Chapter Text
The grass crunches softly under their feet as they slow to a stop. "Okay, here we are. You can open your eyes now," Sun says, smiling as he watches Ruin's mismatched eyes flutter open… Then widen with joy.
"A swingset! Wait- you remembered what I said to Killcode after all this time?" He asks, turning to the other in surprise.
Sun smiles softly. "Of course I did. I could tell those memories meant a lot to you. And it sounded so nice, to swing back and forth under the stars, talking your cares away… So I wanted to give us both that chance. And it's a wonderful morning for sitting on the swings, right?"
Ruin nods in agreement, blinking back tears as he says, "Absolutely, it is." Then he gently pulls his arm free of Sun's, much to his confusion until- "Last one there is a rotten egg!" And he takes off running, stumbling a bit as he does.
"Wh- hey, where's my fair heads up?!" Sun laughs as he runs after, both of them making it to the swingset at the same time. "Hah! You didn't beat me."
"Darn, you're right. I suppose next time I'll have to run extra fast!" Ruin sits on one of the swings, using his left foot to push himself back and forth to gain momentum. Sun sits on the other swing as he watches, then he starts to do the same.
Funny to think this is my first time using a swingset, He muses, slowly gaining his own momentum.
The two swing in peaceful quiet, listening to the chirping of the early birds and soft sway of the tree branches in the breeze. It's just as fun and calming as Sun imagined…
Living away from the daycare and the commotion of the inner city really has been as great as Killcode said. After a long day of work, of caring for and entertaining screaming, rambunctious kids and scrubbing every surface clean of grime, he doesn't have to hole up in his room for the rest of the night to try and decompress.
He can leave the daycare, leave the Pizzaplex. He can come back to their peaceful, quiet neighborhood with friendly neighbors and most importantly, he can come back to their lovely home. Cozy, calm and private, away from the prying eyes of the channel and far from Moon's poor jokes and pranks…
And Ruin is always there waiting for him. He always was even back in the daycare, but there's something that makes it so much greater to find him waiting in their shared home. Sometimes drawing or coloring, sometimes making dinner for them both, and no matter what his singing fills the house and fills Sun's heart with warmth.
He always asks Sun about his day and work, makes sure Moon didn't hassle him (and if he hears anything displeasing he'll always "jokingly" offer to beat him up for Sun.) In turn, Ruin always finds something to share about his day, even if he's generally homebound. He's seen plenty of cute animals, he's gotten started planning a flower garden for him and Sun to work on, he shares his drawings, and sometimes he visits the neighbors and helps them out with their tasks. A few times he's been asked to help fix the fencing around an elderly couple's chicken coop down the road, even.
Ruin always tries to keep his mind occupied. Sun can't say he blames him, or that he's unfamiliar with that itching need. As nice as the quiet is, one of the downsides Sun's found is that it leaves plenty of space for unwelcomed visitors to his mind…
Like the red animatronic standing in the road, white pentagram eye burning into the daycare attendant.
Sun sucks in a sharp breath as his servos whirr in his chest, heels coming down to bury in the grass, sending his momentum to a halt. He swallows thickly before he shuts his eyes, slowly pushing himself back and forth again. It's not real. It's not real. Don't let it get in your head, don't worry Ruin…
Tentatively, he chances a glance to the other, expecting that the mangled animatronic would have spotted the quick change to his companion's mood. However, Sun finds Ruin's gaze elsewhere, rays twitching and eyes focused on the treeline behind their house.
Maybe he heard a squirrel or something, Sun reasons, turning his head forward and flinches as he sees that the figment has come closer. He shuts his eyes tightly. No, no no, just ignore it! It's not real, Sun, it's not real! Bloodmoon isn't here, stop letting your own mind play tricks on you!
The other's metallic claws find his wrist, gripping it tightly. Maybe a bit too tight.
"Ruin?" He murmurs, glancing back only to gasp as he sees those eyes alight violet as they glare daggers at the treeline. "Ruin, wh- why are you-?"
"Get in the house." A low growl laces his order, an urgent force filling his frame as he gets up and pulls Sun up with him, pushing the other behind himself. Sun presses into Ruin's back, looking at the hallucination of Bloodmoon. "Sun, go."
"W- wait, are you coming in, too?" He asks, his voice shaking with unease that only worsens as he hears that damned laughter. He yelps as he's given an abrupt shove, stumbling a bit and turning on his heel. "Ruin, what are you-"
His protests die on his tongue as he spots the figure cloaked in blue emerging from the trees, their teeth bared in a broad smile that makes Sun's body run cold.
"So this is where you've run to hide? We will credit you both, you certainly made yourselves hard to find." Bloodmoon chuckles lowly. "Shame that you sheep didn't think to run farther. Now we can make good on our promise to lead you to slaughter!"
"You made a grave mistake coming after us," Ruin mutters lowly, claws splaying as his mouth fills with venom, his fangs aching with the need to bite.
Sun's gaze darts about frantically, breaths coming up short as he tries to think of a way out of this. I can't let Ruin fight Bloodmoon, it's not safe for us or the neighbors! He glances over his car and stops, jaw tightening as he has an idea. Then he grabs Ruin's wrist and pulls, making the other stumble with a snarl.
"Sun, let go!"
"Just trust me! Get in the car!"
"What, you think you can run away?! We won't let you get away, cowards!" Bloodmoon shouts as they stalk after.
Sun quickly drags Ruin to the passenger-side door and shoves him in before slamming the door shut. He skirts the hood and climbs into the driver seat, shutting the door just in time as Bloodmoon punches the window. Trembling, Sun quickly locks the doors and ducks under the wheel, pulling open a panel to get at the wiring while their attacker kicks and punches the glass.
"What are you doing?!" Ruin questions, his gaze darting between the two.
"I- I don't have my keys, I have to hotwire it!"
"Why are we running away?! I can take him!"
"Just- trust me! I have a plan!" Sun says before the car abruptly rumbles to life. He bolts upright as Bloodmoon's fist cracks the window, and the red animatronic sneers before they reel back to throw another punch. Sun slams the gas and the car lurches forward, the blow connecting with the passenger window and cracking it open as they crash into the fence. "Shit, shit!" He shifts into reverse and backs up, trying to pull out of the driveway. "Okay- Ruin, roll the window down and tell them that if they want to fight, follow us to the woods!"
"To the w-?" Realization flickers across his eyes and he nods, then he rolls the window down as Sun backs onto the road. He leans out, yelling, "Hey, Bloodmoon! We're going to the woods outside the west side of town! If you want a fight so bad, follow us. If you're not a cowardly little bitch, that is!"
Bloodmoon's eyes narrow furiously and their claws curl into tight fists as they snap back, "We are no coward, you broken heap of scrap metal! We accept your challenge, don't you worry!"
"Good, then keep up!"
Sun shifts into drive and pulls away, checking the rearview to make sure Bloodmoon is following before increasing the speed a bit. He flicks his wrist to open his computer panel and quickly connects to the car, telling Ruin, "Call Killcode, we have to warn him we're coming!"
"Got it." He leans toward the screen, squinting as he flicks through the settings until he finds the right number and presses it to call.
"Good morning, Sun," Killcode greets pleasantly. "How are you this morning?"
"Been better- Bloodmoon's after us, we're luring them to the woods so we can stop them together! Y- you said you had a plan for that, right?" Sun explains quickly, glancing at the rear-view mirror to affirm the red animatronic is following and accelerating a bit when he realizes they're too close for comfort.
Killcode curses quietly, his tone completely serious as he replies, "Yes, I do. This is much sooner than I anticipated but you made the right decision. It would be too dangerous to fight them alone and among humans. I'll prepare everything as quickly as I can, you two stay safe!"
"We'll try, but there's no guarantee Bloodmoon wants to play fair," Sun replies, glancing back again. "Shit, they're fast!" As he reaches the road out of the neighborhood he pulls the wheel to the side to make a sharp turn, gripping the wheel tightly as Ruin braces against the dashboard.
"Are you sure you'll be able to make it?"
"I- I don't know, but we have to try. They'd hurt any humans who got caught in the crossfire without hesitation, and- and I can't risk letting Ruin fight them when I don't have any failsafes."
"I understand." A loud thud hits the top of the car and Sun has to fight everything in himself not to jerk the wheel, his breaths coming out faster as Ruin growls sharply. "What was that?"
"I think they're hitching a ride," Sun mumbles, glancing at the roof before he increases the speed again. Ruin growls lowly as Bloodmoon leans over the side and grins a the pair through the passenger window.
"So you two underestimated our speed, now this car can be the hearse we'll need!" They cackle menacingly and reach in but Sun quickly takes another turn, the car swinging sideways and throwing them off.
"Ha!" Ruin barks out a laugh as Sun slows down enough to glance back, waiting for them to get up and chase before he accelerates again.
He presses a switch to roll up the window as he tries to take some deep breaths, his grip on the steering wheel like a vice. "We're getting close to the city limits, Killcode! How's preparation going?"
"Everything is almost in place, don't worry! I just need you two to lead Bloodmoon about 10 yards past the treeline."
"We'll do our best!" Sun speeds up as the road becomes a straight shot to the woods, glancing at the other as he hisses,
"They're already catching up again!"
"We're nearly there, we're nearly there…"
The two hear another thud as Bloodmoon jumps onto the car, metal scraping as they dig their claws in to keep from being flung off. Then they bash their heel against the cracked window in the backseat, breaking it open with a loud crash.
"What's going on?! Sun?!" Killcode questions, dread lacing his voice.
"W- we're almost there, don't worry!"
"We grow tired of the wait, it's time for you to meet your grim fate!" Bloodmoon shouts as they haul themself through the window, grinning with sadistic excitement that morphs into alarm as Ruin quickly goes on the attack.
"I won't let you hurt him!"
"Ruin-!" Sun glances at the back before quickly turning back to the road, trying to speed up more so they can make it before anyone gets hurt. "We're about to breach the treeline!"
"Hang in there, Sunrise!"
"What the- is that our father's voice?!" Sun gasps as Bloodmoon grabs his seat and climbs forward, glaring at the name on the screen and pointing at it accusingly. "So it's true! You've softened and shriveled into a weak old man since our death, and now you collaborate with our killer?! We won't take this betrayal sitting down, "father," once we've killed the lambs, you're next on our list to slaughter!"
"We will see about that, "my sonsss," we will ssseee," Killcode's voice rasps through the speakers, so low and threatening that a shudder runs down Sun's spine.
Ruin takes advantage of their distraction and grabs Bloodmoon by the neck, slamming them into the backseat and clawing across their face. They hiss in pain and kick at his right leg, only to miss and incur his teeth snapping at their throat. They barely dodge it and shove him back with their feet.
"Almost there, almost there," Sun whispers to himself, breathing heavily as the fight behind him goes on. One of them slams into his seat- either on purpose or mistake- and he whips around to see what's going on. "Ruin, are you okay?!"
"I'm fine!" He hisses back, struggling to get off the floorboard as Bloodmoon pins him down and knees him in the stomach. "AUGH!"
"K- Killcode, are you r-" Sun turns back to face the road, only to scream at Bloodmoon's pentagram burning an inch away from his face.
"Once your little pet is gone, who will care to save you, Sun? We'll make you suffer for firing that gun!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
"Sun?!"
"What are you screaming about, wretch?!"
"S- Sun, it's not real! Focus on the road- SUN!"
CRASH!
…
……
………..
Loud ringing fills his audio receptors as something wet drips down his face. Tears? Oil? He opens his eyes but all he sees is white.
Then the white pops and something drags him out, a blur of blue and red and green swimming around him until he's thrown onto the ground hard enough to knock the air from him.
"Finally, it's time to finish what we begun! Any last words, little Sun?" Bloodmoon cackles maniacally as their blurred form looms over him. "Come on, say something! Or did we knock what little brains you had from your skull?!"
He chokes on his own spit as they stomp on his stomach and coughs hoarsely, trying to dig his claws into the dirt to get away to no avail.
"That's it, struggle! Wriggle under our boot like a little worm, weak and helpless, resist and fight as we rip you apart piece by piece, butchered and slaughtered! And then we'll have the most delightful time lording your remains over your little friend! Now it's finally time to meet your end!"
Bloodmoon reaches for an eye.
But the weight on Sun's gut subsides in a blink as they're hauled off the ground with a roar. A feral, animalistic screech of fury. They cry out and thrash against their attacker, thrown back against the car hard enough to leave a dent.
Sun struggles to push himself up, gasping softly as an arm wraps around his shoulder to help him. Then a hand touches his stomach and he winces sharply as the breaks sting.
The ringing ebbs into a loud growl filling his senses, his vision flutters into focus with a violet glow drawing his gaze right to Ruin's face.
"Dammit, you're losing oil fast," The mangled animatronic hisses as he studies the other's injuries, not even caring about his own as he shoots a vicious glare towards Bloodmoon. "That bastard hurt you again. Oh, but this is going to be the last fucking time!"
"R- Ruin-" Sun grabs his wrist before he can pull away, gripping as tight as he can when he's so weak. "Don't… Please don't, y- you're going to get hurt…"
"Hurt indeed," Bloodmoon growls as they stalk forward, wiping oil from their mouth as they glare daggers at the mangled animatronic. "We will make sure he is so broken there are only pieces to bury!"
"That's what you think. I didn't escape the war just to die to a mongrel like you," Ruin hisses, violet drool dripping past his bared fangs as he pushes himself up, pulling his arm free of Sun's grip. "And I won't let you hurt Sun."
They scoff quietly, a sneer splitting their black-spattered face. "What a good guard dog you are! A loyal little pet for the miserable- shit!" Their insult is cut short as Ruin lunges and slams them into the car, they quickly grab his rays to keep his teeth at bay before they kick his right leg and shove him back.
Ruin stumbles with a crackling cry of pain before a loud growl rips from his voice box and he claws up a handful of dirt and grass, throwing it at their face to disorient them. As Bloodmoon quickly wipes their eyes, Ruin staggers forward and slams them back into the car, claws gouging into their sides and drawing a slew of oil.
Sun tries to get to his feet, coughing weakly as his stomach and everything else throbs in protest. But he has to get up, he has to do something to stop this before one of them gets killed.
But just as his head spins and he falls back down, a large shadow is cast over him. Large hands gently examine him and his injuries before a rumbling voice mutters, "Stay still and save your strength, Sunrise. I will handle this."
Killcode leaps into the fray just in time to stop Ruin's teeth from sinking into Bloodmoon, the mangled animatronic pried away from his prey. Bloodmoon is grabbed and pinned down before they can try to run, and once Ruin is released Killcode begins to tie them up with thick ropes and a chain.
"Nnngh, unhand us, you damned traitor!" They yell, thrashing and kicking against the larger animatronic to no avail. Killcode ties their feet as well before hauling them up by the scruff. "How dare you get in our way?! You, who chose our enemies! You weak, soft fool, you should have torn the world asunder and slaughtered these sheep! Run rivers red ramp-"
"Be. Ssssilent," Killcode rumbles lowly, blood-red eyes narrowing dangerously. "I care not for what you think of me. What I care for is stopping your vileness." He then turns to the other two animatronics, eyes softening as he observes both of them, injured and weak- and Ruin's violet eyes and strange drool… But he also notes that the other isn't glaring at him.Nor is he making any attempt to hurt Sun, instead standing near him protectively.
"I can carry you both back to my RV," Killcode says, shifting his focus to taking care of his companions.
Ruin shakes his head, muttering, "I can walk, it's fine."
"Are you certain?"
"Mm."
"Very well." He steps forward, gently lifting Sun with one arm and holding him close while keeping the ever-thrashing Bloodmoon at an arm's length.
He leads the way, glancing back to affirm that Ruin is following and frowning more as he sees the other's limp more prominent than usual. But he doesn't remark on it, continuing to his RV. Once they make it there, Killcode climbs in and sets Bloodmoon aside, finding his repair kit and starting to rifle through it for the tools he needs.
"Alright, Ruin, please come here so I can repair you," Killcode murmurs, looking to the mangled animatronic as he frowns.
"What about Sun?"
"I'm afraid that your injuries are worse- I will try to tend to him quickly, but you-"
"Take care of Sun first," Ruin mutters, faltering a moment after and adding quietly, "Please. I can repair myself. I've done it before…" He kneels by the repair kit and finds one of the tools for it, and the larger animatronic sighs softly.
"Very well." I don't think it would be wise to argue with him when he's like this, and if he can repair himself, then it ensures they both get treatment as soon as possible.
With that in mind, he gets to work repairing Sun, carefully patching up his wounds as Ruin tends to his own, focusing on the ones still bleeding. Bloodmoon growls quietly as they watch, muttering to themself, "He truly has gone soft. Weak and meek like mice! Serving them and playing nice- how pathetic he is!"
Killcode's grip on the tool tightens ever so slightly as he takes a sharp breath in, then he turns back and glares at them, muttering, "Better to be "weak and soft" than unchanging and stagnant. You and your other are trapped in an endless cycle of killing for pleasure and never knowing satisfaction, Bloodmoon. Chasing contentment like a dog chases its tail, yet you will never know it on the path you walk. So mock me if you'd like, perceive me as weak if you will. Your mindless rambling will not sway me to feel shame."
They grit their teeth together with a low growl as Killcode turns away. "You- you old man! You think you're so great?! Show us what good your "changed ways" have done you!"
"How funny that you talk such a big game for the one tied up on the damn floor," Ruin cuts in with a scoff, shooting Bloodmoon a vicious glare. "Don your thinking cap for once and cherish his mercy. Because if you keep barking, mutt,then I'll finish what I started and put you down myself."
"Ruin, no," Sun whispers, gritting his teeth in frustration and pain as he sits up, his repairs done but aching still. "Remember what I told you before? Killing them in cold blood isn't the answer. I… I can't let them die again if there's another way, it wouldn't be right…"
"… I remember," Ruin mutters, his gaze shifting away from Sun's only to snap back to Bloodmoon as they laugh.
"Your "mercy" will be your downfall, little Sun! You think we'll just give in and play nice? Ohh, no! No, you can be certain that once we're free of these binds, we'll return to rip you asunder! Your screams will be such a joy to hear, echoing to those far and near."
Ruin growls lowly at them, pupils thinning to slits. "If you come back for us, I will make you regret it!"
"I'm going to take them outside for their repairs," Killcode says quickly, grabbing the kit and then Bloodmoon, taking both out of the RV. He stops only for a moment to tell the two, "Help yourselves to anything in the fridge or cupboards, clean up and get your strength back," before he leaves.
Ruin watches him go with a quiet grunt, his expression softening as he looks back to Sun. He gets up and gets a dishcloth, dampening it before coming back to gently clean his companion. "Oh- Ruin, I- I can do it myself, you should focus on yourself," Sun protests. "You've been through way worse today…"
Ruin stops just to stare him dead in the eye. "We were both attacked and we were both in that crash. How did I "get it worse?"
He falters, unable to answer out of a mix of guilt and uncertainty. The mangled animatronic simply goes back to cleaning him up, dabbing away the oil coating his stomach.
"… I'm sorry. I nearly got us killed," He murmurs, and Ruin looks back again, his eyes much softer.
"But you didn't mean to crash the car, it was an accident that happened because of your hallucinations. And what matters is that we're okay." He gently pulls Sun into a hug, which is quickly returned with a soft sniffle. "There you are, dear… Just let it out."
Meanwhile, Killcode binds Bloodmoon's arms up over their head as he repairs their injuries, albeit they didn't get as much as Sun and Ruin did. "… You're not getting free, you know," He mutters to the red animatronic. "You are under my watch again, and I have no intention of letting you go. I will not hurt you or be cruel, but I also will not passively let you do whatever you wish, especially not if you only wish to harm innocents."
He levels him with a hard stare, eyes narrowing. "Even if I no longer call you my son, you are still my responsibility… As is finding out who brought you back. If you cooperate, I will reward you. So tell me now, who has restored you to this life, Bloodmoon?"
"You think we are so easily bought with hollow threats made by a soft old man?" Bloodmoon scoffs. "It will take more than your feeble words to loosen our tongue!"
"Tch. I thought as much," He sighs, shaking his head before he continues repairing them. He knows they will not budge so easily no matter how he persists, but he has time. Time to wait. And for today, he'd rather focus on tending to his friends than his disowned child. So once he's repaired Bloodmoon, he makes sure they can't escape their tethers but ensures they can reach the cup of water he leaves for them before returning to the inside of his RV.
Sun and Ruin sit together at the small table by the window, the former curled up in the other's arms as he sleeps. Seeing that Ruin's eyes are still alight violet, he cautiously kneels nearby and asks, "Are you two alright? Is there anything I can get you?"
"… I wouldn't want to trouble you," Ruin murmurs, avoiding the other's gaze.
Seeing it, the larger animatronic sighs and reaches over, gently putting a hand on his shoulder. "You would do nothing of the sort. It brings me great joy to care for my friends, and now more than ever I'd like to ensure you're both cared for. And as I told you when we first met, I of all people will never judge you for an affliction you did not ask for. You've proved to me that you are not a monster… Just very protective."
Hesitantly, the mangled animatronic meets his gaze. Killcode offers a small smile and squeezes his shoulder. "You are no danger to us. And the worst of the storm will ebb once you've calmed down… And perhaps when you've eaten?"
At that, Ruin perks up a bit and nods. "That would be… Nice. Sun and I didn't really have a chance to make breakfast this morning, after all." They'd both gotten distracted by enjoying the swingset, and then being attacked…
"Then I shall make you both a hearty meal," Killcode says, standing up and going to the cabinets to retrieve some pots and pans before gathering the ingredients. Ruin watches as he lets out a quiet breath, closing his eyes as he tries to calm himself. Slowly sinking into his seat, Sun's warmth easing the ache in his endo…
When he opens his eyes again, it's to a hand on his shoulder and a gentle murmur, "Wake up, my friends. The food is ready for you both."
"Mmh… Food?" Sun mumbles, eyelids fluttering as he looks up at Killcode before noticing the delicious smell wafting through the air. "Oh… Oh! Y- you didn't have to-" He yawns softly and the larger animatronic chuckles.
"I wanted to. So please don't feel any guilt." He then sets two plates with hearty portions of pancakes, eggs and slices of ham on the table with cups of tea.
"Thank you, Killcode," Ruin murmurs, gladly taking a sip of tea to wash down the stale taste of venom in his mouth.
"You're welcome, Ruin. It was no trouble, anyhow," Killcode replies as he sits across from the pair, relieved to see that the rest has done his mind good and returned the gold and red hues to his eyes. I'll just have to keep him away from Bloodmoon when they decide to head home, lest their threats and insults potentially trigger the virus to take hold again. And call a cab for them. Their car is completely totaled…
Ah, but all of that can wait until they're ready to go. He smiles softly as he watches them eat with clear relief and enthusiasm, Sun still shaken and Ruin still shamed, but both slowly calming down. For now, they need rest and to recuperate from what happened…