computers,” Moon explained as if it was common knowledge. DJ nodded slowly, “ That’s . . . actually when I blacked out. . . I should’ve known Sun couldn’t have taken over but. . .  and now. . . she didn’t come in today, she didn’t submit the report, and that thing with Olivia! Why Olivia? Why any child ?!” DJ squeezed Moon’s arms this time.

“ Hey, hey, we don’t know that these things are connected, your blackouts could be a bug from this new protocol they gave you butting heads with your normal programing right?” He wasn’t sure, programming wasn’t something he was familiar with.  Moon shrugged, a grimace on his face.

“ I mean. . . yeah, it could ,” He mumbled.

“ And Heather could have changed her mind, and stayed home sick today, and Olivia’s thing is something upsetting but so far away from this,” DJ assured, Moon looked down at their hands, the beetle used one of his primary hands to lift Moon’s chin up, “ It’s been a rough few days for you, and maybe the stress of all that is part of the problem?” He suggested, Moon blinked at him in confused surprise. 

“ Me?” He echoed, “ For me? You were almost deleted !” He half laughed in disbelief. DJ gave Moon’s hands another squeeze.

“ Yeah and you had to live that with me,” DJ stated, “ And I know you were mad at Bonnie but after Foxy, I can’t imagine these last few days have been easy for you,”  he continued, “ You and Sun play it off, worrying about everybody else, “ Sun wants to check on Monty” and  you worrying about me , you can’t pretend it hasn’t been hard for you,” Moon looked away. There was a long stretch of nothing but the various demo noises from the arcade games around them.

“ It was harder on Sun,” He finally admitted, “ Bonnie I mean, I wasn’t too close to him. . .but when I thought. . .you. . . I-I,” Moon tugged on his hands again, this time he did it a second time, and DJ let him go. He wrapped his arms around DJ’s neck, and leaned heavily into him, the beetle wrapped all four of his arms around him in return.“ I’m scared.” He confessed in a small weak voice, “ I’ve been scared, and I almost can’t remember what it's like to not be scared,” DJ frowned, letting one hand gently stroke Moon’s hat.

“ I’m so sorry you’ve been feeling like that Lullaby,” DJ tried to sooth, “ But I’m here now okay, I’m here with you ,” He wasn’t certain if this sentiment would help, it had helped him a little when Moon had said it to him. Moon’s hold tightened a bit, it took DJ a little longer than he’d like to admit to realize this was because Moon was crying. 

“ I-I’ve never had a blackout I couldn’t link back to Sun, what if somethings wrong with me ,” He whimpered, DJ shushed him.

“ No no, I talked to you during your blackout, remember?” DJ reminded him, Moon chuckled weakly. 

“ No I don’t,” He mumbled, it took DJ a second to realize this was a joke. He rolled his eyes, letting out an amused sigh.

“ Well I did ,” he continued, “ And you didn’t seem too different, I mean you talked to Freddy when I think you would have normally hid from him, but that was about it,” DJ assured. 

“ I did?” Moon asked, DJ hummed, “ What did we talk about?” DJ hummed again in thought.

“ It was mostly me trying to talk to you into letting me go with you and you telling me to go back to the Daycare,” He recapped, Moon’s hold loosened slightly, he seemed to try trying to find a comfortable place to rest his head. He settled with his chin on DJ’s shoulder. 

“ Oh. . .” Was all he said, the beetle nodded.

“ Yep, I begged, I said “ pwease "" DJ recounted, Moon chuckled. 

“ And I didn’t let you , what A monster I was,” DJ chuckled himself. 

“ Yep, you said my handsome face was too much of a distraction,” DJ quotes, Moon chuckled again.

“ I wasn’t wrong ,” Moon said in a teasing voice, DJ hummed, there was a long moment where they just stayed like that, DJ just holding him and Moon leaning into him for support and comfort. After what felt like ages but still wasn’t nearly long enough, Moon pulled away, his gaze on the floor.

“ I have to go . . patrol,” He sighed, DJ gently tipped Moon’s chin up to look at him. 

“ You gonna be okay?” He asked, the jester smiled at him, his shoulders going slack. Like a weight had been lifted from him. 

“  yeah. . . thank you,” He sounded genuinely grateful. DJ pressed his faceplate to Moon’s. 

“ Of course Lullaby, call me if you need to okay?” DJ said, Moon nodded. 

“ I will. . . you show that kid you’ll probably never hear from again, who’s king of the arcade,” Moon returned, pulling fully as his cable lowered behind him. DJ took a step back as he grinned. Feeling a bit like a dog who’s been asked who’s a good boy ?

“Oh I will !” He said as he fisted one of his primary hands in the air, Moon chuckled and let the cable pull him into the darkness above them. By opening the next day the DJ had achieved what he set out to do. He was the top score on every cabinet.  He was quite proud of himself, and couldn’t wait to tell Moon about how he did it! He had reclaimed his crown , That is until four hours later when he realized all the cabinets on the bottom floor had a newer highscore. 

“ How ?!” DJ gasped as GGY blinked mockingly at him from the top of the five arcade cabinets he was looking at, “ How can you even afford that many Faz-tokens?!” DJ exclaimed at the cabinets, as he had no child to exclaim this to. He swore he heard a snicker but when he turned his head he only saw kids playing their own games. DJ shook his head with a sigh. Looking at the cabinet housing Midnight Motorist when he received a ping from Freddy. 

FF: Please come to Fazerblast 

DJ blinked in confusion but obliged, pointing at the cabinet, “ This isn’t over,” He told it, and by extension GGY. . . at least in his mind, before leaving the west arcade. 

Upon entering the center of a group of kids, signing autograph books. He quickly dismissed himself upon seeing the beetle. He made his way to him, it was then DJ noticed the bear was carrying something in his hand. 

“ I am glad you came, and so quickly,” Freddy smiled, though he was clearly worried, “ There is a child in distress with the Fazer Blast arena,” He explained, gesturing to the door into the game area, “ I need assistance getting her out,” He finished. DJ blinked in confusion at the door, kids were still trying to get Freddy’s attention as he was explaining the situation and some were even trying to get DJ’s. It was hard to hear him and process it all over the chatter. 

“ Why did you call me?” DJ asked, he wasn’t exactly great for dealing with distressed children. Freddy offered the thing he was holding to him. 

“ She dropped this, I believe it was the craft of the day in the Daycare, and it gave me the impression she’d respond better to you,” He explained, DJ slowly took the offered item. It was a stuffed sock monkey. The kind made with plain white fabric and was sold at craft stores with fabric makers so kids could color it themselves. This one was colored to resemble the beetle himself. Its ears had been colored green with a red line stopping it’s head between said ears. It had a small piece of fabric that stuck out of the top of its head that was colored black. Two black circles were around each of the monkey’s eyes making the black pearl button eyes look even bigger. It had DJ’s blue eyebrows, cheeks, blue stripes on its chin and suspenders. The top of its snout had been colored magenta. It was even colored to have a “ V cut shirt T_shirt” and white pants with black boots. A magenta line representing his belt wrapped around it, and colored its whole tail. It even had red rings around its two wrists. It was small, probably about three or four inches tall. 

“ Uh yeah, that’s a fair assumption,” DJ sighed, pretty sure he already knew which child they were dealing with. 

“ It is quite the likeness,” Freddy sounded slightly amused, “ Perhaps they’ll make plushies soon and she can purchase one,” DJ scoffed.

“ Yeah, perhaps, it’s a good thing I don’t have lungs, I won’t pass out while I hold my breath,” DJ huffed sarcastically.Freddy gave him a scolding look, but a smile was tugging at his mouth as he tried not to laugh, “ So she’s just in there?” DJ asked, Freddy hummed.

“ Not exactly, we have the attraction shut down for now, come with me,” Freddy entered the game and led DJ through a room that was well lit with purple lights along the walls, a space exterior wallpaper lined the walls. A staff bot stood on a stage talking about orange and blue teams. Freddy gave the bot a wave as he passed, and DJ did the same, the bot did not stop its speech but it did salute them. 

Freddy led him down a narrow hall made to look like a space station’s hall. It was lit with green neon lights along the top and purple along the bottom. DJ had to side step to make his way down it. They passed an orange and green room that had toy guns and helmets available. DJ blinked it was this moment he realized something.

Monty was good at golf. His attraction was a mini golf course.

Roxy was good at racing, her attraction was a race track

Bonnie was good at bowling, his attraction was a bowling alley.

Chica was a foodie and both her attractions, the old and new, had something to do with food. 

Freddy’s attraction from what DJ could see involved kids shooting each other with laser guns.  . . was Freddy good with guns? DJ looked back at the bear who had kept walking past the armory and to another door that led to another hallway.

“ Oh my god,” DJ groaned, and he started to side step down it again, Freddy looked back at him, then smiled sympathetically at him.

“ I apologize, it is rather snug even for me,” He admitted, “ It was designed for children, we are not meant to be in here, that would be cheating,” He explained, DJ nodded, okay so Freddy wasn’t allowed in here, that was a point for not good with gun s. They reached the end of this hall to a fork. They followed which every door opened, in this case it was a blue hallway to their right. They followed that to a circular room that looked like an elevator, “ This is not an elevator,” Freddy assured him as he ducked into it, DJ close behind, “ It is merely a shaking room meant to simulate an elevator, we only have one small elevator in here it takes the winning team to the Superstar Lounge to claim the gold fazer-blast,” He explained. As promised the room shook, then the doors opened to a green flashing hellscape that had DJ taken aback. Freddy however just marched in like it was nothing. He easily navigated the terrain before them. 

So he clearly knew the layout despite not being allowed in here? That was a point for Freddy is good with guns . Freddy stopped at a vent that was flush to the floor, its cap looked like it had been ripped off, and DJ noticed some red pain along the caw marks. He glanced at the bear's claws as he sighed as he gestured to it. 

“ She will not come out, I believe I may have frightened her,” Freddy explained, DJ sighed  as he examined the vent. Because it was so low, even if DJ crouched he wouldn’t be able to see in. There was only one solution. 

“ Don’t go anywhere, I might need help up,” the beetle told the bear before getting on his knees, then from there he laid flat on his stomach before the vent. Sure enough he saw Olivia hiding in it, a scan of her told him she was crying, and had sustained some bruises on her arms. That worried him but he hid it, “ Hey Soundbyte,” He called, she wiped her eyes but did not answer him, DJ scrambled on what to do. He wasn’t built for this situation. Finally he decided he’d do his best to emulate Sun and Moon since they were .

“ What are we doing? Are we hiding?” He asked in a cheery stage whisper, she nodded, “ What’re we hiding from?  The aliens? They’re scary,” He added, looking over his shoulder at one of the staff bots dressed like an alien whizzing by. She just shook her head. Okay acting like Sun  wasn’t working. DJ placed his primary hands flat under his chins, “ Is it cozy in there? He asked, “ It doesn’t look like it, looks cramped and dirty, “ He noted, “ Do you wanna come out?” He asked, she hesitated. 

“ What if she gets me?” DJ hesitated.

“ Who?” He asked, Fredy shifted next to him.

“ The rabbit lady!” DJ inhaled sharply, He felt Freddy’s eyes on him.

“ Is that who you’re hiring from?” He asked, she nodded, and a sob escaped her, and DJ’s coded heart broke. 

“ Oh. . . Well. . . I’m here now,” He assured the four year old, “ I won't let her get you,” She hesitated again.

“ You promise?” She asked, DJ reached a primary hand in and her his pinky.

“ I promise,” He said seriously, she observed him for a moment, then tried to link her pinky with his. Due to his hands being four times the size of hers though, he wasn’t able to complete this link. It seemed to satisfy her though, and he offered her the same hand. She placed her time one in his palm, and he carefully pulled her out of the vent. Once she was out of the vent he managed to push himself up onto his knees with his secondary hands while his primary carefully scooped the four year old up and cradled her to him. She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and hung on for dear life. 

SHe’d always been small, she was four and he was eleven feet tall . So of course she was small . But something about seeing the same girl who had fearlessly climbed him like a jungle gym to sin on his shoulder just four days prior now so scared made her seem so much smaller and more fragile. Freddy offered him his hand and DJ took it with his secondary. Letting the bear pull him to his feet. Once he was standing he gestured with his secondary hands for Freddy to lead the way. To which the bear nodded and started heading back the way they came. 

“ So how’d you get all the way over here Soundbyte?” DJ asked, keeping his tone light so she wouldn’t think she was in trouble. 

“ I was good! I stayed in the daycare a-and the rabbit lady showed up again!” She cried, DJ was sure Freddy was listening based on the way his head turned ever so slightly towards them. But neither the bear nor the beetle interrupted her as she continued, “ She- she said you wanted to see me, but I told her you told me to stay with Mr.Sun and Mr. Moon! A-And then she grabbed me and pulled me o-out and down some scary stairs.” She started sobbing again, DJ gently rubbed her back as he processed what she said. 

“ So she took you from the daycare?” He asked, Freddy looked back at them, he looked like he wanted to say something too, but didn’t. 

“ Yeah! And down some scary stairs,” She repeated, DJ nodded.

“ Through a red door?” He asked, “ With the letters S-T-A-F-F- on it?” Freddy looked alarmed at what DJ was suggesting. 

“ Uh-huh!” She whimpered. DJ and Freddy exchanged looks. Whoever did this was a staff member. A Staff member took a child from the Daycare by force.

“ What did Sun and Moon do? DIdn’t they stop her?” DJ asked, worried something had happened to them, why hadn’t they gotten a ping, an alert of some kind? This situation sure felt like a Code Purple . 

“ No! Mr.Moon didn’t do anything! He pretended he didn’t hear me!” she said, DJ felt conflicted emotions. He felt angry. A child , Olivia had been taken on Moon’s watch and he didn’t do anything? His brain was also grappling with excuses for him as he walked. Maybe he actually didn’t hear her? Kids could be loud. He always sounded so worried when he called about her, he would just let  this happen. 

“ How did you end up in the vents?” Freddy finally asked the child, and though she  leaned away from him and tightened her hold on the beetle she did answer him.

“ I kicked her!” She said, “ I kicked her and crawled into the vent. 

“ And you followed it to Fazerblast?” the bear clarified. She nodded.

“ Uh-huh,” 

“ You must be an expert crawler, Superstar,” Freddy praised, “ For that sounds like quite the journey,” Olivia sniffed, and shifted herself so she could look at him more comfortably, wiping her eyes. 

“ Y-yeah, it was like the tunnels in the daycare, I like the tunnels,” She mumbled, DJ offered her the monkey he was still carrying. As she took it he noticed her fingers were still stained with the marker ink she had used to color it. She hugged the monkey to her chest, and DJ found it mildly amusing as the size difference between her and her toy was pretty similar to the size difference between her and himself. 

“ It sounds like you’ve been very brave today,” Freddy continued cheerfully as if she hadn’t nearly been kidnapped. “ Would you like something from the gift shop?” He offered, gesturing to a small gift shop not too far away from the entrance to the arena. Once they left, the kids charged the game area while DJ took several steps away from the savages, his secondary arms coming up to hold Olivia from them more securely. Olivia considered Freddy’s offer, then nodded. DJ set her down, she took his secondary hand ( more like his index finger) and started for them, Freddy close behind while she examined the shirts and keychains they had. Monkey still to her chest. Freddy leaned over so only he could hear him as he spoke softly. 

“ We’ll have to report this to security,” He sighed, DJ didn’t take his eyes off the four year old as she continued to look at the shirts. 

“ Report it?” DJ asked, Freddy side eyed him.

“ yes. A child was forcefully taken from the daycare, and the attendant on duty did nothing, it would be irresponsible of us to not report it.” Olivia tugged on the Four Logo shirt they sold. Freddy nodded at the cashier on duty and sighed in an annoyed way before pulling out the smallest size and giving it to the girl. DJ sighed as she pulled the shirt over her head, letting him go for a moment. She smiled at the shirt before looking up at him. He flashed her two thumbs up. Freddy was right, of course he was right, something seriously bad could have happened. 

“ I will put it in the report. You should return Olivia to the daycare.” She hesitated when he said that, and pulled on DJ’s secondary arm. 

“ Can’t I stay with you?” She asked, DJ frowned. He wanted to say yes, he glanced at Freddy who gave a very small shake of his head. He knelt down in front of her.

“ Listen Soundbyte, If I could keep you with me, I would, but I can’t,” He tried to explain, she hugged her monkey. 

“ What if she comes back,” DJ sighed, looking away for a moment while he thought about that. He a staffbot handing out tokens over by some arcade games that were in the attraction. He was going out on a limb but given what Mapbot had done for him on Saturday he didn’t think he was wrong.

“ You know the staffbots?” He asked, looking back at her. She nodded, “ You tell them you need me they will either find me or bring you to me okay?” He said, she looked over at some who happened to be looking in their direction at that moment. DJ waved to it, it waved back. She giggled and waved to it too.

“ Okay.” She agreed. DJ nodded, and scooped her up.

“ Okay now say thank you to Freddy,” DJ turned to the bear, Freddy gave him a surprised look.

“ Thank you~” Olivia said in a sing-song voice, Freddy chuckled. 

“ Of course Superstar, you have a faz-tastic day!” He bowed his head to her, and she smiled at him, hugging her monkey. DJ turned and took her back to the Daycare. The lights were off when he got there, DJ almost stopped, then inhaled deeply before approaching the doors and knocked. 

There was a pause, then the doors opened. DJ met Moon’s gaze, his purple pupils looked from DJ to olivia then he blinked. He didn’t just blink once he blinked three times, then he looked up at DJ in alarm as his yellow eyes looked between him and the four year old in his arms. He turned his head, looking back at the kids behind him, and DJ realized he was doing a head count. 

“ When?” DJ heard Moon ask himself, and frustration he felt turned to worry as he realized what happened. He set Olivia down, she looked up at him a little worried.

“ Go play, nap time is probably almost over anyway,” He told her, she nodded then turned to Moon.

“ You’re in trouble~” She sang at him as she glared, then ran off, and hurried into the tunnels. Moon hesitated, pulling on his ribbons as he looked back at DJ. 

“ Am I?” He asked sheepishly. DJ inhaled deeply.

“ You might be,” He said, nodding, “ what’s the last thing you remember?” He asked, Moon looked down at the ground, still tugging on his ribbons. 

“ It was the start of naptime, the k-kids were refusing to cooperate, you know they want to play, they don’t want to sleep,” He gave his ribbons a particularly hard tug causing the fabric to tear slightly, “ Then you’re here. . .” He looked back up, DJ sighed, and gently held out his hand, Moon hesitated before placing one of his own in it. DJ examined the torn ribbon, then gave Moon’s hand a squeeze. 

“ She says the rabbit lady came back and took her from the daycare, she says you ignored her, and she managed to get away and hid in a vent, she was found over by Fazer-blast but Freddy. He reported the incident,” DJ recapped for him in a soft, careful tone. Moon looked alarmed, and his hand subconsciously tugged against DJ’s hold while his second seemed to reach for his ribbon, then instead he clenched and unclenched it by his chest. DJ offered him another hand, and Moon took it, squeezing tightly, “ It’s got to be a bug with the security program,” DJ tried to assure him, “ You should go to parts and service-” Moon’s hands squeezed DJ’s tightly, too tightly, he actually heard his casing creak in protest. 

“ N-No! I’ll look at it myself, I don’t need parts and service,” He insisted, DJ placed another hand on Moon’s shoulder.

“ Moon this is serious-” Moon shrugged DJ’s hand off him and pulled his hands free of DJ. 

“ Yeah, It is DJ! You think I don’t know that?! And you told me that management was already thinking about tossing us, Heather got the choice  remember?!” He hissed, he didn’t seem angry, just stressed and upset, “ If I go to Parts and service and they decide I’m not worth fixing, guess who will likely get decommissioned with me?!” Moon pointed in the direction of the lucky stars gift shop. Where a Sun stature stood. He took a deep breath, tugging on his other ribbon, “ It’s. . . delicate. . . it’s a delicate situation, but I will handle it,” He stated, DJ watched him for a moment, “ Please, just. . . trust me that I can handle it,” Mon pleaded. DJ inhaled deeply looking back at Olivia who was watching them from the play structures then back at the jester,

“ Okay. . . I trust you,” he said. Moon looked like he was hit with a wave of relief, “ What’s your plan?” He ran a hand over his hat as he started rambling quietly.

“ Okay, s-so the blackouts before happened because I was inactive too long, so maybe if Sun is active while I’m in control it’ll prevent the black outs, I’ll test it tonight when I’m on patrol,” he promised, DJ nodded.

“ Okay. . . be careful alright?” He didn’t want anything like this to happen again, but he also didn’t want Moon to be deemed a problem. 

“ I will,” Moon promised, “ I-I’ll wake Sun up now,” Moon gestured to the daycare, DJ nodded, and made to leave. Moon grabbed one of his secondary wrists, stopping him. The beetle looked back at him “ I-I love you?” DJ’s coded heart broke again at how uncertain Moon sounded when he said it. He turned and opened his arms for him. Moon took the silent offer, and hugged him, his arms wrapped around the beetle in the space between his primary and secondary arms. DJ wrapped his own four around the jester.

“ I love you too, you’re gonna be okay, I believe in you,” DJ said softly to Moon, giving the jester a comforting squeeze. Moon returned it, and let DJ pull away. Moon shut the Daycare doors, and DJ watched the lights come on.

Chapter Text

DJ sighed heavily as he stepped back away from the Daycare doors, then headed back to the Fazcade. He was not shocked to find all the arcade games now had GGY as they’re top score, and the beetle no longer had the energy to play his part in their bit. Not right now. He just tapped the top of the cabinet housing Quarter eater .

“ Nice job,” He said as he passed, “ You got this round.” He was about to head up the stairs when he heard a voice call out.

“ There you are! ” DJ turned and saw Vernon entering the arcade, “ Been all over the Plex looking for you! I came here, then I went to Fazer-blast, just came from the daycare, god you are hard to find when you want to be, what the hell,” He stopped about six feet away, his hands on his hips.He looked tired, well more tired than usual for a man who probably lived off Sunnydrops and energy drinks. He had even darker circles under his eyes, and his smile almost looked forced. DJ smiled sheepishly, shrugging.

“ Yeah Monty said something about that not too long ago,” DJ said, Vernon shook his head, “ He wants me to have a hide and seek contest with Moon, see who’s better,” He continued, Vernon nodded.

“ With how hard it was to track you down just now, I think I’d actually pay to see that, But!” Vernon clapped his hands together. “ Work first, pleasantries later, are you ready for your update?” 

“ Oh, sure,” DJ nodded, moving towards him, Vernon led him towards the staff tunnels, “ What's it for? Did you find out?” He asked as Vernon held the door for him, DJ ducked to enter the dark space. 

“ Yeah yeah, it's mostly updating your language abilities, um,’ Vernon yawned, and pulled a small bag of yellow candies out of his pocket, popping one in his mouth. He moved past DJ and started leading him towards Parts and service, “ They want you to be more. . .” He waved his hand as he searched for the word, “ Inclusive? Diverse? Both? Anyway you’ll get you already have spanish, french and japanese, but you’ll be getting portuguese, german, korean, braille” He listed off. DJ blinked in surprise.

“ braille?” He repeated, Vernon nodded.

“ it’s for the autograph books, if the kid’s blind he’ll still be able to read it, at least that’s what they told me,” Vernon explained, he turned to walk backwards, pointing at DJ, “ Oh and sign language, american for now, they don’t wanna do too much at once, but management thinks sign language is gonna be a big hit with you, cuz of all your hands, “ He a mocking jazz hands before spinning back on his heel to keep walking, DJ chuckled.

“ Neat.” He said simply, he was still a little heavy in the chest from what had happened less than an hour ago but Vernon was kinda funny to hang around with, “ I heard Heather didn’t come in yesterday, was she sick?” DJ asked, partly to make conversation, partly to have something to tell Moon later, Vernon came to a dead stop. His body stiff, he looked over his shoulder at the beetle, DJ was taken aback with the fire he could see in Vernon’s eye. The space they stood in suddenly seemed much smaller. Then he turned back and started walking again.

“ Nope. Haven’t heard from her since Saturday actually,” He in the same cheerful tone he had moments ago. But now it sounded forced to DJ, had it always sounded forced? DJ didn’t move from where he had stopped, watching the man continue down the hall. His feet wouldn’t move. Vernon realized DJ wasn’t following him, and stopped to look back at him. His smile seemed forced now too, “ You good Big guy? ”  He called, DJ took a step back, his eyes darting around instinctually for a direction to run. There wasn’t one other than directly behind him. 

“ Um I-Is this update necessary ? ” He asked wearily, Vernon’s smile seemed to turn smug. 

“ Yup. Mandatory, let’s get it over with huh?” He jerked his thumb in the direction they were heading. DJ inhaled deeply, everything in him told him to run, to hide, but where could he go? Besides Vernon and Cassidy were the nice ones . He was overreacting, the stress of everything was making him paranoid. He forced himself to start walking again. 

“ S-sorry, I must be on edge, cuz of the last time I was down here,” He confessed, Vernon hummed as they approached the double red doors.  DJ entered the dimly lit space, it somehow looked even more unsettling, Cassidy was at the computer next to the cylinder. She also looked tired, and like she’d been crying. DJ hesitated, tilting his head slightly as he observed her.

“ A-are you okay?” He asked her, she glared at him, sending an ice spike into his code. 

“ Don’t worry about it,” She said evenly in a tone that sounded unnatural to her. She turned back to the computer, and started the procedure. He heard the speaker prompt him to enter the cylinder, the door lifting. DJ froze again. Vernon knocked his fist on DJ’s back like he was a door. 

“ Let’s go, we don’t got all day,” Vernon said, DJ again considered running, but again wasn’t sure where he could go. Maybe the four doors behind the cylinder? Where did those go? DJ shook the thought off.

“ they’re having a bad day ,” DJ told himself, “ They’re the nice ones, they’re just having a bad day, everyone has bad days, ” He forced himself to enter the cylinder, still tapping his knuckles. Vernon followed him.

“ In the chair, “ The man ordered, DJ obeyed. He was strapped in, his primary arms tied down to the arms of the chair. Verone then had DJ lay his secondary flat on the surface next to him before strapping his torso down.

“ We outta add extra arms to this chair,” Vernon said to himself, then he moved to pull a cable from the ceiling. DJ recognized it, it was similar to the one Moon used to check Bouncer mode, but Moon’s had two ends, this one was connected to the cylinder itself. Vernon plugged the cable into DJ’s port making the beetle flinch. He wasn’t aware that the process could hurt. Once DJ was plugged in Vernon flashed Cassidy a thumbs up. DJ felt a sharp stinging sensation in his head, then the feeling of something being forced into it. ( akin to a human getting a vaccine or shot of some kind) Then it was over, it still hurt and DJ’s head felt crowded as the new program merged with his code. Granted Moon never added anything to his code, but DJ still couldn’t help but feel like he’d prefer Moon doing this because Vernon and Cassidy were not too gentle. 

“ And that’s done,” Vernon said, but made no move to unplug DJ. Instead he left the cylinder then leaned against the door, “ So, since you’re here , and not going anywhere, wanted to ask you, did you see Heather at all sunday?” He asked in a forced casual voice. DJ blinked at him in confusion. 

“ What? No, why-” DJ stated but was cut off by his own cry of pain as electricity coursed through him. DJ froze once it passed, his eyes wide. He was familiar with that pain. A controlled shock . 

“ I just thought it was weird you know,” Vernon continued as if nothing had happened, “ Last she was seen was sunday night, a friend dropped her off, said she’d get an uber home, but she never made it home, I asked her roommate,” He added, “ So she’s missing and you came in monday morning saying she wanted you gone but conveniently didn’t submit the report, you have bouncer mode which gives you access to the cameras  and all the camera footage of where she was that night are conveniently just gone, deleted,” Vernon glared at him, “ You see where I’m going here?” he asked, DJ stared at him for a moment, then glanced at Cassidy who didn’t look away from the computer screen. 

“ I-I didn’t see her, I was in the daycare the whole night” DJ insisted, looking back at vernon, who rolled his eyes. 

“ Hit him again Cass,” DJ couldn’t fight the scream that escaped his voice box. If he could grit his teeth, he would have. Once it passed he tried breathing to calm himself, his eyes wide and he pulled uselessly against his restraints. What were these made out of?! “ Where. Is. My. Sister. ” Vernon demanded, DJ the arm wrests, knowing what was likely coming.

“ I don’t know .” He didn’t break eye contact, but he could tell Vernon didn’t believe him, “ check my memory if you have to, I Don’t know,”  Vernon seemed to consider this as he paused. 

“ Hit him again Cass.” 

Pov change ( AN: Internal Moon dialogue Internal Sun Dialogue )

“ No good,” Sun fretted, doing his best to follow his brother’s instructions as he watched the gibberish that was their codes on the daycare computer monitors. It was easier to access Moon’s code with him in control, and was more than capable of doing it himself, but given the black out situation they came to the agreement ( begrudgingly on Moon’s part) that Moon should be in control as little as possible til they figure it out, “ This whole thing, no good ,” Moon’s irritation rolled off his presence in their shared consciousness.

“ Say it a few more times, Sun, really beat me over the head with it, I’m sure that will just make it all better .” Moon’s voice snapped, Sun rolled his unseen pupils. Able to do more subtle gestures with his brother since he could sense the intention through their bond. 

“ Don’t take your nerves out on me ,” Sun scolded, “ I get enough of that from Monty lately,” The gator had absolutely lost it  on Sun the last time he’d talk to him. Yelling about how Sun couldn’t possibly know how he was feeling. Sun couldn’t possibly know what it was like to be built solely to be a replacement, form a bond with the animatronic he were replacing  and then replace said animatronic. No. Not Sun. Nobody could understand that except Monty of course. They hadn’t spoken since, though Sun didn’t miss the several gifts the gator had sent down the entrance slide throughout the day as an apology. 

Such gifts included several golf balls Monty had drawn hearts on, a can of Monty flavor Fizzy-faz, which seemed to be more for weight as it was taped to a bag of assorted candies and would not have made it down the slide otherwise. The most recent was a Monty plush Monty had sent down ( again tied to a can of Fizzy-Faz for weight) with a paper stapled to its hands. 

I’m Sorry was written on the paper with a drawing of a heart with a sad face. Admittedly this one tugged at Sun’s heartstrings, and it sat on the desk next to him, Guilt from Moon trickled off him.

“ Sorry. . . I’m. . .” Sun knew Moon wouldn’t admit he was scared, at least not to him , maybe to Foxy, but not Sun. The jester sighed, lightly poking the Monty plush in the snout. He missed Foxy, “ I do too. . .” Moon agreed, “ I have to take over and do partoll,” He added, Sun reached back and unplugged them from the computer, wincing slightly as he was unskilled and did it too roughly. 

“ You want me to try doing it for you,” Sun offered, “ Til we figure it out?” Moon groaned.

“ No, I don’t want to just be stuck in our head till we figure it out ,” He grumbled, Sun could imagine him crossing his arms in a huff, and pouting. He didn’t comment but he had to agree it did not sound pleasant, finally Moon sighed, “ You can try,  if you can leave the daycare that would mean you have my security clearance and have access to the same protocols which we could use as an excuse if management complains about seeing you on the cameras,” Sun nodded and tried the doors. They didn’t budge. Moon tried to keep the relief he felt to himself but Sun still felt it.

“ Alright well back to Plan A I guess,” Sun sighed, reaching for the lightswitch. The plan being that Sun would stay awake while Moon did patrol, running two AI chips was harder on the body’s systems but if it did prevent a black out then it would be fine. 

Sun turned the lights off, Moon felt himself come into awareness. In the background he couldn’t feel what the body was feeling, so it was strange the first couple times they did it when they first came online. Feeling nothing and then a light feeling of stepping into reality and suddenly feeling everything, but they were used to it now. Still disorienting and part of the reason they swayed or stumbled when they switched. 

Moon sighed heavily, then pushed the doors open, his route was pretty simple. Though admittedly it took him the last couple days of trial and error to determine the best route. 

He’d go from the Daycare to the main entrance, through the staff tunnels to rockstar row. From there he’d hit Monty Golf, the bakery, mazersize, the east arcade, prize corner, the west arcade, Bonnie bowl,  Roxy Raceway, Fazer-blast, the kitchens, then back to the daycare. 

“ Oooooooh you have it down to a science,” Sun mused, Moon huffed, embarrassment starting to form in his code.

“ Well I had two nights to figure it out,” He fought the sheepish smile he was getting from his brother’s praise. Which was useless because Sun could sense the joy he got from it. He could feel a wave of affectionate intention from his brother. If they had separate bodies Sun would be hugging him. Tightly. 

“ Look at you taking the new duties so seriously!” Sun praised, Moon rolled his eyes crossing the main entrance along the various beams in the ceiling, before dropping in front of the staff tunnels. 

“ I take all my duties seriously,” He defended as he entered the staff tunnels, quickly wall jumping his way back to the ceiling.

“You could walk you know, or skip, I personally like skipping, the point is there's a floor, ” Sun teased, Moon scoffed as he crawled through said tunnels.

“ No, can’t do it, it’s Lava,” Moon said simply, as he made his way to Rockstar Row's stairway. Sun laughed as Moon started climbing up the center gap in the middle of the rounding stairs. Using the outside railing like stepping rods in a ladder. 

“ Ah, then no, you’re right, can’t be done, ” Sun agreed. Moon entered Rockstar row, there was an anxious feeling trickling from Sun  as Moon passed Monty’s new green room, “ Can I talk to Monty real quick?” He asked, Moon scoffed.

“ He got you with the plushy didn’t he?” He said, dutifully turning around to back track to Monty’s room, Sun laughed weakly.

“ What can I say, man knows my heart,”   Sun sighed, Moon dangled himself from his cable upside down. Low enough that if Monty looked out the curtain he’d be face to face with the jester. Then he knocked obnoxiously with both hands on the window, “ Oh my god no Moon not like that !” Sun giggled, There was a pause, no movement in the room. Sun huffed in bitter confusion, “ Maybe he’s being grumpy, nevermind, lets just go,” Moon shrugged and started to pull himself back up to the rafters, then stopped. There was something in the display case along the far wall. Moon dropped himself to the floor, “OH NO WE’RE MELTING MOONIE WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?” Sun gasped, trying to lighten his own mood. Moon snorted, but mentally waved his brother off. 

“ This is new,” He said, moving to a display case of old Fazbrand toys, a robot, a phone, things he’d seen before but next to all of that sitting there was something that caught Moon’s eye. It was clearly supposed to be a spider. The obvious reason it caught Moon’s eyes was-

“ It looks like DJ!” Sun gasped, yes that. It had a face very similar to DJ’s original one, even the piano teeth he used to have before they upgraded him. It lacked headphones, and its face was pink. Pink eyebrows with Pink cheeks, and pink stripes along its body. It had six foot cups and two gloved hands that were holding symbols. It had a speaker on its chest, and a wind up key on its back. Moon wanted to wind it and see what happened. He actually reached out to do so,  but it was in a display case so his hand ended up pressing against the glass surface. “ Ooh Moon look at the description on the plaque, look look look,” Moon did. It read;

Prototype Music Man toy:

Music Man was an animatronic Juke Box first introduced  in the unsuccessful launch of Circus Baby’s Pizza World. Due to the tragic events that occurred on opening day these toys ( Who’s working titles included Mini Music Man and Baby Music Man ) never made it to market, and Music Man was retired as a character until our FAZ-Techs Re-imagined him here at The Mega Pizza Plex as DJ Music Man.  However this one was found in the ruins of the failed horror attraction Fazbear Frights  and was donated by its finder.  Micheal A. 

“ Huh. . .” Moon mused, DJ was a re-imagined character? That was interesting. 

“It’s so CUTE, what do you think the original looked like?! Did he have cymbals?! Was he a spider? Why go from spider to beetle? ” Sun rambled, Moon hummed his hand was still on the glass, he let it slide off as he walked away, choosing to walk the rest of Rockstar Row.  He glanced into the windows of the various rooms as he passed. Chica was hunched over her coffee table, on her knees, her back to the glass. Was she eating something? Was it trash? Disgust rolled off of Sun and Moon equally. 

“ I uh. .  don’t know, probably has to do with how big they were trying to make him at first,” Moon answered Sun as he continued, both agreed to pretend they didn’t see what they just saw, “ Or maybe in an attempt to make him less scary? Arachnophobia and what not,” Then why make him twenty feet tall was the silent question they both asked but didn’t have the answer to. 

“ Do you think DJ knows?” Sun asked, Moon glanced into Roxy’s room, she was at her vanity, and was talking to herself. He couldn’t hear what she was saying though. 

“ I doubt it, otherwise he probably would’ve made a joke about how he was meeting the same fate on Sunday,” He shook his head, Sun scoffed.

“Oh like you don’t have the same coping mechanism,” Sun teased. Moon nodded.

“ I never said I didn’t,” He paused outside Freddy’s window. He very much didn’t want to cross Freddy, not after he reported Moon earlier that day

“ He was doing his job, ” Sun tried to assure him. Moon tugged on his ribbons, shame flooded the bond they shared, and Sun was a little overwhelmed by it. 

“ Because I failed at mine,” Moon lamented before he swallowed his nerves and crossed, glancing into the window. Against Moon’s better judgment he paused at what he saw. Freddy was sitting on his couch, holding a blue bowling ball with Bonnie’s face on it in his hands. His ears were dropped so low, Moon briefly wondered if the servo’s in them had broken. He seemed to sense he was being watched because he glanced up, then perked up, waving. Moon flinched, and took a startled step back, wishing he had something to hide behind. He debated hiding behind the giant Freddy statue.

“Oh don’t be silly!” Sun huffed, Moon hesitated, then returned the wave. Freddy had a concerned smile on his face, setting the bowling ball down. Moon feared he was about to try to summon Moon inside to talk, technically Moon could refuse, but his anxiety probably wouldn’t let him. Freddy did not do this though he stood up and made his way to his vanity picking up some loose paper’s he had and started sorting them. Moon blinked in confusion but continued on his way. ”Oh I know what he’s doing, he’s going through the drawings he got from kids today, he likes to hang them on his wall, but he’s not allowed to have to many at a time, he’s talked about it before, he hides the old ones in the drawers of his vanity,” Sun explained, Moon nodded, “ He didn’t seem angry with you ” Sun tried to offer, Moon nodded again. Quickly moving to Monty golf “ I know we don’t need to verbally communicate but given the whole blackout thing,if you could that would be great, ” Moon blinked.

“ Oh yeah I can do that,” He agreed, crawling into a vent that would take him into Monty golf. He got a wave of un-want ( for lack of a better word) from his brother, he paused, “ I’ll be quick through here I promise, “ He’d b-line it for the bakery, essentially skipping the golf course completely. The strange feeling lessened from his brother, but was replaced with uncertainty. 

“ What if someone’s in there?” Sun asked, Moon shrugged, moving over the catwalks towards the vent that would take him to the bakery.

“ Vanessa’s security too, she has rounds too she can check this one,” He said, entering the vent and climbing up to the bakery. Both feelings were washed away and replaced with gratitude. 

“ Thanks. . . things are just. . .weird, and I don’t want to think about him right now, ” Moon shrugged.

“ I can’t relate,” Moon stated, “ My boyfriend’s perfect, I love thinking about him,” Sun groaned in response, making his brother audibly snort. 

“ I KNOOOOOOW and for the record, you’re still in the Honeymoon phase, so don’t fret, your time will come, it will get difficult!” Sun teasingly forewarned, Moon grinned as he dropped down atop the bakery shop, looking over the dark space. It was just as empty as the last time he was in it, “ So what are we looking for?” Sun asked, Moon hummed, expecting his code to spit the answer out but it didn’t. It was like the answer was hidden behind a purple haze. 

“ I don’t know,” He admitted, “ Intruders I think?” This did not create confidence in his brother.

“You think? ” Sun repeated, Moon waved him off internally, turning to go back into the vent.

“ I’ll know it when I see it-” Moon was interrupted by a loud noise from inside the bakery. His hands frozen on the lip of the vent, about to hoist himself in. He turned his head towards the direction he’d heard the sound come from. It almost sounded like static and speaker feedback.  He dropped to a crawl and moved towards the back of the shop. 

“What was that? ” Sun asked, Moon carefully dropped in front of the back door to the shop. 

“ I don’t know.” He brought out his claws. 

“ Do you think it’s the rabbit Lady Olivia mentions? Didn’t DJ say he saw her back here?” Sun rambled, Moon hummed, but it was so low it was almost a growl. 

“ I don’t know, but if it is , I want to know what she’s playing at, why me and Monty couldn’t see her, “ Moon entered the shop, he peeked into the kitchens. Nothing. 

“ It is something to ponder ” Sun agreed, Moon crossed the kitchens, and peeked into the shop. The door from the kitchens to the shop was behind the counter, beyond the counter stood a lone figure that made Moon freeze. Moon’s processors struggled to see what he was looking at for a moment, but Sun’s didn’t, “ Oh dear. . . “ Was all the other said as Moon slowly crept a little closer to the counter of the shop. 

“ DJ?” He called, the beetle didn’t seem to hear him, because he didn’t move. He was staring at the cupcake like he was trying to make sense of it. From where Moon stood he could only see DJ left side profile, and what he did see he didn’t like. 

DJ wasn’t standing still , he was swaying ever so slightly, occasionally a random part of him would twitch, his fingers, his head, his eye. Which Moon couldn’t see fully but he could see a faint yellow glow from it. 

“ What’s he doing out of the west arcade?” Sun asked, Moon moved closer, pressing his hands on the counter as he leaned over it slightly. 

“ It’s not impossible  that he got locked out ” Moon suggested internally, “ DJ,” He called again, this time the beetle jumped, and took a startled step back as he turned to face Moon. He staggered slightly as he did and gripped one of the display shelves next to him to steady himself. Once Moon got a good look at his face, he quickly decided he didn’t like that either . 

DJ’s eyes were unfocused, his left eye was a small yellow dot the size of a thumb tack, his right eye’s pupil on the other hand practically took up the entirety of his eye.  It started at yellow, then shifted to light blue, while his left eye remained unchanged. His head tilted slightly as regarded Moon, and for a terrifying moment the jester thought DJ didn’t recognize him. Then his eye turned magenta and a smile grew on his face. Moon released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. 

“ Well he recognizes you, that’s a good thing!”  Sun offered, Moon smiled weakly at DJ, the relief was short lived as the beetle tried to talk as  he took a step closer, using the second display shelf to maintain balance. Keyword tried . All that came out was a familiar garbled static sound that Moon immediately realized was the sound he heard from the roof of the shop. What worried the jester even more was the wince that came over DJ’s face as a primary hand moved to the speaker on his chest, “Oh no, does it hurt him to talk?” Sun fretted, Moon’s mind was trying to troubleshoot the problem as DJ recovered and leaned heavily onto the second bakery display shelf. But Moon simply didn’t have enough information. 

“ DJ,” Moon called a third time, DJ looked up at him, and smiled again, “ What happened?” He asked, DJ tilted his head, as if thinking, this was confirmed when his right eye turned light blue, his left remained unchanged. Moon was starting to think it was stuck like that. DJ tried to answer him but that static noise started to come out of his speaker again, Moon held up a hand to stop him after two seconds, “ Okay, don’t talk especially if it hurts,” Moon instructed, DJ paused then nodded. 

“What if we found a note pad? '' Sun offered, Moon sighed heavily, it wasn’t a bad idea but. . .

“ Where are we gonna find a notepad Sun, maybe he could ping-:” DJ perked up at the mention of Sun and before Moon could finish his thought he used one of his primary hands to point at the ceiling. He made it move in a clockwise motion, then pressed his thumb to his fingers, angling them down towards his face before spreading his fingers out. It was sloppy, mostly due to his state but both Daycare attendants recognized it, “ yes, Sun’s up,” Moon answered him, DJ waved, his smile growing a little, his right eye green. Moon returned the smile with an amused huff. 

“Oh! Hello! Tell him I said “Hello”” Moon rolled his eyes. 

“ Sun says hello,” He sighed, then chuckled when DJ waves a second time. 

“ Well that takes care of the communication issue!” Sun offered cheerfully, “ Tell him I said “ Hello” again!” Moon shook his head.

“ No we’re not doing a greeting loop,” Moon told his brother, DJ moved closer, leaning on the counter between him and Moon with folded secondary arms. . He looked amused, his right eye still green. Moon sighed as he regarded the rest of DJ, “ Can you tell me what happened to you DJ?” Moon asked, DJ frowned, his right eye turned blue as he let his gaze fall to the counter top. He then started signing with his primary hands. He mimed turned a key then rested the back of his hand atop his second fist.

Locked.

 Moon sighed heavily, forcing himself to keep the sarcasm out of his tone. He failed a little. 

“ Yes.” he agreed, “ I can see that, can you tell me How that happened?” Moon tried again, DJ considered this, he raised his hands to answer, then lowered them, then raised them again. 

I-D-K

“ You don’t know,” Moon repeated, “ Okay. . . um, why’d you come here?” Moon asked, “ Why didn’t you come find me in the daycare?” DJ raised an eyebrow and eyebrow at him, then once again mimed turning a key and resting his hand atop the other.

Locked.  

Moon felt embarrassment fill him, Sun tried not to giggle, this was a serious situation after all. 

“ Right. . . why’d you come here though?” Moon asked again, DJ’s pupil turned magenta and he reached over to play with then of Moon’s hat. Making the bell at the end ring,” That doesn’t answer my question,” Moon chuckled despite himself, swatting the beetle’s hand away. DJ grinned and signed to him.

You always find me here. 

“ AAAAAA WWE He was waiting for you, that's so cute !” Sun gushed loudly, making Moon wince slightly, DJ’s smile fell and concern crossed his face. Moon waved him off. 

“ Sun’s being loud,” He explained, DJ smiled again like he was chuckling, and nodded. “ So you were waiting for me to find you?” Moon asked, DJ nodded again, “ Did you need my help?” Suddenly Sun was annoyed and frustration rolled off him in waves.

“ What do you mean, does he need your help?! Are you seeing the same animatronic I’m seeing?! Moon I’m sure he would’ve fallen over if he wasn’t leaning on the counter! His eye is frozen!” He can’t talk!" Sun listed off angrily. Moon mentally waved his brother off.

“I’m trying to gauge how aware of his condition he is” Moon internally explained while he waited for DJ’s response, the beetle looked unsure. 

“ Oh right. . . .” Sun went quiet, finally DJ answered;

I think so. He started, drumming his secondary fingers on the counter surface nervously, I don’t remember . He admitted. Moon hummed, reaching across the counter to cradle the left side of DJ’s face. The beetle leaned into the touch while Moon gently traced the edge of DJ’s eye with his index. 

“ How’s your vision out of this eye?” Moon asked, DJ seemed confused by the question then closed his right eye. He opened it just as quickly, wincing. He made to move away as he squeezed his eyes shut but Moon grabbed DJ’s primary wrist with his right hand to keep him there . Raising his left so he could gently rub his thumb over DJ’s forehead in an attempt to sooth the headache he suspected the other had. 

“ Bad?” He asked, DJ signed "Yes”  instead of nodding.Moon sighed, “ And you don’t remember how this happened?” DJ signed “ no” . Then after a pause, he opened his eyes and elaborated. 

It hurts to try. He signed, Moon hummed again. He could empathize, it hurt his head to try and remember what happened during his blackouts. 

“ Okay well. . .” Moon considered his options. He couldn’t leave DJ to be found by Vanessa, that would get the beetle in trouble for being out of the arcade after hours, not to mention what might happen if he was found in this state. He could take DJ back to the arcade, where he was supposed to be, but also where the staff bot repair station was. Though admittedly it wasn’t meant to repair eleven foot tall beetles, However it had the tools Moon could use to repair his eleven foot tall beetle. But since Moon didn’t know what happened, he didn’t know what was wrong. Which meant it could take days of trial and error to repair DJ. Moon had Hours. Not Days. Parts and service could perform a diagnostic scan and tell him exactly what was wrong, and would have the means to fix those things, which would make the job faster . 

“Plus it’s closer!” Sun supplied, Moon nodded, decision made. He moved along the counter to lift the divider that separated him from DJ. 

“ Alright,” Moon huffed as DJ turned to watch him, “ Let’s get you to Parts and Service Love Bug,” Moon put his hands on his hips as he finished. The response he got from DJ was unexpected to say the least. The beetle’s right eye turned yellow, he made a loud static yell from his speaker, and he took several steps away from the jester. His foot slipped out from under him when he stepped on a forgotten chica plush. Moon reached out to grab him but was too far away and DJ hit the ground with a loud heavy thud . Moon quickly moved to his side.

“ DJ? Music box are you alright?” Moon asked, cupping DJ’s face as he blinked painfully at the ceiling. His right pupil was a hair smaller but other than that there seemed to be no change.  DJ raised his primary hands and he pointed the indexes at each other, rotating them in opposite directions slightly as he moved them a little closer.

Ouch.

Moon frowned, looking his boyfriend over to determine that his condition truly hadn’t worsened. 

“ well that  was quite the reaction ” Sun mused while moon helped DJ sit up. 

“ It was” Moon agreed, “ DJ you need to come with me to Parts and Service,” Moon insisted, the beetle shook his head, “ Yes ” Moon said sternly, DJ shook his head again. 

“Bad” He signed, “ Bad feeling. No.” Moon shook his head, sighing heavily. 

“ Okay, I know it isn’t a pleasant place, but you’ve been there before, remember,  yesterday and-” Moon cut himself off. And Vernon told him he’d have to come back today . He told DJ he’d find him and bring him in for an update. 

“ Come to think of it, ” Sun mused, “ Did DJ know sign language before today?” Moon couldn’t be sure, but he doubted they programmed a twenty foot tall beetle to know sign language if they didn’t even trust him to use the security protocols they gave him . 

“ DJ” Moon started carefully, making the beetle look at him, “ Did you go to parts and service today?” DJ blinked, his right eye turned dark blue, he nodded, “ I need you to tell me what happened.” Moon stated, DJ grimaced, to his credit it looked like he tried. His eye turned light blue, flashed yellow, then he was holding his head. He signed with a secondary hand. “I-D-K-”  Over and over. 

“Oh look what you did, he said it hurt to remember!” Sun scolded, Moon felt guilt eating at him, he gently took the secondary hand that wasn’t signing, and squeezed it, “ Maybe we should unpack all this after we get him patched up,” Sun suggested, they probably should. But Moon didn’t want to. He wanted to know what happened to his boyfriend. Who hurt him. “ He’s too distressed and confused to tell you ,” Sun  reminded him, then continued to get Moon back on track, ” Is there any way you can think of to get him to agree to follow you to parts and service?” Finally Moon relented, Sun was right. “As usual,” Moon rolled his eyes.

“Shut up” The lunar jester turned his attention to DJ, who seemed to calm down, still rubbing his temples. After a moment Moon leaned closer, releasing DJ’s hand and moving it to his shoulder, “ Hey DJ~ Music Box~” Moon started in the sing-song voice DJ had confessed to liking. The beetle’s gaze snapped to him, his right eye immediately shifting to magenta, “ Would you like to go on the rest of my patrol with me~” He trailed a single finger down DJ’s arm then back up it. The beetle was touch starved, this much Moon had easily picked up long before they became a couple. Even the smallest of touches were usually enough to fluster him. Sure enough DJ’s fan’s kicked on as he grinned and nodded. 

“ Moonie uses flirt: It’s super effective” Sun teased, Moon ignored him. 

“ Okay but I have some conditions,” Moon said, still moving his finger along DJ’s arm. He titled his head, DJ tipped his own to match him. The beetle’s smile shrinking a little, “ You’re not suppose to be out of the arcade, so one: You need to be quiet ,” Moon pressed a finger to his own mouth, after a pause DJ mimicked him, his smile growing again, “ Two: you need to stay with me , no wondering off,” Moon wagged the same finger, DJ mirrored him again, Sun giggled. 

“ Ha you two are cute,” he teased, if they had two separate bodies Sun would be hanging on him, maybe even poking Moon’s cheek as he spoke, and Moon would have retaliated by placing his hand flat on Sun’s faceplate and shoving him hard away from him. 

“ And three: ” Moon continued, “ You have to come with me to parts and service so I can repair you,” DJ’s smile dropped, he gave Moon a look that resembled a kicked puppy. “ If you want to come with me those are the terms,” Moon used his stern voice that he usually reserved for stubborn toddlers. DJ crossed his primary arms, and looked away. If his face allowed, he would have his bottom lip out in a hard pout. But he didn’t have lips so he just scowled at his lap while he considered Moon’s conditions. Moon waited, leaning back on his palms. Finally DJ’s chest heaved like he was sighing heavily, Moon fought the smug smirk tugging at his mouth. 

“Fine” DJ signed, with that Moon stood up and offered him his hand.

“ Good! It’ll be fun to have you with me~” Moon told him in the sing-song voice, DJ took the offered hand and let Moon pull him to his feet. Once he was steady, Moon leaned closer so he could pull DJ’s primary arm over his shoulders so the beetle could use him as a crutch. Moon squeezed DJ’s hand and pressed a ‘kiss‘ to the underside of his cheek, “ It gets awfully lonely ~” DJ was obviously fighting the dopey grin that was spreading across his face, his fans running at their max setting. Moon guided DJ out of the bakery through the front entrance as he headed for the metal doors that lead to the atrium.

“ Are you sure it’s a good idea to drag all over the plex in this state?” Sun asked, Moon rolled his eyes, he felt DJ wrap his secondary arm around Moon’s middle, the hand resting on his hip. 

“I’m not, I’m going to backtrack through Monty golf, and just pretend I started at the other end,” Moon explained internally to his brother, smiling up at DJ when the beetle squeezed him gently. 

“GASP! Moonie! That is lying! And neglecting the duties I praised you for taking seriously!!” Sun scolded, Moon rolled his eyes and audibly snorted, earning a confused look from DJ.

“ First of all, did you just say the word ‘Gasp’ and secondly it’s not lying it’s pretending ,” Moon made the sign for ‘ Sun’   then, admittedly incorrectly with one hand, made the sign for “ Blah blah blah”  DJ seemed to understand because he laughed. Moon winced as the static noise escaped his voice box. DJ winced too, covering his speaker with his hand again. 

“ See what happens when you make fun of me? “ Sun scolded , Moon rubbed a comforting circle into DJ’s back while giving him an apologetic look, DJ waved him off, signing “ Fine”. 

“ Okay, well I already did most of the route,” He lied, DJ deflated, “ I just have Monty Golf, and the main stage,” He didn’t need to do the main stage but since it doubled as a lift to parts and service, it would be easier if DJ decided to try and run. As he was prone to doing when he was upset. DJ nodded but it was clearly a grumpy pouty nod. Moon fought a snicker as he was reminded of Olivia when she didn’t want to do naptime. Moon paused at the elevator. “ Can you take over for me for a minute,”  Moon asked his brother hesitantly, as Sun could get in trouble for being out, “ I don’t want to leave him alone like this,”  

“ Oh absolutely! I can’t say I blame you, I don’t want to leave him alone like this either!” Sun agreed without hesitation, Moon nodded, calling the elevator as he turned to DJ. 

“ Sun’s gonna ride the elevator with you okay?” Moon told DJ, who nodded, removing his secondary arm from Moon’s middle. He made to remove his primary too but Moon pulled on it, keeping it there, “ Nope. ” Moon popped his ‘p’ “ You are too unsteady for that, Sun won’t mind,” DJ hesitated but left his arm there, noticeably looser than before. The doors opened and bathed both of them in light. Moon winced but didn’t fight the shift as he fell back into numb awareness and Sun stepped into the elevator with DJ. the yellow jester pressed the button and the doors closed. After a beat the room shook as it took them into Monty golf. DJ stumbled a bit and would have fallen if Sun wasn’t holding him up. 

“ Woah ease Big guy,” Sun giggled, DJ froze, Sun looked up at him in time to see his eye turn yellow before DJ pushed himself away from Sun, hitting the wall behind him hard and making the elevator shake. Sun stumbled himself as he looked up. DJ pressed himself to the wall, his good eye ( If you could call it that) darting around as if looking for an escape, but Sun knew there simply wasn’t one, “ DJ? Friend?” Sun tried slowly.

“What did you do?!” Moon shouted in their head, “ I left you alone with him for five seconds, Sun!”  

“ You saw what I did!” Sun snapped, making DJ flinch, “ Sorry sorry, DJ , friend you’re okay, what’s wrong?” Sun tried again, taking a step closer, DJ pressed himself further against the wall, “ Oh! Oh! Okay okay! Do you need space? Is that it? I can do that friend,” Sun took a step back. DJ didn’t move, he sank to the floor and stayed there, small weak static noises came out of his speaker, almost like whimpering .

“Break the light.” Sun blinked then looked up at the ring light above him.

“ What? But- The doors will open soon I’m sure he’ll-”

“ I don’t care. Break it. LET ME OUT” Sun inhaled deeply then reached up, placing either hand on two sides of the ring. He braced himself for what he was about to do. Then he pressed his thumbs against the bulb and shattered it. Bathing the small space in darkness, save the star lights that dotted the ceiling. 

Moon looked down at DJ, who didn’t seem to notice the light change. He knelt down, but didn’t move closer. He was pretty sure DJ was having a panic attack, maybe even a flashback. He played his music box and waited for the beetle to look up. Thankfully it didn’t take long, when he did look up he looked around confused. There was a ding , DJ flinched, then relaxed as he watched the doors open to Monty golf.

“ hey. . do you remember what we’re doing?” Moon asked, DJ’s gaze fixed on him, he nodded. Then signed; “ Golf, stage, P-S” Moon nodded. “ Good good, do you know where we are?” Moon asked, DJ signed “ golf ” again, “ Good  Do you know what happened?” Sun could’ve done this but he was bad at it, this was the logic Moon used while Sun grumpily seethed in the background. Not the strange purple haze that had clouded his mind for a minute, not that he had been watching his brother give his boyfriend a panic attack for unknown reasons, and no longer wanted Sun there. No not those things, he was just better suited for panic attacks. DJ nodded, and sheepishly signed “ Freak out,”  and “ Stupid” . Moon frowned. 

“ It’s not stupid, it’s okay, do you know what triggered it? So we can prevent it from happening again?” DJ made a “so/so” gesture and signed;

“Big guy”

“ What?! Because I called him Big Guy?!I But Monty’s called him that, Bonnie’s called him that-”

“ It bothers him now. It doesn’t matter who called him it in the past,” Moon scolded Sun before turning his attention back to DJ, “ Sun says he’s sorry, and we won’t call you that anymore,” Though Sun didn’t say this, affirmation trickled in from him, “ Do you need another minute or are you ready to go?” DJ hesitated, then held out his hand, Moon stood up and took it, pulling DJ to his feet. The jester was caught off guard when DJ closed the distance between them and wrapped all his arms around Moon tightly, he would have returned the hold but the beetle had his arms pinned to his sides. So instead he just rested his head against DJ’s shoulder and let the beetle hold him. There was no noise other than the ambient noises of the gold course, leaving Moon to wonder again what happened to him. After a moment DJ pulled away, pressing his faceplate to Moon’s hat before signing “ Ready” . Moon nodded and guided DJ out of the elevator. 

“ UH OH! It seems you have been holding up the elevator!” the intercom voice interrupted their moment, making DJ jump and stumble out of the elevator. Moon managed to catch DJ’s secondary arm preventing from falling completely but still fell to his knees, his eyes wide, and both yellow. Moon felt a headache coming on, and saw a purple haze at the edge of his vision as he turned his head to glare at the speaker. He let DJ go and reached up for it, “ Unless you are Dead or-” Moon first punched the speaker in, then once he could get a good grip in it, he ripped it out. 

“MOON.” Sun gasped, Moon could imagine him holding his face in horror, the headache ebbed away and the haze went with it. He dropped the speaker on the floor. 

“It was upsetting him” Moon stated as he helped DJ to his feet again, DJ smiled and waved him off when he tried to be a crutch for the beetle, signing that he wanted to try walking himself. Moon hesitated then let him, watching him move to the stairs to their right. He stumbled and gripped the railing hard, but managed to stay up so Moon just followed.

“It startled him, he was fine!”  Sun argued while Moon caught up to DJ, who had paused to look around by the first wooden bridge on the path. He seemed to spot something because he pointed and moved across the bridge, Moon followed as he made his way to a stray arcade cabinet, and pointed to it. He looked shocked.

“ Yes Monty told you there was a monty golf game in here remember? On Friday?” Moon reminded him, DJ frowned, and furrowed his brow and pointed at it again, “ Did you want to play it?” Moon asked, DJ shook his head, then after a pause he looked back at it, like he was debating it, it was then that Moon noticed the highscores list. 

HIGHSCORES

GGY- 9

“ Oh. . . is that the kid you were telling me about?” Moon asked, DJ nodded vigorously, then held his head when he gave himself a headache.  

“ Ooooh DJ’s got himself a young rival?” Sun giggled, Moon scoffed.

“ Apparently,” Moon sighed, “ it is an impressive score for this game, there’s to get a nine he had to get a hole in one every level,” Moon informed the beetle, DJ arms when slack at his side as he stared at Moon, then he turned to the cabinet and shook it violently with his primary hands. Moon stifled a laugh, “ Hey don’t do that, you’ll break it! That’s Monty’s job,” Sun laughed, DJ glared at it and poked the screen at GGY’s name, then after a moment the game started. 

“ Wait what? Did you do that?!” Moon asked, startled, DJ nodded, waving a hand dismissively, playing the game, “ DJ we don’t have time for this,” Moon pressed, “ You can come back during the day,”DJ frowned at him, the let his eyes roll back before he let the console go, crossing his arms as he pouted, “ Don’t be like that, you can show GGY up another time, we gotta finish patrol and get you fixed up,” DJ shrugged begrudgingly then using his primary hands he asked Moon what they were looking for as he looked around them. 

“ Just things, or people that don’t belong here,” Moon said dismissively, “ We can walk the course and then- DJ!!” Moon yelled suddenly as DJ took off sprinting back across the bridge they crossed and towards Gator grub. Sun fought a giggle as Moon started to follow him before he lost sight of him around some foliage, “ DJ WHAT WAS MY SECOND CONDITION!” Moon shouted, after him. Sun had lost the battle and was in a fit of giggles.  Moon sprinted in the direction he’d seen DJ go. 

“ Oh my goodness, how do you keep losing him?!” Sun laughed. Moon ignored his brother as he reached gator grub, looking around. 

“ DJ! You get back here right now! This isn’t a game!” Moon shouted into the golf course. He heard a loud crashing sound in the distance, and sprinted towards it. Leaping over the various obstacles of the courses. AS they got closer he heard. . .  shouting? Intelligible shouting?

“ Let go of me! Ya big idiot!” Sun reacted to the voice first, a confusing mix of anxiety, excitement, anger, and surprise. 

“ Monty?!” Moon rounded a corner and stopped dead at the sight before him. DJ was walking back towards him. In his arms was Montgomery Gator. DJ had all four arms around him and was carrying him like how a child would Incorrectly carry a cat. Monty looked just as displeased as said cat would be. His arms stuck out in front of him, his legs and tail dangling below him as DJ held him a foot off the ground. DJ stopped about six feet away from Moon, who was still frozen as he and Sun processed what they were looking at. After a long pause Monty sighed, it came out almost as a growl.

“ Can ya call him off?” Monty asked, jerking his head back towards DJ, who was grinning.

Chapter Text

“ Can ya call him off?” Monty asked, jerking his head back towards DJ, who grinned. Moon blinked for another moment, then he and Sun started laughing at the same time. DJ’s right eye turned green and he looked quite proud of himself. He offered Monty to Moon like the gator was a prize from the Prize Corner. The jester put his fist to his mouth in a weak attempt to stifle the laughs as he spoke;

“ V-very good job DJ, Very impressive that you spotted him when I didn’t,” Moon praised, DJ’s eye turned magenta, then both eyes blacked out. Moon’s smile fell, worried the beetle had shut down somehow, then the pupils came back. DJ’s grin spread.  It took Moon a moment to realize what DJ was telling him, and when he did he was a little alarmed, “ DJ you shouldn’t be going into Bouncer Mode in your condition!” DJ visibly deflated, and his smile fell. Monty raised an eyebrow, looking at Moon over his glasses, which were slightly askew. Sun had the urge to fix them, but Moon ignored him. 

“ Okay, first of all,” He held up one finger, still in DJ’s arms, “ I thought bouncer mode wasn’t workin, secondly what condition? I didn’t get a good look at him before he glomped me, and three MAKE HIM PUT ME DOWN!!!” Monty kicked his legs in frustration, DJ laughed which, of course, came out as static. Monty froze upon hearing it, his eyes wide, “ Well that sounds about as good as nails on a chalkboard! What happened to him?” the gator asked, Moon sighed heavily, then looked up at DJ, who’s laugh was short lived as he frowned again. 

“ DJ put him down please,” Moon said, DJ hesitated,then hoisted Monty up a little, almost defiantly. Moon raised an eyebrow at him, “ DJ, drop him,” He said again, pointing to the ground. The beetle looked between Monty and Moon, tilting his head to the side as he considered this. Then his gaze locked on Moon, a grin spreading across his face. Moon had a feeling he knew what DJ was thinking, “ Don’t.” He warned, “ DJ squinted at him and moved one foot back, “ Don’t you dare.” DJ held his ground, challenging the jester, “ DJ I will use your full name, you know I know it,” Moon threatened, Monty snorted.

“ Oh shit he’s playing the full name card!” Monty leaned his head back to look up at DJ,” What are you gonna do, Tracklist?” 

“ Monty, I’d like to remind you that you are being carried by an animatronic who’s gyroscope is likely broken ,” the jester informed him. Monty blinked at him.

“ Gyro-what?” 

“ He has shit for balance,” Moon deadpanned. 

“ Oh.” DJ turned sharply, nearly falling over as he did and sprinted off in the opposite direction. Monty yelled at the beetle to put him down. 

“You’re boyfriend just ran off with mine,”  Sun giggled, a sentence neither of them thought they’d ever say. Moon rolled his eyes and gave chase after them.

“ DISC JOCKEY MUSIC MAN YOU GET BACK HERE! WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!” DJ turned sharply, too sharply, his foot slid out from under him. He did manage to rotate himself slightly so he wouldn't end up on top of the gator, but he banged his own head on the railings along the pathways as he went down. Once he was on the ground he flopped onto his back, his arms splayed out and eyes closed. 

“Well. . . play dumb games and get dumb prizes I guess,” Sun offered, though he sounded concerned. Moon ran up, sliding to his knees next to the beetle while Monty sat up. 

“ Alright, I like the energy, don’t like being the object in keep away,” Monty said as he stood up, then looked back at Moon and DJ. The jester gently tilted DJ’s face towards him, his eyes still closed, “ He alright?” the gator asked, Moon’s gaze flickered to him, he felt a strong desire to rip the gator apart. 

“ DON’T” Sun snapped, sounding alarmed. Moon shook the urge off, huffing as he turned back to DJ.

“ You lucky Sun is up,” Moon hissed, Monty perked up.

“ Sun’s up?” He asked, “ Is he still mad at me?” He added, “ I did he get my-” Moon held up a finger to silence him then returned his hand to DJ’s face.

“ Music Box, can you look at me, please?” DJ obliged, his pupils were glitching in and out, and a look of alarm came over DJ’s face, “ What is it? What do you see?” Moon asked, DJ squinted and winced. 

“Can’t” he signed, “ Blurry, clear, one, two, three, hurts,”  Monty watched in confusion as he didn’t understand sign language. Moon sighed.

“ Okay, close your eyes, I’ll take you to Parts and Service,” Moon , gently stroking DJ’s cheek with his knuckles. DJ obeyed. 

“ Why didn’t you bring him there first ,” Monty asked, moving to help pull the beetle to his feet without being asked. Moon and Sun took note of that, “ And what kind of weird stuff do you get up to one yer dates that it broke him ,” He added in a half teasing voice as they steadied DJ. Monty immediately and unprompted positioning himself to be a second crutch.

“ What?” Moon looked at him as they walked back towards the elevators.

“ Well I assumed you busted him out of the arcade to have a date night, can’t say I blame ya, honestly kinda why I’m here , I was hiding out til you were done with patrol, then I was gonna head to the Daycare,” Monty admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. Sun swooned.

“Awwww I just can’t stay mad at him!” He gushed.

“He’s breaking rules” Moon deadpanned.

“I know such a bad boy” Sun giggled while Moon rolled his eyes, “ oh stop it! You’re breaking the rules!” They got to the elevator and Monty stopped. He stared at the broken speaker in the elevator, then he looked up at the light, who’s protective glass and bulb were still broken, and not emitting any light.

“ What happened here?” He asked, looking over at Moon, unamused. Moon did not look at the gator, instead choosing to examine the red wrist band around DJ’s primary wrist.  

“ No idea, doesn’t it always look like this?” Moon asked, DJ’s chest heaved like he snorted. 

“ God you two are perfect for each other aint ya? What does Team Nightclub have against my light bulbs ,” Monty demanded as he stepped into the elevator with the other two. Moon made an indignant sound.

“ Okay well first of all that’s not your light-” Moon started, Monty rolled his eyes.

“ It’s the light in the elevator to my golf course, it’s my light .” He argued. 

“ Secondly I didn’t do that . . . Sun  did,” Moon defended. 

“WHAT?!” Sun shouted, Monty raised a skeptical eyebrow at him.

“ It was,” Moon said to both of them, Sun sputtered with indignant rage while Monty rolled his eyes again.

“ If Sun did it was cuz you told him to,” Monty stated as he pressed the button to make the elevator go. 

“Yeah!” Sun agreed, Moon huffed.

“ Well I have my reasons,” he muttered, glancing up at DJ. Monty scoffed. 

“ So what’d you do to yer Lovebug here?” Monty asked again, Moon felt the rage from earlier come back, a purple haze started around the edge of his vision, and his headache was coming back. He turned to the gator, looming over him. 

“ I. didn’t do this to him, and don’t you ever imply that I would hurt him ever again,” Moon practically snarled, Monty blinked in surprise, but stood his ground. 

“Moon?” Sun sounded nervous, Moon felt DJ’s primary hand find his shoulder, and squeeze it. Moon forced himself to take a step back.

“ Alright then . . .” Monty started as he observed Moon, “ So how did this happen?” He asked, Moon rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes as he tried to will the headache away. He leaned into DJ who squeezed his shoulder again. He felt a little guilty that he was seeking comfort when the beetle was in such a state . Sun tried to send him reassurance through they’re connection.

“ We don’t know ,” Moon sighed heavily, answering the gator, “ He doesn’t remember, letting him finish patrol with me was the only way he’d go back to parts and service,” Moon explained, Monty looked between them.

“ Go back?” He questioned, Moon nodded.

“ He was there earlier today, he doesn’t remember what happened, I think this,” Moon gestured to DJ, “ Happened there but-”

“ Did you check the cameras?” Monty asked, making the jester freeze in place. 

“Oh my god… ” Sun sighed exasperated. 

“ What?” Moon blinked, Monty gestured to him.

“ Ain't you security now? Can’t you just watch what happened on today’s camera feed?” Monty asked, Moon was still frozen while Sun screamed metaphorically into the void. “ You really didn’t think of that?!” The gator asked, snickering. Moon waved him off.

“ Shut up,” He paused, turning to look up at DJ, “ Music box, I’m gonna check the parts and service security footage okay?” Monty snickering turned to chuckling. DJ seemed a little nervous but nodded, “ When did you go down?” 

“ Naptime “ he signed with his secondary hands.

“ Right after?” Moon asked, DJ made a so/so gesture with his hand. Alright well it gave Moon a place to start.” I’ll be a moment,” He told them, then closed his eyes so he could open the parts and service camera feed. He skimmed through the footage til he found the timeblock he wanted. 

He watched Cassidy and Vernon set up the protective cylinder for DJ’s update. 

Vernon left.

He came back with DJ. Moon noticed the beetle hesitate, needing to be prompted by Vernon to get in the cylinder. His eyes had lingered on something outside the camera’s view, but Moon knew was the direction of the Rockstar Row doors. Like he wanted to run.

“Like he knew something was wrong” Moon heard a voice whisper, “ Like he was scared”

Vernon strapped him in. 

They gave him the update.

Vernon left the cylinder. 

. . . .

Moon felt his headache come back in full force, his vision slowly turning into a purple haze of static. The whispering voice repeating;

“Hours. They did that for hours” Getting louder and louder until it was cackling. The last thing Moon was aware of before blacked out was the sensation of behind yanked back into the background, “ NaUgHtY nAuGhTy~”

Pov change

Monty waited while Moon watched the camera footage, his eyes closed. But Monty could still see the confusion on the jester’s face shift into pure rage, then all at once it was gone. Moon opened his eyes, and turned his purple pupils onto DJ. He reached up with both hands, leaving Monty to support the beetle’s weight as he cupped DJ’s face. 

“ I know what happened now sweetheart,” Moon cooed in a baby voice that made Monty cringe, “ And don’t worry, I’m gonna make it all better I promise,” the gator did not like the baby talk. The beetle didn’t seem to mind it though, maybe it was their thing? 

“ So what happened?” Monty asked, Moon sent him a look that made him feel like he was suddenly unwanted. 

“ That’s not important, I know, I can fix it,” Moon stated, DJ did not seem to agree with this, he reached up and shook Moon to regain his attention, since he couldn’t see he already had it, then he signed with his secondary hands. Moon sighed, “ Alright, you were electrically overloaded, it’s when you have too much electricity going through you,” He continued in that baby voice that Monty definitely hated. He was watching DJ carefully to try and gauge if this was normal for them or not, “ it burned out several of your systems, your voice box, your optics, your processors, it’s fortunate you didn’t short circuit,” Monty blinked as he took in what Moon was saying. 

“ Oh shit that coulda fried his AI chip,” Monty exclaimed, DJ’s head snapped to him, even with his eyes closed it was easy to read the alarm on his face. Moon sent the gator a glare, he laid one of the hands that had been on DJ’s face to the beetle chestplate. He gently patted the casing before speaking.

“ Yes. . . they could have, and I will need to check it when we get there sweetheart, but I think you were very lucky, and only had some of your processors damaged. “ Moon said, reaching up to turn DJ’s face back towards him, not addressing the gator at all as the elevator doors opened. Monty raised an eyebrow. 

“ They? ” Monty quoted, “ How’d this happen?” He asked, Moon was silent as they guided DJ out of the elevator. They made their way to the main stage. A couple of the staff bots were cleaning as they passed. Monty wondered if they had rubber necks, the way their heads swiveled to look at them. Then the bots exchanged looks Monty couldn't read, then looked back at the animatronics as they made their way onto the stage. 

“ You know the last time you were on this stage was your debut,” Moon told the beetle in that baby voice that was really grating on Monty’s nerves. If his nerves were a guitar he’d be snapping strings left in right, and be down to one, “ You remember?” DJ nodded sheepishly, though the small smile he gave looked strained, maybe he was annoyed by it too, “ Hard to believe that was over a week ago. . .” Moon mused, pressing the button that would take them down. 

“ Ya didn’t answer me,” Monty said evenly, the beetle nodded in agreement, Moon sent Monty another glare before turning back to DJ. 

“ Sweetheart that’s not you need to know, I needed to know, and I do now,  and I’ll make it all better, and you won’t ever have to think about it,” Moon explained, DJ gave him an uncertain grimace. 

“ It happened to him , if he wants to know, I think you should tell him, “ Monty snapped, DJ pointed at Monty as if to say he agreed. Mon dismissed again.

“ No, no, I know what’s best for you at this moment and-” That was it. The last guitar string snapped. 

“ Okay stop the baby takin, it’s driving me nuts, he’s not one of yer daycare kids! Technically he’s older than both of us!” Monty snapped, Moon just stared coldly at him. The gator turned to DJ, “ DO you even like it? When he talks to you like that ?   Does he do that a lot? It feels condescending as hell to me,” Monty gestured to Moon despite the jester being the only one to see it. DJ grimaced and started to make a ‘so/so’ gesture but Moon pushed his hand back down. 

“ He’s in no state to answer a question like that, his processors are damaged, “ Moon interrupted as the stage lift came to a stop. DJ looked a little offended, but didn’t do anything. The jester pulled DJ towards parts and service, almost losing the gator who quickly caught up when DJ stumbled blindly into the hallway.

“ Fine!” Monty snapped at Moon. DJ quickly gripped Monty’s shoulder as the gator retook his position as a second crutch, “ I’ll ask him when he’s all fixed up! Then you’re bullshit excuse is redundant.” Moon sighed, shaking his head as they entered parts and service. 

“ Actually after we get him into the protective cylinder, you can go back to your green room,” Moon gestured to the doors up the stairs and behind the cylinder. Monty felt DJ’s grip tighten slightly, he wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not. Either way the gator had no intention of going.

 It all felt off . The jester's sudden attitude change, the baby talk that Monty was fairly sure DJ didn’t like, the ignoring Monty unless he had to, the slightly possessive way he was treating DJ, the keeping information from the beetle, the whole  “ I know best” bull all rubbed Monty the wrong way. He couldn’t bring himself to leave DJ alone with the daycare attendant, not in this state.

“ Nah, I think I’ll stick around,” Monty started, DJ let go of his shoulder as he tried to blindly feel his way through the narrow doorway of the cylinder. Moon kept a hand on DJ’s back to keep him steady. It looks could kill Monty would’ve short circuited and dropped dead as Moon’s purple eyes bore into him. Yeah he was definitely staying , “ I wanna talk to Sun but I imagine you won’t let him out til he’s all better,” Monty shrugged as he gave the excuse, jerking a thumb at DJ while the beetle stumbled, catching himself on the chair. He was trembling slightly and seemed to hesitate a lot before doing anything. If he got the damage here Monty could understand the nervous aura that the beetle gave off. 

“ Sun’s asleep,” Moon said evenly to him, “ let me help you sweetheart,” Moon cooed to DJ as he helped the blind beetle onto the reclined chair. Monty raised an eyebrow. 

“ What? He was awake at the golf course,’ Monty said, DJ also looked concerned, he was signing to Moon almost frantically. The jester placed his own hands over DJ’s signing ones. Stopping him. Silencing him. Monty frowned.

“ Well he’s asleep now , Now I need to shut you down so I can fix you,” Moon baby told the beetle. One hand reaching for DJ’s tophat atop his head, DJ reacted quickly grabbing the ribbons that dangled from the jesters wrist. Shaking his head, panic on his face. He had even opened his eyes and was squinting at Moon through the pain. 

“ He doesn’t want you to do that,” Monty knew he was stating the obvious, but he felt like he had to.  Moon turned his head sharply towards the gator. 

“ I have this under control. Go.” He said coldly. Monty met Moon’s gaze over the rims of his glasses. 

“ Make me.” He growled back, Moon looked like he was about to take him up on that, but then DJ tugged on his ribbon, regaining the jester’s attention. He signed something with his secondary hands. Moon seemed to consider whatever it was.

“ What I am going to be working on is very delicate, I can’t have you trembling and shaking while I do it, so if he stays you have to let me shut you down,” Moon informed him, DJ was signing again, frantically. Moon’s expression softened slightly. He smiled softly, almost as if he was amused as he gently caressed DJ’s face again, “ Oh, no sweetheart, you’re confused, it’s okay, that was the big body remember? This one,” He squeezed the primary hand he was still holding, “ Is much less temperamental,” DJ looked unsure, “ Don’t you trust me?” Moon asked, DJ frowned but nodded, “ Good, then let me. . .” He reached up, DJ made to stop him, but then stopped himself. Monty’s frown deepened as DJ flinched, then his eyes and mouth blacked out, and he went limp in the chair. 

Moon carefully set DJ’s secondary hands on his stomach and his primary arms on the arm rests before exiting the cylinder. 

“ You can go now,” Moon said darkly as he booted up the old computer next to the cylinder, tying his hat into a knot.

“ You told him if he let ya shut him down I could stay,” Monty snarled back, Moon rolled his eyes, trying in the necessary commands into the keyboard. 

“ Oh like he’d notice the difference,” Moon huffed bitterly, then he straightened looking around the space.

“ I’m staying,” Monty snapped.  The machine inside hummed, and Monty looked over to see it performing a scan. A list of problems appeared on the computer screen. Moon looked back at it, apparently it was longer than he expected because he scowled and stared at it for a little too long. Then he sighed.

“ Fine. Then you can at least be useful, and find some spare parts, I’m hoping they had some sense to get some spare spare parts when they commissioned the body, look for a voice box, and some optics,” He sat down in front of the computer and started typing again, “ I’ll check on his Ai chip, and see what I can do about these processors,” Monty relaxed and nodded. This was more the Moon he was familiar with, he moved to a pile of boxes and started digging through them. 

Pov Change

DJ came back online with a start, he recognized where he was and shot up. Ready to sprint off to the bakery or wherever else he could think of. He felt hands on his shoulders, easily pinning him down to the chair.

“ Ah ah ah, not yet sweetheart, I gotta run a test first, then you can get up,” Moon’s voice cooed in that sickly sweet tone that DJ could take or leave. He turned his head to it, Moon smiled softly at him, his purple eyes lidded as he gently stroked DJ’s cheek. “ Just need you to calm down okay? Can you do that for me?” The beetle looked around and spotted Monty standing outside the cylinder through the glass. His arms were crossed and he seemed to be watching Moon carefully. It reminded DJ of when Monty had tried to ambush him in the west arcade elevator. Monty noticed DJ looking at him and gave a small wave. DJ smiled at him before turning back to Moon. 

“ See I told you you’d come back online!” Moon teased in that “ baby voice”  as Monty called it, “ You need to have more faith in me,” Moon continued, almost sounding offended. DJ frowned, feeling guilt sink in. 

“ I-I do,” It was weird not feeling the pain he had somehow grown accustomed to when he spoke, “ I just. . .” DJ trailed off. He had been scared, that was all. Moon scoffed, and waved him off dismissively. 

“ It’s alright, it doesn’t matter now, let me run the tests and then everyone can go back to where they’re supposed to be ,” He said the last part pointedly at Monty as he moved to a panel beside the chair, from what DJ could tell it looked like a simon says machine. 

“ What. . . should I expect?” DJ asked, Moon didn’t seem to hear him, but Monty did.

“ It’s probably ain't that different from how they did it in the bigger body, “ The gator assured, “ Go limp and just let the machine do its thing, we’re right here if something happens,” DJ nodded and took his advice. He was right, it wasn’t that different, if anything it was smoother. DJ found himself humming along to the melody the machine made as it tested his eyes. Moon snickered softly, shaking his head as he did. 

“ Alright, now the voice box,” Moon said, this was a little weirder. The melody would play then as Moon repeated it his own voice spat out of his speaker. 

“ Hey! Keep it down, would ya!”

“ When I’m here, you play by my rules!”

“ A song was requested of me, and now I sing it!”

“ You and I will be making music together for a long long time,”  

Monty raised an eyebrow at him, snickering. Finally after an embarrassingly long time the intercom speaker announced that DJ was repaired and ready to “ Go back to getting those High-scores” DJ pushed himself up, eager to get out of the hell tube. Monty grabbed his secondary arm as he clambered out, ready to steady him should he trip. Moon followed him out, untying his hat-bun, much to DJ’s disappointment . 

“ Alright, that’s done, Monty,” Moon sounded like he was giving a final warning, “ you need to go back to your green room now,” Moon seemed to stare daggers at the gator who matched it. The tension made DJ nervous as he looked between the two. . . had he . . . missed something? He had been a little out of it most of the night. Finally Monty nodded, pointing at DJ as he walked backwards towards the stairs that lead to the doors behind the cylinder. DJ noticed the closest one to the stairs Monty had chosen had a green gator like symbol on it. It looked newer than the other logos. 

“ I’m coming to the arcade tomorrow ta check on ya,” He said it like it was a warning, DJ smiled. Touched. Putting his primary hands on his hips.

“ And I thought you said you didn’t care,” DJ teased, Monty paused at the top of the steps to give him a confused look, then laughed.

“ I said I was joking! God! Sun gave me such an earful that day you know,” Monty pointed at Moon who did not look amused, crossing his arms. 

“ Monty.” It was almost a growl, Monty waved the jester off.

“ Keep yer tutu on, I’m going!” Monty gave them a final wave, then entered what DJ assumed was his door. DJ chuckled, looking back at Moon, who’s gaze was on the floor. He seemed to be in thought. DJ used his secondary arms to pull the jester to him, earning a surprised look from him before DJ pressed a “ kiss” to Moon’s faceplate. His primary hands found Moon’s and intertwined their fingers. When DJ pulled away he swore he saw purple hearts in Moon’s eyes. Moon blinked and leaned into DJ’s hold smiling softly at him.

“ Thanks, for coming to my rescue there, Lullaby,”  DJ said softly, Moon’s gaze shifted to the floor, his smile fell, “ Didn’t know who else to go to, sorry I was a handful,” He sheepishly added. HIs memory of what happened while his processors were struggling was fuzzy, but he vaguely remembered carrying Monty and Moon yelling after him. Moon looked back up at him, his smile back as he pulled one of his hands free so he could cup DJ’s face. 

“ I’m a daycare attendant , kids are a handful, it’s all par for the course,” He reminded him, “ Besides I wouldn’t call that a rescue, more like. . . damage control,” His smile fell again, he examined DJ’s hand that he was still holding while his free hand came to rest on DJ’s primary bicep, “ I need a favor sweetheart,” DJ raised an eyebrow, and tilted his head. 

“ Anything for you Angel,” DJ said, Moon watched him for a moment, like he was choosing his words carefully. 

“ I need you to ping Vernon and Cassidy,” He stated, DJ froze, if he had a heart it would have stopped. 

“ W-what?!” DJ took a startled step back, Moon’s hand on his bicep suddenly became a grip, and Moon’s hold on DJ’s hand tightened, making it impossible for the beetle to run.

“ I need you to ping Vernon and Cassidy,” He repeated carefully, “ I need you to tell them you’re ready to talk.” DJ blinked at him in confusion and alarm. He barely remembered his last interaction with the siblings and he wasn’t eager to repeat it.

“ Talk about what?” He asked, Moon shook his head.

“ No, that’s not something for you to worry about, “ Just tell Vernon you’re ready to talk, and to meet you in Parts and Service,” Moon elaborated, DJ shook his head, trying again to take a step back, but Moon wouldn’t let him. 

“ N-no, I-I don’t want to talk to him, Moon I- He-” DJ tried to keep the panic out of his voice but failed, Moon shushed him, letting go of DJ’s arm so he could cup his face.

“ Shh, shh, you won’t be here, I just need you to tell him that you will be,” Moon explained, DJ shook his head again.

“ N-No I really don’t want to Moon,” DJ pleaded, “ Not after-” 

“ I understand why DJ, but like I said, you won’t be here, I need you to do this for me, I need you to trust me ,” Moon said evenly. DJ hesitated, about to protest again, “ I thought you said anything ,” DJ’s words died in his voice box as Moon looked up at him, “ I’m not asking for much. . .” DJ deflated, tapping his secondary knuckles. He did say anything. . . . Ignoring the dread forming in his code, DJ pinged the second eldest Glam-tech. 

DJMM: I’m ready to talk. Meet me in P+S

Vernon responded immediately. 

VB: bout time, knew leaving you like that for a night guard or staff to find would freak you out. On our way.

“ I-I did it, they’re coming,” DJ blinked and looked back down at Moon who looked pleased, “ Why did I do this? Why did you ask me to do this? I don’t want to talk to him, I don’t know-” Moon put both his hands on DJ’s face.

“ DJ, sweetheart, it’s okay, I’m gonna take care of it, and all you need to do now is trust me ,” Moon said sweetly, forcing DJ’s nerves to calm. DJ placed his primary hands over Moon’s own, and closed his eyes.

“ I-I trust you. . “  He said, of course he trusted him. Moon had been there for him through every bit of suffering these last eight days had put him through. Moon hummed.

“ I know, come,” Moon guided DJ out of parts and service,” Let’s get you back to the west. . .” He stopped, blinking at the space in front of him, DJ watched him nervously. Then Moon scoffed, raising an eyebrow, “ That was fast. . .” He mused, DJ’s own eyebrows shot up. 

“ DId you just get a notification?!” DJ asked, looking down the hall as if Vernon would pop out from the shadows, “ Are they here?!” he looked back at Moon who met his gaze, and grinned. This was very unnerving for the beetle, the jester must have picked up on that because he quickly replaced the grin with a soft comforting smile. He pulled DJ in the direction of the main stage. 

“ Yes, they’re here, seems they were waiting for you to ping them,” Moon told him as they ducked under the rising metal door that separated the lift to the main stage from the hallway behind, “ Wait here for me,” The jester instructed, gently pushing DJ further into the room, “ You won’t be able to get anywhere without my clearance,” He reminded him, DJ hesitated.

“ Don’t I have the same clearance with bouncer mode?” He asked, Moon shook his head.

“ No, I mean if an emergency was happening, yes, but otherwise no, just wait here, I’ll be right back,” He started to walk backwards out of the room. DJ reached out to him.

“ W-Wait, what are you gonna do?” He asked, Moon’s smile tried to turn into a grin again, DJ could see it tugging at the corner of his mouth. 

“ I’m gonna take care of everything , just wait here sweetheart,” He blew DJ a kiss as he stepped back and the metal door closed. Leaving DJ alone in the dark. He vaguely remembered his first time in that room, how the shadows seemed to strangle him. Now there was a strange comfort in them. He tapped his knuckles while he waited, his mind running from question to question.

Why did Moon ask him to ping Vernon and Cassidy?

Why did he isn't DJ didn’t need to know about it

What was he taking care of?

DJ shook his head, Moon needed him to trust him . So he would. Everything was fine. Everything would be okay. 

A scream cut through the air, only muffled slightly by the metal doors and the distance. DJ didn’t hesitate, moving towards it. Not thinking as he pushed through the first set of double doors of Parts and Service, then the second. He froze at the sight before him. 

Vernon laid on the floor, his eyes wide and unseeing. Blood pooled around him and seemed to be coming from his neck. A scan told DJ there was no heart rate. He raised his gaze to the more pressing issue. Beyond Vernon’s body stood Moon, back to DJ. He had Cassidy by the neck, pinned to the glass of the cylinder. The light from it almost silhouetting them.  Cassidy was kicking and gasping, her face slowly turning purple. From what DJ could tell Moon’s head was tilted a little too far to the left. 

“ Moon?!” DJ called, horrified to say the least. Moon stiffened, his grip on Cassidy must’ve loosened because she gasped a wheezy breath. Moon turned his head 180 degrees to look at him. 

“ DJ,” He started, “ I-I told you to wait for me,” Moon’s voice sounded strained and a sickening crack filled the room at the same time Moon said “wait” . Cassidy went limp in Moon’s hold. Her legs resemble the many plushies they sold in the gift shops. DJ stared, his eyes wide as he tried to process what the hell he was looking at. Moon gave him a pitying look and he sighed, unceremoniously dropping Cassidy as he turned fully to him. DJ flinched as she hit the ground with a thud. Moon put his hands on his hips, like a parent whose child had been caught sneaking peeks at their presents. 

“ See this is why I told you to wait,” He shook his head, stepping over Vernon, DJ could now see Moon’s claws were extended, and dripping, “ I knew you wouldn’t be able to handle this, c’mon I’ll” He reached out for DJ, who took a startled step back. Moon looked taken aback, then rolled his eyes, “ Oh come on, don’t be like that sweetheart, I’m not gonna hurt you ,” The jester stated, reaching out again. DJ took a side step back, nearly  bumping into Vernon’s work bench as he did. 

“ W-What did you do?!” DJ asked, Moon tilted his head a little, but didn’t answer him, “ Why?!”   The jester raised an eyebrow, and cackled. 

“ They hurt you DJ, and I made sure they couldn’t hurt you ever. Again. ” Moon explained as if it was obvious, maybe it was. DJ took another side step back as Moon tried to reach out to him again, “ I couldn’t let them get away with that DJ, I was protecting you ,” He insisted, DJ looked back at the technicians' lifeless bodies. Moon was observing the beetle closely. 

“ They didn’t have to- you didn’t have to-” DJ tried to find words, Moon took another step, and DJ took one back to match him.

“ of course I did , I worship you, I’d do anything for you, they tried to break you ,” Moon snarled the last part, clenching his fists, “ They had it coming ,” Moon forced himself to calm down,  then he offered a hand to DJ, “ C’mon, let’s get you back to the west arcade huh?” DJ didn’t move, after a long pause Moon’s gaze hardened.

“ Don’t.” He warned, hand still extended, DJ moved a single foot back, Moon chuckled darkly, “ Don’t. You. Dare.” DJ spun around and sprinted up the stairs that lead to the four doors. He heard Moon yell to him as he ran through the door with the green logo painted over faded purple and down the hall beyond it. 

He couldn’t explain why he chose to run in this direction rather than back out towards the atrium, maybe he knew he wouldn’t get far, maybe he hoped a second animatronic would be able to help him over power Moon, maybe he was just running to the only other person he could say he felt close enough to. He couldn’t explain what he was thinking because he wasn’t thinking. Too overwhelmed by the nightmare he’d just witnessed. It didn’t matter anyway because Moon was faster. Just as DJ rounded the sharp corner of the hall Moon somehow managed to catch up and grab DJ’s secondary arm. Yanking him back roughly and making the beetle hit the floor. The jester quickly moved past him and in one swift morton he ripped the Freddy button off the wall. Leaving broken wires, and sparks in its place, and making the elevator to Monty’s green room inaccessible. He released a breath and ran a hand over his hat as he turned his purple eyes on DJ. The beetle flinched, Moon shook his head, chuckling. 

“ DJ, sweetheart, you’re overreacting, just a little bit,” Moon walked over to him. DJ tried to crawl backwards, away from the looming jester. His back hit the wall of the hallway, Moon crouched down next to him, blocking the path back to parts and services, “ You need to calm down, can you do that for me?” He asked in that sickly sweet voice, reaching out for him. DJ pressed himself into the corner, flinching a little when Moon gently caressed his cheek, “ You’re okay, really ,” He insisted, DJ glanced at the broken elevator, he shakily pointed at it.

“ Then why did you-” Moon snorted like DJ had just told a joke.

“ Sweetheart, I couldn’t let you run to Monty before I could talk to you, he’d have to report the incident,” Moon explained. 

“ How do you know I didn’t?!” DJ bluffed, but deflated when Moon scoffed again. 

“ Please, Sweetie, you’re so use to ignoring your security protocols it didn’t even cross your mind til I said it,” Moon lightly tapped DJ’s nose, “ Monty though, there is a change he won’t because of Sun but more than likely he wouldn’t think about it til it was all said and done.” Moon was talking as casually as if they were discussing a broken toy. In fact DJ was sure they discussed bouncer mode with more seriousness than they were talking now, “ And that would be no good for us, especially Sun, unlike us he’s a bystander-” DJ blinked, his processors were struggling to keep up.

“ What?” He asked, Moon laughed again.

“ Well sweetheart, they’re going to determine that you helped me ,” Moon told him. DJ stared at him, guilt and fear threatened to strangle him. 

“ I-I didn’t know! I didn’t know you were gonna kill them !” The full weight of it became too much and DJ pulled his knees to his chest, hiding his face in them. “ Oh my god you killed them ,” Moon gently rubbed circled into his back, he hated how he found comfort in it. 

“ I know, I wanted to leave you out of it, I really did ,” Moon soothed, “ But I knew they wouldn’t come unless you pinged them and I figured that seal was broken anyway with Heather so-”

“ What?!” DJ asked, looking up at Moon, who looked surprised at first, then smiled at him, “ What seal?! What are you talking about?!” Moon’s smile grew a little, he chuckled looking back at Monty’s elevator door. 

“ He almost had it figured out, “ Moon mused as he sat down next to DJ, leaning his back against the wall, “ If he wasn’t hung up on  you he would’ve figured it out,”

“ What are you talking about? ” DJ asked again, pleading. Moon gave him an affectionate smile, his purple eyes lidded. 

“ You’re a smart boy,” He teased, “ think about it,” DJ stared for a moment, then he looked back down the hall when he couldn't stand to look at the jester anymore. He tried to think back 

Moon said Heather had come in on Sunday, Vernon said she never left. Now Vernon would never leave either, DJ tried to stay focused and not think about how his blood was pooling on the parts and Service floor. How it had dripped off Moon’s claws. The familiar red mess was still on his fingers, getting on his pants. Something clicked. 

DJ was back with Freddy on sunday now, a loud screech of an oven door became a scream, the red mess all over the place, Moon insisting DJ go back to the daycare.

DJ looked over at Moon if he was human all the blood would have drained from his face. Moon grinned, there was a long moment of nothing, then DJ spoke, his voice strained. 

“ I asked you what was in that bag. . .” Betrayed was one of the many feelings he was feeling in that moment. Moon chuckled.

“ And I told you .” He booped DJ’s nose again, “ I told you, you didn’t have to help me, I tried to leave you out of it,” he repeated, DJ hid his face in his knees again. 

“ I’m gonna throw up” the beetle whimpered, Moon rubbed his back again, but scoffed.

“ No you’re not, drama queen,” He teased, “ You don’t even have a stomach,” He heard Moon stand up, and felt him grab his arm, “ C’mon I really need to get you back to the west arcade, and then I need to clean up this mess here,” He forced DJ to his feet, and dragged him back down the hall, “ But that’s why you can’t tell Monty,” Moon continued, DJ numbly followed behind, emotionally and mentally beaten into submission, “ Or anyone for that matter, if it was Just me? Sure, but I can’t let them punish you for this,” They passed Vernon and Cassidy. DJ couldn’t not stare, those unseeing eyes bore into his code, “ I didn’t want you to see all this, but maybe it’s best you know, and you won't’ tell anyone, I know you don’t want anything to happen to me or Sun ,” DJ just blinked as Moon pulled him through the staff tunnels. Moon looked back at DJ and stopped. He chuckled and used his ribbon to wipe something off DJ’s nose, “ Woops, got a little of it on you,” He almost giggled, DJ wished he could throw up. Moon smiled softly at him, “ I love you,” He said. 

“ I. . . I love you too. . .” DJ numbly echoed.

Chapter Text

The next day DJ ran on auto-mode, pre-recorded responses, predetermined actions. Internally he wanted to be alone, to pretend the whole night hadn’t happened. He’d almost convinced himself it was the truth til he heard some staff talking about a freak accident in parts and service involving a rogue endo that resulted in the deaths of two faz-techs. Then DJ felt sick all over again, he’d finally opted to hide himself in the backroom of the arcade, unable to face the humans roaming the plex anymore. He knew he wasn’t supposed to be where guests couldn’t see him but he hoped he hadn’t gained enough popularity for his absence to be noticed.  

Fortunately no human staff seemed to be aware that he was missing and therefore did not come looking for him in his hiding spot which was sitting on the floor. His back against the brick wall just around the corner of the security office, so anyone coming in wouldn’t see him. Unfortunately the inhuman staff did notice the beetle was missing from his post.

“ Hey Pandora? Ya back here?!” DJ actually jumped when he heard the gator shout, accidentally knocking an arcade cabinet over. The resulting crash echoed in the silence for a moment, then he heard footsteps moving towards him. He looked up in time to see both Monty and Freddy round the corner, “ Ah! There he is!” The gator gestured to the beetle, “ See I told ya I’d find him!” He said proudly, puffing his chest out slightly. Freddy patted his shoulder before speaking to DJ. 

“ What are you doing back here? You know you’re supposed to stay where guests can see you,” The bear reminded him, DJ sighed heavily.

“ Do any of the guests even care ?” DJ asked, Monty and Freddy exchanged looks. 

“ I think that teenager with headphones care’s? “ Monty offered but he didn’t sound sure, “ ya doing alright spotify? Ya seem . . .” Monty trailed off, snapping his fingers as he tried to find the word he was looking for. 

“ Stressed?” Freddy offered, also looking concerned, his hands on his hips, the gator shook his head.

“ Nah I was gonna say moody ,” Motny shrugged, “ Why ya sitting back here by yer lonesome anyway?” he asked, DJ looked away, he was starting to miss when they thought he preferred to be alone.

“ I just want to be left alone,” DJ said evenly, not looking at them as he dispensed himself a Faz-token and started spinning it on the floor like a top. There was a beat of silence while the other two watched him.

“ Anyway, I was just coming by to check on ya, like I said I would,” Monty started, as if DJ hadn’t spoken, earning an annoyed sigh from the beetle, “ and Freddy here wanted to come too when I told him what happened to ya,” DJ’s gaze snapped to the gator, his eyes wide with shock. How did he-?

“ Yes Monty explained to me that you were electrically overloaded and locked out of the west arcade, that’s very serious, your battery could have combusted,” Freddy explained, his voice filled with concern, “ Do you have any memory of how that happened?” DJ blinked, then looked back at his coin.

“ O-oh yeah, that,” he spun the coin again, “ No. I don’t remember,” He lied, watching it spin. It fell Freddy’s face up. 

“ Oh yeah, that? ” Monty parroted, “ What do ya mean “ Oh yeah that” ? Did something happen after I left?” DJ shook his head quickly, spinning the coin again, it didn’t spin for nearly as long and fell Lightning bolt side up. There was another pause, then Monty took a knee, “ Look me in the eye and say that,” He growled. The sudden change in Monty’s tone made DJ flinch, he got to his feet, pointedly not looking at the gator. 

“ I should get back out there, like you said,” he gestured to Freddy as he made to move past them, “ I’m not supposed to-” Monty stood and caught DJ’s arm, stopping him from leaving. 

“ No, no, no, yer not running away from this, what happened after I left Parts and service last night? Does it have anything to do with the freak endo accident?” Monty demanded, DJ pulled his arm free. 

“ Nothing! Nothing happened! That must have happened after we left,” DJ blatantly lied, and a risky glance at the other two told DJ they knew it. 

“ And I’m a goddamn salamander!” Monty snapped, Freddy put a hand on Monty’s shoulder, then did the same to DJ to keep the beetle from running out the door just behind him. 

“ Monty there are better ways to-” 

“ I don’t care! He’s hiding something, I’ve seen him do it enough times now I know what it looks like!” He turned on DJ, “ So fess up Mixtape, Vernon and Cassidy weren’t even there last night how the hell did they get there?! Why is my parts and service elevator broken?! Why hasn’t Sun heard from Moon all day ,” DJ blinked at the last one. 

“ I-I don’t know,” He stuttered, Monty made a sound like he was blowing air out his nose. 

“ Alright, what about the rest of it.” DJ took a nervous step back, looking around him as he felt Freddy’s hand fall away. Thing was he didn’t want to run, he just didn’t know what else to do. He stayed quiet, tapping his knuckles nervously, finally Freddy broke the silence.

“ DJ did Moon do something that breaches protocol?” Monty scoffed at Freddy, while DJ shrunk in on himself.

“ Moon? Break protocol? Besides his tinkering habits the guy doesn’t break rules,” 

“ Breaks them a lot actually,” DJ mumbled, Monty looked back at him.

“ So something did happen?!” Monty demanded.

“ Monty. “ Freddy warned, then turned back to DJ, “ Did he do something that would get you or him or both of  you in trouble? Is that why it’s hard to say what?” He asked, DJ hesitated, his silence seemed to be enough of an answer for Freddy, “ If it’s something serious you need to tell someone, especially if it’s something dangerous. '' Freddy pressed, DJ wasn’t sure if Freddy knew Moon was the dangerous thing or if he thought they caused it by accident and they were trying to cover it up. 

DJ hesitated again, tapping his knuckles, and for a moment he thought he was going to tell him, he felt the explanation building in his voice box like vomit in a nauseous human’s throat. He wanted so badly to unload the burden that was weighing heavily on his code, Freddy was right, Moon was dangerous and DJ wasn’t doing anyone any favors by keeping quiet. But something nagged at him, the blackouts, the way Moon had cried just two nights prior about it. Was that real? It felt real but what if it had all been an act? Finally DJ went to speak, and all that came out was;

“I can’t, it’s . . .  complicated. . .  “ DJ offered, Freddy hummed disapprovingly.

“ I see. . . well if you decide you have something to tell us, we’re around,” He said in a disappointed tone that made DJ feel like Freddy was the eleven foot tall robot and he was a mere three foot tall child, “ we have a show to prepare for Monty,” Freddy said, turning to the gator who still looked annoyed, DJ thought about telling him it wasn’t just Moon he was trying to protect, Sun would get in trouble too given their shared body, but he didn’t. Instead he looked away, unable to meet Monty’s gaze, “ You do need to be out there, for at least an hour at a time DJ,” Freddy added as they moved past him and towards the arcade. DJ nodded.

“ Yes Freddy.” He stated, following them out and through the arcade as they headed for the stairs to the lower level. They were on the landing when DJ spotted something zooming around on the ground floor, and immediately recognized it as Mapbot. Jogging along behind him was an equally familiar four year old, holding onto one of the staffbot’s hands. He was taking his usual route to DJ’s stage. The beetle quickly moved past Freddy and Monty and hurried down the last set of stairs that came out by the statue of the band. 

“ Mappy, Olivia!” he called, catching the staffbot’s attention, who stopped short before he zoomed down the hall, and rotated so he was facing DJ as he approached, “ What happened? What’s wrong?” DJ asked quickly as he came to a stop before them, because something had to have happened, at this rate it had to. Olivia let go of Mappy’s hand and hurried to DJ.

“ Machamp!” She exclaimed, arms up indicating she wanted to be picked up. DJ obliged without hesitation, Monty and Freddy caught up to them at this point.

“ You again?” Monty asked, looking at the girl who hugged her monkey, and seemed to try to hide herself in DJ’s chest plate. 

“ Take a Map!” Mappy said getting the three animatronics attention, “ Take a map, Take a map, take a map!” he started waving his arms as he spoke as if they all could understand him.

“ Really?” DJ asked, earning a confused and surprised look from Freddy and Monty. Mappy nodded vigorously.

“ Alright Discord we might need a translation here,” Monty said, gesturing to himself and Freddy, DJ blinked.

“ Oh. .  right, He said that she was in the Fazbear theater, she had told Comedy bot something was wrong, and he pinged Mappy to bring her here,” He recapped for the other two. 

“ What’s wrong?” Freddy asked the girl, “ What were you doing in the theater?” Olivia glanced up at DJ before speaking.

“ I snuck out of the daycare while Mr.Moon was gone-”

“ Gone?!” Monty interrupted loudly, making the four year old jump and earning a glare from DJ as he leaned her away from him. Freddy gave the gator a disapproving look before turning back to DJ and the girl. 

“ Do you mean Mr.Moon left the daycare?” The bear asked, Olivia nodded.

“ Uh-huh, he was acting Funny, bad funny ,” She added, Freddy and Monty gave DJ a raised eyebrow look, and he felt guilt squeezing his code slightly, “ It was scary, And Timmy wouldn’t sleep! So Mr.Moon said he was taking him to time out! “ She told them, Monty lowered his glasses to look over the rims at her. 

“ Timmy Fields?” He asked, she nodded, “ That’s one of the older kids, he doesn’t do Naptime anymore, usually he’s told to play quietly at the tables or something,” Monty said to the others, DJ gave him a confused look.

“ How do you know that?” He asked, the gator shrugged.

“ That kid drives Sun nuts, Moon too on a bad day, he’s constantly trying to get under their casing, Sun said he only lost it once on that kid, his first day online,” Monty explained quickly, Freddy nodded in agreement.

“ Yes, Foxy used to complain about him as well, he is what Bonnie would call a veteran trouble maker,” The bear added. 

“ And Moon put Timmy in time out?” DJ asked, turning back to the four year old in his arms, she nodded, hugging her monkey. 

“ That’s what he said! He said “ I’m putting you in time out” She tried to imitate his raspy low voice, and if the situation wasn’t so serious it’d be adorable. Ok it was still adorable, and DJ had to fight the chuckle that was in his voice box as she continued, “ But he didn’t put  him in the time out chair he took him out, and I left and snuck into the movie room! And you said I could tell the robot guys to take me to you so I went to the one that was there!”  DJ grimaced, well this wasn’t good.

“ This is very serious,” Freddy voiced DJ’s thoughts, “ I’ll put out an alert for Timmy and head to the Daycare to make sure everything is alright with the attendant,  Monty,” Freddy turned to the gator, “ I’ve just pinged Roxy and chica to check their areas for Timmy, would you be willing to check the area surrounding the Daycare, as well as Monty golf? I will check kid’s cove on my way to Fazer-blast once I’ve spoken to the attendant,” Freddy hadn’t even finished before Monty was nodding and heading for the elevator. DJ stared in surprise at how fast Freddy had come up with a game plan. Maybe it was in his programming, he was the leader of the band after all. Freddy turned to the Mapbot, “ would you and the others check the atrium, and main entrance?” Mappy saluted him and wheeled away. Freddy finally turned his attention back to DJ. His blue eyes fell on Olivia, DJ subconsciously shielded her from the bear. Expecting Freddy to demand DJ hand the girl over to him so he could return her to the daycare. 

“ DJ I will let Sun know that Olivia is here with you and I will ping you when Naptime has ended,” he said, DJ blinked.

“ Really?” He asked, Freddy nodded.

“ We do not know the full extent of the situation, so as it stands, she would be safest here with you,” He explained, gesturing between the beetle and the girl, “ I’ve alerted security, you should get a notification in a moment, “ He looked down at Olivia and smiled softly at  her, wiggling his ears in an attempt to make her laugh, she did giggle a little, “ Now you be good for Machamp Olivia,” He told the girl, getting a surprised gawfa from the beetle. The girl giggled and nodded.

“ I will!” She promised, Freddy nodded, turned and left the west arcade. DJ hesitated before looking down at the girl in his arms. Now she was wearing the four block shirt under her bright green overalls, and was hugging her monkey to her chest. 

“ So. . . you wanna play some games?” He asked her, she smiled sheepishly at him. 

“ Yeah.” 

She really only wanted to play the games that gave her tickets, which didn’t surprise DJ given that she was four . A name on a high score list was not as motivating as the possibility of a physical prize . Despite it being very much against the rules, DJ gave her all the tokens she needed for any game she wanted. Making chit-chat while she played. 

“ You really like this monkey you made huh?” He asked as he examined it, she had tasked him with holding onto it for her so she could use both hands to play Bonbon Fun ball A One of two hoop shooting games the arcade had. 

“ Uh-huh! His name is DJ! DJ Monkey Man!” She told him, the beetle snorted.

“ So you do know my name,” he chuckled, she nodded. 

“ Uh-huh, it’s Machamp!” She grinned mischievously at him, DJ rolled his eyes.

“ It’s DJ you little gremlin!” he  reached up and caught one of her balls that she tossed, making her laugh.

“ Hey!” He dropped it in the hoop for her, “ He’s DJ “ She pointed at the monkey, “ You’re Machamp!” DJ shook his head, still snickering. 

“ Cuz you say so?” He asked, she nodded, continuing to shoot hoops. 

“ Yup!” She popped her p , DJ’s smile fell as he was once again reminded of Moon. She did spend a lot of time with him and Sun, it made sense that she’d take after him a little. He leaned against the game cabinet as he watched her play for a bit.

“ Who’s your favorite?” DJ asked suddenly, Olivia giggled.

“ You are!” She reminded him, DJ chuckled feeling his fans kick on. He hadn’t forgotten, she had the monkey, and clearly favored him as she continually snuck off to see him. As of late she was even running to him when she was scared, but it still felt hard to believe sometimes.

“ Besides me,” he clarified, she paused, holding her ball as she thought about it.

“ Mr. Moon,” She finally said, “ Or at least it was, My favorite use to be Captain Foxy! He told the best stories and did a funny voice all the time! And he liked Mr.Moon, he liked Mr. Sun too, and I like Mr. Sun too, but he’s loud ,” She tossed the ball, and missed, “ Mr.Sun yells and sings and is really really loud ,” She emphasized “ Mr. Moon sings too but he’s quiet and it’s really nice, my favorite is My Bonnie Lies over the ocean ,” She told him, and then proceed to sing it off key, not that DJ minded. He was a little caught up in the fact that Moon sang? As in not just in that singsong voice to tease DJ? A part of the beetle very much wanted to hear that for himself, “ And I like Moondrops better than Sunnydrops, Sunnydrops make me jiggly” She shook her limbs as if to demonstrate. 

“ You mean jittery?” DJ clarified, she nodded.

“ Yeah, but now he’s being scary, I think he thinks it’s funny, but it’s not funny, it’s not nice,” She said, tossing her last ball. DJ frowned, humming in agreement. 

“ No it’s not. . .” He stated. 

“ Is he your favorite Machamp?” she asked, DJ raised an eyebrow at her. 

“ What do you mean, Soundbyte?” he asked, "you're my favorite,” she didn’t even look up as she collected her tickets that were spitting out of the machine. 

“ I know,” She said with the same confidence as someone stating the sky was blue, “ Besides me! You act like how my Mommy and Daddy used to act,” She said as she moved on to Chica fitness Frenzy. DJ could still see Moon’s and Sun’s scores at the top of the list. Well that just proved GGY was trying to get under DJ’s casing! The kid couldn’t be bothered to beat the one game that DJ couldn’t play because he was too heavy?! They bothered with Monty golf!!!

“ I saw you hugging yesterday! And the other yesterday he said you were his special friend,” DJ smiled softly as a bittersweet feeling started to muddle his code.

“ Did he?” He asked despite himself. She giggled handing him the tickets she’d collected. 

“ Uh-huh! I want this one!” She pointed at the DDR ripoff. DJ wordlessly dispensed her the necessary amount of tokens and handed them to her. “ And! And!” She started inserting tokens into the machine, “ I saw him kiss you~ ” She teased him in that sing song voice as the game started. DJ blinked in surprise, “ Mr. Moon and Machamp! Sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” She continued to sing as she started to jump on the squares when they lit up. DJ leaned against the game cabinet. 

“ You were supposed to be sleeping,” He chuckled, she jumped particularly hard on a square. Good thing she was four and probably only weighed forty pounds.

“ I’m good at pretending!” She stated, DJ scoffed.

“ I can see that, and dancing,” he added, she jumped again, this time doing a spin as she did. 

“ Yeah! “ More tickets spat out of the game cabinet. DJ got a ping at that moment. 

GFF: Naptime has concluded, please return Olivia at your earliest convenience.

DJ sighed, and looked down at the four year old who was still bunching up her tickets. 

“ Naptime is over Soundbyte, let’s redeem those tickets and get you back to Mr.Sun,” DJ said as he lifted the child up. 

“ awe . . .” she pouted, but didn’t protest as the beetle returned her monkey to her and started for the elevator. He sent a ping to both Sun and Freddy as he waited for the elevator to take them to the Atrium.

DJMM: Olivia has tickets to redeem, then I will bring her straight to the Daycare. 

DAS: Ok.

GFF: Very well. 

DJ carried Olivia to the prize corner, he didn’t want to lose her in the crowd but once he reached it he set her down. Following close behind as she hurried past the large stack of Freddy plushies, and a staffbot on display to a counter displaying various Moon toys including a figurine of the jester. Once there she spotted where the register was just to her right and hurried to give her tickets to the exhausted looking cashier who counted them without so much as looking at her. DJ raised an eyebrow at the employee, she was four, clearly not supposed to be here by herself, and this employee didn’t seem bothered by that in the slightest. 

“ Alright kid, you’ve got three hundred sixty tickets,” the cashier dully said before handing her a sticky note with the number on it. She took it and before DJ could react she sprinted off past the large elevator in the center of the glorified gift shop. The cashier paid no mind, turning to her phone. DJ hurried after the child.

“ Olivia!” DJ called and she stopped next to a basket of pink basketballs to look back at him, “ You can’t run off like that Soundbyte! Remember yesterday? It’s not safe,” He reminded her, kneeling down in front of her as she tilted her head to the side.

“ But you keep me safe,” she said innocently, DJ sighed.

“ Well yeah but I-” He sighed again and stood up, “ Right. . .  So what prizes did you want?” He asked, Olivia turned back to the counter she had been gunning for. The most notable thing about it was the lineup of giant Glamrock Freddy and Classic Freddy plushies, besides that were some Circus Baby plushies, (who ever that was. The name was in DJ’s code but he wasn’t sure why . ) some Bonbon plushies, Some Bonnette plushies, some rather uninspired looking Freddy pinatas, some gold statue replicas of the band members, some planet lamps, ( That DJ had to admit were cool, and was wondering if there was any chance he could snag a couple for himself before dismissing the thought. Where would he put them anyway?) and finally the thing that Olivia pointed at and said she wanted. A foxy plush. Just a classic red, hook handed fox pirate plush. 

“ Are you sure?” The slightly more alert employee on this side of the prize corner asked, glancing at DJ, and gesturing to the girl when she wasn’t looking, as if silently asking "is she with you? ” DJ nodded. 

“ Yeah! I want Foxy,” Olivia confirmed, and the employee shrugged before reaching up to take it, in addition to the Foxy plush she also got herself a bottle of Foxy cove Cola, and a Fazbar. 

Prizes collected, DJ carried Olivia back towards the Daycare. Freddy was by the stairs to the upper levels, talking to Monty who was making his way down the stairs. The gator gave a short wave at DJ when he spotted the beetle, not stopping whatever he was saying to Freddy. DJ nodded in response, turning towards the wooden doors of the daycare. Sun was by the doors, tugging on his ribbons. 

“ Olivia! Sunshine! Did you win all this all by yourself?” He gasped in awe, Olivia beamed at the jester. 

“ Yup!” Sun hesitantly held out his hands for her, as if he was asking DJ for permission to take her, DJ also hesitated before passing her off to him. Sun set her on the ground.

“ Maybe you should leave that here by the desk? So nothing happens to them?” Olivia set the Fazbar and the Foxy Cove Cola on the desk, standing on tip toe to achieve this. She started to hurry off to play with the other kids, “ Ah, the Foxy plushie too?” Sun called, Olivia looked back at him, an offended look on her face.

“ No.” She stated bluntly. Sun pulled on his ribbons again.

“ Something could happen to it, someone might try to take it, “ Sun pointed out, she hugged the plush tight to her chest along with her sock monkey. 

“ they’ll have to pry it from my cold, briny hands !” She snapped in her best pirate voice, using the Foxy plush as a puppet before charging deeper into the daycare, scuttling up one of the tube slides.Sun sighed, DJ put his hands on his hips.

“ Not worried about the monkey getting taken?” DJ asked, Sun shrugged, turning to him.

“ At first, a boy tried to take it but she bit him, no ones tried since, they probably won’t try with the Foxy one either honestly,” Sun admitted, then sighed again, “ It’s good to see you’re doing better, last time I saw you you were a mess,” Sun patted DJ’s arm. 

“ Yeah. . .  you went into rest mode or something on our way to parts and service,” DJ remembered, Sun grimaced.

“ No I. . . “ Sun hesitated again, “ I was pushed out,” he admitted, tugging on his ribbons. DJ raised an eyebrow, though he supposed if Moon had been planning what happened, he would push his brother out.

“ So Moon blocked you out then?” Sun shook his head. 

“ No I. . . It’s hard to explain. We can. . . feel each other,” the jester started to explain, occasionally rotating his head to look back at the kids, “ It’s kinda like feelings, intentions, thoughts sometimes, a-any way, last night it felt like something was tugging at Moon,” DJ blinked, in confusion.

“ Tugging? Like at his code?” DJ asked, Sun nodded vigorously, almost looking relieved that DJ seemed to understand what he was saying.

“ Yes! Yes exactly, I tried to tell Monty, he’s worried but he didn't get it,” Sun waved his hand in a circle as he spoke. DJ sighed, rolling his eyes slightly.

“ Well he likes to figure it out himself,” DJ reminded him, Sun nodded again, “ This tugging,” the beetle started, “  what exactly happened with that?” Sun tugged on his ribbons.

“It happened every time he was upset about something, when we found you in the bakery, when you had that panic attack, when you ran off to find Monty in gater golf, and I know he was in pain when it happened,” Sun explained, DJ blinked in alarm.

“ He was in pain?” the beetle repeated, Sun nodded, DJ had no idea Moon had been experiencing that, too out of it himself. 

“ I didn’t feel it, but I could feel him feel it, I know that doesn’t make sense but-” DJ interrupted Sun.

“ What kind of pain? If you could describe it,” he asked, Sun shook his head, giving a small shrug.

“ I don’t know, I couldn’t feel it personally, I just know he felt it, like I said,” DJ hummed. 

“ But it came whenever you felt the tug?” he clarified, and the jester nodded, DJ did vaguely remember Moon leaning into him like he was seeking comfort at one point, though it was fuzzy and DJ couldn’t quite remember what was happening. 

“ Then Moon checked the security footage for parts and service, to figure out what happened to you,” Sun half explained, half reminded.

“ On Monty’s suggestion,”the beetle recalled.

“  Yes and I couldn’t see the footage myself but I felt him get tugged at again and then it was like something pulled him back and pushed me out ,” Sun finished, DJ’s brows furrowed.

“ Something that wasn’t either of you,” He clarified, Sun nodded. 

“ Yes- I mean no, it wasn’t either of us, and now this whole thing with Timmy, and I haven’t spoken to him since, he’s still blocking me or is it him, I don’t know, I’m so worried, Monty said I should ping him, that it’s probably nothing but-”

“ It is not nothing ,” DJ cut in suddenly, his tone a tad deeper than he meant it to be, Sun didn’t seem to know if he should be startled or not, “Sorry, I. . . I don’t know what’s going on, a-and I kinda feel like I got a jigsaw puzzle dumped in front of me,  I-I’m still piecing it together, but I know this isn’t nothing , “ 

“ You’re. . . you’re looking into it?” Sun asked, his voice was much smaller than it should have been. DJ hesitated, Sun sounded scared, as if afraid DJ would say no. He considered this new information he had just been given, he remembered Moon’s distress two nights prior again. He remembered the slaughter he’d witnessed the night before. Something wasn’t right. The pieces didn’t fit. He nodded.

“ I’m looking into it. I’ll figure this out,” DJ said evenly, Sun smiled weakly at him, like some of the weight he’d been carrying had lifted slightly. 

“ Freddy told me Moon wasn’t acting odd when he saw him earlier, that he was talking and tending to the kids like he’s supposed to,” Sun recounted, DJ hummed.

“ Last time Moon talked to Freddy without a problem was during a black out,” DJ said evenly.

“ Yeah I thought that might be the case,” Sun mumbled, “ We’ve been put on lockdown during the day while we’re under investigation,” he told him, DJ hummed again. 

“ I’m sorry. . . . but we’ll figure this out,”  he promised, Sun nodded, turning back to the kids.

“ I should get in there, good luck,” the jester offered, turning back to the kids, his playful mask coming on as he walked, the beetle could almost see Sun stepping into the character that he was programmed to be. DJ looked over at the gator and Freddy who were still talking at the foot of the stairs. He  made his way to them, glancing at the red staff door as he passed. 

“ I don’t know where else that kid could be,” Monty huffed as DJ approached, Freddy was in thought.

“ Has anyone checked the staff tunnels?” DJ asked, making both look at him.

“ The security staff, both human and robotic are down there now,” Freddy answered, Monty growling in frustration.

“ Oh yeah that bitch Vanessa-”  Monty started looking towards the lucky stars gift shop. 

“ Monty.” Freddy warned, but the gator snapped at him.

“ Well I don’t like her! After what she pulled on friday? And she’s been harassing me since!” He turned towards the gift shop, “ AND WHY CAN’T THEY GET  SUN’S EYES RIGHT?!” he shouted, pointing at the store, surprising both DJ and Freddy who exchanged confused looks.

“ What?” DJ asked, Monty pointed at the shop again, more aggressively. 

“ His eyes! They never get his eyes right!” The gator started for the shop, DJ and Freddy followed , “ I say something everytime, and everytime I get “ Oh I’ll let em know” but here it is AGAIN !” Monty aggressively picked up a plush of Sun from its spot on the shelf surrounding the two small statues of Sun and Moon in the center of the shop. It had yellow eyes. DJ leaned on the wall beside the doorway outside the shop so as not to block the entrance as he raised an eyebrow at the gator. Freddy followed Monty into the store.

“ I don’t think the distribution guys talk to the marketing guys, “ DJ said evenly. 

“ They do not,” Freddy confirmed, taking a Moon plush, and examining it. 

“ Well some one’s gotta! Sun doesn’t have eyes! ” Monty snapped, turning to the bear.

“ He did once, didn't he?” DJ asked suddenly, “ I feel like I’ve seen him with eyes and not orbs,” Monty shook his head, but stopped short when Freddy spoke. 

“ Yes he did,” Freddy turned, not looking up from the plush in his hands, “ Before you got here, they were blue,” He said to Monty, “ but one day they fell and broke something, ironically it looked like this,” He held up the moon plush which had one blue eye and one red, “ but both blue,” He clarified.  DJ scoffed. 

“ Mix em together they’d get it right,” DJ mused, earning a confused look from the gator and bear. 

“ What do you mean?” the bear asked, DJ gestured to the plush.