Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“You are tense.”

Sun felt his fingers clench sharply, blades of grass crushed between his appendages. Green sprigs lay crinkled, peeking between silver and gold plating. The contrast was sharp, jarring and he made an active point to focus on it. Still panting from his exercises, the solar themed animatronic grit his teeth at the involuntary trembling. His voicebox gave a strangled garble of static. 

There was a plume of cool air to his right as Atlas dropped down beside him. The space between them was polite, within reach if needed but overall respectful of their own personal space. The mage folded his limbs inwards, quiet, and remained motionless. The invitation was not overbearing, merely draped across the silence like the care of a friend. 

Sun fought to steady his breathing. It was a lesson in futility, though he was grateful to not feel the suffocating prickle of a panic attack. Silent ones were still horrid, but he was morbidly refreshed by the change of pace. Milky optics drifted upwards, and he bit back a whimper at the twin satellites above. Two moons hung overhead, and his heart felt like it was being melted down to amorphous agony. 

Just as quickly as it had been raised, Sun's gaze dropped, his body curling protectively into himself. Atlas observed it all with nary a peep. Instead, the Grand Master simply set about keeping his visible eye on the lake in the center of the large clearing they'd made use of. The pebbles lining the water were kaleidoscopic, glints of interesting mineral deposits catching the light. The ambient magic in the air seemed to fuel the otherworldly glow, and the colorful hues that blanketed the air pressed sweetly upon the lands like a mother's kiss. 

Sun was shaking at his side, oily tears staining his face as his hands seemed to absently move from the ground to his rays. 

Atlas had barely a moment to intercept the devastating grip, but his hands, unfathomably chilled, gripped gently around wrists which burned far too hotly. “Please,” he said simply, “Do not cause harm to yourself. There is no reasoning to it.”

The apprentice’s voice was completely dead as he spoke. “I killed my brother. Twice.” 

The alien being held no judgment, no grief or betrayal. His gaze remained even, steady, and he merely requested, “Tell me what happened.” 

Perhaps it was the lack of emotional investment that Atlas had shown; perhaps it was that the pipes holding his emotions were eroded and the valves were little more than decorative paperweights; maybe it was the magic in the air that sang siren songs to Sun's psyche or maybe it was his own servos deep exhaustion with it all - whatever it was, it drew up from his stomach, through his chest and throat. It danced in his mouth, sickly sweet and nauseating, beckoning and begging. Sun sat, his wrists held gently by his teacher, and he talked. 

He talked about everything - from the moment his mind came online and was immediately wrapped in lines upon lines of code that exuded a navy symphony, about the pain, the separation, the horrors that ensued. He talked about his first forray into magic, the way he'd been able to taste it in Golden's manor, the way the spirits cupped his cheeks and sang to him. He talked about Eclipse, Killcode, Solar, Lunar, Earth, everyone. He talked about Moon. 

He talked about Nexus. 

Atlas simply watched on as the young mage hiccupped and choked on his sobs and tears. His hands wanted to dig into something, anything, everything, as rage swept up his soul, but he simply breathed, allowing the emotion to seep through him like water would to his true body. The emotion bubbled and shrieked within, but he had long since stopped being a servant of his senses. Instead, he gently rubbed small circles into the delicate joints at his apprentice’s wrists, making a point to not touch upon the jagged markings tucked safely away under coils of ribbons, hidden from sight.

Sun shattered into pieces on an alien planet while Atlas held him tethered. 

Neither knew precisely how long they spent like that, but eventually the wailing and screaming ebbed away into hollow sniffles and hitching breaths. Even then, Atlas only shifted so as to lower his hands - and thus Sun’s as well. 

Balls of light drifted in the air, pulsating softly in different colors. They seemed to careen slowly to some sort of dance, though the steps were a mystery. Atlas watched them, a pink-to-purple-to-yellow-and-back orb specifically drawing his eye. Then, without a second thought, he spoke. 

“My planet was rended to mere dust particles several hundred years ago.” 

Sunny blinked, tilting his head up slowly. 

Atlas, still watching that particular orb, continued. 

“I was the middle child, the second son and third child of my parents. I had two younger sisters as well, and we were… happy, for a time. My world was lush with life and magic. In a way, I suppose your Earth reminds me of my own homeland. It, too, has Pools of magic that coalesced into spiraling depths. Tge mages from my lands utilized the Pools, just as many magic users in your own world do. I, however… did not tend to lean towards those convictions.” 

Something about the tone Atlas was using has Sun unfurling his limbs slowly, gently. One hand twisted to lay his fingers against the other’s wrist, not grasping, merely a grounding touch. Aside from a brief, fond, squeeze, Atlas did not react to it. 

“Magic, much like water, must never be stagnant. It is a force, neither good nor evil. It simply is, and the potential for a Pool to be contaminated, infected, is far higher than chances of ambient magic being infected. Neither are zero, of course, but it is… it can be devastating.” The mage sighed softly, his eyes light dimming. “I spent years of my life studying magic, and even when I found that our Pools were sickly, it was not enough to save anyone. My family particularly had deep roots within the mage community. My father was an Arch Mage, my parent a healer. My brother and sisters all had some form of career along the pathways of magic. And I, the odd one out, was alone amidst them, one who did not have a tether to a Pool.” 

“What… happened, then? With th-the Pools?” 

Atlas chuckled, shaking his head, gaze drifting to the moons overhead. “The infection in the Pools spread quickly. Like a tumor, it poisoned the Pools, and thus the people closely tied to them. My family would not listen, would not see reason when I tried to explain. My youngest sister, Jheil, was young at the time. Not even through her first presenting cycle, not fully bound to any Covens nor Prospects. Father has high hopes for her, and when the attack came… I tried to warn him of the truth. I tried to get him to see reason.” The magician was quiet for a moment, grief emanating from his form. “... he never did.”

Despite the hoarseness of his voice, Sun's tone was gentle and kind as he asked, “Who was it that attacked?”

“... It is the duty of the highest powers to protect the greater good,” he explained softly, patiently. “When there is an illness, it shall be treated. When there is pain, there shall be compassion. When there is poison…” 

“There shall be cleansing.”

“Yes. I was not tethered to a Pool. I, alone, was not beholden to the same miasmic epidemic assaulting my people. Jheil was young, and yet still even infants of our kind are tied to family Pools for growth. Father wished to firmly tether her, despite her age, because to him, it was a war to be waged instead of a maintenance of cosmic order. I tried to protect her, and it was… laughable, truly, how utterly useless I was in the moment. For her, I slayed countless - friends and foes alike. My brother and father bested me, nearing the end. Jheil was thrown into the Pool.” 

The glitched out gasp that Sun gave was sharp. 

Atlas stayed silent for a moment, then lowered his chin, a solemn confirmation. “She screamed, the whole way down, until she simply… stopped. And I broke.” His hands moved, slowly inching back, and fell still as silver and gold cased fingers cradled his palms, not pinning them in the slightest. He let their fingers twine. “I killed them. It still haunts me to this day, to be quite honest. The guilt and the anger never truly left me. I simply learned to live with it, instead of succumbing to it all.” 

Glowing glacial blue drifted over, meeting ivory with a softness the likes of which Sun had yet to ever see. The sensation was distantly comforting, despite the instinctive urge to rear back, to redirect and hide beneath that knowing look. Instead, he simply took a slow, trembling breath, meeting the gaze head on.

“The point of this all, Sunrise Celestial, is that you are not alone in this sea of rage and grief. Your hands were the ones to push this series of events into place, yes, but you made the best decisions that you could in an impossible scenario. Your emotions, your pain - it is understandable. It is valid. It will not be easy, my child,” the mage gripped Sun's hands tighter, firm and flowing with resolve, “But I know you. I have seen you face things that any mortal would quiver and surrender before. I have seen you fight, I have seen you lose, and I have, most importantly of all, seen you win. This is not a battle to be fought alone, and you may struggle, may slip, may fall and lose ground. You may feel yourself losing a battle, but know this - you will not lose the war.” 

“I feel like I already have.” The words came unbidden, and Sunny almost flinched at them, rays retracting as he cringed. 

“Then call for aid, little soldier, and find solace in the arms at your back.” 

The robotic apprentice paused, mouth twisting, a feature unique to this incorporeal form he found himself in. Voicebox heavy and quiet, he struggled to find the words, to explain it all. “I don't know,” he confessed after a moment, “how to ask for help.” 

Atlas was silent for a moment, then gave his apprentice's hands a reassuring squeeze. “Then allow me to assist you, Sun. Allow me to teach you - be it magic, the mind, or instead the indescribable strength you carry. I would be honored to teach you it all.” 

Overhead, the orbs seemed to glow brightly, an echo of laughter, a whisper of memory, fueled by catharsis and care. Pain is a crippling thing, and it's effects can leave the strongest of souls mere husks of themselves. It was debilitating - but it was not untreatable. 

And so it was that very treatment that the coalescence of magic illuminated down below, a lighthouse to the torrential hurricane brewing along her shores. Atlas guided his ward through the steps, voice soft, touch gentle. Sun listened and tried, struggling but persevering through it. 

And Mother Mana smiled upon her children through it all. 

Chapter Text

He had to admit that the meditations helped. 

Instead of the crashing coastline of a seaside ruin, Sun found his own Mana to be akin to a river. There were branches which veered off of the mainline, slowing to gentle trickles that danced alone his chasis. Towards the center was a spring, in constant flux as it poured gallon after gallon up the crevices, filling its basin before thundering over the edges in a waterfall to twirl into his rivers, streams and brooks. 

His emotional state seemed to control the pressure on it. He had the passing thought that his core was much like the hose in the washrooms of the Daycare. A child had once thought it fun to kink the line, stopping up the flow before Sun, confused, had peeked into the opening - just to get a sudden, unexpected rush of water right into his face and front. In the same way a hose may be folded, in the way the opening pinned, so too did his internal Mana respond. Its flow was a steady process, a solid build up - but with nowhere else to go, the water, the mana, would spill from its confines with more pressure. 

The meditation helped him relax the rives, loosening their mouths to breathe instead of scream. 

As an added benefit, it also calmed his nerves. As it turned out, the hallucinations hit hardest and fastest when his nerves were more on edge. It did not stop them, but it did help. The control he'd clung desperately to in his subconscious finally had something to latch onto. By no means was Sunny well, but he was certainly better than he could be. 

He was better than most everyone expected him to be, himself included. 

Moon had possibly been the most frantic in the aftermath of the events that took place. Upon escaping, all three had been summarily bundled into the house. To be frank, that evening was a bit of a blur to the solar themed bot, a haze of dissociation weighing his servos down like lead manacles. The brief spots of clarity showed odd scenes - Cleo and Muffin had seemingly made themselves at home somewhere over his body, at least one awake at any given point, silent feline guardians at the ready; Solar was there more often than not, absently fussing with a blanket or tinkering at some random, unidentified piece of machinery; occasionally, Sun would tune in to find Earth sitting on the floor by his bed, knitting away while chattering about whatever topics she felt like. It was a comfort, not being alone, but the lack of Moon seemed to hit him hard any time his gaze couldn't find the familiar silver and navy face of his twin. 

It was worse when he caught sight of silver and blue that should not be there. 

Nexus was a bit like a wraith, a specter, silent and looming. He didn't move, didn't speak. That, more than anything, hurt Sun the most. 

Any time he caught a glimpse, his fans stuttered or his voice box released a nearly inaudible screech of feedback. If Solar or Earth were in the room with him when it happened, they would study him, figure out where the hallucination was, and would promptly turn to that space. Sometimes, they would move furniture around, adding a barricade. Sometimes they would set up a messy but sweet attempt at a fort with spare sheets, blocking his line of sight. On one memorable occasion, Earth even threw a ball of yarn at the faux-image while lecturing it about respect, boundaries, and not being a ‘big old meanie butt motherfucker’. Needless to say, hearing his baby sister swear at a hallucination she couldn't even see had led to a hysterical little laugh. 

They had taken to stopping with the reminders that the things he saw weren't real, and Sun was beyond grateful for it. Instead, they treated it like it was just as real to anyone else. It helped tremendously. 

It took a few weeks for Sun to approach anything nearing stability. Depression was an old friend - older than he would like to admit to anyone - and it's visit this time had been… taxing, to say the least. One day at a time, Earth had told him gently when he'd gotten lost in an apologetic spiral. Just take it one day at a time - it is no horrible thing to need rest when you are unwell. 

One day became two. Two turned to five. Five became a week, and then two and three. 

Atlas welcomed him back to the training grounds with open arms, and eventually an open heart as well. 

It was bittersweet, perhaps, that years of trying and torment, of looking actively for ways to help himself, yielded naught for him. It was a path he could not walk alone - but not for the reasons that he'd feared. His inability to cope was not a failing on his part, was not a sign of weakness or uselessness. It was simply… understandable. 

When was the last time Sun had been understood? Fully and truly? 

Had he ever? 

He could be now. It was a vulnerability, admittedly, but who else could he trust to see the darkened and ragged pieces than the ones with their hands held out - not demanding, not requesting, but offering. It was gentle, the way they stood, with no fault in their eyes. 

Sun was but a mere being, an individual who carried weights he rarely acknowledged for fear of losing his footing. He had spent so long picking up scraps of things to add to his hoard that he had inevitably taken on too much. He had shuddered under it, the pain, the weight. 

It was his own flawed attempt at control.

He wanted to heal - to let his family help, but it was difficult. The desire to let down his walls warned with the deeply ingrained notion that to do so was a veritable death sentence. He wanted to trust them. They wanted him to trust them. He couldn't even trust himself. 

So he settled on baring himself to their hovering, even as the weeks bled together between work, training, and the sporadic terrors conjured in his mind. 

Despite the fact that Moon had been the kidnapped party most recently, it seemed his twin had fallen into old habits. Squirreled away in his lab, rarely leaving for anything, he became a specter in his own family. Perhaps it was the lack of his presence that fueled the others, or even the knowledge that the entire situation had been a trap for Sun specifically - regardless of origins, it seemed to leave the rest of their family with a desperate need for proximity. 

Barring his training sessions with Atlas, Sun couldn't so much as twitch a finger without someone close by to witness it. It had been comforting for the first few days before it steadily became more grating. While the universe followed heliocentric laws, Sunny was inwardly sure that his family had no reason to follow suit. 

That was, of course, until it all came crashing into place barely a few months later. The turning point arrived in the glossy shine over emerald eyes as tiny ears pinned back and Dazzle shrieked with the force of her wailing. She had taken to following them along with Daycare duties, more often than not glued to Sun's leg, hip, hand, or shoulders. If not with Sun, she was with Jack, where both could very easily see him. 

Sun had just stepped out to hand a fussy toddler off to his parents when he had gotten wrapped quickly into an argument with an older man looking to enroll his grandson into the Daycare. The crux of the issue came in the form of a young set of twins with buzzed hair, gap toothed smiles and matching dinosaur shirts about to leave with their mother - specifically, in that the twins were both little girls. The moment the older man began harping on the mother, the Daycare, on his sister, specifically, Sun had stepped in. 

The old fashioned view on things being gendered and separate was a topic he'd unfortunately had ample time to acquaint himself with. Usually, such things - and thus, such confrontations - had a way of amping his anxiety and leaving him wired, drained and jittery. Some distant part of him always seemed to rear back on this topic in terror, though he did his best to conceal it. His breathing exercises helped for the most part, and the exchange had gone civilly enough until Sun had asked the man to leave - either of his own volition, or with the help of security. It was a generic process, one he knew well, one he'd used countless times before. Things rarely escalated past that point - and so it was a surprise when the man flushed an alarming shade of red, stepped forward, and swung. 

CRACK 

Children screamed. Parents yelled. Earth shrieked. 

Sun lifted a hand to his faceplate, one eye completely blind. His hand came away hot, wet, and blackened with oil, tints of something more florid mixed in. There were small shards in his palm, slicked with the fluids, and distantly he realized it was his eye casing. Almost as an afterthought, he sent a followup ping to security to hurry. 

Earth was immediately by his side when he looked up, and at some point Solar had appeared from the theater. The sounds were muffled, and his chest felt tight, the world was a bit more blurry than usual. He felt almost like he was wading through static, though it was not due to internal damages, he suspected. He counted his breaths, looking for colors and let Earth's soft hands grip his clean one, tracing the lines of her gloves. 

The man was still screaming obscenities and the parents had seemed to retreat back to the Daycare proper, calming the gaggle of children down. He wished to go help, but knew that the mess his face - his eye - had become would do little more than terrify the kids. Instead he contented himself with watching Solar put perhaps a tad more force than needed into pinning the man in place while Moon - when did he get there, was he here already, why didn't he come sooner - oscillated between heated screeching, glancing over to his twin, and growling wordlessly at the human. 

A tiny form then barreled into his leg, catching Sun by surprise. Earth’s hold tightened as they both yelped, looking to see Dazzle with eyes far wider than normal, shining with tears and stumbling over her words. Jack was a step behind, his attention shooting from the mess to his father, before stalking over towards the action, silent as a grave with posture to match, a sentinel of threat. 

Sun immediately knelt down, and barely held back a flinch as tiny hands cupped his face, the cracks stinging at the touch. “Hey,” he soothed softly, trying to force his tone to be even and calm, “Hey, it’s okay, Dazzle, I’m okay-” 

“N-Nuh- Nuh-uh,” she hiccuped, trembling fiercely before her hands - blackened, bloodied - latched onto his pants and dug in sharply. Tears bubbled down her face. Crying was never a pretty sight to Sun, but somehow Dazzle made even that almost cute - at least until she began sobbing in earnest. 

It was instinctive, the way he immediately moved to bundle her closer, offering comfort. “I know, baby, I know, it’s going to be okay-”

“NO!” 

Sun twitched back, rays twitching, remaining eye wide. Dazzle kicked her little feet, never hitting him, but evidently angry. Her little hands balled into his neck ruffle, and she kept shrieking the word, shaking her head as she kicked. 

So distracted by her, he barely noticed as security escorted the man out while Solar, Moon and Earth quickly came to some agreement. Instead, Sunny only had Dazzle on his mind as he placed a hand on her back, rubbing his thumb softly as he gently rocked her tiny form. As quickly as the tantrum came on, it seemed to fade, leaving her just crying quietly into his neck, pressed as close as she physically could be. The only movement came from Jack appearing at their side, and even then it was just to grab his fingers when he pressed into the embrace, clinging tightly. 

Moon crept forward, frowning and soft eyed as he looked his brother over for any other injuries before sighing. “C’mon, let’s get you all fixed up. Dazzle, Jack, how about you-”

“No.” 

It was almost impressive, the way even Moon flinched back at the growl from the little girl in Sun’s arms. 

“E-Every time,” she gasped through her waning tears, “th-that mama goes ‘way, he gets hurt.” Tiny hands gripping tighter, she nuzzled her head closer, antlers splattered with the oil still dripping from Sun’s eye. “Gotta - Gotta p’otect him!” 

“Oh, honey,” the solar themed bot tried to calm her, only to pause when she shook her head harshly

“Y-You don’t say,” she whimpered. “Y-You don’t t-tell us, a-an-and you say lies but lyin’ is bad! You say it’s okay but it isn’t, mama, it isn’t.” She tucked her face down, voice mildly muffled though plainly audible in the stunned silence. “I d-don’t wanna lose mama…” 

If that didn't break Sun’s heart into a million little pieces, nothing would. He just clung tightly to his kid - his daughter - and tried to fight back tears. 

Ultimately, Dazzle and Jack both accompanied the twins to Parts and Service. She stayed in Sun's lap, refusing to budge unless it was to move to the side so Moon could help clean up the oil or fix the damaged socket. Jack hovered as well, only straying when Moon mentioned offhand having to grab something. Being useful helped him, too, so they let it all pass. 

This was the longest the twins had spent together in months 

By the time everyone had wrapped up - and Sun's eye replacement had been ordered, the socket cleaned and covered with a patch - the kids were dead on their feet. Moon sent a message to the others that they’d be taking the kids home, and made quick work of hustling them through the portal. 

The rest of the evening consisted of the little ones being much more clingy than normal, Sun lavishing love, comfort and praise on both of them. He felt a little off, what with the change in depth perception, but it did not stop him from making snacks and spending time with the kids. 

At some point between some Dancing Fruits and a compilation of Epic Fails - Try Not To Laugh, Sun looked up to find no twin. 

He tried to tell himself that it didn't hurt as badly as it felt.

It was barely half an hour later that Solar popped in, immediately taking point with a barely contained scowl towards the upper landing. Soon after, the rest of the family trickled in, armed with food, games, blankets, and an entire cake for some reason that Lunar refused to elaborate on. They settled in, and began to simply… exist together. It was comfortable, though mildly solemn. 

Perhaps a bit earlier than their usual bedtime, Dazzle and Jack found themselves fast asleep, the deer with her body sprawled across Sun’s lap, and the pumpkin themed bot partially on top of her, partially draped across and over the back of the couch in a position almost comically odd. Both had one hand in each other's and one on Sun, though, clinging even in sleep. It seemed to suck the levity from the air entirely. 

Solar and Lunar were sharing the armchair, curled up together with both trying - and failing - to seem preoccupied with their games. 

Earth simply sat on the floor before the coffee table, absently working on a puzzle she’d unrepentantly swiped from Sun’s room. Cleo was sleeping in her lap, while Muffin had made himself at home around Sun’s neck in a decent impression of a cat-scarf. 

Hand absently still running soothing fingers over Dazzle’s head, the solar themed bot stared into the middle distance. 

Suddenly, startling even himself, Sunny spoke. “How do I fix this?”

Solemn looks were given before Earth, bless her, spoke, voice as gentle as a spring breeze. “... There is no easy fix to the situation, Sun. At least, none that I can envision.” 

“Every time one thing is resolved, a new one comes up,” Lunar remarked with a frown, not looking up from his game. 

Lips pursed, the solar bot frowned, glancing over to the only other similarly built relative. Solar himself met Sun's gaze steadily. “... You think there's more to it,” he asked quietly. Jack stirred at his father's voice before settling with a soft rattling purr. 

Sunny hummed quietly. “I… don't really know,” he mused softly. “I-I know things have been… really hard lately, for everyone. I just… I hadn't realized how hard it was hitting the kids. We try to keep a lot of it from them, but… have we ever talked to them about what they do get exposed to? It's traumatizing to us, let alone to the kids…!”

“Breathe,” Earth interrupted, not unkindly, hand resting atop her brother's knee. She tightened the grip for a count of six, and Sun matched it. 

Six, four, eight, two. 

In, hold, out, hold. 

Repeat. 

Eye closed, Sun focused on the counting, wiring and endo slowly relaxing back down as he reached for the familiar sensation of his magic by second nature. He let the rivers tickle his senses, the sounds soothing his mind. Time seemed to cease any and all meaning as he breathed, safe among his coven- his family. He focused on the air in his artificial lungs, the sensation of his internal hardware shifting and moving like a personalized lullaby. His worries were still there, tucked safely into a box within sight, but his senses mellowed out, allowing him the space to calm before addressing them with a clear head later on. He focused on himself, on his body and his magic. The serenity pressed into him, sweet and chaste, comfortable. He relaxed.

It was a soft gasp that brought his attention quickly upwards. Free hand daintily covering her mouth, Earth looked surprised but not alarmed. Her big eyes seemed to sparkle with motes of colorful lights.

He blinked, realizing after a moment that the colors were reflections, eyes glancing around for the source. Lunar was openly gaping, eyes glowing with his LEDs shaped into stars. Solar, meanwhile, showed open astonishment, awe, and… another emotion Sun couldn't quite identify. 

Around the room were tiny sparkles of magical energy, pulsing with color and light. None were particularly large, but there were about a dozen or so drifting around the air, and Sun wondered just how that had happened for the split second before a hand touched his cheek.

Startled, Sun whipped his head around and saw dark eyes blinking back, Moon's faceplate cast in pastels to juxtapose the uncomfortable air about him

Blinking at his twin, the solar themed bot melted into the touch, resting his cheek against the blue and silver palm. He blinked at his brother, uncertain where the touchiness came from but not hesitating to soak it up while it was available. Situation be damned, he'd missed his brother 

The small, shaky sigh that came from the lunar model was fond, warm and familiar. “You always seem to be full of surprises, brother,” he murmured softly. 

“Yeah,” Sun said without much thought, “I have a lot of those.” 

With a soft, guilty hum, Moon pulled back just abfraction of an inch before freezing at the glitched out whine that came from Sun's voicebox. The solar themed bot flushed brightly, the sound unintentional, but his twin seemed to take it as gospel. His hand returned, and instead of moving around the couch, he simply climbed over the back. Doing so without disturbing Jack or Muffin was an ordeal, but it was doable. Once settled, he curled his limbs in, looking back to his brother. 

There was silence for a moment. Sun seemed to hesitate before he haltingly spoke. “Did… Did you… need something?”

The instinctive swell of annoyance was pushed down with extreme prejudice as Moon took a slow breath. It was a valid question, he reminded himself. He could not blame Sun for that question when the past six weeks had consisted of sporadic interactions meant only to fulfill a need. It was understandable, and Moon hated himself for it. 

Instead, he let his thumb trace over the embossed freckle-like craters in Sun’s cheek, careful to avoid the curing epoxy. 

“Yeah,” he said slowly, “I… I need to apologize to you.” His touch drifted, fingers curling so he could rub gently with a knuckle at the base of one of his twin’s rays. “I… I was an as- a jerk,” he corrected sharply with a glance down towards the sleeping kids. “We both went through something terrible, and I didn't put your thoughts and feelings into my priorities.” He sighed slowly, pursing his lips. “I could tell you what I thought I was doing, what the intentions I had were, but it… it doesn't change that you were hurting and I made that hurt worse through my own inaction.”

Sun stared for a moment, mouth slightly open as he seemed to process the words. After a moment, voice raw, he choked out, “I… I want to forgive you…” 

“You don't have to,” Moon rushed to say, shaking his head. “I-I mean, hell, you don't even have to accept the apology. I'll respect whatever you decide. I just…” He frowned, shaking his head. “I promised to do better, to try. And I messed up. I fell into bad habits again, and I hurt you in the process. It was… I thought I was helping, but I wasn't. Not really. I was… scared, I guess? It's not an excuse, and I don't want it to be. It's an explanation, but not an excuse at all.”

“No, it's not an excuse,” Sun sighed, looking suddenly extremely tired. “You broke my trust again, and while I know that it was a stressful time and the events had a definitive trigger for it, it doesn't change the fact that I… that I needed you. We both needed each other, Moon. Trauma isn't… something anyone can safely carry all on their own.” 

“.... Running from my feelings seems to be a recurring theme with me, huh?” 

“A theme that needs to be addressed,” Sun nodded, moving to take his twin's hand in his own. “One we can touch on… together. Just not today. Not tonight. And not alone. Promise me?” 

Teary eyed, Moon nodded, sidling closer. Their hands gripped tightly, and as one they seemed to breathe. Their siblings watched on in varying intensities of pride. 

After a moment, Sun shifted at a flick against his rays. 

“So… can I ask about the halo?”

“The what?”

Instead of answering, Moon grabbed his phone and turned the camera to him. There was a click, and then the device was handed over. Slowly, Sunny took it, frowning - and froze. 

His face was still mildly damaged. A few hairline fractures surrounded the pad over his optic, filled with cream colored epoxy until he either repainted it or got a full replacement. His rays were still a bit worn, a muted but comfortable shade of orange with mild scuffs and lightly blunted edges. Overall, the structure of his face was familiar. That seemed to be where any similarity ended with the image and the face Sun knows. 

For one, and most notably, there was a second set of rays. Maybe half as long as his normal ones, about the same width, they framed his face to his jawline before tapering tastefully at the last ray, freeing his neck. The new set of rays seemed to glow slightly, semi translucent, with a white core color coated in tints of all sorts. Purples, blues, pinks and yellows seemed most common, but it was hard to tell for certain. Tiny particles seemed to rise from them, almost dust-like in the air but for their luminescence. 

In the same colorful form were tapered points framing his eye, almost like lashes. Two on the outer bottom, one curving upwards - they framed his optic, casting a chromatic sheen over his eye. The barest hint of a glow from beneath the bandage implied that the glowing form around his good eye had a twin it was eager to show. 

Sun blinked at the image, uncomprehending for a long moment. 

“Awww, it stopped…” 

Sun looked over at Lunar who was pouting, arms crossed. “Wh-What?” 

“I don't know what that was but it was really pretty,” the little lunar model declared. “And now it's gone.” 

A hand lifted, touching his face, his rays. Aside from the now comfortable tingle of magical energy, nothing felt different. “Weird… haven't done that before.” 

“Are you alright, then,” Earth asked, though she still looked a little starstruck. 

Nodding, he hummed. “Yeah, just magic buzzing. Nothing hurts.” He glanced up, squinting at the orbs still dancing near the ceiling. “Those, uh… should dissipate soon. I think.” 

“By my best guess, I'd say within a day. Probably by morning, though. Creating light usually isn't a difficult spell, but I learned magic far differently,” Moon remarked calmly, almost tentatively teasing with his smirk. “And those lights weren't really the main show, so who knows, really? I was more focused on pretty boy over here.” 

“It was really pretty,” their sister sighed happily, toying with her own hair for a minute. “It was definitely surprising, but breathtaking nonetheless.” She tilted her head, a move picked up over time from Sunny and just as painfully charming. “You mentioned that this was unusual for you? Were you trying for something else?”

“Yes? No. Well, not really. More like…” Sun huffed with a mild flush to his cheeks. “I've been working on some methods to help with my-” he gestured loosely to his temple “- stuff, and meditation helps. I do it for magic training too. So I just… did the breathing exercises. I wasn't thinking on much beyond wanting to calm down and work through the big rush of stuff in my head.” 

There was a soft hum, though Sun suspected that Solar and Moon had both fallen in sync with that. His twin, however, was the one to speak. “Well, regardless - it seems harmless so there's nothing to really worry about. Are you tired or anything?”

“Not particularly? Just normal tired.” 

“Then I'm sure it's fine. I trust your judgment.” Moon gave a sweet smile that slowly transitioned into a smirk as he leaned back on the couch, arm across the back. “Sunny here just gave us a pretty light show like a magical girl.” 

“Wh- Hey!” 

Earth and Lunar both snickered, grinning, though their sister spoke up immediately. “Well, Sailor Sunny does have a nice ring to it, I suppose! I bet you'd be adorable as a sailor scout.” 

“In the name of glitter glue, I'll punish you,” Lunar cackled, wriggling happily. Solar, unable to fully suppress his snort, covered his face with his hand, ducking down as his shoulders shook in mirth. 

Sun's fans kicked on a setting higher as he stammered before settling on pouting. “Mean. All of you. So mean to me.”

“No,” Earth giggled happily, waving a hand, “I'm serious, Sunny! You're already so pretty, and the outfits are cute, so I do think you could pull it off.” She beamed at him, genuine light in her eyes. “We could make it a family thing!”

Immediately, Moon groaned, making a valiant effort to become one with the couch cushions. “God please no,” he whined, “I'm not built for that kind of stress.” 

“You can be a villain?”

“Deal.”

Sun could do little more than laugh, hands moving to gently cradle the kids closer as his siblings got into a mock-argument iver planetary alignments. It was quieter than normal but no less boisterous as they took turns in proposing more ridiculous ideas. It was warm, and Sun was nearly able to ignore the burning red glow from the corner of the room. He made a careful point to keep his eyes away from him, focusing instead on his living and corporeal loved ones. 

Mistakes were made, that much was abundantly clear, but that was alright. To fail, he thought fondly in an echo of Atlas' voice, is but a First Attempt In Learning. Nothing was broken that could not be tended to. The pains of the past would lay heavily upon their spines eternally, but that was not an inherently bad thing. Sun may never forgive himself for his actions, but he could seek to understand them. Just as the Bloodmoon twins had been purged from his mind with time and patience, so too would Nexus. He just had to embrace those parts, and that would come in time. Rome was not built in a day, and healing was a lifelong journey. It was not okay, but it would be. He would do this for any of his family, without an ounce of hesitation. 

Despite it all, Sun was a part of this family. He was there with them, was loving and loved. He had a place here, one he still struggled to understand, to validate, but it existed. This family was his - he was a brother, a cousin, a friend, and apparently now even a mother (a thought which sent his heart fluttering). Part of him still felt like he was playing an intricate game of pretend, like he was slipping into a fold not meant for himself, but he wasn't. He deserved this. He deserved his life, and he deserved this family. If he told himself that enough times, he may even come to believe it. 

And while this family was ragged, was rough and damaged, it was still loved. By the Stars, it was loved. 

And Sunny would do everything in his power to keep it that way. 

Chapter Text

The mind was a wild place, untamed and in constant flux. It reflected its host, as one would expect. A mind is as varied as a soul, and a soul is one in a fathomless expanse of light, a carefully curated configuration of what was and is and will be. All were founded with the same components, but no two souls are ever the same. No two minds were ever the same - not even two associated with the same soul at different points in its development. 

Once upon a time, Sunny's mind had been cloudy. Indigo, violet, apricot and lavender pulsed in formless clouds of binary. It was simplistic, but it felt both far too vast and entirely too confined. There were no ends, no walls or ceiling, barely the faintest hint of a floor. It was dark, dim, and the air hung heavy like a gossamer veil embroidered with chains. For a time, Sun believed that was simply how this mindscape was - it was dim, dark, hollow. It seemed fitting. 

Now, however, Sun knew that the foggy abyss was less the mindscape proper and was more the mindscape's moat. It was the entryway. It was illusory.

Sunrise Celestial was a resilient albeit brittle being. Like a diamond, it was through pressure and heat, through hardship and pain, that the true depths of what could be became what is. In equal turn, it was easy - painfully, bitterly easy - for edges to chip, for microscopic fissures to lance through even the most illustrious of gems. A diamond will form in time, with patience and natural input, but so too could the process be expedited, be synthesized, until the end result looked the same. 

Sun wondered, at times, whether the daffodil plating worn over steel was true or fool's gold, at the core. 

She had very specific opinions on that, however. 

Sun had first met her one seemingly unimportant evening when meditation was not quite a habit but not entirely a chore. The breathing and systemic relaxation of joints, sprockets, pistons and pumps was a calming experience of itself, one which seemed to always land the daycare attendant on that cool toned liminal space. Bells jingling distantly, as if the sound were swirling in water, heralded the solar themed bot’s entry into the mindscape that had become an expected familiarity. The clouds were billowing just the same as always, a faint murmur of sliding code undulating with the colorful plumes. No beginning, no end, only chromatic fog and the eternal binary static which sang a simulacrum of life - this was all normal for Sun, and especially so for this space. 

The woman standing tall to the side was most assuredly not. 

Ordinarily, a stranger in this space would be cause for alarm - Sun did not have a positive track record with psychological cohabitation, after all. However there, then, in this space with this woman, the only thing Sun could muster was peace - a heavy amount of confusion, some mild wariness, but predominantly peace. 

“Oh,” she breathed, clasping her coffee-hued hands together. Golden bands seemed to swirl across her skin, rings and bracelets laid perfectly against the plump form of her body. Swaths of cloth covered her, bundled at her shoulders, veering down past her bust towards a golden woven band just above her waist. Like a waterfall, the dress poured towards the ground, sparkling with an indescribable sheen of color and light. Her voice, silken and soft, a brush of lips along a forehead, the barest push on a blade of grass, seemed to echo and overlay with every breath. “Hello at last, my little palette.” 

Sun stared. “Um… hello?” 

Despite the immediate cringed from the animatronic before her, the woman's face seemed to soften further, smile blooming warm and loving across her face. Spots of light glittered against her cheeks, like glowing freckles that seemed to shift in color every few seconds, as if an underlay beneath her skin steadily spun and danced. With a soft laugh, she seemed to glide closer, hands cupping the daffodil and saffron faceplate with an unknowable tenderness. Fingers like feathered brushes trailed along the young magic user's face, and she glowed with joy as a tentative smile was given, a shy nuzzle into her touch. “My baby,” she breathed giddily, “How I have waited for you… My little star, my precious Sun. It is ecstasy to hold you.” 

Milky optics blinked, confused but flustered. “I-It's nice to meet you, too… um… miss-?” 

A laugh like a bubbling stream, like a woodsy wind, a burst of stardust and a brush over canvas, escaped her curved lips. “Ah,” she huffed playfully, tilting her head, a sea of inky coils floating around her. “I see our dear Atlas has yet to share. Not to worry,” she traced the whirl engraved over the shining crescent plate in her hand, “I will get back at him some way. I am overdue a prank!” The force of her grin lifted the apples of her cheeks, curving up her eyes. Pitch dark lashes framed pure white eyes, only the barest impression of her irises seen amidst the kaleidoscopic sheen. “I am Mana,” she breathed sweetly, “and to you, I am She of Creation and Mother of Magic.” 

Sun stared, gaping in silence for a brief moment before a hiccup of feedback escaped the bot's voicebox. “I- You- Mana…?” 

She giggled, nodding. Her hands drifted down, away from that glowing face to cup silver-and-gold hands. Fingers lacing, she held them sweetly, gently, the familiar tingle of magical energy lighting the internal wiring and endo with fractals of buzzing power. 

“... I had not considered that Mana was anything more than energy,” Sun remarked hesitantly before jolting upright, rays quivering. “N-No offense meant-!”

“None taken, my sweet,” she shook her head. “For many, Mana simply is a force - it is energy, mere droplets from a Sea. They may gather in basins, or they may drift in the ether. The source is all the same.” Folding her hands together, cradling her ward's own palms within her hold, she continued. “Pools of magic are akin to a whirlpool, a lake in flux. Those who utilize such need not a conscious force to balance it, as the droplets gather together into something bigger, something dangerous in its convenience. You pull from not a freshwater well but from the Sea Herself, my little star. Do you understand?” 

It took a moment for Sun to speak, to pluck the words from the massive syntax trees buzzing away within. “... So I pull from saltwater, not groundwater. And… the salt in this analogy makes the magic - the water - different?”

Humming, she nodded, drifting down to guide the other to sit beside her. “Right you are, my little light. Just as salt in Practices is used to cleanse and purify, so too does the magic straight from the Sea differ from the diluted collection of a Pool.” 

“Huh… what… what did you mean by practices?” Head tilting not unlike a curious puppy, Sun's rays twirled with the question, colorless eyes cast in bright colored light. 

With a patient and joyous smile, Mana lifted a hand, drawing an awed gasp as a cloud of off-white light drifted from her fingertips, twinkling motes of color drifting into the abyss. Within the cloud danced shapes and forms, like mobile drawings come to life. “Practices vary,” she explained, “From faith to faith and person to person - it is all the same at its core, and yet still do fingerprints linger in the acts a person uses to honor thy source. Magic is not static, it can never be fully contained - it seeps into this world just as it does to all others in the cosmos and universes. Like a sieve, dribbling grains over a fertile plot, magic will flow and take root where it is needed.” 

Almost unaware, the solar themed bot leaned closer, rays retracting to avoid irritation as the woman spoke and shared. Head against her shoulder, Sun hummed. “Does that make the spells I learn from Atlas a Practice? Or is that something else entirely?”

“It is both - spells are a part of Craft, and a Craft is the habits you hold and perform regarding magic. That Craft, pulled together, is what makes a Practice. You have a Craft and a Practice to find, should you choose to.” Tilting her own head down, the being rested her cheek atop the bot's own with a warm smile. “I will admit to an ardent hope that you desire it, but I will not force it upon you, my child. A Craft should be a safe and willing choice, of which you have had so precious few in your time.” 

Sun considered her words for a moment before asking softly, “You hope I do?” 

She hummed gently, a hand moving to press comfortingly against the split colored chassis, trailing over little handprints with a smile. “I am a force,” she offered in lieu of an answer, “a force of Magic. I am creation, but I am also destruction. The cyclical nature of the realms is a constant, unyielding truth. Sun…” Her free hand moved, still billowing faintly with the mystical canvas of her power, to press carefully to the rigid metal of her ward's face. “You are familiar with both,” she said softly, tone dripping with compassion that seemed to pearl in the air, “You understand the gravity of what it means to wield power, what it means to honor it. You understand the way that a mere flutter of a butterfly’s wing may coalesce into a tsunami. But, perhaps most importantly of all, you understand how to love in the face of hate. Your heart is boundless and far stronger than you give yourself credit for. Should you wish it, should you seek it, I believe you have all it would take to understand, to utilize, and to respect the magical energy around you.” 

“I-I don't…” 

“You need not decide here and now. I implore you to come to your own decision, my little star, heedless of what anyone else may say. It is a path for you and you alone to decide upon. I will not lie,” she tipped Sunny's faceplate up, expression firm but still loving, “It will be arduous. The path of a wytch differs from that of a mage. From what I have seen, much of it you do naturally, and I merely wish for you to have all of the information to make the proper informed decision for yourself. Mage or wytch, magical or not, I will respect your choice and love you all the same.” 

Sunny had to blink back tears, fans stuttering as the urge to cry reared its head before a word wrenched its way through. Curiosity, and even a bit of longing, welled up in the single word. “Wytch?”

“Aye,” Mana breathed, “A wytch is comparable to a mage - both use magic and both may master it in time. A wytch, however, can learn to use other forms of magic as well. Atlas has taught you, yes? The frequency of magic within all things may ebb and flow from form to form, yet still…” 

“It all remains the same,” Sunny completed hesitantly. “B-But even then, it's changed. I… I can see it, if I look hard enough.” 

With a pleased hum, the Mother of Magic nodded. “Yes. Just as you have seen and tasted the magic, have felt and heard the vestiges, they exist in a way purely unique to themselves. A mage will see the magic, blessedly unique as it may be, through the lens of the bigger picture. A wytch will see the finer details, and will cultivate their Practice by a mix of both.”

“... May I ask a silly question?”

“No query of yours would be silly to me, my brightheart, but please go on.” 

“A wytch… is that a term for both women and men? B-Because, you know, it just sounds like a term humans use for girls who do magic in fantasy, and it was burning in my head, so-”

“Would it bother you if it were?”

“What?”

“If the term was commonly used for those of a feminine persuasion, would it bother you?” 

“I… I don't know…” Milky optics drifted down, staring into the middle distance. Despite the odd situation, the unusual circumstance, there was a feeling of… safety. Tucked into this woman's side - into Mother Mana's side - Sun felt secure, protected. It was that, then, that lead to the sudden confession. “I'm not a man. But I'm not a… a woman, either. I'm just… me.” 

There was a moment of warm silence before lips brushed gently on Sun's forehead, Mana's breath along their rays. “You are as you always were meant to be, my little love. A mage is a mage, and a wytch is a wytch, regardless of body or terms. Magic is flexible, uncaring of what a user is, interested only in who. You are Sun, and I am proud to have you in my heart of hearts. Whatever terms you like, whatever name you are called, it is this,” her hand touched over their chest, where a synthetic heartbeat thrummed, “which I covet and adore.” 

Like wind abruptly pulling from a sail, Sunny seemed to deflate, leaning further into her side. A strangled noise escaped their voicebox, a mixture of a sigh, a gasp and a heart-rending keen. Fingers spasmed before being quickly yet gently caught in dark skinned hands, tugged closer until they could tangle desperately into amorphous silken skirts. With a sob, the solar animatronic pivoted and pressed into the warm, new yet painfully familiar presence. 

Mana held them tightly, cradling her little starlet close with all of the love and comfort she could muster. 

Time held little meaning in a place such as this, and even so, neither paid much attention to the duration of the catharsis of relief. Instead, Sun came back to themself gradually, and Mother Mana kept her embrace for however long the young magic user felt comfortable within it. Sniffles eventually became occasional instead of constant, and two sets of eyes watched calmly as the clouds around them seemed to float and drift with nary an intention. 

Once she was certain that her little light had calmed enough, she spoke. “Would you like to move this meeting elsewhere? As lovely as your Hold is, I feel that you may benefit from somewhere more comforting to your essence.” 

“Wh-What?” Sunny rubbed their eyes almost clumsily, rays retracting slightly one by one in a wave-like motion. “A Hold?”

“Mm,” she nodded slowly, “The deeper planes of your mind, dearheart. All souls have a Hold and a Center. The Hold,” she gestured around them, “is the middle ground, for lack of better term. It is the layer between your conscious mind and internal mindscape. It is the halfway point, where meetings such as this may occur. It is only polite to contact in this plane; to intrude upon a Center is quite inconsiderate.”

“I didn't know there was anywhere else.”

Gaze softening, she ran the back of her fingers gently over their cheek. “All is well,” she soothed with a tone like spun sugar, “If you would like, I can walk you through it.”

“... okay.” Sun let out a shuddering sigh, closing their eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, a soft kindling within their ivory eyes. “I trust you.”

Mana beamed, grateful and proud in equal measure as she offered her hands, rising gracefully. “Then let us begin…”

Chapter Text

“Whoa.”

Sunny jolted up, eyes wide as his rays recoiled in surprise. The little deer at their hip perked up, leaning over to peek towards the door. Immediately, heat bloomed across the solar themed bot's face while Dazzle's ears wiggled with the force of her grin.

“Hi, uncle Moony!” She squirmed, as if preparing to hop up. Sun moved to let her go, but the deer just wriggled her way over to half-way flop across his lap, kicking her little legs with a eager giggle. “I'm takin’ care of mama,” she announced proudly, propping her little chin on her hands. “I made a potion just like he does sometimes, and made foods, and we talked and are cuddlin’ now!”

With a soft, fond huff, Moon padded his way in, knocking the door shut behind him with a swift nudge from his heel. He set the bags down on the table by the entryway before coming closer, eying the little girl and his blushing twin with a mischievous twinkle. “You did,” he breathed, as if absolutely astounded by it. “That's real sweet of you, Daz. You're very nice. Good job.” He gave the girl a brief headwaters, looking up to meet Sun’s warning glare with a barely suppressed grin. “Sunny looks… so good right now! I bet he feels much better.” 

“Moon-” 

Dazzle drowned out the warm toned bot’s hiss, piping up excitedly. “Yeah!” She reached over, nearly overbalancing in her excitement to grab her magic markers with a smile almost impossibly wide. She held them up like a bouquet of flowers. “I used these and decorated th- the TV a-an-and then-! Then I made Mama pretty too! See, look-it, uncle Moony, look how pretty! Mama's always really pretty but now he gots extra pretties!” 

If not for Sun's quick reflexes, she'd have tipped over in her excited bouncing. Quickly bundling the girl back toward more semi-stable footing, they glanced up, almost hesitantly towards his twin. 

Moon just blinked, smile vaguely confused but colored in amusement, as he pulled back his hands from where he, himself, had moved to catch her. “You did an awesome job, Dazzle,” the lunar model knelt down, petting over the girl's head. “Your mama does look very pretty. Even more than he usually does.” Flicking her nose softly, he snickered. “You may have a future talent for makeup!”

“Really,” she squealed, squirming happily before stilling up ramrod straight. “Oh! Jack an’ Molten an’ me watch movies an’ the movies say that sleepovers are fun, so we should do one for Sun, to make him happy again!” Fueled by her new, genius idea, she scrambled down, patted the blanket over Sun's lap clumsily, and then darted towards the stairs. “Stay here, I'mma be right back-!” 

The twins gaped softly to the click-clack of coven feet up the stairs, across the landing and to her room. The door did not slam shut, but it certainly closed with more force than usual. There was a muffled apology before they heard faint rummaging. The two side eyed each other after a moment. 

Moon tried to stifle his laugh, but Sun snorted, opening the floodgates to both snickering breathlessly. 

“Oh, God damn,” Moon wheezed, wiping away oily tears, “Jesus, she's a girl on a mission.” 

“Mmhmm,” Sunny nodded through their own laughter. “When Dazzle puts her mind to it, there's nothing she can't do. Hope you're ready for a slumber party, brother.” 

“Phew, wonder where she gets that from,” he shook his head with a sarcastic smile. “Are makeovers included in the package,” he teased lightly, “because pink is not my color, brother.” 

Immediately, Sun's rays shot in, shoulders lifting, posture shrinking. 

Moon floundered, “W-Wait, no, I didn't mean-”

“She just wanted to help,” the solar bot stuttered out, hand rising as if to cover the colorful marks on their face. “A-And she enjoyed it, so-”

Silver and navy gently caught gunmetal and gold, Moon's hands folding over Sun's with a newly found gentleness. “Hey, I didn't mean anything bad by it, Sun. Dazzle did do a great job - especially given that it's done in her magic market set. I've already put a note in my reminder bank to get her a proper makeup set, honestly. She'd probably love it.” 

Slowly, ivory optics glided over. After a moment, he asked, “You don’t think I look silly?”

Vampire black optics softened. “Not at all - the only silly thing I see here is the fact that my brother doesn't know how stunning he is.” alloy thumbs drew soft patterns over the other’s knuckles. “You look fine, Sun. I promise you. Honestly…” A hand moved, catching a round chin to tilt his twin’s face this way and that. “That shade of pink may be a bit overly bright, but you still look good. Something a little less Barbie, a little more baby, would work really well, especially with your coloring.” 

Sun snorted, rolling their eyes as if to hide the tentative smile. “When did you get so interested in fashion?”

“Personally? Never. But being friends with Monty, you pick up a thing or two.” He flicked Sun’s forehead, much gentler than he once did, so long ago. “Besides, color theory is a good thing for marketing.”

“Right, of course, how silly of me - gotta make sure the guns come in an assortment of colors. You gotta make sure your glock matches your fit.” 

“So glad you understand.” 

They shared a look, lasting all of a moment before breaking again into breathless laughter. 

Upstairs, there was a small thump, a squeal of laughter, and then more rustling as Jack’s voice joined Dazzle’s. 

Sun sighed softly, leaning into his twin’s space with a boneless slump. “... I missed this.”

Moon froze before moving his arm around to rest over Sun’s shoulders. He gave a gentle squeeze, resting his own head against his twin’s, rays brushing against cap in a comfortingly familiar sensation. “... I did, too, Sunny. I’m glad we’re here.”

“Mm…” 

The moment seemed to blossom with a warmth that blanketed over them all, a florid film casting affectionate reliefs across the walls and floor. Two faces came and went in quick trade offs, Jack and Dazzle building a mountain of blankets, pillows, plushies, toys and the occasional cat before the feline skittered away with an annoyed mrrp. Once they deemed the pile enough - and after Moon and Sun both had to gently tell them that, no, they didn't need to steal the blankets from everyone's beds, and no, Jack, there was no need to run to the store to steal or buy more, regardless of how fast he'd make it - Dazzle immediately started on making a plush little nest, coffee table pushed safely aside to make room. 

Jack, meanwhile, skittered over to get up close and personal to Sun's face. Well used to it by now, Sun just gave a tired smile. “What is it, Jackie?”

“Dazzle said Sun's brain is sad,” he declared, faceplate twisting farther than most animatronics could even imagine before slowly slinking back upright to tilt the other direction. 

“Mm,” the solar bot nodded slowly, “I just… went through something hard, Jack. Sometimes… people can get hurt or sick on the inside, and it never really heals completely.” 

Like a large dog who thinks itself far smaller than it was, Jack thumped himself sideways across Sun’s lap, earning a soft oomph. “Could father fix your insides?”

With a chuckle, both of the twins moved to pat the other, though Moon was the one to speak. “It’s not a hardware issue, buddy. It just… is.” 

“.... like the Twitchies I got after father died?”

Sun let out a choked noise, moving to pull the young lunar model up to hug. “Sort of like that, yeah. Sorry.” 

“Do not be,” the lantern themed bot shot back. Dark gray, brown and orange arms came up to give a tight squeeze. “Uncle Sun helped with the Twitchies. Dazzle and I will help with the sads.” Tilting his head again, luminous yellow optics regarded Sun patiently. “Did Dazzle give her special potion?” 

Sun tensed. Moon arched a brow, “Potion…?”

“Y-Yeah,” the solar bot nodded, pitch higher than usual. “It was… so thoughtful of her.” 

“Good, Dazzle makes good potions. I like them. They feel like fizzy slime.” Jack remained still for a moment longer before squirming free. “We will make the nest, and then we can have the slumber party. It will help.”

Once relatively alone again, Moon sent a private message through their connection. His gaze shot over to his twin as subtly as possible.

> potion??

Sun shuddered.

> she apparently has picked up on my habits 

> … what kind of potion was it?

> ‘Happiness Potion’, she said. Water bottle, ketchup, mustard, and soda. 

> what kind of soda? 

The solar bot sent an incredulous look towards the lunar model, pink lipstick making the expression more pronounced. “Is that really important to the situation, Moon?”

Waving off the other’s hissed retort, the navy and silver cased bot shrugged helplessly. “What? Maybe it worked!”

“In what world-”

“Mama, do you want the dinosaur headband or the Hello Kitty headband?” Dazzle held up two fluffy spa bands, her own baby curls held back by a Halloween themed one with a poofy pumpkin slightly off center. Jack popped out of a pile of blankets, practically swimming, with a lavender band tucked around the hem of his hat, two crochet leaves hanging down to the side. The deer tilted her head towards her cousin with a giggle before shuffling over to display the two headbands in hand, one light green with comically big reptilian eyes and sharp teeth - more like a gator than a dinosaur, but nobody had the heart to tell her - and the other in pink with a familiar stuffed head on it. 

Sun blinked. “Oh, both are good,” they said gently, reaching out to nudge the white faced little plush bobble head, “but this one isn’t Hello Kitty, sweetheart. She’s My Melody.” 

“Huh?” The little bot pulled it back, brow furrowed. “But this one came in my Kitty pack…?”

“Well,” the solar bot reached out to cup his fingers around the little head, adding some contrast to see the details. The pink floppy ears curled against their palm. “See the ears here? She's a bunny - her name is Melody. And she's one of Hello Kitty's friends. They're all Sanrio characters. Your Kitty pack had a few different characters, and Melody is one of them.” 

“San… ree-oh,” Dazzle sounded out slowly, tilting her head back and forth to get a good look at the newly-identified bunny head. “How come the pack had Hello Kitty if she had friends, too?”

“Well, Hello Kitty is the most popular character from Sanrio - but there's a whole lot of them. Kitties, bunnies, puppies, even froggies or penguins!” 

“Really,” her green eyes seemed to sparkle as she gaped up at Sunny, light tinted freckles adding an extra layer to the cocktail of cuteness. Sun had to bite back the sudden urge to coo and squish her cheeks. 

Moon, far less motivated, chimed in. “Oh, absolutely, kiddo. If anyone can tell you all about it, then it's Sunny or Earth.” Leaning in, as if he were sharing a secret, he stage whispered, “Your mama used to watch the Hello Kitty show a lot, and always wanted to collect the toys. Wanna help me find out which is his favorite? We can plan a Christmas present for him.”

Dazzle gasped, ears wiggling as she nodded excitedly, bouncing on her toes. Her pumpkin headband jostled, and the little gourd bobbed sharply. Spinning in place, she half-lunged, half-flopped into the solar bot's lap. “Mama, can we watch Kitty show? I wanna see!”

Sun, having heard everything, bit back the urge to snicker, just tilting their head softly. “I guess we could,” he hedged playfully, “but you may not like it much-”

“Kitty! Kitty! Kitty!” Dazzle pumped her little fists excitedly as she continued the chant, Jack's arm popping out from another mound of cushions opposite to where he'd been earlier to join the excitement. 

“Okay,” Sun laughed, “Alright. We can watch Hello Kitty and Friends. Do you guys want any snacks before we get to it?” 

Dazzle and Jack seemed to both pause, turning to confer in a hushed exchange. Beyond ‘poppy corns’, ‘sponges’, and something about ‘the forbidden goo’, Sun could not make out any of it. 

Huffing playfully, they turned to Moon. “Do you want me to grab you anything?” He was partway through removing his blanket when a hand reached over and pushed it back down. Ivory eyes looked up, confused. 

“I’ll get it,” Moon offered with a smile. “You enjoy the feral gremlins, let me get the snacks. What do you want?”

Sun tilted his head, considering for a moment. “Do you know if Lunar ate my ice cream again? If he did, I’ll settle for some toast or something.”

Cringing, Moon hissed a breath through his teeth. “Yeah, he did. But I went out and picked some up so-” He froze, stiffening. 

Sun frowned. “Moon-?”

“FUCK,” the lunar model scrambled into a flip over the back of the couch, earning wide eyed stares from the three other inhabitants. He rushed over to the table in the dining room, specifically to the bags he’d left there. “I FORGOT TO PUT IT UP-”

Sunny gaped. Dazzle covered her mouth with her tiny cloven hands. Jack’s head popped out from yet another new mound, eyes glowing. Moon, meanwhile, snatched the bags up like a man possessed and vaulted himself into the kitchen with a frantic jingle. 

Dazzle was the first to break, falling into hysterical shrieking giggles as she tumbled back into the nest. Jack joined her with not even a moment to spare. With the melody of laughter dancing so sweetly in the air, Sun could not help their own cackles joining the symphony, even as Moon’s muffled swearing wove through it. If anything, the aggressive tones only had the kids laugh harder, oily tears welling up with the force of it all. 

Sunny dabbed at their eyes with a wheeze, smiling brightly. They were still exhausted beyond measure, and Moon had a lecture coming later on about no-no words in front of the kids, but that could wait. The young wytch had better things to focus on, and had more important things to consider.  

Maybe that potion of Dazzle’s had some kick to it, they mused indulgently. 

Chapter Text

“What's this one do?”

Sun looked over towards Dazzle, kneeling on the counter as she pointed to a jar of dried buds. Her hair was pushed back with a little bandana, matching the one Jack was wearing as he bounced on the balls of his feet, still rigorously shaking a gallon of water. With a smile, Sunny turned and stepped to the island, picking up the jar the deer had been staring at to crack it open. “This is lavender,” he explained patiently, “It's all dried up, which makes them look so weird and small. It has a lot of meanings and uses, but for this, we're focusing on purification.”

“P-yur-if-ih-kay-shun,” she sounded out slowly, nodding slowly. “That means making it clean, right?”

Booping her nose gently, he beamed, rays twirling. “Yes, good job!” 

“The house will be clean,” Jack sang softly, arms still sloshing the water happily, apron decorated with different gourds in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors. “Clean and safe!”

“Right,” the solar bot nodded proudly, “The house and the people inside! Each of the herbs and ingredients we use will help us.” 

“How does it work?” Big green eyes blinked upwards as Dazzle plopped onto her bottom, holding a wooden spoon in hand. 

“Well,” Sunny began carefully, “Remember how all the pretty lights look when I meditate?”

“Yeah, I like the purple ones best!”

“Pretty shinies,” Jack nodded eagerly. 

With a small laugh, Sun nodded, setting the pot onto the island, gesturing for the young lunar model to add the water. “Well, those lights are magical energy - also called Mana. And each color has a certain association or meaning. It's a lot like painting - you have to mix colors together to get the one you need!”

“Like yellow and blue makes green,” Dazzle asked, head tilting as she shuffled over to dip her spoon into the water.

“Exactly! There's magic in everything,” he carefully scooped the young girl up, settling her on his hip while offering a hand to Jack. He guided them to the window, pointing outside. “In the trees, the earth, the air - even in the stars in the sky and stones on the ground. Can you see them?” 

Both children squinted, silent for a moment. 

“No,” Jack pouted, crossing his arms. 

“Me neither…” 

“That's okay,” he soothed gently, “It took me a long time to see it without a whole bunch of preparation or energy. If you guys want to, I'll gladly teach you all I know.” The two eager nods had him chuckling gently, even as he guided them back to the island. “For now, we'll work on these.” Depositing Dazzle back to the countertop, Sunny picked up the lavender. He cradled it in his hands and closed his eyes. “I want you to pick one and hold it, just like this. And we'll breathe together. Remember the pattern?”

“Yes!”

“Yeah, mama!” 

Each took up a jar, getting comfortable and holding it gently. Dazzle immediately fell still while Jack swayed in place, both focusing. Sun watched on fondly as they both breathed, steady and gently. It only took a few soft reminders for them to each even out the patterns. Slipping into that meditative state was almost a natural reflex to Sun by now, and he smiled as incorporeal little ribbons seemed to dance around the kids. Dazzle's were small, thin, but loose in their movements. They curled in little spirals, nudging curiously all around her. Jack's, meanwhile, were a solid slate gray, with little kinks along the lengths, a bit thicker than the deer's own. Where Dazzle was slightly tentative with hers, Jack seemed frantic in his poking and prodding, tickling at things and people alike. 

Sunny bit back a snicker as one of the gray ribbons hit the cream one, both recoiling before lunging back together, almost like a play fight. 

Soon enough, they each began to drift towards the bottles, and thus the herbs inside. 

Moments pressed into minutes, an impressive feat for the children, given their attention spans. They seemed suitably interested in the activity, if only for the curiosity of it. 

“Mine,” Dazzle spoke slowly, brow furrowed, “feels…. Green? Sort of. But also gray. But not- not super gray… maybe white?” 

“This one tastes like yellow,” Jack followed up with, nodding, “but also like blue, but not green. This is weird.” He smacked his lips together absently. 

With a laugh, Sun tapped both on a shoulder, pulling them up gently. “Very good job, both of you. Those colors can be very neat, huh?”

“Weird,” Jack reiterated, turning the jar in his hands, staring at the dried flowers with a furrowed brow. 

“That is chamomile,” Sun explained gently, reaching over to open the jar and tip a few into the silver, black and orange palms of his nephew. “It is commonly used for luck, prosperity and protection. It's also good for calming, relaxing, and purification.” With a wink of a white eye, he continued. “For this pot we're making, we're going for purification, protection and calm.” 

“So the calm… is the blue?”

“Yes, it is. You did a great job, muffin. Do you want to add the chamomile to the pot?”

“Yes!”

“Just a few tablespoons, okay?” When he received an affirmative, Sun turned to Dazzle, who was still staring at the jar in her hands. She was rubbing her little thumbs over the reinforced glass, thoughtful. “You said this one felt like green and gray to you, right?”

She peeked up, nodding slowly. “It was… really weird.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Mm… not in a bad way,” Dazzle began slowly. “More like… it was foggy? Did I do it wrong?”

Cooing softly, Sun pulled her into a hug. “No, glitterbug, you did it perfect. Bay leaves can be… difficult to nail down,” he explained patiently. “They can be very mutable - err, they're easy to change the meaning for. They're great for natural connections, but you can also use them to set the intentions of whatever you're doing. They can be made to be calm, or to encourage love. They can work for prosperity, protection, and all that. I like them best as a sort of… label maker, kind of.” He tilted his head back to look her in the eye with a smile. “Does that make sense?”

The little deer nodded slowly. “Yeah. I think so? They can be whatever we need them to be, right?”

“Yep!” With a happy sound, he pulled her closer, rays fluttering happily. “... do you want to set the intention with them, honey?”

Dazzle nodded excitedly, and so Sunny took her hands in his own, moved them over to cover the jar, and talked her through the process. Little ears wiggling happily, she listened intently, giggling when Jack's hands made a terribly attempt to sneak into the fold. A few minutes later, the children were eagerly crushing the charged leaves in their hands, giddy as they dumped the pieces into the pot. They worked together to get the cinnamon and lavender in as well, then Sun pulled the oranges and apples out, peeling them carefully before separating the pieces out. The kids both cheered when they got a snack out of the process while Sun just chuckled fondly as he set aside the leftover bits. 

One piece of the fruit from each child's bowl was then plopped in with two cheery smiles and an excited, “Wanna share with the spirits!” 

The wytch in training simply grinned at his assistants. Giving them time to eat their snack, he began moving the rest of the ingredients over to the pot. The peels and then cores went in as he hummed, then a small splash of honey. Upon a sudden urge, he frowned, pausing before shrugging and tossing a few allspice berries and a pinch of ground anise in as well.

By that point, the kids had finished. Sun gently moved the pot over to the stove top, setting the heat while Dazzle and Jack pulled their stools over. Armed once more with her trusty spoon, Dazzle stirred the pot carefully, tongue poking out as she focused. Then she passed the spoon to her cousin, giving Jack his turn. Aside from a brief scare where he was a bit too eager to mix, it went overall smoothly. 

Once all set up - the scent already spreading pleasantly - Sun sent them off to play, cleaning up the kitchen as he went. Used utensils were washed and set to dry, counters wiped down, and he began looking through the fridge and freezer for dinner ideas. 

Humming lightly to himself, Sunny peeked around the doorway onto the kids on his way back with some eggs, fruit and milk - breakfast for dinner was a classic - only to pause, nearly melting into the polished floor. Jack and Dazzle had evidently moved the coffee table to the side, put on the dancing fruit as they readied an impromptu dance party. Most impressively, perhaps, was that Dazzle had her hands tangled in Moon's, her feet on his own as they waddle-danced. Jack, meanwhile, was somehow both leading Solar in a dance while also doing a very impressive impression of a pumpkin themed barnacle. 

Laughter bubbled in Sun's chest, muffled by his hand as he smiled. Everything felt pleasantly warm, rays to toes, and he just watched for a moment. It was so… domestic, so comfortable. The hues of pink that tickled his senses were rich in their sweetness, honeyed and as rosy as his cheeks. 

Turning back to the kitchen, he couldn't stop the smile on his face if he'd even felt the urge to try. Family mostly accounted for, he found it simple to fall into the motions as easily as breathing. The gentle sounds of music, laughter, and half hearted complaining was far more infectious than it had any right to be. 

Safe, comfortable, and content, Sun just focused on cooking. 

Waffles seemed like a good reward for everyone…

Chapter Text

“Your mind is preoccupied,” Atlas remarked casually, head tilting to the side. “Are you well?” 

Sunny glanced up, rays clicking quietly as she blinked. Gloved hands carefully pulled the bubbling flask from the apparatus before her. Framed in colorful lights, their eyes seemed to glow with a prismatic sheen. “Oh. Y-Yeah, I'm alright,” she offered a smile, a bit sheepish. “Just a lot on my mind, is all.” 

“Would you care to speak about it?” 

With a slow hum, the solar themed bot considered the question. After a moment, they spoke. “There are many holidays celebrated on earth,” she began, “and one is in a few days, at least in the country where I live.” 

With a nod, the mage hummed. “Ah, the holiday of thanks,” he acknowledged. “It is a celebration of harvest as well, yes?”

Sunny snorted softly, expression wry. “In a manner of speaking, yes. The origins for it are colloquially considered to be that, but it's actually a lot darker.” Shaking her head, they sighed. “It's nowadays intended and celebrated as a day devoted to gratitude and love for family and friends. Traditionally, there is a feast prepared and time is spent with loved ones. My family comes together for it, and we eat, play games, just generally enjoying each other’s company…” 

After a moment, the alien mage blinked. “What is it that you wish to say?”

“... Are you capable of coming to earth,” she stared intently at the heated solution cradled in her palms. Standing in the apothecary, pants and blouse covered by a smudged apron, literally glowing with the aura of mana around them, Sunny looked every part the young wytch they were training to become. 

Atlas took a moment before responding. “Not in the flesh,” he offered simply, “but for a relatively small duration of time, I could project there, just as I do here. Why do you ask?”

With a slightly embarrassed breath, Sunny shot the mage a tentative smile. “Thanksgiving is a time I'd like to spend with those I love,” they flushed slightly. “Family and friends will always have a place at my table. I wanted to invite you, if you'd be open to it.” 

“Invite me?”

“Yes,” they set the flask down carefully into a cooling basin, allowing the solution to cool organically. Turning, she slid the gloves off, tucking them into a pocket as her rays quivered with barely hidden nerves. “You have done a lot for me, Atlas. You helped me where many people deemed me a lost cause, you supported me when I needed it, and you have become someone I love very much. To me, you are as much my family as the others.” With an anxious twitch, their fingers toyed absently with the loops of the ribbons at their wrists, looped carefully to avoid catching fire with the day's activities. “I… wanted to offer it, is all. You don't have to do anything, but I just wanted to lay it on the table.” 

After a brief moment of surprise and uncertainty, the mage swallowed. “My projection may be unable to truly eat,” he reminded her gently, almost remorseful. 

With a head tilt, Sunny offered a wane smile. “You've mentioned before that you can still access your senses,” she shrugged, arms moving to hug herself. “If you just want to try different things, that's alright. If you don't wish to eat at all, that’s fine, too. Nobody would be offended. You can still interact with the world, can still exist there - but only if you want to! I don't want to force you into anything.” 

“I… do not know,” he admitted softly. “It has been quite some time since I was among more than a few souls in one space.” 

With a soft nod, the solar themed animatronic hummed. “That's alright, Atlas. You don’t need to force yourself out of your comfort zone - I only wanted to offer.” After a slight pause, she cracked a playful smile. “And I'll still bring you those cookies you like so much, regardless.” 

Eye light brightening, the alien being perked up. “The snicker doddles?” 

“Snickerdoodles,” she corrected with a laugh, “yes. With the sugar and cinnamon on top.” 

“That would be quite nice. I have yet to make them taste as good as your own,” he confessed, “even when following your recipe to a tee.” 

With a roll of ivory eyes, she beamed, rays twirling slowly. “Moon, Lunar, Earth and Monty say the same thing,” she huffed, voice warm and pleased. “Poor Solar has decided that I've ruined him for any other baked goods.” 

“Consider it the highest of praise, then - your skill outclasses even the most trained professionals in their own field.” 

“You’re going to give me an ego,” she snorted, shaking her head with a laugh. 

Atlas merely seemed to smile even without a visible mouth. “I merely wish to ensure credit is given where it is due, Sunrise. Allow yourself to carry pride in your talents.” 

“Yeah? And if I don't?” 

“Then I suppose you will have to live with your loved ones reminding you incessantly until you eventually cave beneath our words.”

Unable to stop the little cackle, she tried burying her face in her hands, rays fluttering in mirth. “Oh, how diabolical,” she cried out, “forcing me into pride! That's a sin, I'm pretty sure.”

“Is your twin not quite close with the Devil, already,” he teased lightly. “What is a bit of indulgence compared to that?”

“Horrible,” she giggled, shaking her head, “all of you are horrible little beasts. I offer a dinner and am encouraged to do sin. How dare?”

With a casual shrug, the mage seemed to grin. “I have done far worse. This is on you for feeding me. Now, I shan’t ever leave you be.” 

She sighed, rolling their eyes, though she could not smother her own smile. “I suppose I will just have to suffer the consequences of my own actions,” the yellow hued bot lamented. “How could I have known my master was secretly a gremlin when I brought him cookies?”

“All part of my insidious trap, I assure you,” he patted her shoulder. “It is only predominantly your own fault.” 

With a gleeful wheeze, she leaned into his touch, nose scrunching with the force of her grin. Curling wisps fanned the air around her, bubbly kaleidoscopes framing her face. It cast her eyes in formless light, shades dancing in the engravings along her cheeks. With the glowing halo about her head, she looked more like a mystical princess than a mere apprentice of steel. 

In all the time he had known her, this may be the most beautiful she had looked yet. 

“I will consider the offer,” his voice projected before he could think better of it. White eyes blinked in surprise, and yet he continued on. “I will not make any promises on attendance now, but I can certainly tell you prior to the date. It will require some energy to cast myself so far, at any rate.”

Sunny stared before she seemed to devolve into a blur of yellow, gold and ruby, her arms flung around the older man with a happy sound. “Thank you,” she breathed, “but I want you to be certain for yourself, okay? I want you there, but only if you will have fun and be happy as well!”

“I will keep that in mind,” he assured, embracing the bot fondly albeit somewhat awkwardly. “I will not put myself into a poor state, of that I will swear.”

“Good,” she huffed, clinging just the slightest bit more. “You better not!”

With his own quiet chuckle, he allowed her to cling, content with the contact before they drew apart a few moments later. With a tilt of his chin, he spoke. “Is there anything I ought to be aware of prior to the celebration?”

With a hum, she tapped at her chin, absently reaching to nudge the few flasks that she had been working with in a quick check. Aside from moving one from the heat to the cooler, she had little else to do than think. “Well, you already know of my siblings,” she remarked casually, “and the kids, as well… If anything, I’d say maybe to be prepared for Moon, but I have gotten his word that he’ll be minding his manners. He’s protective to a fault, but he means well. Feel free to put him in his place if he cops an attitude.” Squinting, she swayed slightly before straightening sharply. “Oh! I don’t quite know what the children may call you. They both have a tendency to pick nicknames, but it’s a matter of affection. With their track record lately, it may be something like Uncle, though more likely Grandpa, so there’s that.”

“Grandpa?” 

“Mm,” she flushed slightly, pursing her lips. “Mother Mana has established that she adores the children. Dazzle asked if she could call her Grandma once, since she is ‘mama’s mama’,” the air quotes were drawn with silver and gold plated fingers in a fond huff, “and Mother has been over the moon ever since - err, she has been incredibly happy and excited about it. Figure of speech.”

“I see… while the association of Lady Mana being a grandmother is understandable, I must confess my confusion for being deemed a grandfather.” He met her gaze evenly, hurrying to continue, “Not in a way of offense, I assure you - merely a lack of understanding.”

The hum of Sunny’s fans picked up suddenly, even as her face seemed to flush the slightest bit. Magic seemed to glow slightly from the embossed freckles in her faceplate. “Well… I, um…” Fiddling nervously with her ribbons, the animatronic shot the mage a timid look. “... promise not to laugh?”

“I would never.”

With a slow sigh, they seemed to relax, though still she glowed with the force of her fluster. “So, when I was explaining things to Jack and Dazzle, I had to sort of… be careful with my words. They're children, and I refuse to expose them to anything that could hurt or upset them more so than they already have been. Neither handle big changes well, so I mentioned that you may or may not be able to make it to Thanksgiving this year, to give them time to adjust.” 

“A wise choice,” he praised softly, nodding for her to continue. 

“S-So, I answered some general questions for them - simple things like how we know each other, what you're like. And they both immediately asked if you were like… like a dad to me. Like a father.” She looked upwards into the rune-adorned ceiling, through the openings that peered into the cosmos above. “I… have never really had a connection to a parental figure before,” she confessed softly, “and the only one even remotely titled as such is my creator. He is… not one I would consider a true father. He made me, my twin, my sister - but he has lost all right to us, to our family. He is no family of mine. But…” 

When she trailed off, Atlas gave her shoulder a soft squeeze, a wordless encouragement, a gentle reminder. 

She flicked an oily tear away. “Fathers are a difficult subject, and I told them that you… you do things that make me think of you as like a father. You do the sorts of things I believe a father would, o-or should do. But I didn't know for sure. Additionally, I didn't know if that would be upsetting for you, personally. I want you to feel welcomed, not stifled. I don't know if I'm making sense…” 

Swallowing slightly, he breathed, looking off to the side, looking to collect himself. After a moment, he spoke. “I believe I understand your thought process…” With a deep breath, he sighed. “Frankly, I do not know either if such a title would be proper to bestow upon me. While I do think highly of you,” he gave the solar bot an eye-smile, “I know, too, that you have your own personal hesitancy with such verbiage. In a way… I suppose I see you as my ward. You are my student, yes, and I love to see how you learn and grow with each passing moon. Moreover, you are also one I have come to hold quite dear to my hearts. I am honored that you consider me in such a light, and I wish only to establish that the emotion is mutual.” 

Sunny cracked a small smile, teary eyed. “I don't think I can ever truly call you ‘dad’,” she confessed, their shoulders shaking. 

“You need not do anything of the like,” he assured. “It was not a term used in the forging of this bond, my child. The connection was created through its own means. It may bare whatever term we feel most applicable and appropriate - even including a lack of word entirely. Regardless of what it is called, it will remain. You are my child, my ward and my student regardless of something as arbitrary as a mere monosyllabic word.”

With a sigh, she relaxed, nodding. 

After a pause, he tacked on, “And as for the young ones… well. Be it grandfather, uncle or otherwise, I would be honored to have their approval. They mean much to you, and I can respect that full heartedly. Should I join your family, I will tell them as much myself.”

“Okay,” she breathed with a soft smile. “That's… Thank you, Atlas.”

“It is my pleasure, little wytchlet.” 

They basked for a moment longer, enjoying the peaceful quiet. Once reasonably certain that whatever brewing tears had been dried, the mage cleared his throat. 

“... Your enchanted ink is bubbling over.” 

Sunny let loose a flurry of swears as she lunged for the table, scrambling for her gloves.

Atlas only smiled, heart warmer and fuller than it had been for a painfully long while.

Chapter Text

Despite general assumptions, Sun was not, in fact, a people-person. Sure, they had all of the makings of it - the boisterous personality, the cheerful demeanor, the body language - but at their core, Sun was a simple daycare attendant who only socialized as much as reasonably required. Looking after the kids was a given - it's hardwired into his code, and despite how exhausting it can be, they really do enjoy it. Kids could be a handful, but they responded well to structure, patience, entertainment and care. 

Adults, on the other hand, were mind-boggling to the solar themed bot. Sometimes, it was nice to talk to someone above the age of ten who was not a relative or involved with one. Most of the time, though, it was nerve wracking. Adults were typically already at a place where they were set in their ways - and there were countless little unexplained signals or expectations for conversation that seemed to go right over their head. How much eye contact was too much? What should he do with their hands when talking to someone, leave them at their sides or faintly move them? What was the safe zone between too much movement and not enough? Most loathsome of all, however, would be how on earth people managed to have full blown interactions while maintaining all of that on top of the rest of the infinite tiny things going on all at once. 

They were pretty sure they were navigating life on hard mode.

Before, Sunny would have grinned and bared it all - nobody else was going to step in to handle it. Moon on occasion would try, but whereas Sun erred more towards ray-pulling-panic, Moon gravitated more towards murder-and-arson. Additionally, it was a roulette wheel as to whether asking something like that of their lunar twin would result in a good response or a far more furious one. Ultimately, Sun preferred not, in fact, poking the bear - or the satellite simulacrum, in that particular case. 

This case was not that same, not even remotely, he knew. Things were different now, despite the instinctive urge to fall back on old - destructive - habits. Sun still struggled to remember that it was no longer necessary, to allow the new support network to help balance it all out. It was a work in progress, ripe with progression and regression alike, but it was getting somewhere. It was difficult, was nigh painful, but it was worth it.

Earth, especially, was patient with each step forward or back. Every time he made progress, she had a beaming smile, any slip up met with understanding and care. She seemed to genuinely adore quality time together, delighting in it whenever Sun mustered the courage to ask her for anything. Be it a game, a favor, or an outing, she seemed to preen at the opportunity. 

She also, blessedly, happened to take center stage, in a way, whenever they went out together. At first, it was incidental - they were new to each other and equally invested in learning, exploring, and enjoying their time together. Having a little sister to guide along and focus on gave Sun’s nerves and perpetual dread something else to focus on, freeing her to squeal and guide them around, size and appearance drawing much of the attention of the masses. 

After that, it seemed to just organically grow - they would pick a new place together, and Sun would be in charge of the map while Earth was in charge of the crowds. Sun could, of course, talk to whoever he liked, whenever they wanted, but the duo stuck largely to their own comfortable rhythm. At any point where things got to be a bit too much, all Sunny needed was to give her a look, a nudge, or (in severe cases) a ping. Immediately, she would pull the excitable sister card to whisk them both off with a perfectly poised escape. In equal measure, if ever Earth found herself a bit more frazzled than she could handle, Sun would arrange an out on their own terms, more often than not as a completely made up reminder for an appointment or even redirecting the conversation as a whole. They may not like the manipulation skills they'd picked up as a survival tactic, but Sunrise was more than happy to flex old muscles to help his little sister.

It was a tried and true method, one they’d had ample time to perfect. They had a sort of mutual agreement, when it came down to things - the dynamic was mutually beneficial and never truly felt patronizing. It was that fact in particular that had Sunny willingly debating whether they’d need to pull a Mission Escape (Lunar Patented)™ or if this situation would resolve naturally. They sipped absently at their smoothie - blessed be the mocha espresso x4 - and watched on in a mixture of amusement, trepidation and concern. 

With Earth having excused herself to get the takeout they’d promised their siblings, Sun was left alone at the table with their bags. The food court of the mall was not inordinately large, but it was certainly big enough that the siblings were certainly out of easy earshot of one another. The moment their sister had passed by, a gaggle of young adults - late teens? Early twenties? Difficult to tell - huddled together, shooting looks over to Sunny. They all seemed to converge with an exchange of whispers, nudging each other until one seemed to dominate the conversation. The group would return to quiet muttering, just for it to all start again moments later. 

Deciding it would work itself out - and that it was probably nothing, just a gossip gaggle that his anxiety was inflating to catastrophe - Sun made the executive choice to mind their own business. Worst case scenario, they reminded themself patiently, they could send Earth a social safeword - she'd come sprinting for anything scaled higher than ratfish. 

Somewhat calmer, they breathed softly, counting it out while rhythmically relaxing sections of their body. Finally a bit more living, a lot less like a live wire, they took another sip of their drink. They fiddled with their necklace absent-mindedly, pulling their apps up and set about reviewing the mental tallies of what they’d gotten to add to the shared Excel sheet for later. The color coded rows and columns were all more than halfway filled by this point, and Sun beamed as he noted how more than one would be nearing completion upon today's update. Never let it be said that Sunrise and Earth Celestial did not take the holidays seriously. 

It was just as Sun began considering what to look into for their sister herself that a thump on the table startled them out of their calculations. 

A dark haired boy stood across the flimsy table from the solar bot, messy fringe in disarray. A red jacket covered his broad shoulders, offset by the black tank top and dark jeans beneath. Most interestingly of all, however, was likely the bright blush on the boy’s face that completely juxtaposed the attempted scowl. A chin just barely beginning to grow a few dark whiskers quivered for a moment before he spoke. “Hey…”

Dumbfounded, Sunny just blinked. “Uh, hello? Can I… help you?”

“No- I mean… yes? Yeah. I, uh, was wondering something. That girl you’re with, is she your girlfriend?” 

Rays clicking in shock, Sun paused. It was likely a valid question, but it did not stop the initial nausea at the thought. “Uh, no, that’s my sister…?” 

The kid brightened suddenly, nodding. “Cool, cool, cool - so uh… M-My name is Ricky. Ya know… if you, uh…” The poor kid seemed to flounder for a moment before going in his pocket, slamming a paper on the table and then absolutely booking it back towards the table he'd come from. 

With a blink, Sun just tilted their head, watching as the human seemed to get enfolded back into the group. After a moment, fiddling with the sleeve of their sweater, they reached out and plucked the torn paper up. It was evidently ripped from a notebook, given the blue lines, but it was the scribbled name, contact number and lopsided heart on it that had Sun's rays locking in place with a sharp click. Blinking once, twice, and, upon it not spontaneously vanishing or becoming something else entirely, he gave a third. Ivory eyes stared at the writing. 

“What do you have there, Sun?”

With a startled squeak, he jolted upright, paper clutched to their chest. “Oh,” they breathed almost deliriously, “Sorry, Earth.” 

Lowering herself gracefully into the chair, she smiled sweetly, waving it off. “It's alright,” she assured, “You were distracted, and I startled you. It's alright if you don't want to share - I just was worried for a moment.” With a calm breath, she reached out and took up her own smoothie, rainbow bow bouncing inexplicably with her happy hum. “I got all of the spare food packed up and stored,” she offered, “Those sigils you're experimenting with are very good - Lunar has already started on his lo mein, apparently.” 

Stifling a laugh, Sunny flushed faintly at the praise. “I'm glad they work. Any issues you noticed?” Cold mocha and coffee hit their mouth sensors pleasantly, ankles crossing as they leaned onto the table. 

“Nope! They worked like a charm,” she giggled.

For a moment, Sun just stared, utterly unimpressed. 

“It was funny, stop being so grumpy,” Earth booped their nasal case playfully. “Poor Sunny bunny, so sad and gwumpy and ang'y~” 

It was like like muscle memory, the way Sun reached out to tug gently at a loose white curl. They laughed as their sister squawked in outrage, pouting. “Mm, yeah. I guess I was pretty grumpy. That helped though - thanks, sis.” 

“Well, now I'm grumpy,” she huffed, smile fighting to break over her mouth. “Guess I'll need to fix it myself!” Quick as a flash, she had snatched Sun's smoothie and stole a sip. Immediately, she froze, curls going comically rigid as her eyes widened. Far too polite to spit it out, she swallowed with some difficulty, then chased it with a gulp of her own, not-stolen beverage. “How do you handle that?”

“More espresso, less depresso,” Sun snarked back with a chuckle, wordlessly offering her a cookie from the bakery box. When she took it gratefully, the solar themed animatronic seemed to soften. “I know my extra shots make it a bit more bitter than most like. You okay?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, rolling her eyes playfully. “I'll survive, I do believe. I think that might be less of a smoothie and more like a gasoline slushie, though. Your caffeine intake is insane to me.” 

Sun arched a brow with a wry smile. “Hallucinations, obsessive compulsions, depressive spirals and unmanaged anxiety - and my coffee habits are where you declare me insane?” 

“Absolutely,” she pointed at them with a half eaten cookie. “The mental health issues? Understandable. Valid. I love you. The coffee? The caffeine that isn't coffee? Now that is a betrayal I cannot let stand. How dare.”

They managed a serious stare off for half a second before both devolved into helpless little giggles. 

Earth wiped a tear from her eye with a smile that softened. “Speaking of, however, how has that been treating you? Not therapy time,” she rushed to clarify, “just a little sister worried about her brother.”

Sun nibbled on their straw for a moment, considering. After a moment, they took a slow breath and shrugged. “I mean… it's not really great, but it's… better, I guess.” Rays twitching slightly, Sunny gave an almost shy smile. “The new protocol for the hallucinations and compulsions has been really good. Treating them like they're real and just as big to everyone else seems to make it less… I don't know, overwhelming? Stressful? It's weird, but… it's nice, too.” 

A soft hand settled over Sun's, their fingers interlocking automatically as Earth beamed. “I'm so glad,” she breathed. “I will admit to not having had the most in depth understanding in the beginning, but I can't begin to tell you how happy it makes me that we're finding ways to help.” She seemed to weigh her words for a moment before venturing carefully, “I think… The Incident really… hammered it all home for me, you know? That I didn't actually have all the answers already, that I still had things to learn…” 

Sunny gave her hand a squeeze, empathy in every line of their body. “You did the best you could,” they echoed plainly, “and mistakes are just… a part of learning. You're learning from them, and I'm proud of you.” Taking a moment himself, they decided to just go for the point they had wondered about. “How have you been handling things? I know it's been hard for everyone, but… I'm worried about you, too.” 

Blinking as if blindsided by the question - and oh if that didn't tie Sun's heart into a knot - Earth gave a slow hum. “Well… I manage,” she offered vaguely. “Monty and I talk about it, sometimes, but it's mostly fine.” 

“‘Mostly fine’ as in ‘it is not an immediate make-or-break’, or ‘mostly fine’ as in ‘I'm genuinely feeling well and appropriately perceived’,” Sun asked with a tone that was as firm as it was gentle. Alabaster eyes met vivid blue, patient and understanding. Their fingers tapped a steady, familiar rhythm over her knuckles.

The planetary-themed bot sagged slightly, sighing. After a pause, she confessed, “It's… difficult. I would hate to burden someone with my struggles, despite acknowledging the hypocrisy of that idea.” She tapped back in a movement to further identify the situation with a wane smile. “Truthfully, I… know that what he did would have consequences. There were things done and said that I cannot forgive. Despite it all, however, the situation was not black-and-white…” 

Sun, despite the pain brewing within themself, nodded. “Yeah, I know…” 

“... I think that my own feelings on the matter are less of a stressor than the response of others to my having them.” 

A snort fell from the solar themed bot without time to stop it. “Gods, I understand that, baby sister.” Shifting slightly to fold both silver-and-gold plated hands around the coffee-ivory-and-gold of his sister's, Sun held her hand comfortingly. “I know it seems… paltry to say, usually, but I just want you to know, Earth - I'm here, too. You're not alone in this, and if you want to talk about it - about... him,” they pointedly ignored the way their voicebox seemed to bubble over the word, grief still clinging, “then I will be here. I have you.” After a moment, he sighed. “... I miss him, too.”

“I think a part of me will always love him,” she whispered. “And part of me will always be angry. I hate being angry.” 

“I do, too, Airhead.” Sun offered a smile. “You're allowed to love and mourn someone who was a brother, Earth. Anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong.” 

She gave a trembling sigh, blinking back tears. Three brief squeezes, then two, were given to Sun's hand before she drew back. Sunny let her go. “Golly,” she wheezed, “Look at us, crying in a food court mall.” 

Unable to stop himself, Sun shrugged with a grin. “Us? Having issues? It's more likely than you think!” 

Earth snorted, reaching out to ruffle their rays and push their head back. “Dork,” she teased brightly. “Phew… so.” 

“So.” 

With a small smile, Earth cracked her neck and stretched. “Anywhere else you'd like to hit before we head home,” she asked brightly. 

Nerves bloomed in Sun's stomach for a brief moment. “If you're up for it,” they hedged with a nervous flick of their fingers, “I kind of wanted to… try something new. I wanted your opinion.” 

Curiosity piqued, the planetary bot tilted her head. “Of course. What is it?” She absently began gathering the gifts together, even as she listened intently, giving the illusion of space. 

With a determined breath, Sun spoke. “There's a new shop opened in the north wing - a women's wear place tailored to taller body types. Rumor has it there's some that would fit you and me both.” 

Earth paused. “... both?”

“If that's okay…?” 

She blinked, processing before smiling brightly. “It's fine by me,” she assured, “I just hadn't expected it. Are you looking for something in particular, or…?”

Working their jaw silently, Sun pulled a spare sigil from their backpack, casting the magic to activate the symbol. The shopping bags seemed to vanish immediately with a whip-crack of silvery white energy. After a moment, they shrugged. “Not specifically, really. Maybe… something that feels like sister instead of brother... or maybe sibling…?” 

Straightening, Earth turned soft eyes to her companion. “Sunny…?”

“Surprise! It's a girl - or something, kind of, a little bit, sometimes…?” They almost wanted to cringe away into the earth itself, fans beginning to run wild beneath their casing. He hadn't even really planned the conversation out, knowing that the more they focused, the more they'd shy away from putting it into action. Hands shaking slightly, they cradled their bitter-sweet drink as they swayed foot to foot. 

“... I have a sister,” Earth said breathlessly after a moment. “Is this like… are you gender fluid, or is there another term you prefer?”

“Not sure,” they admitted with a shrug. “It feels kind of like… I'm all of them and also none of them at the same time. I guess, in a way, it's kind of like genderfluid - sometimes some vibes feel more comfortable than others, I think. But I can't tell if it's just a style thing or a gender thing, if that makes sense?” 

The ease with which Earth linked their arms as they began walking was comfortable. The charms on her purse clinked happily with her gait. “It could be genderfluid - that kind of stuff feels different from person to person. What pronouns do you use?”

“Well, they/them is always safe. I'm also okay with he, and I think she is good, too, from where I've used it. I don't really mind all that much, on that front.” Carefully tugging, Sun shifted to guide Earth up a walkway to their left, making a quicker track towards the new place. “So, I guess They/Them most of the time. He or she is still okay though.” 

“Okay,” she chirped, leaning to nuzzle her cheek against the solar bot's head. “And what about terms? You mentioned sibling and sister…” 

Flushing, their rays quivered slightly in place as they smiled timidly. “W-Well, ironically, I think Dazzle's tendency lately to call me Mama has opened those floodgates. I think I prefer the more feminine terms - sister, mom, auntie, pretty, stuff like that. But neutral ones are good, too. Some masculine terms are… acceptable, I guess? But they don't really fit quite as well.”

“Is it the terms themselves that don't fit, or is it the way the terms are used?” Earth gave an absent wave to an excited child, and Sunny followed with their own finger flutter. The kid squealed happily, turning to babble at their parents.

“Mm… I don't really know.” 

Tilting her head, Earth offered, “We can experiment, if ever you'd like. Whatever flavor of nonbinary you are, I'm really glad you trusted me enough to share. Does anyone else know?”

Shaking their head, Sun paused, seeing the store in sight. Nudging their sister with their hip, he gave a gentle tug over to the business. Voice softer, they continued. “Not yet,” they gave a short little huff of a laugh, “It never seemed like the right time, and then I'd get all worried and scared. Mana and Atlas know, but it wasn't a matter of coming out, per se - they sort of just always knew, due to the nature of our magical connections, if that makes sense. You were… I wanted to talk to you first. If anyone were to get it and not tease me immediately, it would be you.” 

Earth's hand tightened around their own for a brief moment before relaxing. “I won't breathe a word to anyone,” she promised quietly, “but would you like me to start using the terms you prefer now?” 

Sun's fans kicked up a setting, and their rays twirled. “I-I mean… if it's no trouble?”

She snorted, shaking her head, white plume of curls bouncing with it. “Being nice to my big sister is no trouble at all,” she declared proudly. “When or if you want to tell others, you'll have my complete support. But for now…” She grinned, taking in the variety of clothing and accessories. “Let's enjoy our trip, sis!” 

One hour - and a few bags - later, the two giggled their way through the parking lot, gushing about their newest purchases and planning their next ‘Sister Date’. As they climbed happily into the car, despite a quick play-fight over the radio, they settled into happy, comfortable quiet. 

The torn paper in Sunny's pocket lay temporarily forgotten - for the time being, anyway. 

Chapter Text

“Mama! Bluey!”

Sun turned, their faceplate lilting slightly as a smile bloomed on their lips. “Oh, I see, baby!” They leaned closer slightly, nudging the small deer gently with a titter. “I really liked the Gary and Spongebob balloon,” they whispered, unable to resist the urge to dance their fingers over her sides. 

Dazzle gave a squeal of laughter, squirming happily until she could flop away, scrambling over to Moon's lap, earning a startled squawk as the lunar themed animatronic hastily set aside his coffee. “Save me, uncle Moon!” She curled up, cackling as silver and navy limbs folded up, caging her in. 

“Sunny,” the night themed bot gave a dramatic gasp, “How dare you attack my sweet little niece! Naughty naughty~” 

“You have been spending far too much time with the other Moon,” the solar attendant snorted with a smile. “And how am I naughty? I'm not attacking! I just want to give all my love, is that so bad?”

“Mama is a tickle monster,” the little deer bot squeaked with a bright grin. “Monster loves can't get past Moony!” 

With a theatrical gasp, Sunny leaned against the far edge of the couch, wiping away stray, totally-existent and not-at-all-pretend, tears. “Oh, abandoned by my child,” they bemoaned, “how shall I ever go on? I have so much love to give… but to whom…?”

“Me!” 

The grunt that Sun released at having an orange and ochre missile colliding with their body was just loud enough to be heard through the clank of metal on metal. Despite the mild throb, they released a laugh, bodily lifting Jack up like an exceptionally metallic cat. Settling him back in their lap, the yellow bot gave a chirp, absently wiping at a smear of frosting from the corner of his mouth. 

In response, Jack squirmed the slightest bit, but conceded to the touch. “I will face the beast,” he snickered, “and take mamá's tickles! Must protect Dazzle!” 

“Oh, how brave,” Sun chuckled, “but tickles are only a part of my armory, pumpkin!” 

“Wha- AH!” 

The jack-o-lantern themed animatronic released what could only be described as a squeal as Sunny gave playful bites at his neck before blowing sharply. Stick thin limbs failed, giggles echoing in the living room from children and adults alike. The solar model held fast, delighting as the younger bot wriggled happily through their ministrations. Dazzle, still safe in Moon's limb-cage, covered her face with her sticky little cloven hands, cackling breathlessly. 

“Oh, no,” Solar drawled from the far right, chin in hand, nursing his own coffee with a wry quirk of his lips. “My boy…” 

“Father, help!” 

“You're missing the parade,” Earth reminded them gently, voice bouncing with her giggles. “Unless someone set it to record?” 

At the soft reminder, Sunny let up on the warfare, instead leaning back to let Jack calm. Curling half on their lap, half on the couch, he nestled in with a flickering sound akin to a purr, fiery optics watching the screen contentedly. Without a word, Sun grabbed his abandoned plate, offering the cinnamon rolls over. Dark clawed hands eagerly tugged it closer with a trill while gunmetal and gold fingers passed Dazzle's plate off to silver and navy. 

The kids gave happy sounds, continuing their breakfast while snuggling closer to their more recently acquired cuddle buddies. Earth and Monty were curled together on the loveseat, Solar twisted nearly sideways in the lounge chair. Lunar had sprawled across the ottoman, with Muffin laying in a loaf along his spine. It was a calm morning, quiet and content. 

Cleo pressed incessantly against Sun's chin from behind, earning a gentle scratch as he, too, settled in for the time being. 

Thanksgiving seemed to follow a bit of a system with their family now. Tradition was a fickle thing, one born through repetition through the ages. Their past holidays were… certainly eventful, admittedly, but they'd only ever really settled on a tentative schedule a year back. Even then, the schedule was loose, flippant, and subject to change. They would watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade together, comfortable and cozy, while enjoying a lazy brunch. After that, they'd divide and conquer. Some would help tidy up, others would take the younger ones out and about to play, and then they'd set up the remaining time until dinner with whatever activities suited their fancy. 

This year, dinner was set to be something of a potluck. Everyone had a dish to pick, and it would be set up in the kitchen for a self-serving flow. Earth had brought a smaller portion of tteokbokki, though she and Monty had both worked to make a large batch of stuffed peppers. Despite the initial claim that “sharing his precious is potluck enough”, Lunar did eventually abandon the Nutella to tag in with the cooking, working with Moon to make little light sandwiches and finger foods for grazing as the day wore on. Solar, meanwhile, had been instrumental in helping the kids pick and make their own contributions. Being one of the very few other souls they felt even marginally comfortable leaving alone in the kitchen, the darker hued mechanic was predominantly in charge of helping Dazzle with her purple velvet cookies - since the purple 'just tasted better', according to her - while Sun carefully walked Jack through the process of making a pumpkin roll. 

Just to err on the side of caution as well, Sun has a pot of pumpkin soup on, some fresh fruits and safe foods on hand in case of any sensory upsets. An indulgent and hopeful batch of snickerdoodles sat safely aside, stored carefully in an airtight container. 

Most of the cooking or preparation was already done the night before, with only a few minor things to finish up. That was where Sunny found themself after the parade came to an end, Lunar and Moon having escorted the kids outside to help set up some games. For a decent amount of time, Solar had been just to their side, drying dishes as they were washed, companionable quiet until the chore ended and the eclipse model had drifted off with a reminder to call if they needed anything. Rays still twirling absently, they’d moved along to begin pulling their final dish out, weaving around their sister and Monty with an ease that felt warm in their circuits. Spices and herbs were passed to and fro with smiles and laughter. Slow cookers and baking dishes were set in place, pots to burners and utensils to saucers. They filtered in and out, checking in and drifting off until three became two became one. 

Sunny sipped their tea happily, optics gently closed as slippered feet, twisted back to rest on point beneath the chair, tapped together at the heel. Magic seemed to drift from the tea blend they were experimenting with, a milky orange and sugary pink hue to the steeped herbs. It tasted like crisp mornings, the joy of a hot beverage, the comfort of a beloved’s touch, the press of chaste kisses on cheeks and head and nose within the biting chill of the cold. It was perhaps the best blend they’d tried yet, though they figured the taste would be an acquired flavor. Not all may enjoy such profiles on their tongue. It tasted almost-

“Decadent, my child. You have a talent for this.” 

Ivory eyes shot open. 

Atlas gave a soft smile, sipping his own cup of tea - identical to their own. “You imbue so much energy in your surroundings,” he explained patiently before they could even ask, “that it makes items rather easy to replicate through incorporeal means.” He sipped the tea again, hands cradling the cup delicately, as if still cautious not to damage it. 

Sun gave a smile, resting their chin in hand. “Given that this whole body is incorporeal, does the distance or ambient energy impact your senses?” Pale eyes glanced up and over towards the counter, towards a particular stash of sweets in particular. “Would be a shame if it does…” 

“You need not worry over that,” he assured, “I can taste just fine still. If anything…” he tilted his head slightly, considering. “Hmm, if the nature of your home has any impact, it is merely the clarity of the intent behind your creations. It is much… brighter, here.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Quite,” he took a calm breath with a smile. “Your love seems to bleed from every crevice - yours and others alike. It is a beautiful home, Sunrise.” 

Rays twitching happily, Sunny beamed with a shy giggle. “Aw, thanks, Atlas…” 

“You are most welcome.” The comfortable quiet remained for a moment before he turned a curious tilt of his head towards the kitchen. “... Your own signature is familiar as ever, my child, but I must ask - who else has been taking to the Craft? Their prints are quite potent.” 

“That, master, would be Jack and Dazzle,” they grinned with a scrunch of their nose. “They are quite eager with helping, and Mother was very pleased by their interests in it.” 

“I see… well,” he slowly pushed himself up, stepping around to offer his arm. “I do believe it to be high time I formally met my grandchildren, yes?” 

With a laugh, Sunny rose, offering their hand. “Then let's get to it.”

Chapter Text

“Father.”

With a sigh that contained over an eon of exhaustion that no amount of caffeine could cure, Solar looked up slowly from his workbench. Upon seeing nothing, he cast his gaze higher still, only stopping when he caught sight of Jack twisted into a distorted crawl in the overhead piping. Praying to any higher power - or lower, really, at this point he was not all that picky - for patience, he blinked. “Yes, Jack?” 

“Mamá said we are having stew for dinner,” the young bit purred happily, face plate twisting three times clockwise, then twice counter. His bell jingled happily as it bonked his back with each rotation. “It is your turn to pick the bread~” 

“Sun,” he corrected, though it had lost the vehemence that it once held after perhaps the forty sixth time, “is not your mother, Jack.”

“Father, what bread should mamá prepare for the stew?” 

“Oh my god,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. With a slow breath, he reminded himself that no, he could not strangle his son (he never would), and that the spark of heat in his chest was simply annoyance at the resurgence of a relatively recent though recurring debate and nothing more, certainly not at all a brewing emotion he was refusing to name toward someone he refused to admit to. The topic of Jack calling Sun his mother was one that had been shot down more times than Solar could keep track of. It began a few days shy of a month ago, perhaps as a joke initially before spiralling into habit. No amount of reminders to the contrary seemed to stick, and, to be completely honest, the eclipse model had actively stopped labeling each iteration of such discussion in his memory files in lieu of just slamming them into a collective folder. At last count, he was certain it was over one hundred. At the very least, the mother-claiming had given Puppet a bit of a break, all things considered. Deciding that it was not worth the effort of depositing yet another file - and, frankly speaking, almost certain that he may have to look into an external hard drive specifically for that particular folder should he continue - Solar waved a hand absently. “I’m fine with whatever, really. But I know there's some of those yeast rolls in the freezer downstairs - that would be great.”

“Understood!” Like an unholy nightmare-spider on a mission, Jack scuttled back ‘into the darkness’ with a giddy little laugh, echoing ominously in the shadows. Glowing orange eye lights blended into the inky abyss overhead slowly before vanishing entirely between one blink and the next. 

If the eclipse model were a lesser bot, it may have scared the bolts out of his chassis. As it stood, however, he was simply a tired man who was battling his demons - and frankly, their offers were looking more and more tempting by the day. A fifty three hour nap did sound like such a lovely time, after all. 

Alas, he could not. A coma, no matter how charming, would mean going without the small joys that had begun to make his days brighter - the way Jack and Dazzle would grin at him, the camaraderie of Moon’s silent company, Earth’s comfortable presence, and Sun’s- 

Well.

Those red velvet cookies of Sun's could simply not be replicated, even psychosomatically. He refused to let his mind wander further than that - at least not now. 

Turning back to his project, he forced any and all echo of images, sounds and touch as far from his perception as mechanically possible. Deft hands pinned panels and shifted screw holes into alignment with a level of precision that any human surgeon would weep with envy over. Slowly, the internal workings began to be enfolded within the casings. This side piece had been on his reminders list for quite some time, and it was nearing the final stages of completion. 

It was just under an hour later that a ping from the family's encrypted communications channel pulled him from his work. Sunny's voice, light and airy, drifted out once he opened the audio message. A laugh made the yellow bot's voice box bounce around the words, barely audible over the children and Lunar's voices in the background within the recording. It seemed dinner was ready, and everyone was being called in. 

Setting aside his gift, the eclipse model pushed himself upright, stretching to release any residual tension in his joint sockets, and huffed a fond laugh. A quick lock up of his work area was done before he activated the internal teleporter, landing at the front door with a wash of magi-tech over his sensors. Taking just a moment to reorient and check on the experimental sigil that had been applied to the transportation device, the deep hearth-hued orange bot let himself into the house with a soft, comfortable sigh. The sound of voices coming from the kitchen had a mild smile quirking upon his lips, the homely energy undeniable in the way it seemed to fill every crack and crevice of his body, buoyant with the warmth and love it seemed to breathe into his core.

Just as he was about to call out his presence, a ping crossed his HUD, once more from the family group chat. 

They’dam Gaydom: what’s for dinner, sunny boy 👁👁 

Muffling a snort, Solar rolled his dark red optics with a wry grin, stopping by the closet to pull the extension piece for the dining room table without so much as a word. He had the sudden inkling that they would be having company - though truly, he thought sarcastically, it was a wonder why he'd ever think such a thing. As he shifted the leaf in his grasp, more alerts popped up, icons skipping up along the right side of his visual display. He bit back a laugh, even as he temporarily muted the chime alert.

Starry Knight: stew and rolls 

Starry Knight: also sunny says to get your dumb ass over here or he’ll turn you into a purse

Evil Furry: he most certainly did not, Sunny doesn't swear in front of the kids. 

Evil Furry: …. 

Evil Furry: lunar when I see you, it’s on sight, you little shit 

[Evil Furry changed his name to Pest Control 🌙]

It was to the cackling of a younger brother actively igniting the Cain Instinct in his elder that Solar found himself entering the kitchen. Table leaf under one arm, he used the free hand to yank the small lunar model’s hood down over his eyes with a rather impressive poker face. “Hey, Sun, Monty’s coming with Earth, I'm pretty sure,” he tossed casually, “I got the table.” 

“Oh, thanks, Sol,” the yellow hued bot chirped, turning from where he was stirring a comically albeit necessarily large pot that wafted a scent that could only be described as divine. The burgundy capris that the other was donning was covered by an apron dusted with flour, a dish towel over one thin shoulder that covered the thin strapped tank top beneath. With Dazzle happily pulling down bowls from the cabinet and Jack ferrying them over to the island in easy assistance, the sight they made was painfully domestic. It was made all the sweeter when Sun gave each child a peck on the head as the two passed by on a joint mission to pull out the cups from a higher shelf. 

A small elbow nudged his side, yanking Solar’s attention to Lunar’s shit eating grin. Resisting the urge to bonk the small bot with the chunk of wood in his possession, he instead hip-checked the other and gave a huff. “Stop being a menace and help me with the table.”

“Psh,” the pastel animatronic rolled their eyes, “I can do both. I have ✨️ The Range ✨️.”

Far beyond the point where he questioned how - or, rather why - the othe utilized Star Power to add visible additives to his spoken words, Solar just gave a mildly annoyed scowl. “Maybe use that range of your to help with the dang table then, you blue gumball son of a bi-” Catching himself a split second before ivory optics burning with sheer hellfire fell upon him, Solar rushed to correct himself, “-iiiscuit.”

“Uh huh,” Lunar snorted with a grin, “Great save.” 

“Lunar, stop antagonizing Solar,” Sunny sang in a tone that would almost be considered sweet and disarming if it were heard by anyone who knew him less. As it stood, Lunar stiffened slightly while the eclipse model tried not to snicker. 

“Fine,” the smaller one pouted, chastised for the time being as he scurried under to flip the locks and spread the two halves of the table top. 

“Thanks, Sun,” Solar almost chirped with a slight grin only to wither a bit at the stern expression the solar model was sporting. He quickly turned a nervous smile down at the smaller bot now peeking through the gap. “Th-Thanks, Lunar.” 

Both sagged when the yellow bot gave a nearly inaudible hum of satisfaction, venting silently. They glanced over in tandem to see Sunny softly guiding the kids through the new chore before they glanced back down to each other. It took a near herculean effort for the two to not burst out cackling, ending with Solar manually muting his voice box while Lunar hid his face in their hood, grin splitting the pale periwinkle in a curve of ivory. 

Settling the leaf in after a moment to collect themselves, the pastel bot reclaimed his chair, still shaking with muted giggles. Solar, on the other hand, immediately drifted over towards the heart of the kitchen with a disarming smile. 

“I come with a spare set of hands,” he greeted diplomatically, “as a peace offering.” With a tilt of his head, his secondary set of rays bobbing just the slightest bit, he wiggled his fingers in a half hearted attempt at jazz hands. 

Snowy eyes regarded him almost suspiciously, expression much more embellished than usual before turning to the duo of little helpers. “I don't know,” Sun hummed consideringly, lips pursed comically. “What do you guys think? Is he being honest? Does our beloved Solar really want peace?”

Jack immediately bounced on his toes. “Father should work to repay his sins!”

“I think Uncle Sol is bein’ nice,” Dazzle declared, “a-and if he isn't, we'll get him!”

“Oh,” the bright solar gasped theatrically, “you'd do that for me, junebug? How sweet~”

“I can use my laser fingers!”

“No,” Sun and Solar cut in with perfect synchrony, though the former continued, “Jackie, we don't use laser hands on people. Only enemies, and only then as a last resort. It's not nice to hurt others, honey.” 

“I would not hurt father,” the pumpkin-faced bot clarified, “I would burn funny holes in his pants!” 

“I'd rather you didn't do that either, Jack,” he chuckled. “I like these pants.”

“Is it because mamá patched those ones,” Jack-o-moon inquired with all of the finesse of a bull in a glass palace. Despite Solar's suddenly fuming fans, it was Sun who spoke next. 

“How about we stop talking pants and start talking dinner, instead,” he redirected smoothly, moving back toward the stove. “Who wants to help dish everything up, hmm? Untie Monty, auntie Earth, and uncle Moon ought to be here any minute.” 

Both children seemed to dash excitedly at the prospect of helping further, with Dazzle carefully organizing the dishware into settings and Jack darting each group to the table. They seemed to work like a well oiled machine, and it was blatantly evident that this was certainly not their first rodeo with dinner time help. 

Making a mental note to look into those matching DIY apron kits for a Christmas present, Solar turned expectant eyes to Sun. “And how may I assist?”

With a smile, the saffron bot tilted his head in thought before gesturing to the fridge. “If you'd like to grab out the pitchers, we can go ahead and get that set up.” 

With a salute and nod, he did just that. Grape juice, sweet tea, lemonade and an airtight dispenser for oil was set carefully on the counter, equidistant and aligned in the proper sizing order that he knew the other rayed bot preferred. A happy, albeit slightly embarrassed, smile was his reward, warming his own cheeks in the face of the other's peachy blush. 

They'dem Gaydom: open up

Solar had a front row seat as a mischievous grin lit the Sunny's face, bright rays twirling as they paused slightly. 

Sunny Bunny: it all started when I first came online- 

They'dam Gaydom: ha ha. so funny. I meant the damn door, hands are full

“Lunar,” the giggly sunshine bot began, “would you mind-?”

“On it!” 

A few moments later, two verdant animatronics drifted in, and Monty, true to form, carried with him a few bags and a small collection of what looked like pie dishes cradled in his claws. Earth greeted everyone with a quick kiss before helping her partner set their wares in a clear space out of the way. 

“Do I want to ask,” Sun began hesitantly, despite his smile. 

“Sun. Buddy. Pal. My friend. Future brother in law.” Monty set the last bag down before turning and sidling close, arms wrapping around the yellow bot, snout tucked down to give a daring attempt at swamp puppy eyes. “You love me, right?” 

White eyes narrowed slowly. “Ordinarily, I would say yes, but I can tell this is going somewhere,” the daytime bot tilted his head, rays retracting to keep from pricking the scaled being clinging to his back, “and I frankly don't know if I'm going to like it.” 

Immediately, the gator dropped the pathetic face, huffing, though his hug lingered. “Ahh, ya know what, that's actually fair.” With a grin, he jerked his head to the side. “Ain't nothing too bad, really. Ya mentioned wanting pecan pie earlier, and I know how ya get when you're in a tizzy. Figured a peace offering of baking ingredients would endear me enough to ask a favor.”

“Favor as in ‘Sunny, I also want a pie or something’ or favor as in ‘hey, it's crime time’?”

Earth was the one to cut in, then, moving to wrap Solar in a hug herself as she giggled. “Monty's sweet tooth has been acting up,” she teased lightly, “so you can make whatever you like, s-Sunny.” 

The gator gave a soft bellow of embarrassment, successfully drawing attention from the planetary bot's mild slip. He whined, turning to tuck his face into Sun's back, tail visibly wagging even as he bemoaned, “The betrayal! The heartache! How will I go on?” 

Earth's giggles, Solar's huff and Sun's own laugh nearly overpowered the children's sudden squeal. “Hug time!” They crashed into one another, tumbling to the floor with a sudden clatter, though not worryingly loud. Just before Sun could call out a reminder to be mindful, they managed to roll over and knock Lunar's chair hard enough to jar him, giving the two sets of grabby-hands the opening to drag him into their affection prison. The pastel lunar bot made a decent show of struggling before being enveloped and going limp. 

This was what Moon came in to see as he opened the back door, mildly disheveled. “Sorry I'm late, I was being devious- uh.” Vampiric black optics slowly glanced around, from his best friend clinging to his twin to his sister holding Solar, then finally to the giggly tangle of limbs that was once his nephew, niece and, judging by the nubby periwinkle hand twitching in ‘death throes’, his little brother. 

 He blinked. 

“... cool.” He stepped over the gaggle of tots as casually as possible, entering the kitchen. “Smells great,” he praised, offering Earth and Solar a nod before pressing close to Sun's side. “Want help setting the table?” 

“Sure,” the brighter twin chuckled. “The kids got most of it done before they became a cuddle-blob, so if you want to just set the potholders, that'd be great.” 

“I can serve the drinks,” Earth offered with a smile. “Just let me know who wants what.” 

As they continued, Monty tilted his head up the slightest bit. “Need me to do anything,” he offered softly, watching as those gunmetal and gold hands flicked the burner down and traded the spoons. 

“Not exactly,” the warm toned bot conceded quietly, “most of everything is already finished. You could grab the rolls from the stand oven, though, if you'd like?” 

With a hum, the gator untangled his limbs, moving to do as requested. Between all of the help, dinner was ready and on the table within a few short minutes. The most time consuming task turned out to be untangling the smallest three. Lunar and Jack managed to somehow get their hood and hat respectively knotted up while one of Dazzle's antlers caught just perfectly in the seam of her best friend's faceplate. 

Luckily for all, Sunny had more than a bit of experience in untying physics defying tiny-tot-tangles. 

With each person settled soon at the table, bowls filled and chatter growing, Solar found a previously unnoticed knot in his chest easing as well. Something about it all was a balm on his nerves. The love was heavy in the air, and while there was still work to do regarding the interpersonal habits, there was a blanket of hope across everyone's shoulders. This, his mind whispered in an echo of a voice long gone, is what a family feels like. 

Red on yellow-orange optics slid casually over, observing the taller, yellow hued bot adjacent to him. Napkin in hand, the solar model was dabbing at a mild smear on Dazzle’s cheek, readjusting the little deer’s grip on her spoon with a sweet smile. Without even looking, another roll was plucked up, handed off to Jack who gave a trill of joy, stimming happily as he tore the bread into small pieces. 

Solar would deny to his dying day that his LEDs had flickered into hearts for the briefest of moments as he watched calmly. He wondered absently if Jack’s new habit was truly such a bad thing. Once the thought registered, he promptly grabbed it, shoved it into a box, and pictured throwing it into the abyss of binary deep in his programming. Instead, he forced his thoughts to return to the nearly-done item sitting in his workshop. It had taken precious time to run through the design and prototyping process before he was confident that it would work, and now it was nearing the final stretch. Every effort was made to think on that project instead of the saccharine nirvana glowing across the table. 

He was completely unaware of the knowing look being sent his way as dinner progressed.

Chapter Text

1 - Moon

“Brother, we need to talk.” 

Nobody ever believes just how all encompassing the processor-freezing terror of that sentence from that particular voice box truly was. Head tilting slowly up, Moon tried to subtly glance at his twin's hands as he straightened himself up. The relief of seeing no shoe nor any type of spoon was as comforting as a choir of angels in a pious woman's heart. Being neither religious or a lady, Moon just blinked. “Is this a ‘gentle communication’ talk or a ‘pick a god and pray’ talk?”

Yellow hued fingers twisted together, rays clicking - nervous ticks, the night themed twin noted - as the solar bot gave a soft breath. “It's nothing… bad. I think? So the former, I guess. Can we… I-I don't know, sit?” 

“Yeah,” he immediately offered his hand, drawing the other with him as he led them through the bowels of the lab. The lower levels of the back wing doubled as emergency living quarters, equipped for everything shy of something like a dimensional cheese grater. Moon led his twin to the nearest - and plushest - unit. It was almost muscle memory, the way he nearly shoved Sun into the center of the couch, meticulously piling pillows, stuffed animals, and blankets around until he bodily sprawled across the daytime bot. Faceplate twirling in place, he blinked. “... little late to ask, but, uh… cuddles? Sorry, just sort of went into dragon mode.” 

Sunny just snorted, rolling ivory eyes with a slight smile. “It's fine. I… kind of like the pressure and proximity here. I, uh… I really need to tell you something, Moon.” 

Shifting just enough to prop his chin on his arm, the lunar themed bot nodded, brow twitching ever so slightly, anxious. “I'm listening,” he offered gently, “whatever you need to say.” 

“...” Working for words, voicebox giving a soft fluff of static, the rayed twin began. “Earlier, you, uh… while we were playing, you called me a femboy. A-And I wanted to… to talk about it, because I had reacted pretty strongly at the time and worried you.” Sunny hesitated for a moment. “I don't know that I really… have a label, exactly. But I'm… I'm not…!”

Navy and silver hands moved, taking gunmetal and gold gently, soothingly squeezing and rubbing. “Breathe,” he offered gently, guilt rearing its ugly head in his chest and throat. “I didn't know it bothered you so badly, brother, I'm so sor-”

“I don't want to be your brother.” 

Moon froze. 

Sun spit a slew of swears, pulling at the ring of rays. “Fuck, no, I didn't mean like that - I'm - I want to be your sister! And sibling! And brother, too! I just-” With a soft hiccup, oily tears welled up in ivory optics, and a choked sob crackled from that higher pitched voicebox. “We're twins. And I love it, I love you. I love having you as a brother. But sometimes I want to be your sister more, or I want to be your sibling, and I've been… really nervous about telling you.”

“Nervous?” His voice surprised even himself, mildly hoarse but not aggressive. Vampiric black optics blinked, incomprehensibly. “I- Sun, why would I even care about that?” He froze at the mild flinch, shaking his head and backtracking. “I mean, why would that sort of thing ever bother me? I'm agender. I don't really ascribe to the whole… gender thing period. My best friend is genderfluid. Our little brother isn't exactly cis, either.” He moved a hand, gently - and slowly, with full allowance to pull away, allowance the other did not act on - cupped a hand over a saffron cheek. Moon thumbed over the curve of the warmer toned bot's faceplate, eyes soft. “What you are will never matter to me, Sun. It's who you are that I love. You're my twin - my other half. We were together before we even had a conscious thought. Nothing will ever make me change my feelings on that.” Dangerously close to an overload from the mushy feelings, Moon moved his hand, pinching Sun’s nose before flicking the bottom most left hand ray in a way unharmful but largely irritating. “Unless you did something utterly unforgivable, like… I don't know, if you ate my chocolate covered graham crackers - then we’d have a problem.” 

The teary laugh that escaped the yellow themed boy was musical to the cooler toned animatronic’s audio sensors. 

It also brought up a valid and vital question. “Sibling war crimes aside,” he settled back down, very poignantly looking away while the other cleared away tears, “What pronouns do you go by? You also gave kind of a mix for words - how do you want me to refer to you?”

With a gulp, Sunny twisted to twine their fingers with Moon’s. “It’s… difficult to explain. They/them and neutral terms are always safe. That’s always pretty steady. And more… feminine terms, those are fine, too - like, Dazzle calling me Mama doesn't bother me, or Jack’s new habit of calling me mom or mamá. I actually like that no matter how I'm feeling.” Gesturing absently with their free hand, Sun began miming a bar graph as best they could. “It’s just… so complicated because it’s like… I’m all of them! Constantly. B-But sometimes, the Girl Bar is here,” they held a hand at eye level, then dropped it to about waist height, “or it can be all the way down here. Same with being a man, it just varies! They’re like a fluctuating pie chart, but also not really like anything, at all, ever.” 

Moon blinked. “The fuck?”

Sun gave a strangled groan, flopping back. “I don't even know,” they whined, “I’m just a fucked up little creature. I've just been calling it nonbinary with pizzazz.” The follow up of jazz hands really sold the title. 

“Well,” the lunar model offered, “that’s fair. I can start with using different terms, adding some variety to my reference banks for my Sunny files. What feels most comfortable right now?”

“They/them, neutral or feminine terms - sibling or sister,” they confessed quietly. “Please.” 

Moon stared into the middle distance for a moment before blinking. “All set,” he hummed. “We can figure out the rest in time, but for now, I’m going to cuddle my sibling, alright?” 

Sunny laughed, not noticing as Moon suddenly went rigid. Shaking their head, they sighed. “You talk a huge game about not liking touch, and yet you turn into a spidermonkey sometimes, you know that, brother?” There was no response. The solar bot frowned. “Uh…. Brother?”

“Oh no.” 

“.... Moon?”

“This is bad,” the night themed bot breathed, eyes unseeing. “Sun, this is so freaking bad.” 

“Wh- EEK!” 

Moon held Sunny’s face close, pressed forehead to forehead with a look of despair. “Sunny. Sibling. Sister. I love you and support you- but oh my fucking gods.” He let out a crackle of static, an odd mixture of a growl and a whine. “You're already cute,” he said with a thousand yard stare, “but if this gets out… oh, fuck, I don't have whacking sticks anymore. I won't be able to beat the simps off.” He seemed to process for a moment before he shifted his grip, tilted his head and pressed his cheek to Sun's. “I need to make a gun.”

Caught between shock and incredulous laughter, the solar twin simply squirmed with an awkward snicker. “Moony, no-”

“Moony, yes!” With a whir of machinery, the lunar model scrambled up, almost crushing the other in his arms, rocking dramatically to and fro, holding fast despite the other's giggling resistance. “I can feel that Brother's Adrenaline kicking in!”

“Stop quoting Brandon Rogers, Moon!”

“I can see every equation!”

“Stop it,” Sunny cackled, letting out a squeak as the other went suddenly and unexpectedly limp, tossing them both into the mountain range of pillows and stuffed animals. 

“Okay.”

Arms shifting to hug the nighttime bot, Sunny rolled their eyes. “You’re horrible.”

With a cheeky grin, Moon snickered. “You love me.”

“Ugh. Yeah, I do. Must be a defect.”

They made eye contact for a total of five seconds before both broke into laughter. Moon tightened his hold, nuzzling closer. “Love you, too, sister.”

Systems singing, the daytime bot couldn’t stop the happy chirp nor the flutter of their rays as they snuggled closer into their twin. 

They added a checkmark next to Moon’s name in their list. 

2 - Lunar

“Hey, Sun, I have a question.”

The animatronic addressed let out a shriek, nearly throwing their pot in surprise. Whipping around with wide eyes, they stared at the pastel bot sitting calmly on the counter behind them. Lunar kicked his feet casually, as if he hadn’t snuck in and scared the binary out of his older sibling’s processor. 

“Hi, by the way.”

“Lunar,” Sunny hissed, “if I were organic, you’d have killed me five times over.” 

“Yeah. That would suck,” the starlet nodded. “Anyway, can I ask you a question?”

“Yes, I did get that limited edition nutella you wanted from the store.”

Seeing those five pointed pupils dilate in real time was certainly an experience, but the little lunar model shook his head. “Love that, and I will be eating it later,” he vowed, “but that wasn't the question. You busy?”

With a deadpan look between the smaller bot and the dinner they were already working on, Sunny simply arched a brow. Absently moving to add the last of the potatoes to the pot, they kept eye contact, expectant. 

“Cool. So,” they crossed his arms across his chest, nodding. “One - where did you put your heels, and two - can I borrow your purse?”

“... what?” 

“Heels,” Lunar reiterated, “purse. Gimme?” 

“Well… which ones are you talking about? I have a few pairs, and I have like four purses, dude. Clarification would be nice.” They added a dash of salt to the pot. 

“Oh, the short ones, the dark purple! I can't walk in hooker heels like you.” 

Sunny nearly dropped the entire salt shaker into the pot with a squawk, face blooming scarlet. “Lunar!”

“What?” 

Whipping around, the yellow hued bot gave an embarrassed scowl, planting their hands on their hips. “Hooker heels,” they squeaked out past the flustered static. “What are you talking about?” 

“Anything higher than one inch is death,” the other defended with a solemn nod. “‘If the heel is higher than two, then she is a thot, and that is true’.”

“I am not a thot,” they shrieked, holding up a wooden spoon threateningly. "Women are queens!”

Hands up in surrender, the pastel bot gave a snicker, leaning back. “If she breathes-” 

“Lunar, I swear to the cosmos-” 

“Sorry,” he giggled, waving his hands, “sorry, sorry. You're not a thot, Sunny, all ladies are queens, and your ankle breakers are perfectly respectable.” After a moment to calm, he tilted his head with a smile. “Might I borrow thine violet hued footwear, your highness?” 

“Your majesty,” they corrected without thought. “Your highness is used for members of the royal family - your majesty is for the reigning monarch.” With a quick movement, they plopped a small bit of butter on their little brother's nose with a smirk. “And you said it yourself - I'm a queen. Address me properly, peasant.” 

Lunar gaped for a moment, crosseyed to look at the herb infused mess on his face before flopping dramatically backwards in a death throe. “Wounded,” he gasped, clawing at the air, “Betrayal! By my queen! How could this ever happ-” He paused, shooting upright again with a squint. “Wait, queen?”

Sunny stiffened. 

“... is this like a gender thing or a femboy thing? No judgement either way, I love you regardless, just wondering.”

Chewing at their lip for a moment, the solar bot shrugged. “Uh, both? I'm uh… I'm like a boy part time. But also a girl. And also neither? All and nothing, I think.”

“Oh, cool!” With a smile, the smaller bot curled up, shoes carefully perched on the handle of the topmost drawer beneath them instead of the counter. “Genderfluid like Monty or something else?”

Absently waving a hand, Sunny moved the pot of potatoes to the stovetop. “Eh, similar to Monty, but not genderfluid. More like… Oh!” They snapped, turning to the smaller bot. “Have you ever seen DJ's synthesizer?”

“No, but I have seen one in a game or movie.”

“Close enough. It's like that. There's like… the sliding bars. And they're always changing, but sometimes some are higher than others, you know? The neutral one is always high, but boy or girl kind of varies in intensity, but never at zero. I just say nonbinary and call it a day.”

There was an immediate spark in Lunar's eye. “No biney? Not even a singular biney?”

The unimpressed look on Sun's face was somehow heightened with the apron and dusting of flour on their cheek. “...”

“Sorry,” the smaller one giggled, “couldn't resist. Seriously, though, that's funky. Love that for you! Do your pronouns change?”

Giving a slow shrug, Sunny hummed. “I'm experimenting with it,” they confessed, “but they/them is always a safe bet. I like the androgyny, but feminine terms are fine, too, regardless of all that. Things like sister or, you know, queen.”

With a slow nod, Lunar tilted their head. “... does this mean Earth is the only cis person in our family?”

The solar themed bot paused. “Huh… As far as I know, I guess so. Maybe the kids, but I'm not going to go putting labels on them. They deserve a chance to decide if they want those, themselves, in their own time.”

“Yeah, fair.” 

There was a comfortable silence for a moment. Sunny checked on the dough rising in the oven, then began moving the used dishes towards the sink. Lunar wordlessly grabbed the dish soap from the cabinet above him, passing it over. The soft sound of the faucet running, of the clink of dishes being washed, filled the air. It felt homely, domestic, and comforting. 

After a spell, the small lunar bot spoke. “Big sibling, can I borrow your heels and the kitty purse?”

Sunny froze, eyes wide before softening. Flicking a mass of bubbles, they smiled with a sigh. “In my closet, the shoe rack is on the left, purses are hanging on the right. Have fun on your date, Lulu.” 

“You have my most gracious of thanks, your royal majesty,” he chirped, leaning over to bonk his head against the warmer toned animatronic’s shoulder. “Love you, Sunny!”

“Love you, too - now get out of my kitchen!”

3 - Kiddos

“Mama, I wanna bite a grown up,” Dazzle announced without hesitation late one evening. She sat atop the security desk, kicking her little feet angrily, arms crossed and cheeks round with the force of her pout. Jack, curled like an orange and ochre loaf beside her, nodded, chin on his own crossed arms, little bell twitching with his agitation.

Arching a brow with a worried frown, Sunny set aside the barrel in her hands. “Well, biting isn’t very nice,” she began, walking over to gently pat the kids on the head, “but you both rarely get in such a mood. What brought this on? Was someone mean to you?” Her tone sharpened slightly near the end, fingers drifting to gently tilt their chins up with an infinite amount of care. 

“Not to me,” Dazzle shook her head, leaning into the touch with a huff. 

Jack, while also metallic putty, continued, “Some parents were talking about the new books, mamá. They were very mean.”

Fighting back a cringe, Sunny sighed. “I was a little worried about that,” she confessed. “Sone diversity is good for the kids, but adults don't always see things the same way… I’m sorry you both had to hear it.”

“It was dumb,” the little deer growled, peridot eyes flashing with little ivory sparks. “The books are cool an’ neat! A-An’ it makes the other kids feel happy, too! Why d’they gotta be so mean about people being happy? They used lots of bad words, mama, and that’s not allowed! I told them so!”

The yellow hued bot stiffened slightly. “You… What? Dazzle, sweetie, you don’t need to correct grown ups - if someone is breaking rules, you come find me or one of the other adults here, okay? It can be dangerous!”

With a little grumble, the girl flopped forward, burrowing against the solar themed bot’s chest with an angry sniff. “They called mama a bad word,” she huffed. 

“Even more reason to let another adult handle that, glitterbug,” the daytime attendant soothed softly, pressing a soft kiss to cocoa curls. 

“I don't like it,” the deer huffed, nuzzling closer as her hand rose to grab at the larger bot's cream ruffled top. 

Sunny sighed, holding her close before reaching out to tug Jack in as well. Once both were bundled in, she rocked them slightly. “I don't either,” she admitted gently, “but there will always be people who believe that they're in the right - even if it isn't the kind thing to do. They put their own opinions above the world around them. The best we can do is choose to stay kind on our own terms.” She nudged them to tilt their heads up with a soft smile, meeting their gazes evenly. “You both have such big hearts,” she told them proudly, “and that is a great strength to have. It makes me very happy that you want to use those hearts to protect others - and you still can, little loves, but I really would like it if you also let the adults help as well.” With a kiss to their foreheads, she smiled. “Be brave, be kind, but be careful, too. Can you promise me that?”

Despite some grumbling, they both gave an assent - a nod from Dazzle, an upset chirp from Jack - before the latter tilted his faceplate, gangly limbs wrapping around Sunny's face. “One of the rude adults,” he began, “used words not in my dictionary. I tried to look it up, but Father's parental controls stopped me.” 

The daytime bot cringed. “Oh, golly gumdrops… yes, that would probably be words forbidden in the Daycare.” She tilted her head consideringly for a moment before sighing. “Whisper it to me,” she told him gently, “and I'll explain as best I can. Dazzle, honey, did you hear it, too?” 

Cheeks puffed out again, she shook her head, antlers tapping against her mother's chassis. “I was fightin’ with Miss Tzowskein an’ her new husband,” she huffed. “Jack was with Mister Gordans.” 

Immediately suspecting the nature of the word the preteen may have heard, the warm toned bot grimaced. “Alright… tell me what you heard, pumpkin seed.” She tilted her head down, rays pinning back slightly as orange and ochre hands cupped around his mouth. A mere moment later, Sunny had to manually lock her rays and voicebox upon hearing the word. 

Jack leaned back, saffron LEDs almost muted as he gave a sad, jagged frown. 

“... Mm.” Blinking while trying to find the words to explain, she absently began toying with Dazzle's waves while curling her fingers to rub against the underside seam of the pumpkin themed bot's faceplate. “Well,” she began, “The first word is used as a slur. You both remember when we talked about those?” 

“Mmhmm.” 

“Yes, mamá.” 

“Good, that's my smart cookies,” she smiled wanely. “There are a lot of slurs for all kinds of groups of people. They're rude, but sometimes people try to reclaim the words to make them… hurt less, I suppose. Or to take the power of them from the ones who use them to cause harm. Mr Gordans… uses many of those terms for very rude reasons.” She sighed. “The ones you heard today are rude and naughty words directed at queer people - the LGBT plus community.” 

“Like our family?” Dazzle tilted her head, peridot and emerald eyes confused yet angry. 

“Yes,” Sunny gave her a soft hug. “Like our family. There's a lot of identities in the community, and… people with similar views to Mr Gordans don't respect any of them, fawn. So they act out, use not nice words, and try to hurt them.” Turning back to Jack, she gave a soft half hearted chuckle. “The first one is a term used for people who present themselves differently or have a gender identity that differs from what they were assigned at birth - either genuinely or by perception of others. Does that make sense?” 

Were it not for the severity of the talk, their focused expressions would have been adorable. “So… like, I was a little girl,” Dazzle began slowly, cloven feet swinging slightly, “and I'm still a girl. But if I became a- a boy, they'd call me that icky word? To hurt me?” 

Growling, Jack shifted to hug her tightly. “No hurts for Dazzle! I'll eliminate threats - and mister Gordans stupid hair-hat!” 

Despite the topic, Sunny struggled not to laugh. “Toupee,” she corrected gently, “but the sentiment is sweet, baby. As for you,” she booped Dazzle's nose gently. “You are beautiful and perfect just as you are. You live however you would like to live, sweetie, and I will support you completely every step of the way. But the example you gave…” She sighed. “That would be a situation where someone may try to use that word. Or even the other mean word that Mr Gordans used - a rude term for people who like the same gender. There are… many not-nice terms that people use for all sorts of communities.” 

“... people are weird,” Jack declared. “Why be mean when you can play and have snackies?” 

With a tired smile, Sunny gave the other's cap a gentle tug. “Wise words,” she hummed gently. “If only snacks and playtime could fix it, the world would be a much brighter place.”

“... Mamá?”

“Yeah, Jackie?”

“If he calls you that again, can I use my laser fingers on his hair-hat?”

She paused. “I… N-No,” she shook her head, “No laser fingers on his toupee. But, Jack, honey, did he use those words about me?” When the lunar model nodded, she softened. “Is that why you both were so upset?”

“It's not nice to use mean words,” Dazzle mumbled into her burrow of ruffles, “but it's even worse when they're not nice to mama…” 

Sunny gave a soft coo, squeezing both tighter in her arms even as Jack continued. “And he said all kinds of weird stuff about a woman's place and stuff. And he called you mean names. But he was weird about it.”

Not entirely feeling up to breaking down the arbitrary nuance of gender roles, Sunny cringed, settling on saying, “Some people have… strong opinions on what men or women should do. It's not true, but they cling to those ideas. I'm sorry that you had to hear all of that.” 

Jack gave a huffed, going near boneless again the yellow hued bot, Dazzle's little hands clinging tightly as she sighed. “Who cares if mama is a girl or a boy,” she scowled. “Mama is mama, and mama is the best.” 

“Well, maybe mama is both.” 

Two sets of eyes shot upwards, little faces full of wonder. 

Sunny gave a slightly nervous smile. “Mama is a boy,” she nodded, “and also a girl. I'm both and neither all at the same time! It changes depending on stuff.” 

“Like uncle Moony's no-noot juice?” The little deer blinked innocently. 

Not for the first time, Sunny had to stop herself from wheezing at the title the kids had given to non-newtonian fluids. Instead, she smiled, nodding, unable to fully stifle the laughter in her voice. “Yeah, baby, just like Moon's no-noot juice.” 

“What is mamá's pronouns,” Jack chirped, nuzzling his head against her shoulder. 

“I'll answer to any of them,” she said easily, “but They/Them is always a good one to use. Right now, I like She/Her, too. But none of them are bad, really.” 

“Can we still call you mama?” 

“Of course, glitterbug,” she kissed the fawn on the head. “You both are welcome to call me whatever makes you most comfortable. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest.” 

Two smaller bodies curled into each other, jointly pressing into the taller attendants embrace. Happy hums and trills escaped the trio, comfortable and warm. “Love you, mama.” 

“I love you, too, Dazzle,” Sunny breathed, “And I love you, too, Jackie.” 

The orange bot gave a sound akin to a cat, a mechanical purr vibrating his chest happily as his hands kneaded against the soft fabric against his palms. 

In the quiet of the Daycare, well past closing time, the small portion of their family snuggled together. There was no question of care, no worry of the world - only they themselves and the hearth-like buzz of invisible magic particles in the air, infusing the mats and play structures. It glowed ethereally, bright in indescribable ways, a taste of sweetened woodsmoke and the tinge of breaded ozone. A fourth set of arms seemed to fold over them, encompassing, warm, protective. Sunny smiled contentedly. 

The magic around them seemed to undulate happily, soundless laughter of its own casting a lattice over them. Before she could question it, question her, a little voice threw her mind to a screeching halt.

“If that bitch does it again though, I’m gonna bite.”

“Dazzle! Language!” 

Jack, utterly useless in his laughter, simply squirmed while the deer gave her an unrepentant look. Shaking her head - and very poignantly ignoring the wordless whispers in her mindscape to ‘let my granddaughter be’ - Sunny just sighed, ruffling both of the kids over the head. 

“You're gonna be the death of me.” She wouldn't be able to deny the fondness in her voice even had she wanted to. 

Her kids had no chill, and she loved them all the more for it.

4 - Monty

“How do you feel about a Girls Day?”

Such an innocent question, said in a pure hearted voice, falling from honey sweet lips was the catalyst for her own blindsided shock. When Earth had offered up the idea that morning, Monty had agreed. Girls Days were fun, they occasionally picked up Dazzle to include her in it, and they'd make a day of it all. The activities could vary between paintball dates, hitting a nice restaurant for lunch, shopping or picking out foods to try together. On more comfort-seeking evenings, they would load up on whatever foods they wanted most, would set up a fort and binge movies or games for hours on end, exchanging kisses, laughter and hushed words. Girls Days were, and always would be, a beautiful occurrence ripe with unexpected happiness from even the smallest of things. 

This one just so happened to have the unexpected aspect standing almost shyly, a small animatronic deer on hip, with a timid and nervous smile. Sunny waved hesitantly, rays quivering in their sockets. 

Earth, bless her soul, simply wrapped an arm around the daytime bot's shoulders with a giddy smile, white clouds of hair piled high with pink hair sticks. “Is it okay that I invited my big sister along, Monty? I sort of just assumed, since Dazzle was welcome as well.”

“Yeah,” she replied, blinking in confusion before doubling down, flashing a grin. “Yeah, it's all good, hun. Nice dress, Sunny - where'd ya even find a handkerchief skirt sized for a bot anyway? It's a pain to get ‘em long enough.” 

“I-I made it, actually,” the other smiled, blush glowing a peachy sheen along freckle-embossed cheeks. “I'm hoping to pick up some spare fabric today, anyway - if you'd like one, too?” 

“Mama's been sewing a lot,” Dazzle cheered happily, squirming around to sit piggyback with a happy trill. “She's teachin’ me an’ Jack to make pillows now!” 

“That right?” Monty gave a fond laugh, reaching out to ruffle the deer's cocoa curls. “That’s good - sewin’ is a good skill to have! Is your uncle Moon helpin’?” 

“Mmhmm!” 

Sunny gave a soft laugh, nodding. “He joins us for lessons, but I think he just likes laying under the fabric,” they tittered. She glanced to Earth, and the younger bot nodded, quickly scooping the giggly girl up into her arms. 

“Ooh, let’s go look at the map, Dazzle,” the soft spoken woman cooed, “We can get some ideas of where to go today. I heard there’s a new ice cream place!” With the promise of helping and an opportunity for a treat, the little girl was easily redirected. 

Left relatively alone, Monty and Sunny stood in awkward quiet for a moment. 

“So…” 

“So!”

Monty tilted her head, humming softly. “Welcome to Girls Day, I guess. Pronouns?”

“Uh… they/she - at least for now. I think.” The yellow hued bot pressed her fingers together, steepling them just to twist and worry at the joints. “It kind of… ebbs and flows, really. Some days are stronger than others, ya know?”

“Yeah,” the gator nodded easily, “I get that. Genderfluid, or…?”

The taller bot shrugged with a hum. “I don’t think so? It could be,” they admitted, “but something about the way it’s explained and defined just… doesn't really fit - no offense.”

Unable to halt the startled laugh, Monty shook her head, pushing her sunglasses up into her hair with a wry grin. “Sunny, I ain’t takin’ no offense to you having a different gender than me. Relax, sugar, we’re all friends here.” She gave the other a gentle nudge, flashing a gentle grin. “It takes some serious nerve to come out, kid - I’m proud of you. An’... thanks, for trusting me.”

Ivory eyes blinked, stunned, before Sunny flashed a small, grateful smile. “Th-Thanks, Monty…”

“You can thank me by makin’ me one of them skirts - I'll buy the fabric ya need, and you hook a sister up, a'ight?” She nudged the other with a smirk. 

Sunny giggled, nodding happily. “Yeah, that seems fair!”

By the time Earth and Dazzle returned, it was to two smiling, playful ladies casually ribbing one another. Upon the introduction of potential ice cream, the quartet quickly deemed that their top priority, immediately seeking the new shop out. Dazzle swung happily suspended between her aunties’ hands, skipping as her mama trailed along behind. 

It was a rather productive Girls Day, if they all said so themselves. 

5 - Solar

Sun spotted Solar puttering around late one evening while he was finishing the latest batch of red velvet cookies for the Fazbear Entertainment Superstar Bake Sale™. The frosting was already chilled in the refrigerator, and the cookies themselves lay merrily on their racks, the kitchen smelling decadently of vanilla, cocoa and sugary sweetness. Like a moth to a flame, a familiar orange face flashed through the doorway once, twice, four times in total before he finally crept in. Sunny just gave a wry smile, rolling his eyes as he tallied the baked goods he'd spent the better part of the last few hours steadily producing. 

“What's the occasion,” the eclipse model inquired softly, moving to take a seat at the island. He played a casual facade well, but Sunny knew personally just where Jack had gotten his sweet-swiping habits from. Blood orange on saffron eyes skipped to the trays frequently enough to easily give away the impulse. 

Wordlessly sliding a spare container over, the solar model snickered. “Bake sale is tomorrow,” they said easily. “I made extras to feed you guys as well, don’t worry.” 

“Oh thank god,” the other breathed, immediately grabbing two cookies before freezing, glancing up. “Uh- May I-?”

“Go ahead, Sol, you’re fine.” 

With the ravenous force of a starving predator, one cookie vanished behind the mechanic’s teeth, accompanied by a happy moan, rays clicking slightly in place. The second cookie was eaten far more slowly, though with no less reverence. “I swear,” he sighed, “You have got to have some kind of baking blessing. Are there deities of baking? All of them have to love you.”

Biting back a laugh, unable to suppress a snort, Sunny flashed a wry smile. “I don’t know about Gods, per se, but I do know that I make stuff with intention - magic is a lot like cooking, and cooking is its own kind of magic. At least, it is with my practice.”

“Yeah?” Propping a chin in his hand, the orange and ochre bot leaned forward, rays tilting in interest. “Did you finally find a practice you like? You were worried about it for a while there.”

Waving a hand in a so-so gesture, the yellow bot shrugged. “Sort of - I’ve mostly just decided that I’m going to make my own. I’m picking and choosing the things that work - and the things that feel right to me - and I’m… basically winging it. Mana and Atlas both have said it’s not dangerous for me to do,” they offered, though carefully leaving some vital pieces out in the explanation. “I’m just living my life however it feels best, at this point.”

“I’m glad,” Solar blurted before he could think better of it. “Honesty and happiness is a good look on you.” It took a few moments after his voicebox went quiet for the words to register, and once they did, his second set of dark rays bobbed anxiously, primary set twitching. He shoved another cookie in his mouth. 

Sun, meanwhile, just paused. “Honesty, huh…?” They tilted their head slowly, then he turned and pulled the chilled frosting out, smiling softly even as he tugged the cookies closer. Hands moving on autopilot, piping bag filling his hands, they felt a touch more comfortable to speak freely. “I guess so. I do want to be more honest with myself and everyone else. And with you, too, Solar.”

“M-Me?”

“Mmhmm,” the solar bot nodded, expression soft. “I uh… I’m actually nonbinary. My pronouns are sort of all over the place, but I've been experimenting around. I'm fine with They/Them, but He and She are good, too. Some times they feel better than others.” 

The eclipse model blinked. “Oh. Okay, yeah. Do you still want to go by Sunrise, then, or would you prefer something else?”

“Sunrise is still fine,” they smiled, glancing up with a peachy glow on their cheeks, “but Sunny is maybe my preferred nickname. Sun works, too, of course, but Sunny is a bit more… dynamic and all that.”

“Yeah, that's fair,” the mechanic nodded easily. “Are there any terms or anything you'd rather we avoid? I know the kids have been calling you mama, but does it ever upset you, if the day isn't very fem?”

“Nah, I like those words even when my core leans heavily into the masculine energies. Dazzle and Jack are welcome to still call me Mama.” Sunny paused, ivory eyes glancing up. “A-Assuming you don't mind him calling me that, of course! I wouldn't want to overstep-”

“Nah, it's fine. Honestly… I'm sort of glad? He has Puppet, and that's been a balm for me, I won't lie. She's helped him a lot, and she looked after him when I… wasn't available,” he said carefully with an uncomfortable expression. “I'm mostly just glad he had people he feels close enough to to count on aside from just me. I don't know if that's making any sense.”

Gently, gunmetal and gold fingers rested over orange and ochre. Sunny's pale eyes met Solar's steadily, words unspoken in alabaster irises. “I get it,” he said quietly. “It's… not safe to have a singular person to rely on. It can be…” 

Devastating 

Isolating

Traumatic

“... problematic, should something ever happen.” 

Feeling daring, Solar twisted his hand, holding the other's fingers loosely. “Yeah,” he rasped. “I'm glad he has you.” 

“I'm glad to have you, too, Solar. We all are. And we're utterly blessed to have Jack, too.” Golden fingers squeezed fondly. “We love having you in our family.” 

Giving a soft hum, heart too full to really put the emotions into words, the mechanic gave three brief squeezes. Taking a deep breath, he leaned back, pulling away to stretch his limbs out. “About the uh… gender thing - I'll add a note to my database. If I ever mess up, feel free to correct me. My syntax trees are a bit outdated and the data loss between the internal unit and my voice output can be weird.” 

Taking the out for what it was, Sunny nodded. “I will, thank you.” Turning back to the cookies, they hummed quietly. “There’s tea leaves in my canister in the cabinet, if you’d like some - should help with the insomnia.” 

Far past the point of asking how the daytime bot knew what was wrong, Solar just cracked a small grin. “Thanks, yeah, I’ll make a cup.” Pushing himself up, he resealed the spare sweets box, pushed the stool back into place, and grabbed a clean mug from the cabinet. 

As he went to pass by to get the tea, however, he was tugged to a stop. He turned to ask what for only to freeze as soft saffron lips pressed tenderly onto his forehead, burning his sensory array with their sweet heat. “Get some rest, tiger,” Sunny hummed, slipping away to return to his task. 

In somewhat of a daze, Solar made his tea and escaped to his room. Sleep came for him not long after, drawn in by the brew and the tingling warmth on his faceplate alike. It seemed to seep into the nearly branded kiss print on his servos, wrapping him up like an infant's swaddle. He slept deeply, with the barest hint of dreams flushed with sunflower light and rich sugary joy on his tongue, peppered with opal gems and the echoes of inferno kindly peppered onto his casing

It was the best he’d slept perhaps ever in his life. 

1 Time Sunny didn't have to come out to anyone

The moment their slippered feet hit the entryway of the house, Sunny nearly went boneless. They adored the Daycare, really, and they loved the kids with every square inch of metal in their body, inside and out. By Scuti, though, the kids could be absolute terrors when they wanted to be. 

They'd caught multiple kids with contraband, had to step in to handle unruly parents, and somehow, the children managed to find at least one whole bottle of glitter, despite the daytime attendant’s certainty that all of the containers of hell-sparkles had been locked away twice over. That did not even begin to cover the utter nightmare that naptime had been - four banned children, a new record in a five minute time frame - and the unholy chaos of pickup. The yellow hued animatronic was genuinely considering just outright decking one of the parents - who shows up to pick up their child while too drunk to even string together a sentence? The red flag representative for Child Protective Services, apparently. 

Now, however… Now, Sun was home, was exhausted, and had the next two days off. 

No longer shedding shimmers like a demented unicorn getting a winter coat, they debated the tradeoff of magical transport versus locomotive. The urge to check the cats’ bowls outweighed the temptation of sigil practice, however, and so they set off toward the kitchen. 

Pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness - and melting at a drawing attached via magnet to the fridge from Jack and Dazzle, littered with tiny, messy magical symbols - the solar bot refilled the felines’ food bowls, and replaced their water bowl with fresh water from the filtered sink. A note on the table next to a deep violet bottle caught their eye as they straightened. Upon closer inspection, it was a bottle of blackberry merlot, and the note was written in a familiar messy scrawl. Holding the wine close to their chest, they skimmed over the pastel green paper. 

Hey, Sunny.

Heard it was a rough day in the Daycare today - the theater was busy too, but pretty calm, overall. I got home sooner than you, so I decided to take the kids out, run off some energy. The wine is for you, take it easy tonight, and don’t worry about dinner - we’re going to get takeout on the way home from the mall. Pray for me, they have sodas. I might die. Avenge me. 

Solar 

PS. Feel free to call or msg me if you need or want anything. I mean it. You won't be a bother. 

They softened, absently hugging the bottle closer as their rays bobbed slowly. Still looking over the note, they set off upstairs, gently setting their belongings atop the dresser. Feeling warm from the care, they went to gather some clean clothes, deciding that a hot bath sounded utterly divine. They tossed over their pants, a tank top, socks and their slipper booties towards the bed, pausing at an unexpected sound. 

Turning, they blinked at the pink envelope half buried beneath their plush boots. 

Confused but not necessarily alarmed - the magical signature was familiar enough to soothe most of their anxieties - they plucked it up and pulled out the card inside. 

Or rather, they noted, the cards. Plural. 

The first one was stylized like one for a baby shower. Little cartoon safari animals pranced on the front, framing a large print of curling font proclaiming, ‘Oh, Baby!’. More baffled than before, they flipped it open, the echo of Golden's magic tingling along their fingertips. Inside, written in perfect cursive, lay a short letter. 

W. Sunrise Celestial,

Congratulations on many wonderful developments. The Spirits tell me you have found your magic, and that you, too, have found your craft. How fortuitous! I am quite proud of your growth, little wytchlet. Your brother had much by way of mage potential, yet you have always been spectacularly singular.

Furthermore, it has been said that you have come to terms with your Core. I cannot say enough how proud of you I am. Magic users always have a unique relationship with their senses of self, and I am delighted to hear that you have finally lowered the walls you spent so long hidden behind. The world will be blessed to have such a shining light in their days, now that you share the brightness you have always carried. 

It has been some time since our last tea time, my child. You are welcome at any time. Please, do come visit. I miss my granddaughter! (I have always wanted to say that!)

Sincerely, 

Golden Freddy, Mg. 

Smiling, they pressed a kiss to the card, making a mental note to pay the old man a visit. The second card was more startling. A bra was printed in the center, with a sentimental statement about friendship, support and proximity to the heart. Inside were two sets of handwriting. Puppet's writing took up the upper half of the inside flat, with nearly illegible chicken scratch on the bottom, some crossed out. 

Heard you joined the Girls Club - welcome and here's your first Initiation Bra. Unless you already have one, in which case screw that bra, this one is funnier. 

Seriously though, congrats, dude(ette /opt). I'm stoked for you. We should get mimosas some time. Rumor has it, we're both moms now, too, for the same little gremlin. Way to go queen, we're winning. Maybe the kids can have a playdate some time. 

Pop off, you funky little monarch

~ Puppet

Then, right near the end, the ink slightly smudged, Sunny saw another note. 

Took you long enough. 

Congratulations or whatever. 

Despite not being signed, there was no question who it was from. While mildly uncertain about any contact with Eclipse, the message, while blunt and rough, was more than they ever expected. 

Willing to simply accept the kindness for what it was, Sunny smiled softly. Setting the cards together, they carefully slid them back into the envelope. The parcel was then tucked safely away into the drawer of the nightstand, followed by the note from Solar. Once all secured, they gathered their clothes, their wine, and set off to the bathroom. 

This was going to be a wonderful evening, they could feel it.

Chapter Text

What was proper date attire? 

He had said it was casual, nothing too fancy or anything overly posh. The plan was a simple coffee date, then exploring some of the nearby shops in the strip down the road. With the possibility for a lot of walking, Sunny had decided against anything with thin heels. The cooling weather also seemed to adamantly dissuade against any of their thinner pants. Jeans felt a little too casual, however. Leggings could work, it wasn't too difficult to juje up a look with those, but none of their appropriate sweaters or tops looked right against leggings alone, nor did they properly match any of the shoes they’d picked, oh, and gosh, which bag, should they even bring one- 

“Breathe,” Moon called from his lounging position on the bed, smiling faintly, chin in hand. Cleo sat primly near his chest while Muffin had somehow flopped across the dip of his waist, face pressed into the duvet beneath, stretched out like a particularly fluffy noodle. The lunar model mimed slow breathing, tapping the beats, and Sunny mirrored them immediately. “There you go,” the nighttime attendant soothed. “Sunny, it’s going to be fine. You said the guy was sweet, right? That this was casual, a get-to-know-each-other?”

“Y-Yeah,” they nodded, twisting their fingers together. “I just… I want to make a good first impression, you know? A-And nothing looks right-!”

“Why?” 

“Huh?”

“Why doesn't it look right,” Moon pressed almost gently. “Every outfit you've tried or paired looked great to me, Sunny. It's all very… you. What's bothering you about it?” 

Giving a strangled noise, the solar bot plopped down on the bed, sighing. Absently offering pets to the inquisitive face nuzzling their arm, they gave a huff. “It's just that… he knows I work at the Daycare,” they explained, “and the first time he saw me out of uniform, I was all… pastels and stuff. And I like pastels! B-But none of these look right, and I don't want to just wear what I did the day he gave me his number! None of my masculine clothes really feel good for this, and I don't want to over dress, but my loose jeans are absolutely not an option, they're stained and patched-”

“Why not a skirt then?” 

Sunny swallowed heavily, mind buzzing with an unpleasant force. 

Moon pushed himself up a bit more, tilting his head. “... Would you enjoy wearing a skirt today,” he asked carefully, studying the other, “or is this about something else?” 

“... something else,” the yellow bot echoed, picking at a loose thread in their blanket. Cleo stepped over to fill their lap, demanding affection. 

“Okay,” he sighed, “is it about the date, the guy, or something else?” 

“Date,” they said, watching Cleo press incessantly into their hands, “The guy.” 

Vampiric black eyes softened slightly. “Did you tell him you're nonbinary?” At the other's nod, he tilted his head. “Did he say anything about it?” His sunshine twin shook their head, focusing on the fluffy, soft body in their hands. “Did he seem upset by it? Yes or no.”

“N-No,” Sun breathed shakily, sagging as his syntax trees finally managed to reconnect to his voice modulator. “I, uh… He said he doesn't really… care about gender? That I could be a - a Balrog and he'd still want to take me to coffee.” 

The lunar bot cracked a teasing grin. “Balrog, huh? You found a guy to match your nerd, bro-sis, congratulations!” 

Giving a snort, the other took a slow breath, releasing it after a pause. Calming slightly, they worried their lip before speaking. “... I don't want this to go badly,” they confessed. “He and I talk pretty often, but… I don't know, Moon. Knowing it is different from seeing it. Is the first date really the time to throw that in his face?” 

“For one,” the darker twin retorted firmly, “you're not throwing anything in anyone's face. You're simply being yourself, something you, dear sibling, have a long history of denying in favor of other people's convenience. You're everything you need to be, and if this fleshy fuck has an issue with you being who you are, from you being transparent with him from the get-go, then he's an idiot.” 

“Moon-”

“Sun.” Muffin let out a sad noise as he was disturbed by Moon sitting up, crumbling like a cat-slinky before squirming into a disgruntled pretzel. The lunar model merely moved closer, placing a hand on his twin's shoulder, expression deathly serious. “Sunny, you are a wonderful person,” he declared without an ounce of hesitation. “You are kind, sweet, and you love with everything you have. You’re sassy, and honestly, yeah, I’ll admit it - you honest to God scare me sometimes when you go Mad Mama Mode. You’re fierce and protective. You’re smart,” he gave a small shake to nail the sentiment in, “in ways I can’t even begin to fathom. You work hard, you love even harder, and you deserve the very best. This guy? If he doesn't like you in a skirt, then he won't really like you period - not in the way you deserve.” A split second after the emotional statement, he scowled. “He’ll also be legally blind and have absolute shit taste in fashion, for the record, because you look amazing in anything you wear.” 

Blinking back tears, Sunny snorted. “Couldn't go ten minutes without insulting him, huh?” 

Rolling his eyes, Moon crossed his arms with a grunt. “You're lucky I'm not running background checks and threatening him. Monty and Earth happened while I was away - this is my time to be protective over my sister going on a first date. Give me a break.” He glanced at the discarded clothes, narrowing his eyes. “... actually, could I…?” He gestured to the mess. 

Sunny nodded, confused but trusting. With Cleo still in their lap - and Muffin, deprived of love and thus at risk of perishing, kneading forlornly at their hip - the solar model was relatively trapped, anyway. They watched on quietly as their silver and navy brother dug around, setting things aside before diving back in. It was as he tossed their black leggings onto the bed that they realized what he was doing. 

Moon stood, shaking out a red and black plaid skirt, a white custom made turtleneck bodysuit over his arm. “This,” he announced without a grin, “with your little bobble boots, a purse, and my coat.” 

“Your coat?” 

“The black one,” he explained, “with that cotton inlay you added. It's a good texture for you to focus on if you get overstimulated, and it'll keep you warm.” 

Despite how genuine he sounded with the rationale, Sun squinted. “... You put a tracker in it, didn't you?” 

“... not for this exact reasoning, but it may have a… small locating device. For emergencies,” he confessed. “No cameras, I promise.” 

“Mic?” 

“...” 

“Moon.” 

“I'll disable the mic,” he groused, rolling his eyes. Then, he cut a sharp glance up. “- if you let me talk to him.” 

“Oh my god-”

“I just want to talk!” 

“It's just a date-!”

“Yeah! A date! With my sister! He better treat you like a queen, or I'll feed his kneecaps to Jack!” 

Sunny groaned, burying their face in their hands. “Don't you dare feed my son bones, Moondrop!” 

“I won't, if this bozo isn't an ungodly little shit.” 

“You,” they retorted, “are an ungodly little shit. Now get out.”

Moon seemed to wilt, eyes going wide as his hand raised. “W-Wait, I was just trying for banter. Did I go too far-?”

“No,” they arched a brow, lifting up their clothes. “I have to change, and you need to grab that coat. So go on, get out of here.” They flashed a small smile. “And… Thanks, Moon.” 

Relaxing, he shrugged. “Yeah, whatever. Want me to let the kids and Solar know it’s runway time?” 

Suppressing a giggle, they rolled their eyes. “You don’t have to,” they said evenly, “but I do want to give the kiddos kisses before I go.” 

“On it!” With a lazy salute, he turned on his heel and sauntered out, leaving Sunny to begin the process of getting ready - now much brighter than it had been before. 

●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

Only after two little faces had smudges of scarlet peppered on their face, Sunny took Moon’s hand as they stepped out. For security reasons, the meeting place was going to be a park nearby, nondescript and untraceable in the event of any unsavory attention. The lunar model would spend his time at the park for a time, maybe wandering to some of his nearby contacts for some side work - close enough to be within easy teleportation range, far enough to give privacy. 

It had the added bonus of him being present once Ricky arrived. 

The park was a beautiful area - they frequently brought the kids here to play, with the large, reinforced play sets, the seasonal splash pad, and it's numerous small businesses all around the fenced space. The grass was always neatly trimmed, tasteful beds of flowers scattered throughout with numerous trees offering natural shade. Tables, a pavilion, and the lake just across the street offered a picturesque addition to it all. 

While Sunny admired the joyful beauty around them, Moon made no effort to stop his eying of a nearby tea shop. Once the solar twin noticed, they snorted. “Go on,” they sighed, “but remind me to stop on the way home for the kids and Solar, too, okay? Jack and Dazzle love the fruity boba pearls.” 

“I’ll get one later,” he waved off, “but I'll remind you when we head back. Aaaaand- done! Added a reminder.” 

“If you say so,” the smirked, before pausing as a notification appeared on their HUD. Spinning around upon reading the message, they smiled brightly yet shyly at the shorter human man approaching them. “Hey, Ricky!” 

At the movement and call, Moon spun in place, already glaring and ready to enact Scary Brother Privileges - just to have his eyes widened and jaw drop. “Tiny Dick,” he squawked.

Ricky blinked, cringing at the moniker before sighing, casually spreading his hands out, still in his pockets. The black coat opened to reveal a deep green turtleneck sweater underneath, layers of gold necklaces trailing down his chest. “Hey, Moon,” he greeted wryly. “It is I, Tiny Dick. Delighted to see you remember me.” 

Sunny blinked, head tilted as they glanced between the two. “I wasn't aware you had met,” they offered tentatively. 

Moon, still gaping, was useless, and so Ricky took point with a soft smile. “I told you that I worked at the Plex for a few years while I was going through college, right?” At their nod. He continued, “Well, I was certified for food prep, so they sometimes had me work overnight shifts, setting up shop for the next day - mostly in the bakery, but I would stock the other eateries, too.”

“You were an abominable little fucker,” Moon breathed, looking as if he were speedrunning the stages of grief. “Tiny little dick… and then you just went with it…”

Snorting, the dark haired human shrugged. “Hey, man, finding names can be hard. Dick can be short for Richard. You did me a solid, Moonman.”

Stifling a soft laugh, Sunny covered their mouth with a hand. At the movement, dark chocolate eyes trailed over, taking in the yellow hued bot. 

“... You look beautiful,” Ricky sighed, smiling warmly, extending a hand. 

Blushing slightly at the compliment, gunmetal and gold fingers rested gingerly atop the human’s calloused palm. Sunny vented as he tugged their hand up, pressing a kiss to the knuckles. 

“Quelle belle étoile…” 

Giggling softly to themself, Sunny beamed. “Sweet talker,” they teased playfully. Warm under that gentle dark eyed smiled, they glanced over to their lunar twin. “I think we’ll be heading out, now, Moony. I’ll call you once we’re all done.” 

Pressing his free hand to his chest, the caramel skinned man gave a solemn nod as he offered, “I will escort Sunny back here myself. We should be back by six o’clock.”

“Yeah,” the nighttime bot managed to choke out, “Just… be careful. Treat them like royalty.”

“Of course,” the human vowed, “Anything less would be blasphemous.” 

“Right. Yep. Cool.” Moon rubbed the bridge of his nose, waving a hand absently. “I’m just going to… go have a crisis. Get a sandwich. Bye.”

Making valiant effort to hide their amusement, the pair linked arms and gently drifted away, smothering their mirth in shared smiles and giddy glances. Only once suitably far did they finally break, leaving into one another as they recalled the night themed attendant's expression. While unorthodox, it was absolutely a wonderful and interesting start to an enjoyable outing. 

●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

“Sweethearts! I have a treat,” Sunny called out happily, arms laden with bags and a cup carrier held in both amber hued hands. They snickered as two sets of feet immediately began thundering from upstairs, then scrambling, before Jack zipped down the stairs, Dazzle clinging to his back as she squealed. 

“Welcome home, mama,” the little deer exclaimed, “We missed you!”

“Aw,” the solar bot cooed, peppering kisses on the duo once more, worried slightly at Jack's quiet. “I missed you guys, too. Did you have fun with Solar?”

“Yeah, we played games an’ had snackies,” Dazzle cheered. “Treat?”

Snickering softly, they wiggled the drinks. “Well… I got some special bubble teas for my little loves,” they offered, “and I found some goodies at the thrift store!”

“Thrift,” the orange bit asked, faceplate tilting. “Father said you had a date.”

Nodding, Sunny smiled. “Mm, I did. We got coffee, wandered around a bit, and talked. Dates can be all sorts of things,” they explained patiently, guiding the children to the kitchen. “It just depends on what you both like to do.”

“Will you be going on more dates,” he asked, hopping up onto the island, forgoing the stools as he picked at a patch on his knee. 

Pausing briefly at the question, Sunny set the bags aside, handing out the drink cups, absently fixing Dazzle’s for her, even as they met the young lunar model’s daffodil gaze easily. “I don’t have an answer for that,” they told him honestly. “I will not be going on a date with Ricky again, no - but I may go on other dates some day. Does that upset you, pumpkin?”

Grumbling, he pouted. After a few minutes of searching for the words, he shrugged. “Don’t know.”

“You don’t know if it upsets you,” they asked gently, “or don’t know why it does?”

“... yes.”

“Hmm.” They opened their arms, offering a hug which he fell into gladly, clinging tightly to their back. Swaying absently, they rested their chin atop his head. “I love you, Jack. You know that, don’t you? I love you, and Dazzle, and your dad, and Moon and Lunar and Earth - I love all of you, so so much.”

“You’ll love others, too.”

“... well, maybe,” the conceded gently. “One day, maybe I will love other people, too. But I’ll still love you, even if I loved a million people!”

Emerald eyes railed between the two, lidded and soft. She bit her lip before speaking. “You won’t love us less?”

Ivory eyes went wide, looking between the two kids in surprise. “Oh,” they breathed, “Oh, no, honeys-” Shifting their stance, they moved Jack carefully, scooping Dazzle up to settle her next to the pumpkin faced bot carefully. Once the two were together, they brought both into an embrace, cupping their cheeks. “There is no force in this universe or any other,” they vowed, “that would make me love you any less. No matter how many people I love, I will always love you both especially. You’re my babies,” they offered with a gentle, emotional smile. “and I’m your mother. I wear that title with pride.” 

In a voice so small, so hesitant, that it almost seemed alien from the teen’s voicebox, Jack asked, “You won't leave?” 

It took active effort to keep their claws sheathed, but they managed. Instead, they pulled him closer, tucking their son against their chest, irrationally hoping he couldn't hear their heart breaking. “Jack-o-moon, I swear by the Aether and all who dance betwixt the lights - I will never, ever willingly leave you or our family,” they breathed, magic bursting in their mouth. “I know it can be… scary,” they settled on, “to have big feelings with nowhere to put them. If you - either of you,” they looked to Dazzle, “need or even just want reassurance, come to me. I will tell you whenever you need, any time, whenever I can. I love you.” 

“Love you, too, mamá”

“Love you, mommy.”

Pressing a kiss to each little forehead, they sighed, holding their kids close. Presents could wait - the babies came first.

Chapter Text

He frankly hated himself, just the slightest bit. 

The sun had set a few hours previous, and the living room had been outfitted with what could be called a blanket fort by sheer linguistic technicality. It more resembled a blanket bunker, if not a fluffy fortress. Assembled with sheets, blankets, duvets and an undisclosed number of curtains, it encompassed nearly the entire living room in gentle slopes and knotted edges. It also inexplicably managed to withstand Moon's total weight tripping directly into it. The siding and roof was soft, plush, and had not so much as wobbled beneathseveral hundred pounds of metal and wiring. Solar genuinely believed it was constructed more soundly than over half of Fazbear's many locations. If ever he needed a reason to mildly fear the children, it was in the face of their cozy stronghold. 

Tucked away in their fortress, Sunny had been bundled with their switch, the remote for the TV and strings of artfully layered fairy lights. On one side sat Jack, contorted in a way that looked wildly uncomfortable in juxtaposition to his happy mechanical purrs. Dazzle was contentedly tucked in the solar bot's lap, under the blanket and watching him play a game. To the other side sat Moon, Lunar taking up residence across his own thighs, the night themed duo biting off swears in lieu of creative alternatives as they once more experienced their solar sibling's infamous luck in-game. 

The coffee table was ladden with snacks, from the typical to the indulgent. The mass of treats had been compiled as a precautionary measure once the yellow hued bot had mentioned having a date. Given the general air about the gathering, he could see it had not been catastrophic; from what Lunar and Moon had messaged, however, as well as the presence of triple chocolate chip cookie dough, he knew it had not gone particularly well, either. 

Upon receiving the message, Solar had immediately begun a delivery order amidst the warring emotions - empathy for Sunny at odds with the dark, twisting pieces of coding he had always struggled with. He like to think of himself as better, not acting on the darker impulses, yet still they remained, worrisome in their incessant murmurs. Times like this seemed to bitterly drag them up and out, laid bare across the inner lining of his plating. He wanted Sun happy, of that there was no question. In the same vein, however, that draconic part of his AI purred happily at a piece of treasure nestled safely back in its hoard. Nobody would care for such a gem the way they should, nobody would dare try with such a protector at the cavern's behest. 

Solar hated it, just a bit, just a smidge - but he was still an Eclipse.

He was also, however, a friend, was family, and he had a comfort cult to join in on, post haste. With the setting handled, he began fleshing out the need for foods. Most of the general snacks had been easy to accumulate, either already on hand or easily accessible with a quick store run. The one he had been adamant to get had taken a bit longer, admittedly, and it was with that particular white bag in hand that he approached the comfort-cave once the spare foods were put away properly. 

Jack noticed him first, glow brightening as his faceplate twirled. “Papá! Come cuddle!” The immediate deployment of mechanical grabby-hands was echoed by a smaller, cloven set as Dazzle joined in, both children chanting in their excitement. Despite the distraction, Sunny merely giggled at them. Giving a nod to the eclipse model, they returned back to their game, much to the consternation of their brothers. 

Folding himself down to scuttle his way in, the mechanic was only slightly surprised as Jack immediately drew up just enough to bodily drag him closer, sprawling across so his torso and hips covered Solar's lap, head resting in Dazzle's - and thus, Sun's as well. Ash, orange and ochre arms clung happily, and his back made a good enough table for the darker orange bot to set the bag of goodies atop. He carefully pulled out his wares, wordlessly organizing each one bit by bit. 

He waited patiently for Sun to wipe the floor with Moon and Lunar - anything less would have been grounds for the Devil catching a chill, he was willing to bet - before he began passing out the treats. 

Lalique's Love was a small little business not too terribly far from their house, but it was arguably the best sweets shop Solar had ever visited. It specialized in chocolates, and Ms Lalique herself made it all from scratch, selling all sorts of cocoa-based delights and then some. She'd been astoundingly graceful upon meeting free-roaming animatronics for the first time, and had managed to wriggle her way into their hearts over the months of them frequenting her shop. Solar had on good authority and personal experience that Lalique's treats were a rapid-fire shot into the happiness of good food and better company. It also certainly helped that she had a specialty recipe that he knew intimately a certain sunshine bot was crazy for. 

A small box of hazelnut truffles was passed to Lunar while Moon received a chocolate cereal bar. Two boxes of chocolate covered potato chip bloopers were passed off to Dazzle - white and milk chocolate- and Jack - milk and red - before a specialty sealed box was pulled out. With his own set aside for the moment, the eclipse model offered it softly to the daytime attendant. He said nothing, just arching his brows in question. 

Setting the controller aside, Sun took the box, blinking. “You didn't have to-”

“I wanted to,” he assured. “You deserve nice things, Sun. Some good candies is the least I can do.” He leaned absently into the taller bot's shoulder, giving a wane smile. “Nothing like hellfire and chocolate to give you some pep, yeah?”

Unable to stop the snicker, Sunny shook their head, rays twirling. “It's not hellfire,” they managed to say. Eagerly opening the box, they spent a moment taking in the decadent display of little candies, perfectly nestled in their little paper cups. It almost seemed a shame to disturb them. Almost. 

Solar rolled his eyes even as the other eagerly popped one into their mouth with a happy trill. “Right,” he drawled out sarcastically, “Absolutely my bad - not hellfire at all. It's just ghost peppers. Completely unrelated.”

“Dried peppers,” Moon piped up, half of his treat already gone, mouth full as his cheeks bulged akin to a glutinous chipmunk. “But they're still hot as fu-uuhh... still hot.” He turned his head quickly, very interested in the scorecard on screen, shoving another bite into his already stuffed mouth. Denial was all he had to save himself from the white eyed glare of his twin. 

Willing to let the slip go for the time being, the solar bot simply bumped their shoulder into the nighttime attendant's side, jostling him in mild vengeance. Turning back, they offered a playful smile to the orange and ochre eclipse model. “They're not that bad,” they offered, a sentence used far too many times in this exact scenario. “Though I do hope you got something for yourself, too, Sol. You didn't splurge on us and go without, right?” 

Shaking his head, the mechanic lifted his own box, expertly snagging three sticks between his fingers in a move reminiscent of Wolverine. He flashed a grin, fangs catching the dim light. “And risk your ‘I'm Just Disappointed’ look? No thank you,” he offered, flipping one of the chocolate lollipops around, a clawed hand splitting the plastic in a smooth movement. He gestured with the circle of ruby and dark chocolate towards the other. “I choose life.” 

“Pretty,” Dazzle breathed, leaning closer to look at the treat. A smear of chocolate on her cheek gave away her snacking thus far, and before Sun could even move, Solar had pulled a napkin from the bag and wiped at the mess. She scrunched her nose, but no protest came from her dark lined lips. “Can I see,” she asked, blinking pleadingly upwards. 

“Sure,” the eclipse model nodded, obligingly shifting his weight to hold the treat out, in view of both children. “They're all different,” he explained softly, “but I like these the best.”

“It's a sunflower,” the little doe remarked cheerfully. 

“Papá likes those best?”

“Yeah,” he offered softly, “Sunflowers are some of my favorites - but it's mostly coincidence. I just like ruby and dark chocolate.”

“Isn't dark choc'late the bitter one,” the girl asked, tilting her head up, pausing only when her nubby antlers bumped into the saffron faceplate just above and behind her. “Oh, sorry, mama!”

“It's okay,” they soothed, “and yeah, dark chocolate is usually pretty bitter. I like it, too, though. It's an acquired taste, for some.”

“What does acquired mean?” Jack tilted his head, blinking fiery yellow eyes curiously. 

“Acquired means you gain it,” Solar offered, “so for tastes, it usually means something you can develop over time.” 

“Like grownups liking coffee?” 

Unable to suppress their snorts, the two nodded. “Yeah, glitterbug,” Sunny beamed with a smile, “just like how some adults like coffee.” 

The kids quickly fell into a mutual miniature rant about the dreaded bean juice while their respective snuggle-prisoners watched on fondly. It was only when another voice chimed in as Lunar wriggled his way over to join the newly minted Despairing of Bitterness that Solar and Sun both looked up. Moon was grinning, bereft of his pastel lap-weight, while his dark eyes twinkled with something unknown. 

“What,” Sunny asked, rays twitching. 

“Is there something on my face?” 

“Nah,” the lunar model offered affably, “nothing that isn't normal to be there.” 

Immediately assuming it to be grease or oil, the eclipse model dabbed a napkin at his cheek. He wound up wiping down his face entirely as each spot came up clean. Confusion grew with each swipe. 

The daytime attendant meanwhile just arched a brow slowly. “... That's your smug smile,” they said after a pause, suspicious. “What are you scheming?” 

“Me? Nothing,” Moon beamed with an innocence wholly uncharacteristic of himself. He went so far as to twirl the end of his cap around his finger, fluttering his eyelids, bereft of lashes. “You make me seem like some kind of scoundrel, Sunny! Can't I appreciate my sister and friend parenting their kids together?” 

Narrowing opaline eyes, the solar model frowned. Ordinarily, the statement would have been passive, unimportant despite the warmth it brewed in their abdomen. The way Moon said it, the tone and body language he held all the while, seemed to skew it into something unfamiliar. Unable to place it, they decided to let it go - in a manner of speaking. “Kids,” they cooed with a mischievous smile, delighting in the sudden blanch from the starry donned bot, “I think Uncle Moony is being a meanie butt!” 

With twin gasps, the children turned, eyes zeroing in with laser focus. “Don’t be mean to mom and dad,” Dazzle cried with a pounce while Jack gave a chuff, lunging into the fray without hesitation. 

“Oh, shi-AH!” 

Buried under questing and tickling hands, all that could be seen of the darker hued animatronic was a leg, an arm, and the occasional flash of a bell. The giggles and war cries from the kids carried him off, deeper into the wall as the duo of tots dug their way through. After all, a blanket fort was not suitable for rough housing, no matter the structural integrity. Abandoned to his fate, Moon let out a warbling cry as he was swallowed into the plush cavern and fairy lights, his temporary death muffled beneath layers of fabric walls.

“... well,” Lunar planted his hands on his hips. He made a show of sauntering over to toss himself into Solar’s lap, sipping at a juice box while they crossed his legs with a grin. “I’d say this has been a pretty decent day, yeah?” 

“Yeah,” Sunny nodded, glancing up to the eclipse model still holding a napkin to his face. Turning their pale gaze back down, they nuzzled a cheek over their hooded brother’s head. “Thanks, Lu. You didn't have to go through so much trouble for me.” 

“Nah,” he waved a periwinkle hand absently, the picture of nonchalance, “It wasn't any trouble, Sunny. Besides, even if it wasn’t a BAD date, it still wasn't particularly good.”

“Eh,” they shrugged, “I got a friend out of it, so there’s that. Ricky and I just… aren't compatible like that. We need different things, and that’s okay.”

Arching a swirling brow, Solar set aside the napkin, wrapping his free arm around the light colored blob sipping juice like champagne in his lap. “That seems pretty fast to decide,” he remarked casually before cringing. “Ah, I mean - I trust your judgement and all, Sun, far be it from me to force you into anything-”

“It’s okay,” they soothed with a smile, “I get it. Maybe it would be kind of fast to declare that after one decent date. I just…” They hummed, searching for words. Absently, another spicy chocolate was popped in their mouth. 

Solar bit back a grunt as a small elbow jammed into his ribcage. He shot an annoyed look down, meeting incredulous baby blue eyes. Lunar looked pointedly between the eclipse model and the solar model, back and forth, eyebrows arched. Upon receiving a confused look, he silently sighed, rolling his eyes, going boneless once more in muted outrage. Utterly bamboozled, the taller bot blinked, looking back up just to catch sight of the daffodil and saffron bot toying with a lower ray. 

Sunny jolted as a broader hand intercepted their own, warming when Solar flashed a wry smile, redirecting their fingers to the string of their hoodie. “Oh,” they breathed, “Sorry. Hadn’t even noticed.”

“I figured,” he offered easily, “but it’s okay. Wouldn't want you to get hurt, is all. We don’t… have to talk about it, if you don’t want to.” 

“I do,” they blurted, face flushing even as they cringed. “I-I mean… sort of? I don't have to, I know but also… I trust you. And I know that I should talk, so… this is okay, right?” 

“Yeah, of course. If you want to talk, I want to listen.” 

“What he said,” Lunar piped in, drinking a second juice box he’d pulled from seemingly nowhere. 

“Okay,” Sunny sighed, voice hesitant. “Okay, so… Ricky is sweet. A-And he’s handsome, you know? But he, uh… he’s also not at a point where he wants to… err, settle down, I guess. He doesn't want kids, he’s not looking for the same things as me. And, well, I’m a package deal with Dazzle and Jack,” they confessed gently. “I want to have that sort of… I don’t know, romantic experience, yeah, but not at the cost of my life now. I’m… happy. I like my life as it is. I’d like more, sure, but I don't want to lose it either. Ricky doesn't want to be a father, not ever - and that’s valid. I’m a mother, though, and I don't want to pursue something on an off chance, a maybe, that things will change. That's not healthy for anyone - I've learned that the hard way, haha... A-And I wouldn't be happy pursuing something I may never have, you know?” They gave a soft chuckle, shrugging. “It’s uh… one of the reasons I don’t usually date or pursue anyone, really. Why bother when it’ll just hurt?” 

“What's pain,” Lunar offered after a pause, “but love unrequited?” 

“Yeah.” 

Chewing on the somber air for a moment, Solar slowly reached out, ochre fingertips brushing over a dandelion wrist. When the other nodded, he gently took their hand, thumbing softly over the warped metal framing their hand socket, hidden away more often than not under ribbons, bracelets or sleeves. His touch was gentle, tender over the fragile ridges. “I think,” he offered softly, “that it's brave of you to try. It's kind of you to care. And Sunny?” He swallowed as ivory eyes framed still in the final smudges of makeup from earlier in the evening met carnelian on topaz. “I think you deserve the sort of partner who would give you whatever you needed - the fairy tale kind of love everybody dreams about. If anyone deserves a Happily Ever After, it's you.” 

The peachy glow from the daytime attendant was bright, though it paled in comparison to the colorful starbursts of embers that fizzled around their spinning rays. They bristled at the lights, trying to wave them away as a muffled wheeze escaped their voice box. Still mildly messy from their day out, in a simple tank top and strawberry shortcake themed pajama pants, they looked utterly ridiculous, swatting at literal magic particles, first with a hand, then a throw pillow. 

Solar nearly choked on the wave of love that clogged his throat. 

Then he froze. 

…………… 

Oh, fuck. 

“Ah,” he squeaked suddenly, lifting Lunar from his lap and nearly throwing the smaller bot into a pile of blankets. Blue and white eyes stared at him as his rays twitched in their housings. “Y-You know what, I just got a ping from my lab - gotta go check that out. Might be a, uh… a rat! Got some delicate things in there, I should go make sure it’s all good!” 

Sunny squinted an eye. “Uh… sure, but I think Moon should be able to access the cameras-” 

“Nope,” he shook his head, scrambling out of the fort to pop upright, snapping in a self-soothing habit as his fans ran on their highest setting, only flustering him worse with their audible spinning. “Wouldn't wanna take him from his punishment, the kids are probably enjoying his agony, I’ll handle it, don’t you worry.” He flashed a grin, strained, and the finger guns he wriggled in midair were met with baffled looks. “... Yeah, yep, uh… bye.” 

Like he had hell on his heels, he turned, took a single casual step and then absolutely booked it out of the room. 

Lunar and Sunny both blinked, slowly looking at each other. 

“What was-?”

“Ugh,” Lunar sighed, flopping backwards. “Men.”

“Men?”

“Men.”

Having no argument, Sunny just nodded slowly, picking up their switch once more. Maybe some good old fashioned crusades against the nonbelievers and heretics would help them feel better… or at least distract them from whatever the heck had just happened. 

Chapter Text

‘How do you ignore a crush’

‘How to stop being stupid about a crush’

‘What's the difference between crush and love’ 

‘Crush definition’ 

‘In love definition’ 

‘What is love’ 

Slamming his optics shut with a groan, he closed out of the browser currently flooded with lyrics from Haddaway. Wiping his search history for good measure, Solar rolled over in his bed, burying his face in a pillow. Claws catching in the case, he gave a disgruntled hiss, shaking his grip free. Once no longer at risk of shredding the cushion, he flopped back down. As an animatronic, he had no need to breathe, but suffocating himself felt like a decent enough plan at the moment. It certainly couldn't hurt to try.

Fuck, how did this even happen? 

Biting back the urge to scream, he absently bit the pillow, gnawing with his more blunted teeth to avoid any additional punctures in the off white case. The house was quiet at this time of night, and he had snuck in as carefully as he possibly could to avoid confrontation after his disastrous exit earlier in the evening. A rat, he thought near hysterically, a fucking rat? He counted himself lucky that Sun and Lunar had played along with it. Lucky, or perhaps ardently unlucky - he had no doubt there would be conversations following that entire shit show. He honest to gods had no idea what he'd been thinking - if he had even been thinking in the first place. 

The revelation had hit with all the force of a silken sheet drifting in the wind. He loved Sunny. Of course he did. He loved all of his family, he'd loved his own Sun, he'd even loved his original Moon, once upon a time. Solar was unique, but he was also an Eclipse - a rose by any other name or whatever. He was an Eclipse, and Eclipses were beings of passion. They never did things by halves. Moons all had tempers, Suns all had some variation of anxiety, and Eclipses were emotional hot messes. That was a multidimensional constant. That he loved Sunny was not the issue. It was that he was in love with them - and had known he was for a while, at least subconsciously - that sent his servos into a screeching feedback loop of swearing.  

Jesus fucking Christ on a flatbread, he was in love with Sunrise Celestial. 

He screamed into the pillow, kicking his feet. 

Fuck

God fucking damn it-

A knock on the door startled him from his spiral, and the eclipse model shot upright so quickly that his internal gyroscope wobbled before equalizing. Had he woken someone? Great, awesome, lovely, fan-fucking-tastic- 

“Dude, chill,” Moon’s low sleepy rumble drifted by, “Can I come in or not?”

“Yeah,” the rayed bot squeaked, recalibrating his voicebox to lower its output back to his typical range. “Y-Yeah, that’s… that’s fine.” 

“Cool.”

 The door swung open and in stepped a sight that would be alien to any outsiders. Toting a comically large stuffed shiny sylveon, the lunar bot sauntered casually in his Mothman onesie, hood pulled up. The sight would have been jarring had it not been made a common occurrence. Despite the dichotomy of their personalities, the Celestial twins had a propensity to coordinate outfits, on purpose and incidentally, typical and gag gift alike. Solar was willing to bet good money that Sunny was probably cuddled up in their Baphomet pajamas right then. 

Don't think about it - fuck they were probably so cute - don't think about it- 

Fuck, he was thinking, and now he was imagining and now his poor vents were going to strip themselves-!

“Timber,” Moon announced with all of the severity of a disinterested cat, throwing himself sideways across the eclipse model's bed - and thus his legs as well. Ignoring the darker toned bot's startled swearing, the lunar model simply flashed a grin, propping his chin in his hand. “Hey.” 

“Hey yourself,” Solar bit out, wrestling his lower extremities from their crushed position. “Did you have to crush me?” 

“Crush? Oh, no, buddy,” Moon grinned. “I think you're doing enough of that for both of us.” 

Is death an option? Or alternatively, could he be swallowed whole by the mattress? Deposited literally anywhere else? Hell, even the deepest pit of space would be nice. Frozen, no need to think, no threats of being dismembered, it sounded absolutely perfect right about now-

“Chill, dude, your wires are safe. If anyone got a calm shovel talk from me over my twin, it would be you.” Giving a careful pat to the shaking orange and ochre bot's knee, he rolled his eyes. “Though, I won't lie - the idea of anyone being good enough for Sunny goes against every alphanumeric digit of my code. Sun's too good for anyone.”

“I know.” 

Dark optics softened, and silver-cobalt cased hands reached out, tugging firmly but not aggressively at warmer, earth toned wrists. Once he had the other’s claws free of the duvet, the lunar model flipped their hands to press claw to claw, touch-pad to touch-pad. “That’s part of the reason why I’m not upset by it,” he said with pointed an arch of his brow. 

Feeling like his entire system had just taken a controlled shock, Solar blinked, carmine eyes shooting upwards to meet obsidian in disbelief. “Y-You… what?”

“I’m not mad,” he reiterated with a put upon sigh. “Dude, how could I be? You and Sunny are like… the poster children for oblivious matches made in heaven or whatever the fuck. You’ve got the romantic experience of a chocolate eclair and the nerve of a chihuahua on meth - no offense - but you would never hurt Sunny. I know that. Lunar knows that. The kids, Earth, Monty and even the cats know that. They know that, too.” Softening ever so slightly, he twisted his faceplate. “The question is - do you know that?” 

“...” 

Sighing, Moon gave a stiff nod, leaning back to fold his legs beneath himself. Once settled - and once he’d shifted the fabric wings and fluffy antenna back - he crossed his arms. “Let’s start there, then. I… really suck at emotional stuff - that’s absolutely more Sunny and Earthie’s wheelhouse - but you’ll have to muck it up with me.” He gave an awkward shimmy, then looked up, meeting topaz and carnelian optics evenly. “Why are you so freaked out by liking Sun?”

Jaw lock clicking on and off, the slightly shorter bot thought it over. Discussing his own emotional state was, frankly, an ordeal he’d much rather not ever do. Unfortunately, he knew that the animatronic sitting across from him would not go anywhere else without either a hard no or a chance to connect. Bittersweet, he mused, how absolute tragedy brought about the change that had been needed for so fucking long… Shaking the thought off, Solar grunted. “Don’t want to hurt them - to… to lose them.”

Like watching ink melt rapidly, onyx orbs went gooey with understanding. “I hear you,” he nodded absently. “I… I don’t want to hurt my sibling either. But, uh… look, Solar, I know it’s kind of useless to say, but you’re going to.” Upon seeing the flinch, Moon swore. “I-I mean that like - that there will eventually come some hurt feelings. There already have been some, right? No relationship is perfect and cheery. There’s going to be fights, and hurt feelings, and you’re going to fuck up. That’s not… bad, though. Because Sunny will fuck up, too. And so will everyone. Nobody is perfect at shit like that. The point of a relationship- any kind of relationship- isn't to just… be some fairy tale bullshit. It’s to let the mistakes be lessons. It’s to learn and grow together.”

“If I just drop this on them,” the eclipse model blurted with a helpless feedback of static, “then I’ll already be fucking up what we have!”

“Will you?”

The only reply given to that was a look implying that the nighttime attendant had asked something monumentally stupid. 

Rolling his eyes with a churr, Moon sneered. “Seriously, wiseguy - think for a minute. Say you tell Sunny you think he’s cute. What's the worst that could happen?”

“They could hear me.” 

“Oh my fucking- okay!” He clapped his hands together, lacing his fingers and pointing at the epic mess before him. “Here’s what we’re going to do! Just… listen for a minute. Maybe I’m off base, maybe I’m not. Just hear me out.” 

Hesitantly, Solar nodded.

“Neat. You like my twin. You’re terrified to tell them, scared to hurt or lose them. Let me start by saying that they may be arguably the most chill animatronic I know when it comes to stuff like this. Even if they aren't interested, they would never stop caring for you. Dude, you’re part of this family now - like it or not. You're stuck with us, whether as a cousin, a brother, or a prospective brother-in-law. So jot that down in your hard drive.

“On top of that, you both already know that you get on like a house on fire. You guys coparent the kids like you were born to do it, and whether or not it stays as platonic coparenting or family model parenting, it'll stay the same. You will not lose what you have by exploring a potential for more. None of us would ever let that happen.

“And finally…” Moon seemed to chew on his words for a moment before carefully dropping the next bit. “I am solemnly sworn to secrecy regarding many things, but I can tell you that Sun has a type. There are highly specific key factors that go into the types of people she gets along with best. I cannot state what they are, but I can say that if someone were to, oh, perhaps meet every single qualification of that box, I would have little to no issue with them pursuing my twin in a romantic way. And you, Solar, have my full blessing and encouragement to go ask them on a date effective immediately. Wink wink.”

“... did you just say wink out loud?”

“Shut.”

“... look, Moon, I appreciate it, but-”

“But nothing,” the taller bot leaned in, poking hard between warm jeweled eyes. “I am doing everything in my power right now to not break Twin Code and also tell you exactly what I want you to know. Listen up, buttercup - go. Ask them out. Take them to that cat cafe you guys think we don't know about you visiting. Take them to Michaels with my credit card, for all I care! Just! Ask! Them! Out!” Each word was punctuated with a casing rattling poke. 

Waving the other off, Solar arched a brow, searching for some kind of argument, some sort of denial. Instead, he choked out, “Michaels?”

“Yeah, Mic- wait,” the other froze, gaze drifting downwards. “No, no, you're right, that could be genuinely dangerous. Sunny released in a craft store without clear guidelines is a recipe for disaster.”

“And debt.”

“So much debt,” Moon nodded. “Maybe take him there with a maximum limit. Otherwise we'll be eating ramen noodles for years.” 

Giving a fond snort, the eclipse model tilted his head. “They can make some pretty good ramen, though.”

“Yeah,” the lunar model groaned, voice just barely releasing a whine, “but my sandwiches…!”

“Then,” the shorter but broader bot began hesitantly, “what if I just… set up something at home? Cook a meal, rent a movie…? For your sandwiches, of course.”

Grin widening, Moon nodded. “Yeah, of course. For the sandwiches. I can even take the kids out for an evening. Give you some privacy for your sandwich-saving plan.” 

“Cool, cool. Then I'll just… figure out what to do then. For…” He hesitated, took a deep breath, and lifted a fist. “For the sandwiches.” 

A silver and cobalt fist bumped into orange and ochre. “For the sandwiches.”

Chapter Text

Sunny had expected a few things when the morning dawned brightly. A rare unicorn of a day, the entire family had free time to spend as they saw fit. With tentative plans already brewing in their mind, they'd decided that a good breakfast would be the best place to start. The kids would be up by about nine at the latest, they suspected, with Lunar trailing behind closer to eleven. Depending on how late the two geniuses had been up, Moon and Solar could vary from any minute now to well into early afternoon. With that in mind, something easily reheated would work out best, should the fellas of their family err towards their later risings. 

Coffee already prepared, most of the wraps already assembled, the solar model sat contentedly at the kitchen island, sipping on their coffee with a calm hum. A pot on the stove steamed merrily away, the scent of cooking berries floating richly in the air. A batch of apples sat cooling on a pan to the side, sweetened with cinnamon sugar as their heat diffused enough to be packed and sealed in their doughy cocoons. The sun outside was peeking slowly over the treeline, tossing slanted light through the eastern windows, the skyline a watercolor blur. Basking in the sweet tranquility, Sunny gave a happy albeit quiet trill. 

THUMP

Ivory eyes blinked, slowly lifting from the countertop. Brow arching, they craned to the side, peeking around the corner. Faint voices could be heard, both deep, though their words were indecipherable. Squinting ever so slightly, the wytch in training considered going to check in on it when the door to Solar's room clicked open. 

Clad in white pajama pants covered hem to hem in cartoonish red hearts, the eclipse model partially stumbled his way out of the room, scratching absently at his stomach. His graphic tee was rumpled, though the comically muscular goose emblazoned on the front in white was visible even from afar. He grumbled something unintelligible, turning before pulling something from his room. 

Sun had to mute their voice box with a frantic digital smack to their switchboard. 

Dragged behind the mechanic, Moon was clawing futilely at the carpet with a frankly pathetic warble. His hood obscured half of his faceplate, one sewn antenna sliding limply along with him across the floor. Aside from the flexing of his tellingly-blunt fingers, he was entirely limp as Solar bodily dragged him one handed by a leg. The only change came in the form of a pathetic groan as Muffin padded over to clamber onto his back, as if the nighttime attendant were a particularly noisy transit platform. 

Wordlessly rising from their seat, Sunny shook with soundless giggles as they pulled out the other two bots’ preferred mugs. Making Moon’s coffee was as easy as breathing, black blossoming into a sweetened tawny plume with a splash of sweet vanilla cream. Solar’s preferences varied day by day, and so they opted instead to simply fill up the other's own thermos with the dark liquid. Sliding them aside, they quickly began refilling the coffee pot to brew once again. It was to this that the other two animatronics finally entered the kitchen, cat in tow. 

“... You're a fucking angel,” Solar rumbled, releasing his hold on Moon without fanfare. Making a beeline for his cup, he cradled the beverage as if it were full of the greatest treasure of all. To him, it may as well have been. 

Moon, forgotten and abandoned, left to be made into biscuits by a feline with two brain cells fighting for third place, groaned pathetically into the hardwood floor. “... ow.” 

Taking pity on both, Sunny reconnected their voice box with a staticy flicker. “Sugar’s already out,” they offered in passing, carrying the Sailor Moon mug over with a wry smile. Kneeling down, they held the cup just before their twin. “Moony… oh, Moony-boo~”

“Don’ call me tha’,” the other grumbled. “Moon’s no’ here righ’ now.”

“Shame,” they hummed teasingly, “and here I went to all the trouble to make him his favorite coffee…” 

A scarlet eye peeked from the shadow cast by the hood. Glowing faintly, the optic trailed upwards to his twin’s grinning face, then back to the coffee cup. The pattern repeated twice more before a hand shot out, snatching the cup and pulling it close, limbs twisting inwards akin to a spider capturing prey. Muffin, unphased, merely clung tighter with his claws, purring loudly. 

Giving their brother a pat to the head, unable to resist a flick to the fluffy antenna on the hood, Sun rose from the floor, stretching upwards with a trill. Turning in place, they moved to check on the fruit cooking on the stove only to freeze. Blinking slowly, they gave a slow frown, hands drifting to settle on their hips. Eyebrow climbing, they said nothing, allowing their disapproval to shine through. 

Solar slowly put the spoon he had pulled out back, stepping away from the fried apples. Aiming for nonchalance, he went to take a gulp of his coffee, only to go rigid as he burnt his tongue. Swallowing with some difficulty, he suppressed a cough. “Mm, yep, no, nothing amiss here. Just… gonna sit down now,” he tried to force out, tongue throbbing. Creeping around, he sat at the kitchen table, a suitable distance from the yellow hued bot’s ire. 

Despite their annoyance, Sunny still went about adding a few frozen cubes of nanomachine enriched oil to a small glass, setting it down before the other. “Consider that karma,” they chirped, flicking one of his rays, “for attempted theft.” 

Flinching back at the sudden touch, the eclipse model gaped for a moment. The light from the window danced around saffron and dandelion casings, gunmetal joints casting the rich yellows in vivid contrast. The curve of the daytime attendant’s cheeks were almost alive with the way the glittering light refracted across the case. Not for the first time, he wondered how else the other’s metallic exterior had changed under the influence of magic. The sparkling underlay, the dusting of apricot freckles, the patches of light lemon meringue swirling around their shoulders - it all came together, a mix of natural built, of Star Power and wild magic, a cocktail of the unexpected. It was so distinctly Sunrise that he found himself skipping in a loop for a moment before having to soft reboot his inlay receptors. 

His mouth was moving before he could so much as think. 

“Let me make it up to you, then.” The sheer roar that was his mind deafened his senses, yet still he caught the way those light eyes widened. The smug smirk that blossomed left his internal wiring tangled and melting. “For my crimes against the queen, I offer my services.” 

“Yeah?” Sunny tilted their head with a playful laugh. “And what services do you offer me, oh roguish thief?” 

“An all expense paid trip,” he blurted, “to wherever you like best.” 

Rays clicking in surprise, Sun blinked. “Dangerous game, Sol. Can you put your money where your mouth is?” 

I’d put my mouth wherever you needed it, he didn't say. Face warming at the thought, he gulped, shaking the thought off vehemently. “S-So long as it doesn't exceed two thousand, yeah.” Proverbial heart in his throat, he ran a quick scan over his most recent document file. Upon seeing the numbers still accurate, he dared to try plastering a smirk on his face. “If we can nab Moon’s card, we could hit five and call it a date - day!” His voice reached an unexpected octave, startling himself, the daycare bot, the mothman cloaked puddle and the cat. Third rays jolting from their casing as his mortification washed liquid magma across his endoskeleton, he wheezed. “C-Could… call it a day…” 

Sunny stood frozen, eyes luminous with particles of light. Rays extended fully, the faintest impression of a second halo around their warm toned - flushed - face, they were stock still. After a brief moment, the glowing wisps around their rays tinged lavender and pink, whirls of yellow dancing in the formless impression of space. “I would… really enjoy that,” they smiled, eyes falling lidded with a smile. “Whether it’s a date or a day, I’d really like to go out with you, Solar.” 

“Neat.” 

There was a muffled snort from across the room, earning orange and ivory glances. Moon had regained some sense of higher thought, though he had yet to rise from the floor. His aborted laughter made Solar’s face burn all the hotter - why the fuck did he say that - while Sunny caught sight of candlelight and peridot optics not even a meter away. 

“Good morning,” they greeted dryly, making the elective decision to ignore the choked sound Solar released behind them. “Sleep well, kiddos?” 

“Mmhmm,” Dazzle nodded, evidently doing her utmost to pretend she hadn't been caught eavesdropping. “Breakfast smells yummy, mama.” 

Jack, with no such desires, just twirled his faceplate. “Is papá finally taking mamá on a date?”

Despite the mechanic’s frantic prayers, he did not sink into the earth or spontaneously combust. The gods are dead, he quoted internally, almost hysterically, and we have killed them.

Sunny, despite their flush, gave a smile. “I don’t really know, pumpkin, he hasn't clarified. If he wants to, I’m fine with that.” 

“Papa does.” 

“Father definitely wants to.”

“Absolutely, he does.” 

“Well,” Sunny giggled, “Seems like mama and papa may have a date, then!” 

Solar croaked an assent into his coffee. Wordlessly, he sent out a plea for help. Almost immediately, he received a response

Starry Knight: enjoy your date, don't die ♡

He knocked back his coffee to suppress the urge to scream.

Chapter Text

The Good, The Gay And The Gator

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: code #fea32e, I repeat code #fea32e

Starry Knight: whats that again

They'dam Gaydom: moon i swear to all things holy is that hexadecimal code

Silliest Goose: Oh my goodness!!! Stay calm but also TELL ME EVERYTHING •^v^•

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: My name is Mole and Goose is the only one I respect here now

They'dam Gaydom: fuck off how was i supposed to know we were using hex

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: The Candycorn has secured a date with the DRAGon.

Starry Knight: dude i love you so much but they aren't even in this chat

Starry Knight: we don't need to use code names. 

Silly Goose: 🥺

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5 : ☹️

Starry Knight: *sigh*

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: anyway. Date ➡ Secured. Tea ➡ Spilling. 

Silliest Goose: 🍵 gimme

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: alright so the DRAGon was being a divine being (coffee) and then caught the Candycorn committing high treason (stealing a bite before breakfast) 

Theydam Gaydom: holy shit and he's alive???

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: ikr insane

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: anyway

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: Candy Boi gets caught, and he tries to play it cool by burning his mouth via coffee. 

Starry Knight: ouch

Silliest Goose: Is he alright? 

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: DRAGon gives him oil-ice for the burn, and this madlad whips out a surprisingly smooth line to “make it up to” them. 

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: despite having the rizz of a can of baked beans, he pulls it off, gets a date, and has been face down on the table ever since. He might be dead. 

Theydam Gaydom: well i'll be damned.

Theydam Gaydom: good job, sugar rush 👏 

Starry Knight: he was spamming me with betrayal and cesar memes until about an hour ago

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: lol

Silliest Goose: What are their plans? And when? I can update the calendar.

Theydam Gaydom: if the bosses give you shit, i can watch the kids for a bit. 

Silliest Goose: 💖

Theydam Gaydom: 💜

Starry Knight: hah gay

Silliest Goose: … I rarely want to bypass my profanity filter, yet you seem to ignite the urge ceaselessly

Starry Knight: it's the cain instinct. i am well acquainted 💅 

Starry Knight: anyway

Starry Knight: sol- candyman said something about crafts and sandwiches 

Silliest Goose: That could be romantic, I suppose. To each their own!

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: I'm gonna die

Silliest Goose: Pardon?

They'dam Gaydom: seconded 

Starry Knkght: thirded

Starry Knight: wtf do you mean

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: bro code prohibits me sharing certain info

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: however I can say that he needed an excuse to latch onto and no part of the planned date includes sandwiches outright

Silliest Goose: Brother, I love you dearly, but that made very little sense

They'dam Gaydom: mood

Starry Knight: ngl i stay confused

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: don't worry about it it's fine

They'dam Gaydom: famous last words

Starry Knight: how famous

They'dam Gaydom: shut

Starry Knight: shutting

Silliest Goose: Gallows humor aside, how can we assist? They both deserve a day off for fun!

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: For now, I'm mostly debating how fast we ought to push them along. 

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: too quickly and they'll rush through it. Also Sunny doesn't handle last minute change well, she'll panic. 

Silliest Goose: Ahhh, right. But too long and Solar will begin to overthink everything, and that will lead to both catastrophizing. 

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: Exactly. 

They'dam Gaydom: bout how much warning is good for Sun? 

Silliest Goose: depends on stress levels, any pre-arranged plans and the context. 

Silliest Goose: Moon, vibe check!

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: on it brb

Starry Knight: while he does that, can i ask a weird question 

They'dam Gaydom: that you felt inclined to ask is weird enough

They'dam Gaydom: what’s up, pipsqueak

Starry Knight: Castor and Pollux use my tablet sometimes, yk

Starry Knight: and turns out they’ve done it a lot when i sleep. 

Starry Knight: but they also dont clear browser history 

They'dam Gaydom: oh my god

Silliest Goose: Oh? What do you mean, Lunar?

Starry Knight: i think Gemini might be a furry

Silliest Goose: Oh!

They'dam Gaydom: oh my god

Silliest Goose: Well, that’s wonderful! If they are interested at all, then I wish them the best! 💖

Starry Knight: you dont think its weird?

Silliest Goose: Why would I? The furry community is actually rather pleasant! Of course there are the sides to it that are mildly disquieting, just as any group of people will have, but by and large, they're some of the sweetest people I have met! 

They'dam Gaydom: can confirm, furries get a bad rep. they're p chill all things considered

Starry Knight: huh

Starry Knight: i never considered that before

Starry Knight: aside from sun and nexus becoming furries that one time each, i never really thought about it. 

Starry Knight: just made jokes and moved on

Silliest Goose: Lunar, I mean this with all due respect and don’t intend to cause any offense - but perhaps your tendency to avoid thinking on things in lieu of humor and dismissal is negatively impacting you as of now.

Starry Knight: i didnt ask for therapy earth

Silliest Goose: I wasn't trying to do therapy, just sharing a pattern I noticed. 

Starry Knight: k

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: tf did I miss 

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: Oh Gemini might be a furry? Good for them, lmk if they want a fursuit I know a guy. 

Starry Knight: is everyone chill with this???

They'dam Gaydom: are you not?

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: imma be honest, I pick fun bc I'm just like that. Idgaf about the cool furries, the chill ones, hell a lot of them are awesome people. I pick at the ones that needlessly and overly sexualize it. 

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: and also Sunny, but that’s more a twin thing than a furry thing. 

Starry Knight: suns a furry???

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: yeah

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: speaking of Sunny though - Earth!

Silliest Goose: Moon!

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: Vibe Check results - pretty calm today, plans for self care later, and nothing pressing for the next three days. 

Silliest Goose: Oooh, wonderful! ✨️

Starry Knight: break it down, homies - what's our timeline

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: two days of notice, minimum, I’d say. 

Silliest Goose: Agreed. Two at the very least, no more than five at most. With both sides of the situation, though, I’d recommend a solid three. 

They'dam Gaydom: that sets us right on a weekday, then

Silliest Goose: Even better! Less crowds ➡ less panic! 

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: preach, sister

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: srsly tho, that works out perfectly for everyone. 

They'dam Gaydom: ifn you n lu feel up to handling the tots at the daycare, Earth n i can take the kids for the day, probs

Silliest Goose: Ooooh! That could be fun! There’s that interactive children's museum we were considering - I'm certain they would love that! 🥰🥰🥰

Starry Knight: museum?

Silliest Goose: Yes!!

Silliest Goose: Although, to be fair, it's a museum of play. It's for children and adults alike! There's immersive experiences, play areas, and each activity section contains history on the types of games, cultural impact, and methods of development for such types of play! 💖🤩💖

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: Oh, I think Sunny mentioned that once! The one in NY?

They'dam Gaydom: yeah. it's rochester, not too far from the place I take Earth on date nights. there's a brewery up there with some damn good food. 

Silliest Goose: We could swing by there for lunch, I bet! Take it to go, have a picnic, maybe. 💖

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: okay so we have a game plan. Send me the link and I'll get the tickets

Starry Knight: gonna be moon mode at the daycare, ig

Silliest Goose: Oh, I'm sorry!

Silliest Goose: We didn't even ask, that was impolite. Moon, Lunar, are you both willing to cover the Daycare? I apologize for presuming. 🥺

Starry Knight: well, beloved sister dearest, since you so graciously asked- 

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: Lunar i stg

Starry Knight: I am, in fact, willing to handle the daycare with Moon

Silliest Goose: Oh, wonderful! 🌈

Starry Knight: IF ☝️

They'dam Gaydom: there is it lol

Starry Knight: i receive appropriate compensation. preferrably in retrieval of a certain snacky-snack. 

Silliest Goose: Nutella?

Starry Knight: white nutella. its only in australia or italy. the mystery beckons me

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: yk what dude 

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: I will personally go buy you white nutella if you would please help us do smth nice for our sibling. 

Starry Knight: what can i say, im a business bot. equity exchange or whatever the fuck

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: it's equivalent exchange, you unhinged troglodyte, and you fucking know it.

Starry Knight: >:3c 

They'dam Gaydom: lunar's impending ass-whoopin aside

They'dam Gaydom: yeah, we can fix this up. i'll give a call, make sure there's no peanut product for dazz, n we can go from there

Silliest Goose: I'll start assembling lists, then. 💖

Pest Control 🌙 V37.5: Operation #fea32e is a go, agents. To your stations

They'dam Gaydom: AGAIN WITH THE FUCKIN HEX-

Chapter Text

Dazzle Deer was a very big, strong and smart girl for being about six-ish, give or take. Keeping track of the time in the walls was hard, and even once released, things were… difficult, at best. She's pretty sure she's probably six or seven, but six feels better and the fun games auntie Earth and mama and uncle Moony had her and Jack do said six, too, so it's probably right. She was very smart for being six, and mama had said she was a big girl, too, so obviously she is also big and thus strong. These were indisputable facts (a word she was proud to use, since it gave her a new vocabulary star on her chart).

As a very big, strong, smart girl, however, she had many responsibilities. Her chores and homework were the main ones, with a couple additional things to do depending on the date or moon phase (the night time friend in the sky, not her uncle - though she loved both very much). It was hard work, but it was fun. She was very proud of herself for keeping them all going smoothly. 

An extra task she had decided to take upon herself was getting Solar to marry her mama. 

She and Jack had plotted many nights - and afternoons, and mornings, and… yeah, just a whole lot, basically - about how best to do it. They had done a lot of research on how it worked, and they’d even made a research journal like uncle Moon does. They were taking the situation very seriously, as one does. They’d tried many times to implement (another vocab star!) a plan, but it seemed the universe - and child locks- were against them. 

When she’d gotten up that morning, she had been prepared to set up plan… Rhombus? Or was it Circle? Having run out of letters and colors, they moved to shapes, making it a bit more difficult to recall without an order to follow. Regardless of the plan, though, she had seen her uncle Moon as a sad sleepy puddle on the floor and heard voices. So she and Jack peeked in, sneaky like tiny ninjas. 

Plan Rhombus was immediately discarded when the words ‘it’s a date’ registered in her audio receptors. Dazzle could not be held accountable for the way she bare surpressed her squeal and danced with Jack while waiting on breakfast. It didn't take long at all, but both children were practically vibrating in their seats when it was time to eat. 

Jack busied himself with playing with his tarts, humming happily as he poked and prodded at it with his invisible magic ribbons. He had shown to be better at seeing the pretty colors and bubbly-lights than her, but Dazzle was the best at seeing underneath it. Like a stack of blocks seen from above, sometimes the next one down is a different color, and sometimes what looked like one thing was actually a whole bunch. All she had to do was use her inside eyes.

That was why she had decided to send Jackie off with mama after breakfast - Solar was always really colorful but his clouds had never ever been so bright before. He’d barely moved from his spot at the table during breakfast, except to take a tart or drink his coffee. Cleanup afterwards didn't take long at all, and Moony went off to go do science or crimes or crime-science, leaving her own partner in crime to handle Sunny. In charge of making sure Solar was okay, the deer scrambled into an adjacent chair, folded her legs, and proceeded to pretend to be very busy with important affairs. 

Eventually, the sickly yellow-green and dark purple clouds around the man she already considered her papa began to dissipate. Pinks and oranges began bubbling up, warm and sweet. It was a very nice change, seeing and practically feeling the other’s anxiety melting away again. Even still, she stayed quiet, working diligently. 

It was as she was carefully cutting her paper that he spoke up. “Whatchya makin’, Dazz?” 

“Licenses,” she replied simply, “so nobody goes to jail. I’m gonna play with Jack later, so I’m makin’ props.” 

“Yeah,” he rasped inquisitively. “That’s a lot of licenses.” 

She pointed one by one to a few lopsided rectangles, explaining as she went, “This one is the card that the police have, so me and molten can be for-real cops! And this one is so Jackie can be a super hero like in the anime Mama watches with grandma, grandpa and uncle Moony. And this one is for the bad guys, so I made extras in case other people wanna play, too.”

Blinking slowly, the mechanic arched a brow. “... you need a license to be evil?”

“Duh,” the little girl replied with an utterly earnest expression, “The government is the evilest ever, and they need a lot of cards. Also it makes money, and they like that.” 

“.... remind me to talk to your mom later about your anarchist tendencies, sweetie.” He rubbed at his forehead, looking stressed.

Helpfully sliding his coffee closer, Dazzle beamed. “Okay! Before or after your date?” She pouted when he choked on his coffee, cheeks puffing out. Grabbing a napkin, she began blotting up the little spill, bestowing the eclipse model with a pointed side-eye. “It’s not a bad thing, you know,” she offered simply. “You and mama are a good match. They think you’re handsome and strong.” 

Face burning, he scrambled for another napkin, cleaning his face. “Sun- we make- they do?” He looked a bit lost, sort of flustered. Free hand moving to flick at a ray, he gulped. “They think I’m strong…?”

“Mmhmm,” the doe confirmed while carefully tweaking the truth. “I heard so myself - but mama didn't know I was there ‘cause I’m super sneaky. And sometimes she mentions it in our morning affirmations. Stuff like ‘smart like Moon’ and ‘strong like Solar’,” she added on air quotes, “come up sometimes. Mama likes you a lot. I think you guys should get married.”

Choking once more on his coffee, Solar gave a strangled wheeze. He needed to stop trying to drink things when around the kids, he mused dazedly. “It's, uh- i-it's a bit too soon to talk about marriage, kiddo. Sun and I- we, uh… we're not really… together… like that?”

“You will be, though,” the doe shot back as if it were a cold, hard fact. “You and mama are like soulmates but better.”

“B-Better-?”

“Yeah,” she nodded resolutely, turning back to her coloring. The cocoa curls framing her face bounced as she bobbed her head in an absent stim. “Like, my family before you guys - back when I was tinier and squishy and stuff - my old mom talked about soulmates a lot. She said that people nowadays used to be a lot bigger with four arms and four legs and stuff. One day those old big people got cut in half, so now people are smaller and looking for their other pieces.” Adding a blue border on one card, she continued happily, “She said that my old dad wasn't her person, but she had to stay around ‘cause of me! But you and Sunny are better, y'know, ‘cause you both can make up your own minds and you became perfect all by yourselves and fell in love even without big giants in your blood saying to do it!” She flashed a big smile. 

Solar blinked slowly, optics audibly whirring as he made several mental notes. Casually dropped red flags aside, the girl's point looped back slowly to his processor, igniting a soft flush on his cheeks. “... well,” he chuckled softly, “We don't have blood or giants in that lack of blood to tell us what to do.” Unable to resist, his hand fell fondly on her head, ruffling the unruly curls playfully despite her affronted squeak. “We just have… us. But maybe that's all we need.” 

Only after she pushed her fringe back - and gave him a solid pout - did Dazzle sigh and crack a small smile. “I like you, with giants in your not-blood or not.” Leaning her head against his arm, she nuzzled fondly, antlers clinking against his casing. “You're perfect for mama,” she breathed sweetly. “Just like fairy tale stories, but even better - ‘cause you're you!” Her tiny clove hued fingers curled around his arm. “I love you, Solar.” 

Sagging slightly, he returned the embrace, shifting to snuggle her closer to his side. “Love you, too, kiddo,” he breathed, voice cracking ever so slightly under the weight of his emotions. “And for what it's worth? I think you're perfect as you are, too - giants or no giants, blood or oil. You're you, and that's all I ever want you to be.”

Giggling, her ears wiggled happily. “You, too, Sol!” She gave a quick squeeze. 

For a moment, quiet fell in the kitchen. The ambient warmth seeped from the walls, the scent of joy and love filling the space. With the doe cuddled to his side, the mechanic gave a soft, content hum. Maybe, he mused, he was overthinking things. Maybe Moon - and Lunar, Earth, Monty, Mana and Atlas - had a point. At the end of the day, would a new adventure, a new beginning, surely close an old pathway off? This, in the kitchen, coffee in one hand, Dazzle in the other - it was as natural as breathing, and if Solar knew anything about Sun, it was that they put their daughter first. With her blessing, maybe he could actually do this. Besides, it was a date - there was no way it would cause any overly acute crisises anyway!

Solar took a sip of his coffee. 

Dazzle tilted her head up. “If you marry mama, and Jack becomes my big brother, can you make us a baby sister?”

Solar spat his coffee over the table once again

Chapter Text

The haunting melody of whispers blanketed the property in a silken, otherworldly curtain. Motes of light danced in the air, pressing gossamer kisses to their casing, giggles echoing distantly from across the veil. One spark wriggled happily in a gunmetal and gold hand, cradled with a gentle hum. Several more rested over rays, shoulders, and in an undulating mass upon their lap, soaking up the attention eagerly. 

Sunny merely snickered at their antics. 

“I told you they've missed you,” the elderly man across from them remarked playfully. Weathered saffron hands lifted his tea cup in a wordless gesture, chuckling. “Always badgering me, ‘where is the Bright One’ and ‘when will Shiny be back’? Incessant little things, I tell you!” 

Snorting, ivory optics rolled fondly with a wry smile. “Oh, please,” they snarked back, “as if you don’t adore them!”

“Never said that,” Golden huffed with a smile of his own. “I can respect some sass - it's why I like you, after all.” He took a sip of his tea with a smug look. 

“Ooh, now there's some fighting words,” Sunny mused with a grin. “You looking for a wizards duel, old man?”

Unable to stop the peal of laughter that ensued at the question, the bear had to set his cup down, lest he wear his tea. The Spirits seemed to scatter from around him, their tinkling giggles barely audible through the heavy weight of the magically infused air. Wiping at a tear, he gave a put-upon groan. “Oh, don't go getting your knickers in a twist, little wytchlet! I may not be as spry as I once was, but I'm no slouch.”

“Why, I never said you were,” they offered in a picture perfect impression of propriety, sipping their tea. A grin lit their face, however, mischievous and bright. “I just asked a simple question, grandpa.”

Narrowing solid pools of blacks, Golden clicked his tongue. “I have the oddest feeling that that was meant to be offensive,” he groused, “but given that I am perfectly fine with it, I have decided to ignore it.”

“Shame.”

“You,” he pointed with a cookie, “are a little shit.”

Giving an overly dramatic gasp, hand daintily lifted as though to clutch nonexistent pearls, Sunny gaped. “Oh, how crude! How vile! How dare you say something so very, utterly, and undeniably true, abuelito?” 

The ensuing stare off lasted all of maybe ten seconds before a particularly excitable sprite darted from the solar bot’s side, slamming into the bear’s muzzle. Giving a squawk, Golden reeled back, gently swatting only to choke as the tiny light dove for his eye next. Sunny cackled hysterically, rays twirling. 

“Avenge me, Matilda!”

“Don’t encourage her- ACK-!”

Despite the brief panic of nearly swallowing an overzealous avenger of a spirit, the two magic users settled relatively quickly back into their tea, conversation flowing naturally, littered with fond jabs and harmless insult. All the while, Sunny pet gently with one hand over the growing pile of sleepy souls in their lap, finding the dip of their skirt to be the most comfortable place to congregate. Each pass left their fingers pleasantly chilled, tingling with the barest echoes of life force past. 

The manor was a bit of a waystation, they mused absently. Souls came and went like droplets in a rainstorm, passing from one place to the next. On occasion, a being will stop, will wait, or will find other matters to handle before skipping to the next stop. Similarly, some even would remain indefinitely, choosing to spend their time here willingly. Regardless of reasoning or tenure, they were welcome and loved all the same. 

Truthfully, Sunny loved the manor, despite its bittersweet association. They loved Golden, they loved the spirits, they loved the Freddy family by and large. That which they did not love resided on the other side of the property, far from the outdoor tea party. The setting itself was by no means new, and Sunny knew that tea in the southeast garden was not necessarily an unusual placement. Something seemed to tell them that the decision to take their company here specifically, as far from the Pool as possible while still on the property, was an intentional decision. It could well have been Matilda whispering such things, Sunny mused fondly, which made it more likely than not true. Regardless, it was appreciated. 

Meeting with Golden had become something of a habit over time. First, it began with Moon’s frequent studying - the majority of the time, he would have gone alone, leaving them behind at the Daycare to handle… well, whatever was on their itinerary - cleaning, minding the children, running the stock, etc. The times that their twin had brought them along were few and far between, typically only even considered due to strong recommendation by Golden. The spell work would be taxing, on those days, simple to learn, difficult to execute properly. It freed much of Sunny's time on the grounds, and they'd managed to befriend more than their fair share of the spirits that called the manor their home. Matilda, in particular, had taken a shine to them, surprising the old bear quite a lot. 

Eventually visits of necessity began including tea and snacks. Then, the visits were extended for simpler, easier lessons that did not, in fact, require the warm toned twin in the slightest. On and on it went until Golden simply offered an open invitation once a month, even past Moon's relative graduation as a mage. It had been a bit of a reprieve, all things considered. While the bear knew all of their tender spots of weakness, he also seemed to offer an almost protective albeit brutal honesty - it stung, it hurt, but it had also been a balm that the rayed bot had needed, especially after the reset. 

Balancing visits between trying to maintain their families had been violently difficult, made all the worse as things grew utterly unpredictable. Despite having so many more hands on deck to help, Sunny felt more wrapped up than ever before, even including the old days where one moment they would be happily color-coding the crayons only to blink and be knee deep in Eclipse’s horrorshow of the week. They really had been dropping the ball in the last few months, hadn’t they?

“You’re thinking loudly again,” Gold remarked casually. “Are they good thoughts or ones I ought to beat?” 

Snorting, they shook their head. “No need to beat the mean thoughts, grandpa, I’m a big bot. I can handle them.”

“Just because you can,” he retorted quickly without hesitation, “doesn't mean you should have to.”

“Mm…” They looked into their tea for a moment, eyes trailing the dark liquid as if searching for the answers of the universe. “I was just thinking I missed this. It’s… nice, here. Different from the Daycare, from home, but… still nice.”

“... the invitation remains open, Sunny-dear. I’m not exactly prone to wandering around these days - and even if you did swing by while I’m out, Mattie the old bat would let you in without hesitation. No,” he quickly scolded the spirit light in question, “don’t give me that sass, you know I’m righ- What do you mean by that?!”

Stifling their snickers behind a hand, Sun shook their head at the other’s antics, knowing without a doubt how the ensuing argument would end. Preemptively placing another cheese danish on his plate as a consolidation for his imminent loss, they gave a soft titter. “If I may?”

“Of course, go on, my boy.”

“I was wondering if… maybe next time I come, I could bring the kids?” They let their fingers trail over the rim of their cup in the sudden surprised quiet. “I-I think Matilda would love them, and they’d love to play with some of the younger spirits around. If Solar isn't comfortable with me bringing Jack, I could just bring Dazzle. She’s a bit calmer on the hijinks scale.” 

“Solar is the… resurrected one, yes?” 

“... y-yeah. Though I guess technically all of them have died and come back one way or another. I, uh… I don't like to think about it much.”

“... I suppose I cannot preach that which I cannot practice,” he remarked calmly, “though perhaps you should consider allowing yourself an outlet eventually. On the topic of children, however,” he flashed a smile, crooked and unintentionally ominous, “I would love nothing more! Be it your daughter alone or including your boyfriend’s lad as well. Consider them welcomed! I could use some excitement.”

“S-Solar is not my boyfriend,” they shrieked, face burning as the connection to their voicebox flickered, pitch jumping in a mechanical voice crack. “He only recently asked me out, a-and we haven't- I-I don't…”

“Calm down, sunshine,” the bear teased, “I wouldn't judge matters of the heart - especially not yours. I know quite well you would flatten me to a paste, if worked up enough.”

Scowling through their blush, the solar bot rolled their eyes. “Private matters aside,” they pouted, “you make me out to be far more impressive than I am, Goldie. You'll give me an ego at this rate.”

“I'll drink to that,” he grinned unrepentantly. “You could use some more confidence, my dear. Even now, it's clear you wear it well. A perfect mix of casual assuredness but with a lack of an inflated head - you've got a good one there on your shoulders, Sunrise.” 

Softening at the praise, the daytime attendant took another sip of their tea. “I try to,” they confess quietly. “It's… difficult, at times… but I do try my best to be good - to do good. It… doesn't always work out, though.”

Abyssal eyes stared deeply for a moment. In a voice pitched lower, utterly serious, the mage spoke. “You do your best, kid - it's all anyone can ask of you. Mistakes are going to happen, be it cosmic alignment or an unfortunate turn of events. There's no fixing a fuck up - there's only learning from it to build something new.” A weathered goldenrod hand took scuffed gunmetal and gold, his grip gentle yet firm. “You have never once stopped learning and adapting, Sunny. That is what makes you unique. You have been beaten, bruised and broken,” he rubbed a thumb over their knuckles as the Daycare bot flinched, “but even in pieces, you looked to protect others first and foremost. You took every lesson and applied it. You have played the hand you’ve been dealt for so very long in a game rigged for your own failure that you’re now scared to ask about the rules. You want to help others, but your need for help in turn freezes your hand.” 

“... I know.” 

“I know you do,” he assured easily with a faint smile. “You’re far smarter than you give yourself credit for. I just wanted to remind you of something important, little wytchlet.” With his free hand, he gently reached out, touch tender as he lifted their faceplate to meet his gaze. “... You’re allowed to be a burden, Sunrise.” Ivory eyes grew wide. “You think of it as burdensome, but to those who love you, we see it as a blessing. Your trust is a fragile thing, but its delicacy only adds to its preciousness. Let yourself be, and let yourself grow unfiltered. Stars do not simply shine.” Golden Freddy smirked. “They burn, little spitfire.”

“...” Blinking back a rush of emotion, Sunny released a strangled breath. “I don't want to hurt anyone.”

“You will. It is inevitable. The cyclical nature of existence will continue, pain and destruction brewing joy and creation, endless and timeless. You will make mistakes. You will hurt people. And, I have no doubt, you will make every effort to protect those you love and will learn from each mistake until the knowledge you wield forges a strength unfathomable.” He gave a tired smile. “The key is to never lose sight of yourself and your heart. That is where your true strength comes from. Promise me that.” 

“Th-That that’s where power is,” they tilted their head, “or that I won't lose it?” 

Snorting, he shook his head with a fond eye roll. “The latter, kid.”

“I… I don't intend to,” Sunny breathed after a pause. “My heart is… maybe all I really have left. It’s… messy, it hurts, but it’s still mine.” Their hand fisted over their chest, above their core processing unit. “... it’s always been mine.” 

“Keep it up - that’s all I ask.” 

Silence reigned for a few precious moments. The air felt solemn, heavy beneath the quilt of a rare, truly serious conversation between the two. As second ticked by, they each began returning to their tea, nearly forgotten in the brief exchange. Motes of light danced in the air, drifting from a glowing rayed headplate, twirling along with the spirit orbs that clung to weathered old fabric. The moment was oddly comfortable - peaceful even.

“So tell me about my great grandkids,” Golden demanded suddenly, faux-innocent as he blinked politely from behind his cup. 

Biting back their laughter, Sun smiled, tilting his head, and allowed themself the privilege to talk.

Chapter Text

“Oh, Solar, look how cute these are!” 

Leaning around the display he'd been perusing, the mechanic arched a brow, blinking. Sunny stood a few paces away, holding up a silicone candy mold with cartoonish dinosaur designs. Their apricot rays twirled happily, smile blindingly bright as they bounced on the balls of their feet. Unable to stop his own answering grin, he softened and nodded. “Those are pretty cute,” he affirmed. “Did you want to get a set?” 

“Mm, probably,” the other hummed, looking over the shelf absently. “The kids would love these, but maybe something made for lollipops would be better for them… what do you think?” 

Solar shrugged, walking over with the cart to look over the wares himself with an assessing eye. “To be fair, Jack would just eat the sticks. And honestly? If it's small enough, we could just wrap them up in these,” he lifted a package of individual candy wraps with a smirk. “He'll still eat it, but it's easier to clean out plastic wrap pieces than soggy, shredded paper.” 

“Ooh, good point… let's get a few small molds, a pack of wrappers, and I can store them in the treat bowl at home!” 

Sunny immediately began rifling through the silicone trays to take her pick, the previously showcased dinosaur mold tucked carefully in their arm. As they looked through, they were unaware of the way carmine optics drank them in. 

Maybe a date like this was far from what most expected, Solar mused absently, but damn if it didn't feel perfect. They went shopping often enough together for it to feel almost natural, and the few points of difference made everything feel… authentic, rather than anxiety inducing. Why bother with propriety when casual affection came so much easier? Why opt for glitz and glam to impress someone who had already seen you at your lowest? It felt almost offensive to simply go through the motions - the kind, beautiful soul before him deserved better than that. 

And, in all honesty, not that he had ever admitted it, the lighter attendant always looked best in clothes she felt most comfortable in. Toeing the line between flashy and functional, they shone like a poison dart frog, exuding charm, fascinating onlookers with color and charisma. How he, of all bots, got so lucky would remain a mystery. 

“Oh my fucking stars.” 

Blinking to refresh his visual feed, the mechanic gave a hum, tilting his head. “What did you find, Sunrise?” Stepping closer, he leaned to get a better look. 

Held in dandelion hands was a stack of three candy mold trays, all silicone and each in a bright color with an attached fold over to press the prospective filling in place. What stood out most ardently was the shape of the hollowed frames. Rectangles laid in rows upon rows, crowned with smaller drops in flat circles. The rubbery leaf meant to fold and seal back over held small blocky textures that lined up perfectly with the round pegs. 

Solar stared for a moment. “... are those Lego block candy molds?”

“Yes,” the daycare attendant breathed, flipping the trays in hand. 

“... They're multi-use?”

The lighter bot nodded, showing the tag as they read it off, “Oven safe, freezer safe, and even dishwasher safe. Technically, we could even make hard candy with them.” Sighing, Sunny pursed their lip. “Do you think Moon would kill us, if we got a set? I think it could be fun…”

Silence reigned for a moment before Solar spoke softly. “To be fair, he banned Legos from anywhere except bedrooms. These,” he reached out, gently lifting the trays from yellow hands, “are legally distinct from Legos, I would say. Also they make edible blocks - despite what Jack says, plastic isn't edible.”

Snorting softly, Sunny cracked a smile. “Maybe we can transition him over with similar textures - hard candy blocks versus thin plastic blocks. It’d be better for his internals, at least.” 

“Boom,” the eclipse model chirped, summarily dropping the trays into the cart with a grin. “We have a justification, an excuse and an added layer of you being a good mom. Moon can’t argue that.” 

Chuckling, the brighter bot beamed. “Now you're just trying to spoil me, you goofball!”

“Is that a crime?”

“Mm,” she shrugged, absently dropping another package of foils into the cart. “Depends on who you ask, I bet.”

“Well,” his voice voice stuttered, giving a brief squeak of feedback before hesitantly leveling out, “I'm asking you. Is it really so bad?” Head tilting earnestly, darker hued rays undulating faintly in a ripple of interest, Solar gave a soft smile. “Is it a crime to want you happy?” 

Taken aback for a moment, Sunny stared, cheeks warm and processor almost hiccuping under that mismatched stare. “... I… I suppose not,” they conceded, a nervous yet somehow pleased smile tucking at their cheeks. “S-So this is how you plan to woo me? Craft store binging?” 

Taking the out the other had so graciously provided, the eclipse model gave a faint nod, lips quirking at the flustered glow. “And maybe lunch, if you're interested.” Unable to let it go completely, however, he let his hip bump the cart, leaning a touch closer with only a modicum of hesitancy. “Wherever you'd like, princess - my treat.” 

“Wherever I like, huh…?” Pale eyes darted over, glancing up ever so slightly from beneath apricot molded lashes. A smirk took their mouth, playful and devious. Solar had to resist the urge to take it for himself. 

Instead, he gave a noncommittal hum. “I would very much prefer it be somewhere I, too, can eat, but whatever her majesty declares will suffice.”

“Charmer,” Sun huffed with a grin. “How about somewhere simple, then? Fast food, maybe hit up the grocery store, and then a night in. Sound good?”

Smiling, the mechanic nodded. “Sounds perfect. What do you think we need for dinner, then?”

Sunny let her hand drift to the cart as they walked, fingers sitting into the metal's divots. Solar, pushing it along, had to fight off a besotted beam as he watched them tap their free fingers back and forth in a subtle stim. “Maybe,” the daytime bot began absently as they approached the checkout counter, “Something new? The kids are sleeping over at Earth and Monty's tonight, so we could go for something that they wouldn't ordinarily like. Hmm…” 

Considering it with a faint hum, the mechanic tilted his head. “What about some seafood?”

“Huh?”

“Fish,” he shrugged, “Or we can look into crab legs - something new but we know we like.” Stepping aside for a moment to begin utilizing the self checkout station, Solar shrugged. “Maybe shrimp? Lobster is probably a bit excessive, but-”

Crack!

Whipping around, he had to abort the motion to wrap a protective arm around the other’s waist, intending to tug the daytime bot closer and out of the way of the perceived danger. Instead, he blinked, processing the glowing lights, the drifting chromatic whirls of uncanny clouds eeking from a daffodil mouth, and the rigid way Sunny stood, arms clenched tightly in a self-soothing – albeit desperate – embrace. Dark smoke drifted from the digital register closest to the warm toned attendant, screen fizzling with warped pressure cracks. The internal components, he noted, seemed to have rapidly expanded. 

Uninterested in anything beyond the trembling form before him, he carefully stepped closer. Hands held where they could be seen, approach deliberately slow, he dropped his voice. “Sunny…? Hey, can you hear me?”

“... Mm.” There was a miniscule twitch, the barest hint of motion. It was enough. 

“Okay, that's good. Hard to talk?”

Once more, a tiny movement that spoke volumes was all the other could give. 

Not about to be discouraged by the bare response, Solar softened. He gave an earnest albeit small smile, creeping closer. “That's alright,” he soothed, “You don't have to talk.” His core ached when there was a welling of relieved tears following that statement, pale eyes flicking up before dancing around almost frantically. Tucking himself carefully between the general direction that seemed to ignite the most discomfort and Sun themself, he raised his hands, bare and richly hued. Flexing his fingers slowly, he breathed, “May I touch you?”

All it took was one more impression of a nod before he gently took those trembling hands in his own. Rubbing soothing patterns on the back of the lighter bot's hands, he gave careful assurances, mind racing. 

Aside from addressing the apparently broken sale system to the left, he highly doubted Sunrise would enjoy the inevitable wall of curious onlookers and frantic employees even now approaching from across the large store. Gritting his teeth, he spared one hand to yank out his wallet and drop a handful of bills on the broken register. Certain that it was more than enough, he drifted to the side, tucked his foot around the bed of the trolly, and tugged it closer. “I'm going to teleport us, okay? Can you close your eyes?” 

Opaline gems were immediately hidden behind lemon lids, and she tucked their way even deeper against the other bot. There was a telling hiss of sound before it gave way to silence with a worrisome click. Through it all they shook, even as one hand twisted to grip a faded green t-shirt. 

Nodding once, he shifted his grip to bundle the vulnerable being into his side. Running on a cybernetic equivalent of adrenaline, he fell into ingrained habits picked up over time without hesitation. Panic and anxiety attacks were no strangers to the Celestial family, and everyone tended to develop their own tricks with handling them. Solar, being only mildly less introverted than Moon, had a habit of going out more often than not with Earth, Jack and Sun. With the former two being the more visibly afflicted and externally seeking, he had come to his own methods for them. 

That, he decided, was the reason he did not think twice about turning and dropping a kiss to the crown of the other’s head as he activated the transport.

Several long, crawling seconds later, he was standing in a clearing with a slightly rounded basin to the back right. The sunlight dribbled through the treetops in bursts of brilliance, dancing atop the grass, water and stones. It was almost enough of a distraction for him to forget the burning in his face.

The way Sun still shook was much more effective at that. The seclusion helped, as did Solar gently urging the both of them to the soft ground. “We’re alright,” he rasped, “You can look around whenever you're ready. I’m right here.” 

Affirmations and assurances bled from his voice box with ease, soon changing to storytelling and reminiscing as tightly held joints began to relax, as shuddering breaths evened and as pale, luminous eyes peeked open warily. Gradually, the harsh glow of riled magical energy began to ebb away, softening back into the familiar fleece-like film of comfort. Sun began to relax. 

“-and this jerk looks me dead in the eye, smiling like he hadn't just scared the bolts out of me, and goes, ‘Could I interest you in some Whoppers?’” The eclipse model rolled his carmine eyes with a scoff, his impression of their youngest family member utterly awful. “I swear, that little shit has some weird obsession with acting like a tiny cryptid.”

“... did you take any…?”

“Hu- What?” More surprised by the faint rasp of a voice than the question, he perked up. Blinking, rays jutting slightly, he paused in the mindless back-and-forth motion of his thumbs over golden hands. “Did I take what?”

Sun gave a tired smile. “The Whoppers,” they clarified quietly. 

“Oh,” the mechanic breathed. “I’ll be real with you, sunshine, I just closed him back into the cabinet. But, uh…” He gave their joined hands a squeeze. “You feeling better?”

Cringing, they tugged their hands away, rubbing at their tacky face. “Ugh, yeah - I am so sorry, Solar.” Sounding almost choked up again, she wilted as their rays drooped. “Shit, I ruined everything-” 

With all the aplomb he could manage, the mechanic shook his head, giving a stretch. “Nah, nothing is ruined. We just took a slight detour. Call it the scenic route,” he winked. “Stuff just happens, sometimes - it’s not a big deal to me.” 

Sun fiddled with a loose bow at their wrist. “It’s big to me,” they confessed quietly. “I wanted it to be.. be perfect…”

Gaze softening, the eclipse model hesitated for a fraction of a second before slotting their fingers together. He gave a lingering, comforting squeeze before lifting the hand. His lips brushed over dented and nicked knuckles, a feathery brush of affection. “It is perfect,” he assured, “because it's with you.” Lifting his head, he urged the other to meet his gaze, offering a smile as opal met carnelian. “I'm… not the best at emotional stuff, you know? But I'm here - I know intimately that not a single person in this family is exempt from some issues, myself included. You got triggered,” he breathed, “and I'm sorry for that. But you needing a little extra support sometimes isn't some… some crime, you know? We all do. And you help everyone else as best you can - I want to help you, too. Nothing is ruined, I promise.” 

Sun swallowed, pursing their lips with a shuddering flicker of their fans. Searching for the words, they settled on, “I’m sorry.” 

Solar gave a bittersweet smile. “Nothing to apologize for, princess. But, um… if you don’t mind and feel comfortable telling me, what set you off? I don’t want to risk exposing you again.” 

Immediately heat flushed to buttercup cheeks, and Sun grimaced. Embarrassment seemed to tint every angle of their body language beneath the leftover discomfort and exhaustion. She searched for a proper explanation that didn't sound invalid even to her own ears, yet each passing moment felt heavier with tension. It was only when Solar squeezed their interlaced fi fears again that the daytime attendant simply sighed tiredly. “I, um… back before… before N-Nexus,” she began halting, hesitantly, “He and I played Cult of the Lamb. A-And it was fun! But he wanted a character, and I let him pick his form and he was adamant on being a- a shrimp.” She giggled despite the flare of grief in her chest. “A-And it became a bit of a recurring theme. I-I don’t know why, but it did. A-And for whatever reason, you said shrimp and it just-” Their voicebox cut off with a static-ladden keen. 

Solar’s eyes widened before softening. He shuffled a but closer, enfolding the other animatronic into his arms with no hesitation. Shushing them quietly, he drew his hand up and down their back, allowing her to bury her yellow face against his shoulder. Eyes heavy with empathy, he held Sun lovingly. “I’m sorry,” he rumbled softly. “I get it, though - I, uh…” He played a soundbite of clearing a throat, his gaze drifting to the side. “... It took me a long time to be comfortable with things that reminded me of Helios,” he confessed, mind straying to his own original Sun. “Certain smells or songs, his favorite games - people talk about the stuff surrounding a death being traumatizing and triggering, but they don't really talk about how the good times can make the hurt… feel worse, you know?” He lowered his head to rest his chin on the other's shoulder. “I mean, it took me how long to feel comfortable with even the mention of hydrangeas?” He chuckled mirthlessly, hugging his partner a bit tighter. 

Sun nuzzled closer, shifting their arms to return the bolstering squeeze. They hesitated slightly before speaking. “I, um… I've been doing… research,” they confessed. “Don't get me wrong, I love Earth and how much help she's been and how she's grown, b-but… she still specializes in talk therapy. And that's… not always the right thing. And grief is… messy. People say it get easier or it just works itself out, but…” 

“... it doesn't always do that.” 

“... yeah.” Sun took a deep breath. “I'm… I'm okay, most of the time. But it's like… like a snake, sometimes. It hides and I don't see it coming until I hear a hiss. By then, it's already lunging.” She frowned, resting her cheek against the other's green clad shoulder. “It's been so long,” they groused, “I should be over it…” 

Frowning, Solar shrugged his shoulder, jostling the other's head. He turned to meet surprised ivory optics with his own unimpressed gaze. “And me?” 

“Huh-?”

“Should I be over Helios? Should I be over Nexus?” He tilted his head, expression expectant. “I lost Heli far longer ago than you lost Nexus - so by that logic, I should be completely over it, right?”

“Wh-What?!” Sun sat up ramrod straight, hands fluttering as they shook their head. “N-No, Solar! You're allowed to grieve,” they breathed almost frantically, “That's not what I meant at all!” 

“Yeah?” The mechanic arched a brow, unimpressed sass practically dripping from his joints and divots. “You meant everyone is allowed to handle things at their own pace except for you?” 

“I-” 

Solar's eyebrow drew higher. 

Sun slowly deflated. “... I didn't… grieve Moon fast enough,” she confessed with a shuddering breath. “A-And I wonder if maybe that's why Nexus went to such extremes. Maybe it really was my fau-”

“Stop.” 

Rays sinking back, Sun stared wide eyed at the other. 

Solar gave a slow, mechanical sigh. His hands rose to gently albeit firmly grip soft yellow biceps, thumbs rubbing gentle lines over the saffron paint while just barely skimming the ruffled hem of the other's sleeveless button up. His eyes were heavy with a myriad of emotion, though most prominent was a fiery determination and something softer, more empathetic and honeyed. Even still, the loving and unyielding look could not prepare the daytime attendant for the words Solar would declare. “Sunrise, it was not your fault.” 

Gunmetal and gold fingers spasmed against orange and ochre arms. 

“It was not your fault. You were in an impossible situation, and you did the best you could. The blame doesn't lie solely on your shoulders, and frankly, it was beyond any one person's control. Nexus was driven by his own choices, and even when faced with opportunities, he chose to decline them all. It was a tragedy - but it was never your fault.” 

Saline welled in ivory optics, spilling down over a stunned face, running in reflective rivers over round cheeks. Flecks of maroon, navy and gray shone from the fluid like luminous microglitter. Solar did not hesitate to cup one of those wet cheeks, and Sun hesitated only briefly before pressing into the touch. Shoulders hitching with a sob, they allowed the mechanic to pull them closer, curling into his lap and embrace. The dam containing her tears crackled ever so slightly, and it lifted suddenly, releasing a keening tsunami of grief. Sunrise wailed into their boyfriend's shoulder, clinging tightly. 

Solar held them through it, his own tears blending into the watercolor blur. 

And through it all, lilies blossomed from nothingness around the couple, washing the clearing in speckled alabaster relief