Chapter Text
Morning came with all the gentle touch of a brick to the teeth. Biting back the urge to give an exhausted groan, ivory optics slowly fluttered open from behind apricot molded lashes, squinting into the darkened room as his systems slowly initiated their startup sequence. A large hand was clutching the side of his nightshirt, he realized suddenly, while a smaller but still sizeable form seemed to have attached itself to his front. Blinking at the input, he had a split second of icy terror before his systems caught the vague shapes in the darkness.
Jack was tangled in a blanket, cuddled close and pressed against Sun's chest. Over the daytime bot's shoulder branched large, imposing antlers, familiar ones that only served to soften his expression. Dazzle slept peacefully at his back, her unusual anatomy slack in a way almost unnerving were it not for the rosy hued lenses he had found himself viewing her through. Though by no means immune to the instinctive disquiet at her form, he had had ample time to grow accustomed to her. The soft demeanor, the shy posture, the voice on top - it had twisted the morbid vibe into something spooky-cute, in a way. Sun, sequestered as he was, had to fight the urge to pet over her antlers even then. Pushing the urge away in favor of more pressing concerns, he took a breath, braced himself, and set about performing a far more delicate maneuver.
The daytime bot carefully shimmied his way free, extracting himself from the impromptu cuddle puddle that had become his bed. It was mildly easier with ample experience guiding his hands, though even with the awareness of just how fast to move, how to slip from sharp, young, seeking hands, he felt stiff and uncoordinated as he rose. The growing pull on his spine did nothing to help. Rubbing absently at the worst spot, he slid on his house shoes, turning back to more thoroughly tuck the kids in. Unable to resist, he pressed an affectionate kiss to each brow. Only once the blanket rested around their shoulders did he finally creep from his room.
The house was silent, so early in the morning. No other souls were awake at such an hour, and frankly speaking, he wished he could be among the rest. Exhaustion tugged incessantly at his endoskeleton, singing a siren's call for sleep. No rest for the wicked, he mused absently, quietly flicking the kitchen light on. First order of business was coffee - non negotiable - and the second was something light to eat. While the caffeine percolated, he began working on toast, pulling out the butter and applesauce.
Leaning his hip against the counter, the solar bot crossed his arms, sending a half hearted glare downwards. “You be nice today, you hear me? We have a lot to do.” Taking the little flutter as assent, he gave a serious nod. “Good! Coffee and toast for us now, then we work on cleaning up. Moony might have come home last night, so we should make sure there's nothing dangerous for Dazzle and Jack around. Then it's breakfast, getting ready, and time for work!” Going on as the bread popped up, he let himself ramble through the daily tasks. While it was the same every day, he made an active habit to do so. It killed numerous birds with one stone - a distraction from the nausea, a benefit to development, an accommodation for his anxiety, and it also gave him time to itemize any additional tasks that may arise.
And maybe… maybe he also imagined someone else watching on, unseen and unheard - just as interested in hearing about his day as he was to share it.
Shaking the thought off, Sun spread the applesauce on his buttered toast, immediately tearing into it with a soft, happy trill. Absently musing on the possibility to get some jalapeños to add to it tomorrow, he entertained himself with his breakfast.
Soon enough, he'd be sweeping and mopping, the eventual scent of food inevitably waking the children - and potentially also Moon - before it would be time to get everyone tidied, ready, and in place for the ensuing day at work. Soon, he'd be on his feet, running-running-running until finally he could get home and be done - at least until something else came up. The mere idea of his hectic schedule felt like it drained his battery by a decent chunk, but he'd get it done. He always did. Soon, he'd be ready to face the day.
For now however, in the safety of quiet, he let himself simply exist. He let himself hurt. He let himself grieve - just a little.
It was only as the horizon began spitting out tinges of violets, reds and oranges that he heaved himself upwards. A passing gander at his namesake drew a bittersweet smile to his face before he turned to get to work. So much to do, and so little time…