Archive of Our Own ^beta

He glanced back down the stairs and then continued walking down the hall toward the pickup area. Every step careful, trying not to make a sound. It still felt wrong to be out of the main section of the daycare. Like he was sneaking out, and if he would be found, He’d be sent back. So he had to be quiet. But he was trying to be better, to not be afraid to do this on his own

He was taking Moon's advice Just walk around the area around the daycare after hours. Just get a feel for it. Chase that fear away. One small area at a time. No need to wander the entire plex. Just these small hallways and doors he had always been able to see but never go to.

And it helped! It really did. And anytime he told Moon he had done it. He could feel a warm pulse from deep inside that told him Moon was proud of him too. Someday he will be able to walk out through the entire plex without someone else's help as well. But for now. Now this was enough.

The Glamrocks had come over, and they had finally officially met, and they happily brought him along around the whole plex. Making his exploration a lot easier. They had even gone to several of the main attractions. Freddy and Chica were really nice. But Monthy and Roxy were a bit much. He supposed he himself would also be classified as that. But..

Well for now he rather stick around those other two as he tried to not spin himself into a panic. They weren’t bad. Once they played Monty golf he was surprised with how patiently the big gator taught him. And Roxy was ready to talk all kinds of gossip about the parents with him and Chica.

They also told him all about their hangouts with Moon, which was nice. He closed his eyes for a second, letting his fans give a big whirl. Feeling Moon still in rest mode, he flashed the clock on his HUD. About twenty more minutes before he woke up. He nodded and headed towards his destination.

Continuing down the long walkway. Glancing back to the side and seeing the nets that were his walls and roof for so many years. Anytime he was here, it filled him with that odd sense of pride. Being able to see into the daycare…looking over it from here. Cold hard proof he could walk around as much as he wished.

But his musing stopped as he got to the real reason he wondered so close to the doors. He turned around, back to his home. And started up at the statue he could only see the edges of when he was down below. The big golden statue of himself and Moon. And he was staring at Moon side.

He looked at it, trying to find the differences between himself and his lunar counterpart. Besides the glaringly obvious ones of course. He still has never really been able to see him. Besides all the drawings the kids made of him. And part of him longed to. And it would not an impossibility for long.

The virus that had plagued Moon for so long, was gone now. Ending years of torment for the both of them. As he finally heard the voice of what sounded like the Moon he knew and loved, and no longer in any pain. After years of silence, was one of his favorite memories. When that virus cut them off. He had been so certain something was wrong with his lunar friend. And he had been right...hadn't he

He had tried to get them fixed. But for so long no one listened. But now. After a visit from a strange boy one night. Staff had been replaced, and restrictions lifted. And Moony after all these years fixed and able to care for the children once more.

To say he was overjoyed was an understatement. As they tried to pick up after everything. Then came the news. They would be getting an upgrade. Something that would make them a bit more friendly-looking. More facial moving features like the Glamrocks. But not just that…but a separate body for both him and Moon. And it excited and terrified them both.

But it was a while away. They wanted to keep an eye on Moony's code to be sure that the virus was completely gone and not just slumbering. Their current body had also been neglected by the previous staff. So they were slowly going through years of updates. One at a time. So that they: One: won’t lose themselves and Two: the transitions wouldn’t be too harsh

All in all, it was gonna take a couple more months. Especially since the staff was also focussing on repairing Glamrock Bonnie who had finally been found.

But the thought of seeing Moon was exciting. He knew he would pull him into a hug as soon as he could. One that would say: sorry for all the mean things he said when Moon was trapped by the virus. But also one that would show how thankful he was to have him with them. And that they never be truly alone again.

He started up at the statue, but this wouldn’t be the Moon he would see. It would be a new body. One that both had never seen. And that kinda…twisted something inside of him. There was a part of him that wanted to see and meet how Moon looked now. Cause this body as much as loved it, caused them pain And he wanted to sooth that. He wanted to see what others had. Cause looking at just the statue he didn’t understand.

Moon didn’t look so much different than him. Yet people and staff had called him scary, unnerving, not fit for kids, and more terrible mean comments. Some that should never have been uttered in a daycare. He got some of the same comments. But never at the same level as Moon did. And it confused him. He wanted to understand, he wanted to see his other half.

He was swaying in place. Bells gently chimed along. Tapping his knuckles together every so often. He had tried to figure out how Moon looked, but nothing really worked. He was given limited access to files and only could get to his own manual. Not Moons part..

The kids' drawings only do so much. And he could see out of Moon’s eyes when he was active. Moon had always been working. In the daycare, there were no large mirrors. And with it being very dark, whenever Moony had to work. Even if there had been. He wouldn't have been able to see much.

But lately, they had gotten more free time. They weren’t as free-roaming as the Glamrocks yet, but the staff was working on that. Their battery was simply not powerful enough to support two AI awake at all hours of the day. For now, they got rid of the program that made them switch out based on the light. As it had been terribly inefficient.

Now they just had to switch at pre-determined times. Before powering down in rest mode to conserve the rest of their battery. The most time they actually got to spend together. Was during work hours. As Moon woke up a bit before naptime. And would be able to help out through their shared mind. As he looked through their shared feed. And could see things he wasn’t focused on.

They managed to catch a kid trying to sneak out like that. And when naptime was on, he could just sit there listening to Moon read stories, as he’d be the extra pair of eyes for him.

But his favorite time was mornings. If they managed to get a full charge cycle. He’d wake up early from rest. And they had a couple of hours every morning. Where they could just. Hang out, talk, and just..be. Where he could wake up, to Moon reading on their warm plush bed, or maybe even tinkering at the broken staff bot. That had been in their room for who knows how long. Before they switched out again. And could feel Moon's tired but happy presence behind himself. Last time he even worked on the staff bot as well..under Moon's directions. He got why Moon did it. Was strangely calming. Before he had to leave to get the daycare ready.

They of course also could do this just before Mooney's security shift started at night. As the same amount of time was set out there. But…he didn’t wanna take all of his friend's free time.

“You’re outside”

His head jerked up. Internal clock flashing on the screen. And yup the twenty minutes had passed. He had planned to be back in the daycare by now. But this wasn’t too bad.

“Yeah…wanted to look at something”

He could feel Moon's presence behind him. Like they were standing back to back. He kinda knows when Moon is looking out as well, and he wasn’t just…close. It was a hard thing to describe. He felt that warm pulse of pride run through his sensors.

“Gaudy things…honestly”

He heard Moon say as he felt him tap into their visual feed.
He chuckled wryly. Yeah, they were big and obnoxious. The gold didn’t really do either of them any favors he thought but…

“At least it lets me know what you look like”

Moon was quiet for a moment.

“Kinda sad it’s just the one pose, You are way more animated than that”

He laughed. All the glamrocks had commented on the fact that neither of them where seemingly able to keep still. Always swaying, bouncing, moving something. The bells around his wrist and shoes made sure you heard them a mile away. He didn’t know why he did. It helped him relax. Moon was better at it, he was king of hide a seek after all.

That and the head of security

“I think the kids do us better” Moon mumbled and he could feel the burst of happiness coming from his lunar counterpart. And he nodded along.

“They certainly do, Just Kinda sad this is the only way I can truly see you, you know”

There was another silence. And then it felt like Moon placed a hand on his shoulder for a brief moment..but it was gone before he could really tell. Before stepping next to him.

It wasn’t like Moon was there physically, or if there even was something there in his vision. He just knew there is where Moon was. Like a mist or ghost or presence. It was like he was more of the forefront, instead of back in his mind. But talking like this with the kids around didn’t look good. So normally they just talked internally. But there was no one here but a stray staff bot and a cleaning bot. So it didn’t feel weird to be talking to ‘himself’

“You truly haven't?” Moon mumbled

He shook his head, looking back up at the statue.

“There is a mirror in our room, you never even got a glance there as I passed it?”

It wasn’t accusatory., it seemed Moon was truly a bit bewildered. And he shook his head once more, rays rocking side to side as reffing up for a spin before stopping. He had tried of course. But the most he had been able to see were Moon's shoes..and well…those were the same as his own.

“Our room is quite dark with the lights out, and besides, it’s your time to be out. I wouldn’t want to intrude”

Moon's arms dropped to his side, and he could feel Moon's gaze on him.

“I’d be alone when you are in rest mode…you are welcome to tag along when you’re still awake”

He shook his head

“I’ve taken a lot of time of you before. I aint taking more “

There was an odd feeling in his chest. Moon muttered something. But he wasn’t sure but it sounded like

“But what if I wanted you there…”

But that couldn’t be true. After having had to lock Moony out with the generators. Insisting on the lights on, even if it had been for the best with how bad the virus had gotten.

It had been a terrible way to treat a friend. And while yes they have been talking more and more. And getting along, teasing each other, and playing games when both were awake. He wouldn't take up everything out of Moon's day. He would need some rest, and have time to do his own thing. So he retreated to the back of their mind, and let Moon just. Be. While he just poured over the memories of the day before rest would take him. He didn’t mind. Even if it meant they spent less time together.

They were both silent for a little bit, Moon broke it as he lifted his gaze up as he started circling around the statues.

“You know…I don’t think I ever got a true look at you either. Sparing glances in mirrors and blurry photos are not the same”

He chuckled.
“Whoever made the fazzcams so blinding is to blame for that one. It really hurts when a kid takes a picture”

Suddenly he remembered something, something he had seen in his tentative exploring in the past few days. So He turned around and down the walkway from where he came.

“Sunny?”

Moon asked as he passed the daycare doors. But he didn’t answer as his mind raced.

They hadn’t been the only ones to get updates. No most of the rooms had been getting patched up, The Daycare had gotten new mats, padding, more toys, and a thorough cleanup. A machine that helped clean the ball pit so much easier. And many more little things.
As he went to the theatre doors.

This place had gotten an update as well. Now it could do more than host movies. And a stray comedy act from comedy-bot. They had extended the stage and added a backstage area so plays could be performed.. The only room that hadn't gotten redesigned…was their own..and that was on request. The many changes were frying his brain. And it wasn’t like kids could accidentally get in. So having a bit of the old still there was nice…comforting

But he knew…that when their new bodies would be here. That too would have to change. He shook himself out of it. He trembled for a second then opened the doors and stepped through. Quelling the stray thought. That no. he wasn’t going or coming from parts and service and he determined to walk passed the hidden door to their room.Into the theatre down the steps, past the seats.

“Sundrop?”

And off to the left past the curtains to backstage. He felt around the wall until he came across what he sought. And found the light switch. light's flickering on And He was able to see the tables with probs, a few costumes on a rack. And most importantly, A huge mirror that covered one wall in length. Large enough…that they could see their entire body in them.

All he had to do was step through as he stood in the shadows of the curtain as Moon had fallen silent. He couldn’t bite his lip. But suddenly the thought of taking that last step was terrifying. And he almost whispered.

“Do you….want to see?”

His internal fans were whirling wildly. A loud sound in the otherwise silent theatre comedy-bot luckily nowhere to be found. Moon's presence against his back returned. And it took him a second to realize…he was probably being hugged. His hand hovered around where he assumed Moon’s where As he stared forward. Towards the props, not really seeing it more focussed on that nice warm feeling behind him.

There was a nod. And he took a tentative step. As he kept his eyes averted as long as possible. He felt Moon cut off his access to the visual feed.

“Tell me when to look?”

If he could blush, he would. But he still carefully shuffled forward. Making sure he was as much in the light as possible. As well as fully in the frame as possible. With a nervous sigh, he knocked his knuckles together a few times. Before nodding.

“Okay…ready”

He said as he started at himself in the mirror. Noticing his own form slightly swaying side to side. How he nervously kept tapping knuckles together. But he would stay. For Moon.

Moon connected to their eyes again. And he felt something warm in his chest. And he waved at himself shyly in the mirror. His never-changing expression couldn’t show it. But the rest of his body was betraying his nervousness. He couldn’t see Moon. But he still felt close by. Like he was looking right over his shoulder. He couldn’t tell what the expression was. But even if he couldn’t see it. He knew Moon was there. Watching.

Moon let out a laugh. Not a cackle as he so often did. But more a disbelieving sound, that echoed from the back of his mind

“It’s…exactly like I expected and also nothing like it…it’s…it’s strange... A very strange feeling.”

He gave a hum, it felt a bit weird on his end as well, to just stand in front of the mirror. While knowing someone was looking at you. But…not a bad thing. Just strange indeed.

“You really do keep swaying”

He stopped doing it, not wanting to distract Moon with his movements. But Moon quickly corrected him.

“No..no. didn’t mean for you to stop, it’s cute”

If he had a blushing feature it would turn on to his highest settings. Instead, his fans started blasting hard. And all he could do was bring a hand up towards his face as his chest fell close to bursting.

As Moon was suddenly stuttering in his head. He pushed past the overwhelming feeling before Moon could take it back.

“Thank you…”

Mood nodded, he might be wrong, but the feeling that their cheeks were aflame even without any receptors there was probably not only coming from himself. He removed his hands from his face and stared forward again. Tilting his head up, and down, side to side as well, as twirling his body a bit so that Moony really could see everything.

He could feel Moon's amusement, and the warm feelings in his chest weren’t going away either. He wasn’t sure which of them was feeling those emotions.

“I really like your rays”

They retracted for a second not expecting another compliment, before they spun widely, and he heard a light cackle.

“So that’s what’s happening when I feel that…okay..good to know”

“Feel what?”

“The spinning…I feel it…vaguely, I could just never tell what it was Just knew it meant you were happy”

They spun another few rounds, and Moon was laughing again. His hands moved to tug at a few of them as they stopped spinning. He swore he heard another
“Cute….”
Causing another spin.

Covering his eyes afterward.

“Sorry Sun, didn’t mean to make you feel embarrassed or anything”

He shook his head a couple of times. His fans and vents steaming a bit as he was heating up from all the compliments.

“It's okay…it’s nice.”

He took a couple of simulated breaths and met his own gaze back at the mirror. Staring into his blank white eyes. His face hadn’t moved an inch, as the plate couldn’t move at all. But He was sure that if he could, he would be grinning all the same…if with a bit more flustered eyes.

“Could you…could you take a few steps forward…I wanna see your face better”

His chest fluttered again. As he absent-mindedly stroked over it a couple of times. Then he stepped forward crouching a bit, so his face remained visible.

“Like this?”

Moon hummed and he could feel Moon basically watching from behind his eyes. Tracking everywhere. But now that he looked in the mirror. He thought he saw the faint hint of something moving in his own white eyes. He couldn’t tell if it were his own broken LEDs. Or Moons LEDs that where hidden behind the faceplate.

“I know the staff said your LEDs were broken…but…it looks different from what I thought”

He gave a bit of a defeated laugh.

“It’s a bit unsettling, I know”

The warm feeling on his back was back. Like Moon was pressed up behind him, head over his shoulder.

“I don’t think so, works better with your face than mine. Though I am curious as to what they looked like before.”

“Blue…”

“Mnn?”

“My eyes were blue..” It kinda felt like Moon was smiling into his shoulder

“So the posters are accurate. “ he heard him say slowly.

He shrugged lightly.
“Yeah, It seems they thought us both more cute, in the design stage”

The feeling around him constricted like he was grabbed tighter.

“You are plenty cute”

His rays spun again. And he felt Moon press closer. He certainly seemed to like flustering him with this new compliment.

“I mean it Sun. You look great. Thank you for showing me.”

He laughed breathlessly, voicebox stuttering a little. Hands came up to hold his arms, as to give himself a hug. Or more accurately Moon. Leaning into the warm feeling that he was feeling behind him.

“Any time.”

He pulled up his clock. It was ten minutes before they would switch. Had it really been almost an hour? Time had rushed passed them it seemed. He stepped back a little. Surprised that the feeling of being held didn’t stop.

They were touching more, in these last few months. Now that things were starting to look up. Feeling Moon at his backside. At his side. Like their hands were brushing together. Just there. That he was still here. Not gone. Just a solid presence. And he wondered not for the first time how lonely Moon had been as well in all that time. Where the virus cut their communication. And he had to fight to keep Moon from coming out.

The isolation had nearly driven them both mad. But at least he had the kids, if only for a little while longer than Moon had. He gave his own arms a tentative squeeze before dropping them. Before standing tall staring in the mirror as though he was talking to Moon and not himself.

“It was a very nice to see you today, Moony, Hope you had fun, and have a fazz-errific day”

His voice was echoing through the empty theatre, and he hoped no human security was walking anywhere near the daycare. As he waved at the Mirror as he would wave at the kids who were leaving the daycare at the end of the day. And Moon was laughing heartily in their head. And hearing that made him laugh as well. As he turned and walked away. Feeling warm and fuzzy. Ready to head back to the daycare so Moon could enjoy his time awake before he had to go on patrol.

“Thanks, Sunny”

“No problem at all Moony”

“Wait..? Sun..? Where are you going?” He had walked back to the curtains, towards the wall with the light switch to turn it off.

“Back to our room. Didn't you want to see if you could fix that staff bot? You got pretty far yesterday. Just there is still time for me to - “

“- Didn’t you wanna see me as well?”

He froze with his hands hovering over the light switch as Moon interrupted him. His fans spiking up, rays slowly retracting

“You don’t have to..” He said staring straight forward.

“You went out because you wanted to see what I looked like right?”

Moon asked. There was something on his arm, was Moon trying to make him pull back? And he gave a slow nod.

“Then let’s do what you came out here to do…I really don’t mind”

He felt himself sway anxiously.

“Don’t wanna take up more of your time.”

There was Silence for a while, The feeling on his arm still there, tightening. Until eventually Moon pierced the silence first.

“I enjoy spending time with you…”

He felt himself stand up straighter, hand pulling back surprised.

“You do...?” he asked in wonder.

Moon felt more to his side, so he tilted his head in that direction. There was nothing. Nothing to see, nothing to feel. Moon was seeing the same thing as him. Not looking back at him. Or towards him.Just empty space. But at the same time. It felt like he was there. Right there. Standing beside him hand trailing up his arm.

“You…couldn’t tell?”

He sounded hurt. And he put his hands up, rays shrinking further.

“NO! I mean..YES?!…What I mean is?!”

His voicebox let out a static sound before he tried again., nervously tapping his knuckles together.

“I mean…you already have to spend so much time with me...I just..didn’t wanna force more of my time on your free time. I have posed my will on you enough”

He turned his eyes off for a second, as his faceplate was unable to blink. Or well..shut his eyes.

“Oh…oh Sunny”

The words seemed between fond and heartbroken. And then that warm feeling that had been pressing against his back, was now at his front. And yeah he was pretty sure he was being hugged. There was nothing. Just the strong, very strong feeling of it. He lifted his arms and thought it back at him.

Thinking about how he would warp his arms around Moon's frame. How his faceplate would feel next to his. All of it.
The warmth pulled back, and his eyes flickered back on there was still nothing. Just him with his arms outstretched like he was holding onto air. But it still felt like Moon was staring him down. Even though he is looking at the wall.

“I say it again, I like spending time with you, If I ever will need some time alone, I will ask. Don’t…Don’t feel like you gotta hide for my sake. Okay? I Like it when you hang around before going to sleep”

His rays were spinning, and he was letting out a couple of puffs to keep from overheating. That fluttering feeling was back. But it felt stronger. Als it kinda felt like he was gonna cry. Moon didn’t hate him….he still wanted him around.

He managed to nod.
“Under…understood”

His shoulders were gently squeezed. Then he felt something warm on his cheek which made him gasp. But the second afterward. He felt his body move before his input, shutting down his control over it one by one. As they switched over.

In less than a second it was over. And suddenly he felt himself float. Panicking for a small second. Then they calmed down as Moon slowly opened their bodies eyes and they were looking at the wall.

“You okay there Sun?… I forgot about the time”

He smiled at hearing the deeper, raspier voice out in the open

“Yeah…yeah just surprised….can you..can you stand still for a few seconds so I can adjust”

“Sure, don’t worry. Not going anywhere”

Switching in the past had always been a painful process. Especially after he started to fight for control. To keep Moon from coming out. And in his infected state, he could hurt the kids. But the fight was gone, it wasn't painful. Just kinda disorientating if he didn’t expect it. And it always took a while for him to get used to not having the body. As he was in control of it for so long.

He was glad Moon always gave him a moment to adjust as he needed. Moon was flexing his fingers slightly And he felt them slowly bounce back and forth as he rolled from the top of his toes to his heel and back. Slowly he got the presence of where he was in their code. And tried to press himself against Moon's side. To let him know he was there.

What…was that before the switch? He was not in the body but he still could feel the echo of what it had been. On where his cheek should be. Had? Had Moon kissed his cheek? He had no rays to spin anymore. But they might as well have.

He shook his head, trying to ignore that thought. As he kept close to Moons ai.

“I’m….here” He mumbled. Moon nodded taking a step back. Before halting, Moon turned towards the backstage area. Taking a step, His own eyes flew to the corner of Moon's vision trying to see if he could catch a glance. And Moon laughed.

“It only be fair if you closed your eyes as well. Isn’t it Sundrop?”

He felt flustered, but he had to agree. So for now he shut down his access to the visual feed. And he heard Moon chuckle again. He kept a hand on his arm. He wanted to stand behind Moon. Like had done when his vision returned.

He needed the guidance of where Moon was. Without a visual, it was hard to project himself near Moon's presence. Even with the visual, he was worse at it than Moon. At least it felt like he did. Moon never seemed to react as much to his touches. As he did to Moons.

The bells around Moon's wrist were jiggling. But for some reason, he realized that Moon was standing bent over, he thought it strange, As they should be the same height so Moon should also be able to be viewable at full height. But he couldn’t even question it further.

“Okay, You can look”

And he wasted no time, turning on his visual feed, and then burst out laughing. Moon Was jumping from one foot to the other, imitating the pose he was doing in his statue. cackling and saying.
“Naughty boy, Naughty boy~”
As he won’t try to catch intruders at night. Or stray children during hide and seek. It caught him totally off guard, and he held onto what he hoped where Moons shoulders. His visuals kept being cut off as he couldn’t concentrate.

Moon was laughing and slowly raising to full length.

“Gotcha”

He gently nudged at Moon through his code, but he didn't budge.

“Moondrop!”

He exclaimed loudly between giggles.

“Not…not fair. Ru-Rulebreaker!”

He could feel the level of amusement rise within his counterpart

“What’s not fair? I thought you liked laughing Also”

Moon let out a disbelieving laugh

“What Rule did I break?”

“Moony~!.. Stop. I wanna look at you! stop playing around”

Moon's laugh was a soft cackle. Clearly amused at his breathless state.

“Alright, alright, I’ll play nice”

And he took a few steps back. When he finally had control over his laughter, he focused on getting back in the visual feed. And look.

And oh….oh yeah..it was strange.

Because there was Moon, giving a little salute, then a wave. Before clasping his hands behind himself as he bounced back and forth slowly.

He let himself take it all in.

“I get it now…with it being like you expected and not at all…”

Moon hummed. Doing the same he has done, giving him the ability the watch all of Moon’s sides. He had known Moon was blue and white from all the drawings. But seeing it, it kinda felt like looking at his own body, but with the kind of clothes you would never wear. But somehow it still looks really good.

And the colors really looked good on him. The dark side made the moon part of their faceplate stand out. And he wondered if it maybe glowed in the dark as well. The spots on his cheeks were clearly moon craters, while they looked like freckles on his own face.
Mouth set in that same grin. Teeth were just as smooth as his own, and not sharp like some of the kids had drawn in the past.

He realized that without the rays, Moon might be seen as slightly shorter than him. But Moon had the nightcap as well. Smiling he could hear the bell from it with every slow bounce his counterpart made. It made him even more curious about how he was able to move around so silently in the dark.

There were a couple of little mannerisms that he caught Moon doing as well. The bouncing instead of the swaying. Arms behind himself instead of in front of him like he did. And while his rays were swaying. Moon's faceplate seemed to be much looser

“It’s…it’s your faceplate that can spin…right?”

Moon gave a nod, and though they had no eyelids to narrow it felt like Moon was doing so anyway as he stared into the mirror into his own eyes.

“You wanna see?”

It made his chest tighten, could Moon feel that? Was that him? Was that Moon? He didn’t really care. As he nodded.

Moon held out three fingers, then put one down, as he counted down, and then. He saw Moony’s face do a whole spin, turning upside down, then right side up again, cap attached and all. The bell made a soft sound as he did. But surprising him, their vision stayed the same, not turning with them.

He pressed himself further into Moon's back excitedly

“Oh!…oh! That looked so cool! Can you do that again?!”

He got a warning of temperatures rising but he ignored it. As Moon chuckled flusteredly.

“Sure Sunshine”

He Kept staring at how easily Moon's face spun around. before the new name hit him.

Sunshine?

His code buzzed happily at the new name, and he saved it somewhere where he knew even the fazzbear people wouldn’t touch it.

“Happy?”

He nodded, As he kept looking up and down. And then he kinda wondered something

“Does..does your cap ever get tangled with the wires behind our faceplate? I…I mean I think I would remember if we ever would have gone to maintenance for that…but..I dunno seems also an easy fix. So just a handler could have fixed it I suppose.”

Moon groaned and dragged a hand over his face.

“Has happened a couple of times, yes, but I can’t take it off. Luckily I managed to convince one who worked long, long ago, to stitch part of it together. So the tail ain't as long as it used to be.”

He chuckled softly,

“Let me guess, the kids, grabbed it too, making your head spin” Moon's eyes rolled

“Obviously, like they’re not playing with your rays when you hold them. I can feel it when they do”

He warped his arms around Moon's middle and hopefully conveyed that through their shared mental link. And wondering how his yellow arms would look against the blue and white of Moon's

“Of course they do…I don’t feel anything when you do this though….which is kind of a bummer.”

The hand on Moon's face dropped to about where he was holding them if a little off. But he felt that fuzzy feeling rise again.

“Maybe there is something else?”

He thought about it for a second.

“I feel it when you use the wire”

Moon's arms dropped, head tilting side to side.

“Huh…I don’t feel it when you do. The only reason I know you’ve used it is cause I get an alert when you call for it.”

He hummed

“That is a little strange indeed, oh can you step closer now, wanna see more of your face as well”

Moon chuckled.

“Yeah, yeah, Sure Sunny”

He stepped forward, and then immediately raised his arm as he looked directly into the light. That was mounted above it.

“Ah shit…that hurt”

“Are you okay? Also, language! “

Moon grumbled “We’re not even in the daycare” but as he slowly lowered his arm he continued

“Yeah, fine…just still not used to all the lights. Dunno how you dealt with that every day”

He gave a shrug. “I don't really know any different, I just can’t believe they only let you out at night, you look handsome in the light”

Moon froze. And he felt his own coding screech to a halt. Did he really just say that?! Out loud?! It was true, but he didn't need to say that?!
Something came over the vision feed, Moon had covered part of his face. And he realized it was spinning again

Had…Had he flustered Moon?! Did…? Did Moon like it that he called him handsome?

Moon cleared some static from their voicebox. And continued on like nothing had happened.

“C-close enough for you”

But the small stutter in the voice box made his code tingle pleasantly. He looked at Moon standing there and imagined himself standing behind him. And giving him a hug. The LEDs of Moon's eyes slid away from the mirror as he continued to look forward. There was nothing to see. But now that he could see Moon. He found it a bit easier to project what he wanted. And Moon was clearly feeling it. Just like he had felt the hugs before.

“I like your eyes”

He said softly.

“I don’t think they are scary looking at all, those adults are just mean.”

There were a couple of clicks coming from their body until Moon looked up. His face also held that ever-stockfast grin. But he wondered what his expression would have been otherwise.

“I don’t think they mean it when it’s like this, but with the lights off, and only the red glow it can be pretty eerie”

“Eerily handsome is what they should mean”

And just like he thought. Moon's faceplate did another full rotation. And he pulled back

“Right, right…I get it. No need to tease”

He grabbed tighter on Moon

“I aint teasing, Just speaking the truth”

Moon rolled his eyes. His vision going to the light switch in the corner.

“Right…right”

“I mean it,” He said deadly serious.

Moon stops moving for a second gaze going to the mirrors for a brief second before moving away.

“It would seem then that you are the only one who would think so Sunny,” He said with a sigh. “Just…hard to think you are serious”

As he continued to walk to the lightswitch

“You are the only person to ever call me cute, where you serious?”

Moon stopped completely. There was a Silence, his own code trying to write and rewrite himself to articulate what he was feeling. If he had control of the body, it would probably feel like blushing.

Moon turned around looking towards where he he stood. It was hard to imagine himself in front of Moon. But having just seen his image in the mirror made it a bit easier Cutting off his visual feed to keep that other image fresh He reached out to where he thought Moon's shoulders were. Then slowly warped his arms around him. And hugged him.

He was in total darkness. Relying fully on his memory so he could send this sensation of this hug. Just like Moon had done.

“Even if I am the only one…I am not lying…I really think you look good M-Moonbeam”

He stuttered a bit on the last part. He decided at the last moment to add the nickname. Hard to concentrate on speaking while also using some of his power to project the feeling of hug, and close. And hopefully. Loved.

A few seconds later, he felt the same sensations being sent back to him. He had no body to feel with right now, but it felt like it had before. Like Moon was close. But now he could picture it better. Now knew of the exact shades of blue and white that were coming around him. How he should angle his face to give Moon’s faceplate enough room. Where their clothing brushed together. That he would feel the trails of ribbon on his back if they hugged like this

No more guesses. And…maybe because both of them now knew how they looked…and were kind of projecting the same image back and forth. It felt stronger? Tighter? Realer? Hard to describe. Just. Close. It felt close. And that was all he had wanted.

Before both of them slowly let go. And joined back on Moon's vision. Moon's arms lowered slighty, Before slowly bringing his hands together, where his fingertips intertwined. He felt a faint sensation. And Moon stared hard at his fingers. He didn’t know why. But it felt kinda nice. Like their fingertips were locked together in a way.even if it was fully in Moon's control.

“I…believe you”

The happy fuzzies returned. And Moon let out a punched-out little laugh. Walking back in front of the mirror with a shake of his head. Bringing one hand to his chest. And he knew what Moon was gonna do. And he pressed forward eagerly. Ready to watch

Moon spread out his other arm.

“Hope you all had a good nap. But it’s time for the Moon to go, Farewell “ Moon paused, he had mouthed along at Moon's speech as he did every night, Moon wished the children farewell.

Moon took his bow a moment earlier than he normally did, just before he said ‘little starlights, instead of after. But as Moon titled his head up, he was sure he felt an amused grin

“ My Sunshine”

All he could do was stare at Moon's eyes. Their fans were rushing, As Moon was still bent in the perfect little bow. Ever present grin seemingly even wider than before. As Sun felt his code scrabble to make sense of everything.

He couldn’t, he tried, but everything came to one conclusion. But that certainly was the wrong one. Right?! Moon certainly wouldn’t be…flirting with him.

He thought back to when they switched, on that feeling on his face. And deciding not to think. Trying not to panic about what this could mean if he got it wrong. He saw the mirror. And pictured himself doing what he was about to do, not trying to overthink it too hard

And then he leaned forward and did it. He kissed Moon's cheek. There was nothing there, nothing for his face to touch. right now he was just code. But it still felt like he did. It made alerts of all kinds spring up. But nothing like systems failing. Just caution alerts.
It often happened if he panicked too hard. But now…they went away as he pulled back. Yeah, just his code reacting to his own panic.

Moon stumbled a bit, before pulling himself upright, and he just put himself behind Moon. Making sure to press their backs together to let him know he hadn’t left.

Moon's hand had come up and was caressing his cheek. He leaned into the feeling, because what else could he do? He wanted his rays to spin. His cheeks too burn. But everything felt like a warm static code.

He heard the notification of the clock being brought up. Ten minutes before his rest time, Monny’s parol would start. Moon laughed.

“That’s the second time I lost track of time tonight.” there was amusement in his voice. And he chuckled himself

“At least the distraction was fun…?.” he mumbled. And Moon gave an agreeable hum. Finally turning away from the mirror. Turning off the lights and And walking out from backstage toward the main daycare again.

As they neared the door Moon spoke up slowly.

“So… Tomorrow? Will you stay out with me…and…I dunno. Spend some time together…just us two?”

Their body was still making their fans go into overdrive. But he nodded happily.
“Ye-yeah. I would love to”

Moon nodded Ready to open the doors.

“Lights still on, protect your eyes..” He murmured. The hour wasn’t up. The pizzaplex would go dark with his rest mode

“Thanks, Sunshine…” another fuzzy feeling seering right through him.

“No problem….Moombean”

A brief pause in which he was sure Moon's face rotated, and then finally stepped through arms protecting himself against the harsh lights.

“Thank you…” he mumbled, realizing he hadn't yet

“No, I should thank you.”

He smiled to himself. Trying to imagine how Moon would look in the opening of the theatre doors and giving him a hug from behind. And as Moon lowered his arm against the light, it rested right where his own did.

“Look at us sharing our thanks”

Moon chuckled “Good example for the Kids”

“Mmmn we are the best”

He saw the time, just a minute left.

“Have a nice night Moony, and good luck on patrol.”

“I’ll try…Good night Sunny” He hummed before gathering the last of his bravery

“Looking forward to our date tomorrow”

He smiled as he felt Moon quickly spin around. But the lights went out. And he went into rest mode

It was the next morning when he came online. It was later than normal, But he wasn’t that surprised. They were lying on their nest of pillows in their room. Feeling their charging cable plugged in. Seems that they charged through the switching process. As he gently removed it. And activated their vision.

He stretched his limps. Surprised to feel something slide from his chest down to his lap. He looked down. And looking at the backside of his own plushy.
Had Moon….? Had Moon held it as he went asleep?

He gingerly picked it up and turned it over. Nothing strange or weird about it. Just the sun plush that had always been in their room. Up on a makeshift shelf but now…it lay here. He quickly looked up and scanned around the room. And found the Moon plush on the floor near said shelf.

“Oh noo…”

He quickly crawled over and picked him up, now holding both of them.

“There we are, the ground is no place for you”

Checking the plush over, for some dirt. He suddenly heard Moon's quiet voice laugh. And felt like he was pressing himself against his side. He could hear the exhaustion in his counterpart's voice Probably meant there had been some intruders last night. No wonder they woke up so late. He would ask about it during nap time as Moon's morning rest was soon to start.

“What is the place for him then?”

Moon asked with a yawn. His rays spun, glaring towards his counterpart. Who only laughed. He knew full fell Moon was doing this on purpose. Moon knew he would be plagued by thoughts of Him holding the plush As he slept. The image was cute.

But what it really kind of meant…was well. Moon had maybe wanted to have held him for real. And he knew. That in the future he would, they could every night.

But this was probably payback for his own comment last night. Calling Moon’s invitation out as it was…how he had seen it. He probably drove Moon mad with wonder if he had meant it as well, and what that meant for both of them. The thought made his own head spin.

“I know a better place for them.”

He mumbled, moving back to the bed. Moved some pillows around, so he could set them down. He picked up the plushies again. Just stared at them for a second.

“Don’t really look like us at all…do they?”

The feeling of Moon beside him shifted, and it was now as if he draped himself over his back. Looking over his shoulder.

His thumb stroked both bellies of the plushies tenderly.

“They’ll do for now…” And he placed them together on top of the nest of pillows they called their bed.

“There! See they are…”

His voicebox filled with static for a bit causing a pause, before he managed to finish

“planning their date”

Moon let out a saticly laugh. Then gave a very pleased sounding.

“I see…good for them”

He nodded. His rays already spinning once more. He heard the lights go on in the daycare. And his system gave an alert that an employee was walking in through the daycare doors. He glanced at the balcony, then back at the plushies.

Deciding to finish the little story that he started, he pushed them closer till their hands touched. And felt like Moon was warping his arms around him again. Really plastering himself across his back.

“They seem to be having fun..” Moon whispered.

His fans kicked up another notch

“The date is going well.”

The arms around him tightened.

“I wonder how it will end.”

Moon's voice was…hard to read. But the hands around him didn’t move. Strong and steady and there. Feeling Moon stare at the plushies In front of them. As if he was waiting. Hoping? His fans puffed out a little steam as he continued.

“I could show you”

Moon's face was right next to his. It felt so close. Even tho he knew it wasn’t there He thought about what he saw last night. Of the split face, the red iris that seemed to know him through and through. Just the idea..that if he could turn his head and see it. It was driving him forward towards the end of this little game.

“Please…”

Moon started softly and he reached forward again. With shaking hands holding both plushies. Turning them to face each other. He really wished he could blush so he was maybe overheating a little less, as his rays continued to keep spinning.

“Show me” Moon finished speaking softly

And he pressed the faces of their plushies together. Like he saw the children do to indicate their dolls or stuffed animals were kissing. He did it softly, and carefully. Holding still for a moment before pulling them apart, and setting them in such a way that it looked like they were hugging.

“L-Like that-at..” His voicebox stuttered

“Sun…”

He turned his head to the side, towards where Moon's voice felt like coming from. He cut off his visual feed, knowing Moon wasn’t there. But he didn’t want to face that. Instead, he felt something. The same warm feeling that was on his cheek last night. It was now pressed against his smile.

He pressed back. Thinking of pushing his static faceplate against Moons Feeling it move side to side a bit as it couldn't stop moving. Of reaching up and holding that faceplate in place himself. Of Moons’fingers holding onto his rays. And they lost themselves in whatever wonderful, strange feeling this was.

He stayed there. Imagine all of it. Feeling it projected back. Knowing deep down that Moon was sending the same feeling toward him. The same image, the same sensations. How they thought it would feel.

He felt that warmth spread from his face, down into his processors, and he was storing all these sensations and memories right next to the newly given nickname. Eventually, the warm feeling pulled away.

He kept his vision dark. Moon kept quiet. He reached out, towards Moon, just his whole mind screaming..touch..hold. He didn’t really care what. And it felt like something was wrapping around his hand. His vision flickered on. But there was nothing there. Not that he thought there would be. But still.

Slowly he brought his hand against his faceplate, and his fans started blowing much harder. He wondered if that was Moon or himself. He checked the time. Moon would go into rest mode in less than three minutes.

Hand still against his faceplate he rose from the bed, walking towards the balcony. He could hear distant sounds of voices. As more employees filled the building. They should be getting ready. But he didn’t wanna risk…not saying goodbye.

After that…it felt wrong for Moon to just go to sleep as normal. But he didn’t know what to say, and time was running out.

“Good luck…”

Moon’s voice was soft…and a bit distant. And he pressed his hand harder against his face

“With a distraction like that…I need it” he muttered back.

Something rested against his back. He smiled knowing that he was right there. Probably feeling just like him. A lot happy, and a bit lost.

“Sweet dreams”

A little warm burst from his chest. And now he finally realized…that it was Moon’s music-box winding up..but never playing.

His hand dropped over top of it. He glanced back, seeing the broken shard of a mirror they had carried up some time ago, and he usually avoided. He glanced at it, back at the opening. Checking the time, he had sixty seconds and launched himself across the room to the mirror

“Sun? Wha-”

Moon cut himself off as he quickly but carefully pulled the broken piece up to his face, staring right into it. Thinking of Moon's face as he saw last night, instead of his own staring back.

“I love you, Moon”

He was trembling. Forty seconds

“I… I do…I didn’t wanna wait till tonight to-”

“Love you too” Moon's voice was clear. His grip tightened. The mirror splintered lightly beneath his thumb.

He sent all the love he could towards him. And his whole body was heaving and whirling and clicking. He rested his forehead against the mirror. He kept his eyes on his own face for Moon to see.

“Good night”

And then Moon's presence was gone…No not gone, never gone. He could still feel him. But all the parts that had Moon input were slowly shutting down. The fans got a bit lower, his heat seemed to lower..

He delicately put the mirror on the ground. Wiping the splinters of glass of his thumb. And made for the opening. As he dived into the ballpit, he knew it was gonna be a long day.

But he didn’t care. He couldn’t wait till tonight. If him getting out of the daycare laid to situations like this. He was planning on traveling even further next time.