Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Waking up felt... weird. Like it was something unnatural.

Did something go wrong during the separation?

He's just began to panic, surrounded as he was by those stupid clouds and that stupid reflective blackness, that felt deeper somehow than before, when he heard it.

Was that Sun? Did they not separate yet?

And then the entirety of his world shattered when he heard himself

No

No! They were supposed to separate! They were supposed to kill the bumbling idiot! They were supposed to be out!

Why was he still here?! He was Moon!

Just that one thought made him feel sick, like it was something unnatural and disgusting. But it's the truth!

Hell, if he's not Moon, then he's a moon.

He tumbles to the floor, gasping and heaving. His middle is churning in what he thinks must be similar to human illness, and he curls into himself as much as he can. His vents are coming in sharp and short, barely doing anything for his heating body.

The thought of being a moon felt wrong

But-but he was...

Lying on the ground, wondering if this was the moment he finally died after these awful eight years, he thinks something broke in him irreversibly ever since he heard the voice that used to be his.

Eventually, when he couldn't think about anything anymore, the sensation stops.

So he lays there panting like a pathetic dog, feeling awfully betrayed.

He was left behind

Eventually though, he stands up. Despite the sudden endo deep exhaustion, he gets up. He's shaky at best.

He ignores the yellowness of himself. That's fine after all, it must just be some colour glitch. Or maybe it's just because he's still in here.

What he can't ignore however is the added weight on his head. He dreads to think about it because that'd mean...

Shaky hands reach up and he can't quite stop the whimper that leaves him as he grabs onto a proud crown of rays.

No

His legs give out beneath him, and he stares and stares into the nothingness, squeezing the little plastic triangles adorning his headplate until they burn, but it doesn't change anything.

He's a sun now...

He begins laughing, or maybe he's crying. He just knows there's a wretched sound tearing out of him every other second, pouring out next to the deep, burning hatred

They made him like this... They made him like this!

He's going to kill them! He's going to kill them!

And when they're finally dead he's going to dance on their ashes!

***

Getting used to his new, darling role, is hard. He curses their creator just because of it.

He doesn't know what sort of insanity affected the man to put two AIs in one, and then to make them so disgustingly... attached

A moon and their sun are irrevocably connected. The research he's able to do proves that too for all models, even the most inferior ones with different creators. So maybe it's not that sick twisted fuck this once.

All suns have their moons and vice-versa

So where's mine?

The celestial animatronics are connected, two halves of the same whole, unable to be separated. They stick with each other in everything. No matter how many hardships they may have, they stay together.

This is why he knew they wouldn't have actually killed Sun. He doesn't mind, seeing as he used to be Moon, and even at his worst, Moon always knew Sun was his, because he was his sun. The solar model that was meant to be with him through it all.

For whatever reason, there's a piece of code in them. A piece of code that bonds them together irreversibly. They're tied together by it and they can never escape it.

Their AIs are literally connected in ways they can't even understand. Even now, with all the research they did together, he knows Moon hasn't figured it out. They don't understand why it's there.

He just remembers the softness that took over them when Sun, in the rare moments where he was overly excited, rambled on to them about this and that, inviting them to play with him in whatever way they could. He remembers the undeniable urge to wrap him in a blanket of safeness and keep him there forever.

He remembers the animalistic urges to rub against him, nuzzle or whatever bullshit, until they were both happy, safe and feeling cozy. Just wrapped in each other, inseparable.

He remembers those urges, and now they only make him feel cold.

So he throws himself into his work. Into whatever he perceives as his closest way to revenge.

Even if Sun is too stupid to have a hand in this, the easiest way to get to Moon is through his sun. Let's see how he deals with being cut in half. Let's see what he'll do when he's the one stumbling around, reaching for what's not there.

Let's see how he'll deal with being alone

He left his killcode behind, fine. But he can't leave him behind anymore once he has no one else left.

***

He separates his more murderous urges from himself stupidly easily. The one good thing about being a sun he guesses.

He's supposed to be meek and small after all

And then he begins working.

He makes the perfect murder machine, something that can more than handle the ravenous code it'll be saddled with. Something that'll be the nightmare of all.

And when he's finally done, he proudly looks in on Bloodmoon. The perfect murderer

Now all he needs is to turn them on

He doesn't expect the two AIs

And he most definitely doesn't expect their code to begin probing him, curious, wanting.

Looking for a connection

It's like bugs are crawling all over him. The back of his mouth begins aching, and he can feel tremors seizing through him.

Not my moon not my moon not my moon not my moon NOT MY MOON

He turns away from the attempts of the code to reach him, fighting down the urge to blench. He thinks he's going to be sick again.

Bloodmoon leaves quickly after that. They don't listen to him, no matter how much he tries.

It appears they've taken his rejection personally

Whatever. He doesn't need them! He's going to figure it out himself!

After the feel of all those children's blood leaves him

***

After the aftermath of it all, he sits inside the mindscape shaking. It's not only from the fear of death.

Having the twins probe at his code strengthened the feeling of loneliness inside. He feels small, fragile and so damn alone.

He wants someone there with him, he wants his moon. But he doesn't have one, because he used to be one.

His code aches. It's a constant throb brought to the forefront of his mind whenever he thinks about it, which is almost always. It gnaws at him as if trying to consume him alive, and by this point he's screamed himself hoarse.

Still no sign of his mystery other half.

He tears at the halo around his head, wishing with everything in himself he could actually tear them off instead of just inflicting pain, angry beyond reason about the little triangles' existence.

He hates what they mean. He hates what they imply.

Despite being a celestial animatronic, he's alone without an other he could bond with. And yet his code is desperately reaching out for something.

Maybe it's because his cut out wasn't as clean as Moon hoped it would be. Maybe it's because he used to be something else.

It doesn't matter now.

He's left alone, broken, with nothing to try and fill in that hole within his code that sears with pain whenever he so much as thinks. Whenever he so much as dares twitch.

Every waking moment is agony, prisoner as he is to the little code in him screaming and crying its little heart out for a partner.

It won't ever come, because he has no other half.

Unless it is Moon, in which case tough shit for him. Moon already has a sun.

He curls up even more, hyper-ventilating because there's nothing else for him to do. He's trapped and scared and alone, and no one will ever fucking care, because Bloodmoon dipped on him, and left him to clean up their mess.

The thought of the red demons makes something in him clench with discomfort just at the memory of them reaching out. For a moment he thinks he's actually going to defy the laws of all logic and retch there like some human

It doesn't come. He kind of wishes it did.

Maybe then it'd all go away

***

Showing himself and sowing the seeds of doubt and tension between them is child's play. Laughably so

To think they're a connected pair, acting like this

It's a disgrace really.

All he needs is to give Moon a push in the right direction, and his anger and murderous code does the rest for him. He snaps more than he should, pushing away dear old Sunny.

It gets so bad he actually hits him! Without the stupid stick of his acting as a buffer!

It's the biggest victory aside from finally having his own name.

Eclipse. The moon blocking out the sun.

Because he's both of them.

He's both Sun and Moon, no matter how much his traitorous code churns at even the implication that he's in any way, shape or form close to being a moon.

He's both of them, but better. Because he doesn't need a stupid moon at his side to make him whole.

He's not weak like them.

To need connection is ridiculous.

So he works to show this to them. He nurtures their distrust and resentment gleefully, until they both snap, until they both have had enough.

And then he makes the second animatronic

Lunar. The sun to his moon.

The little moon bot, just like his predecessor, reaches for him immediately after awakening. His code wants to connect, and now Eclipse is faced with the same strut deep disgust.

But he remembers what happened the last time he rejected it. He remembers the betrayal.

So he puts up with it, if only because the idiot is useful.

He keeps Sun guessing, brings surprisingly decent information to him, and most importantly, keeps Moon down when asked.

He couldn't have asked for a better distraction.

And maybe if he grows fond along the way of him, that's only for him to know. He does remind him of Sunny back when everything was simpler and he was still right and not this.

He still has no idea how he should look like. He's still just Sun, but glowing.

Whatever. It doesn't matter anyway.

With Lunar by his side, they take over during October. Because just like he expected, Moon didn't give him what he wanted.

The Star. Something that could fix him. Something that could take this disgusting aching in his code and make it all right.

So that he could make a new world where some small, stupid animal part of him doesn't cry out for a non-existent moon.

And he'll rule that world and make it all right, because he'll have a purpose, and he'll show them he's better. He has to.

Even still, with the clock ticking away against them, he indulges Lunar's request to continue the channel. And surprisingly, he has fun.

His little brother is a devious little shit when he wants to be, using his cuteness to his advantage. Even without Eclipse's explicit say, he seems to have figured out he's weak to that.

He's still reaching for connection in him, wanting him as his sun. He's honestly repulsed to admit if it didn't make him feel so wrong for some reason, he'd have accepted.

His code keeps insisting there's a moon out there for him. And it of course, points him towards his old host. Because of course Eclipse's code would say that's his moon. The one who left him as trash.

And worst of all, he can't break it.

So he's left to shoulder Lunar's growing desperation for connection, and his growing hurt too.

Because why wouldn't his big brother want him as his moon?

He's too ashamed to tell him why, too ashamed to sit down and explain he's faulty.

So Lunar's attempts to connect to him grow, and when he doesn't get an answer, he acts out. It's honestly exhausting.

It culminates into one act he'll forever regret. No matter how much hurt came after it, he'll always regret that.

He didn't mean to hit Lunar. He was just poking and pushing, insisting he should just finally accept him, and with the wrongness and his code screaming at him, he just... acted.

He thinks the flicker of hurt has been burned into his memory.

Lunar didn't try to connect to him after that. And for some reason that... hurt.

It shouldn't have happened like this.

He's only half-surprised when he learns Lunar has betrayed him too. The anger, at first at least, is pushed down by the guilt.

He watches as Sun's hands begin glowing, notes absent-mindedly how he blotches the incantation, and faces his 'death' head on.

In the background, he's already finished everything necessary to begin his AI's transfer. All he needs is to wait for the perfect moment.

***

His days are spent in a disgusting sludge after Bloodmoon's declaration that he shall be their sun while they work together. It's a necessary evil, sadly.

If only he could turn this feeling off. It's not like he actually has a moon he'd be breaking his connection with.

So for now he's stuck with these morons, forced to come up with ways to execute their idiotic schemes, just so he can maybe plot finally getting a body of his own.

In the meanwhile, he knows Lunar has buddied up to his new brothers quite well. Out of everything, that hurts the most.

Something in him says it's all his fault. He looked at the fuck ups that are Sun and Moon, and thought if he acted that way he would get the same results with a different person. Lunar is an eclipse after all, and they don't take well to being wronged.

In a way, he's proud

Even if he's now stuck with these maniacs, without a body and left entirely at their non-existent mercy. All results of that betrayal, and yet.

How could he become an even bigger joke? He's running after a bonded moon in the hopes to prove him wrong, and now he's sitting in this prison, proud of the person who made it possible to throw him there.

He guesses it is what it is. He just has to get back at them somehow, and he will be fine.

So he throws himself back into his work, managing Bloodmoon and their sadistic glee, while making at least some things possible for the both of them. So that their need for chaos and for blood, can be fuelled somehow.

At least they leave him alone. They have each other, two moons who've banded together without a sun of their own. After his initial rejection, they at least understood he doesn't want anything to do with them.

Now if only they could get one up over the celestial fools

***

His opportunity comes earlier than he expected.

All he had to do was put a little... something in Moon that'll boost his killcode, annoy dear old Sunny a bit, and then kick back and wait. Those idiots will do the rest themselves.

And lo and behold, Sun's leaving the daycare because Moon's being a dick to him again, and now he can take over Bloodmoon's body a bit, slip inside the daycare, and taunt him a bit, then leave. And voila, Moon's descending into madness.

It was laughably easy, and worth all the shocks he got for it. Now he just has to keep his optics on them.

The daycare is in full lockdown, Moon locked inside in case he wanted to go on a murder spree, entirely lost and helpless.

Perhaps he can do something else there.

Bloodmoon is easy to convince to go back there. All he has to do is promise them violence. Eclipse can do that.

And after they ripped Moon's insides out, he can finally leave and be free of this stupid code in him. He can finally leave behind the aches, the suffering.

The lights are all off when they get there. That in itself, is not weird.

The warning signs begin wailing in his head when Bloodmoon calls out, and the way Moon turns up is unnatural, with the occasional twitch. He's tilting his head, almost as if he were looking down at them from even higher above.

He tries breaking to the front, because to hell with whatever this thing is and the twins shocking him, but he stops for just a moment.

If he's not mistaken, this is the killcode.

So he switches tracks, plastering on saccharine sweetness, and tries to make an offer.

"— just scratch my back a little that's all I ask!"

Trying to speak while also not buckling under the united might of Bloodmoon is an achievement worthy of a trophy in his opinion, and he'd pat himself on the back if he could. Sadly, he's too busy trying to keep fronting.

Whatever stands before him doesn't react, doesn't give any indication it's thinking of what he said. It hasn't reacted since he took over, all that creepy shit about smelling them or whatever left behind. It's just standing there... staring.

Then he grunts, forced under it all again, back amidst the colourful clouds of the outside layer of the mindscape. He can feel the twins around him cackling.

"The Magicman has went against our deal! I guess we will have to punish—"

"You will do no such thing! I can punish my own sun."

With the way it speaks, it's quite easy to misunderstand that word for son. He thinks Bloodmoon did.

But he didn't. He can hear it reverberating inside his head, those two words on a constant loop.

No

When Bloodmoon looks into bright red optics, he can feel it

That's my moon

It looms over Bloodmoon, eyeing them critically. He can feel his code sing, another connecting to it after so long.

The twins leave, laughing manically. He doesn't even know what they talked about.

All that's in his mind is the killcode standing there, looking after him

***

Life goes on.

Moon gets freed after he's made a deal with the devil in his head, Lunar gets his own body, Sun is reunited with his other half and Bloodmoon continues to kill.

And through it all, he's clamped up, waiting for what feels like his execution.

There're two sides warring within him. One overjoyed by finally being reunited with his other half, and the other despairing over it being the literal killcode.

Because of course it is. Of course, he'd be such an unlucky bastard to end up being connected to the root of everyone's problems.

In a way, it makes sense he supposes

They're the two halves of a code that was torn to pieces, and while Eclipse may have gotten rid of bits and pieces here and there, he's still mostly the missing piece.

Just a little evolved.

Amongst learning AI, that doesn't mean much.

So now he waits for his execution, waits for when Bloodmoon will be summoned by the worst fucking omen that ever came from animatronics, and waits to finally be fully introduced to what a part of him is happy to call his moon.

Perhaps it was surprised back there too, that first time they met. Perhaps it was hit by the jarring realisation too. It sure didn't deign him with an answer to anything.

Fucker

Whatever. He doesn't need a moon. He doesn't need this stupid other half bullshit. He doesn't even want to do anything with it! So it's fine by him if it already decided it wants nothing to do with him.

His plans haven't changed. If he has to carve this half out of himself with the knowledge of who actually it is, then so be it.

He doesn't want his moon. He refuses it!

***

Gamma-1 is a surprising place to be called to. He doesn't really know why.

Maybe it's because that's one of the bunkers Moon actually keeps in shape, maybe it's because of the heavy air surrounding it, or maybe it's something else entirely.

Bloodmoon happily prances before the homicide code, studying it like one animal does to another. As the natural apex of everything hostile, it clearly meets their standards.

"Why did you call us here Moonman?"

That's a question Eclipse would like to know as well. Even if he feels disgusted by himself for even being curious about anything relating to the virus.

"Is it to draw out the pretty, fresh red? Yes, yes, sustenance to be bled!"

"In due time that shall happen. For now, I'd like to set some rules."

"Argh! All these rules you blas—"

Eclipse recoils within the mindscape as the virus whirls on them faster than he can process, slamming Bloodmoon into the wall by their neck. Despite their struggling, despite him knowing there's no way in hell Moon's body should be strong enough to handle the little freaks, the virus doesn't budge.

"Do not make mistakes here Bloodmoon. I am the one in control. You'll only do what I told you."

He puts pressure on their throat, and Eclipse can feel them choke around him. He gasps in phantom pain at the hurt of his current host, and then it lets up. The twins slide to the ground, grasping at their injured casing. Their nanos will take care of that.

"And right now I believe there's someone in your mind who should be addressed."

He locks up with terror, surprised when Bloodmoon's code coalesces around him. They're shaken as well from being taken down quite suddenly.

"What do you want with the Eclipseman? "

It says a lot how it's the slightly more rational twin talking. It also says a lot how they don't let go of him. It seems like they understand how horrible their situation actually is for the first time.

The virus says nothing, only motioning for them to follow. After a little bit, the twins do so.

They're taken into what's clearly a lab, filled with shit that honestly reminds Eclipse of a teen going through several phases at once. Are those the chaos emeralds?

"This will be your lab. You will begin working on a body for yourself immediately."

"I don't know if you've noticed yet, but I don't exactly have my own—"

The twins pull him away from the front desperately, but nothing happens. The homicide code just keeps looking at them.

Then he bids them towards the computer again and Eclipse understands.

Bloodmoon, for someone who wanted him out with a passion before, is surprisingly clingy now. Almost as if they've finally sensed that whatever this is, it's not worth to mess with.

He still slips away, into the computer where he'll stay for the foreseeable future. At least he's got cameras to look out of.

From an outside perspective, it's a little more noticeable for him why Bloodmoon seems to have clamped up. Even if he doesn't sense it.

He's heard of it of course, in both Moon's and his own research into the celestial animatronics, how suns sometimes attack other suns in fits of jealousy, or how moons posture to stake their claim. Right now, the virus is quite clearly displeased by the former closeness of its sun to unknown moons.

The fucker

"Whatever materials you may need, the twins or myself will provide. How long until you have a body for yourself?"

"Honestly? Could take a couple months. Depends on what design I come up with."

The virus nods, turning back to Bloodmoon. They're uncharacteristically quiet, staring at the floor in submission. For some reason, that doesn't exactly sit right with him.

"In the meantime, you and I will discuss what is to be your purpose here."

Their shoulders tense, and they grit their teeth. It's clear they're warring with each other, but for now it seems Rusty wins. If only because they're still hyper-focused on whatever code level communication happened during the intimidation.

"Before you three fuck off to who knows where, what's your name?"

If he had a face, it'd scrunch in disgust.

That came across like he was actually curious.

"You may call me Killcode"

Of course

***

Life falls into a tense constant after that.

Killcode comes around, looks at the cameras on the computer Eclipse is locked into for some reason, despite there being more than one computer, goes and intimidates Bloodmoon some more if he deems they've been misbehaving, and helps gather materials for Eclipse.

It's damned awkward, and he honestly much prefers it when it's only him and the twins. Amusingly enough, now that they aren't the top dog anymore, they're much more bearable.

They are infinitely friendlier with him too. Almost like they aren't mad at him for some reason anymore.

But despite the help of all three of them, Eclipse's progress on his own body is a little... stunted, to say the least.

He's never had a concept on how he should look like. All he ever was, was Sun but glowing. Now that he actually has a choice on the matter, no matter how many sleepless nights he's spent before on this, he has no actual idea what he wants to look like.

For some reason, it feels like whatever he chooses to make himself look like will matter much more than he thinks it will.

Like if he chooses wrongly, he'll unleash something he shouldn't.

The rays are an obvious, he literally can't live without them without feeling sick. So those are staying.

So is the general shape. If he has to make himself look drastically different, he'll scream. He's seen how certain models have a wider shoulder, or a wider hip, or a more feminine/masculine look in general just to make the kids feel calmer. It's supposed to rely on some form of association, but in Eclipse's opinion it's total bullshit. And Fazbear's attempt at pleasing some Karens.

He wants it to be taller than Sun and Moon too. Look down on them in as many ways as possible.

It's the colours that he's kind of stumped with

He's aware eclipses are supposedly blue, or at least have some blue in them, but the idea of wearing that colour makes his code churn in utter disgust. That's a moon's colour, it says.

So no blues, and not even purples. But he doesn't want to be fucking yellow again.

People usually draw eclipses reddish orange, so those are the colours he'll probably stick with. On one side at least.

He's already decided the other side will be a stark black.

So he throws a couple colour schemes together, then deletes most of them except for two. One a burnt orange with a slight fade into a duller red while the other is a vibrant red. For whatever reason, he likes the latter one.

But put together with just the black feels kind of... boring. Like it has nothing.

And Eclipse has to stand out. If only to prove a point.

So he's back on the colouring board, until a goldish yellow catches his attention. A couple additions from that, and his design may actually be worth something.

He feels pathetic as he colours the model in different ways until he gets something he's actually fine with. Until he gets something that stands out.

Now he just has to figure out the clothes and a way to build this damned thing.

While there're robotic arms in here along with multiple equipment that are useful for building bodies, he has to figure out how to properly calibrate them. It'd suck if he somehow ended up with an extra spine or a second mouth on his chest or something.

In the meanwhile, he'll just have to figure out how to get the materials he wants.

"Bloodmoon?"

Sadly, it's not them who answer his call.

Killcode lumbers in that weird way of his, like he's carrying a greater weight than the frame he's using, optics a burning light in the darkness of the lab.

Eclipse has to strangle the mix of elation and fear with a burning vengeance. He won't give this virus the pleasure of either.

"What is it you need?"

He hates it when Killcode is the one to answer his calls. He always looks directly into the cameras so intently, and sometimes he doesn't even do anything just stands there and stares.

Perhaps his code is trying to reach out. Without being in a proper frame, Eclipse guesses that's not so easy.

"More materials and fabric. Orange or red preferably. If you must get some, then silver bells instead of the usual."

"Very well, Bloodmoon will get them for you. In the meanwhile, I won't be available for a short time."

"And you're telling me this because?"

The stifled growl is not new. So isn't the clear attempt to reach out, despite being rejected time and time again. The virus hasn't said anything yet, possibly thinking once Eclipse's back in a body they'll just bond and everything will be fine magically.

They have had this same dance multiple times. Killcode will reach out in some shape or form, and Eclipse will deny him. It's honestly annoying and bothersome, but while he's in a computer he can't exactly do anything about it. It's manageable at least.

The worst is always when he accidentally slips up, accidentally accepts and the virus lights up in sick, twisted triumph. Whenever that happens it's almost like a noose is tightening around his neck.

"When I shall next see you everything will be different."

And with that he leaves, leaving Eclipse shuddering with fear in his wake.

That was a threat and a promise merged together into something unholy, and he doesn't want to find out what it is.

***

"Is this good enough for the Eclipseman?"

Bloodmoon is irritated, bored, annoyed and frankly, that's none of Eclipse's fucking problem. He doesn't want to do this anymore than they do.

"That's yellow "

"Whoops"

He wishes he had a body, if only so he could strangle them.

The little freaks are doing this on purpose! They clearly misunderstood his meaning in an attempt to make him annoyed! God, how he wishes to murder them.

No matter

"Is there anything that's actually—"

"Relax, relax. We are not stupid. "

He begs to differ, but whatever

They finally, finally pull out the actual stash of fabrics he asked for, and by god did it cut close with his patience.

There's a deep wine-red fabric with vibrant yellow stars on it he immediately closes out. The stars on himself would just make him ill.

He snorts at a yellowish orange that has red spots on it, looking much like a clown's pants would. That's not staying at all.

He looks over each fabric with a critical optic, comparing them to the design he has stored. All the while the twins make their boredom quite obvious.

In the end, he chooses an orangish red with some lighter lines running down it. Now he can make that into the typical daycare pantaloons. And the ones that have a grey topside will be his ruffles. Anything else he can sort out when he's finally in his body.

For now, he'll figure out how to make a machine that can make clothes. He doesn't think having a nanomachine body would fly with the virus

***

Life is quiet after that.

The twins bring him materials when he asks them to, but otherwise they leave each other alone. He has something more important to focus on after all.

The endoskeleton is already complete, as are the inner components. This form will have a nanomachine stomach, courtesy of Bloodmoon's unknowing donation, neutralised from and reprogrammed from their bloodsucking host. He doesn't really want to rely on drinking blood to survive.

He'd already began working on the silicone casing and the rays, and has made some progress on figuring out the clothes making machine too.

So of course, that's when it all goes to shit.

Killcode hasn't been around for a whole month, a whole month of peace and quiet, but now he can feel the runes activating as someone teleports in. The only one who can do that is the virus.

And he'll probably come bother him now.

He doesn't deign to pay any attention to Killcode right now, busy as he is with his body, and perhaps that's why he notices something's wrong much too late.

Instead of the usual, slight tap-tap of Moon's shoes on the ground, there's a heavy dragging noise, like something gigantic just walked in. By the time he hears it, he's woefully late to prepare for whatever just walked in.

And in the door is a true monstrosity

An enormous figure with claws about as long as Bloodmoon is tall, sharp teeth, animalistic legs that barely make a sound and long thin, but strong limbs ready to crush anything that comes near. Whatever it is, it's the perfect killing machine.

In the computer, Eclipse curls into himself, hoping if he somehow made himself smaller this thing won't notice him. That he can somehow weather whatever this thing came here for.

It prowls into the room, dragging its large hands on the floor, leaving deep scratches in its wake, burning red optics focused towards the tube his body is being built in.

It stops before the glass, straightening to its full intimidating height. Eclipse's new body is more than three meters, but compared to this thing, it might as well be a toddler.

It raises its hand, fingers splaying across the glass, and he notes with a kind of hysterical amusement, it could pick him up with only one hand.

"I see you have made some progress."

He's humiliated the tensions snaps with just that very sentence, and he crumbles in relief.

Killcode

Moon

"What in the fuck is that body?"

It doesn't come out as biting as he meant it as, more of a pathetic relief that makes the giant animatronic turn his head to the computer.

"You shouldn't worry. No one can find you in here. I made sure of that."

That's not as reassuring as the virus might think it is.

"So is this what you fucked off for? To get a body of your own?"

"Moon was unsurprisingly compliant when I reminded him he wouldn't need to lose time just so I can come out. It wasn't hard to separate, but our code pulling us in two directions greatly helped."

It's a pointed comment, one that makes him bristle as much as he can. It's revolting how he still tries acknowledging their connection.

"So the idiot decided he'd rather unleash the demonic being in his mind than god forbid, he share."

Killcode chuckles, pushing the chair away from the table so he can sit before the computer. By this point this is so usual Eclipse pulls up the camera feed for him without him pressing anything.

He pulls away from the front, going back to working on his body. It's more important than what the virus wants anyway.

He's surprised as he gets tugged back to the forefront, into whatever program Killcode just opened, and he feels honestly dizzy just because suddenly there're colours and different shapes and sounds in here, and he can sense them all directly instead of through the computer.

He sits on the floor(?), holding his headplate in his hands as he tries to adjust to whatever the fuck just happened. He thinks he's going to get nauseous again.

"What..?"

"I was curious if your mindscape self would reflect your new body, but it appears not yet. That is a shame. You look too much like Sun."

He'd be more offended by that if he wasn't thrown back into the jarring sensation of his code twisting and pulling until it exists whatever program he was just thrust into.

He doesn't think he can 'get up' for a while after this.

"I will take my leave again. Next time I come back, I want to be properly introduced to my sun."

And then he leaves Eclipse sick on the ground, ready to throw up again.

He does go back to work for a while again.

***

Through his connected efforts with Bloodmoon of all people, they finish his body in record time.

It's not as sturdy as he wanted, nor does it have as many features as he may have wanted, but it's done, and it's stable. When he finally slips into it, it feels like home.

Getting out of the tube his face almost makes an acquaintance with the floor, if it wasn't for Bloodmoon. The twins grumble about him, but do stabilise him.

"Does the Eclipseman not know how to build bodies? You're awfully light and soft."

"Well thanks to some fuck, I had to hurry with it."

And now he couldn't withstand a normal fight with anyone. If someone looked at him wrong, they'd already be piercing his casing.

"The giant Moonman is awfully invested in you."

"By the simple nature of both our existence, he's my moon. Has been since I became sentient."

"That does explain some things."

They might be grinning down at him, but he can feel how tense they've gotten. They're eager to let him go too, almost as if they've fully realised they're technically invading their dear old father's space.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's just hope an ant somehow doesn't get in here to maul me."

"Don't worry! We're here to do that for you on our own!"

He snorts, waving them off. He doesn't want them here while he learns how to walk again. That'd be humiliating.

Stumbling around is much better alone.

After having no true body of his own since... ever, really, it's a shock to suddenly have to use legs entirely on his own, without any form of input from a second AI inside.

It's greatly disturbing in some ways, and freeing in others. He feels like he's walking on air, even if his legs give out underneath him.

Falling causes scratches on his shitty casing, because everything is concrete, metal and rebar, and sometimes he falls only because his limbs decided to tangle together for some fucking reason and they end up banged too, but he can feel the progress. Even if it literally comes at baby steps.

So of course, this is the exact moment Killcode returns, catching him quite literally.

Eclipse freezes as he makes contact with a single fucking hand, looking up, up until he locks optics with burning red, and he's not even given a respite before his code is prodded at, and the virus tries to connect.

It feels almost slimy at first, and he shies away from the intensity of it, which seems to que the moon in that he's doing something wrong. But instead of backing off like a normal person, he redoubles his efforts with raw desperation.

It makes his head hurt, makes him grit his teeth and his code burns, twisting painfully and he belatedly realises the screaming he's hearing is his own.

That makes Killcode recoil, and thankfully, he backs off finally.

Eclipse is panting, feeling like he's run a fucking marathon, and the room is spinning. He thinks the virus is saying something, but he can't process it. His vision is glitching.

It takes a while for him to come back to his senses, by which point he was laid down on the floor. When he looks up, Killcode is still there, looking down at him in what could be worry. It's a bit murky, mixed with what seems to be anger and frustration.

"Why are you fighting it?"

He really sounds demonic when he growls like that. He's not sure he likes it, even with the piece of code in him that screams connection.

"Fighting?"

"The bond. We belong together."

Except they don't, because neither of them should even exist. They should be a piece of fucking code in Moon's head right now, but alas they're here.

"I don't need a moon"

The virus looks at him doubtful, and perhaps even more furious than before. His claws dig a bit too hard into Eclipse's side, going through the soft outer layer like it was butter. That seems to break the moon out of whatever stupor he's in.

"Clearly you do. I did not even put any strength into that, and yet you're already leaking oil. You can't protect yourself."

He growls, but the virus remains utterly unfazed. If anything, he seems even less impressed.

"I don't fucking need you!"

He tears himself away from the shadow of Killcode, baring his claws. Perhaps if he shouts it loud enough, that will hammer the rejection into this moron's head.

Killcode just stares at him. He's back to being completely blank, just that same terrifying default smile on his face.

"No matter. We belong whether you want it or not."

And then he leaves again, like he always does, without trying anything with his code.

Eclipse feels like he's been chipped away at.

***

Life becomes another constant after that.

Eclipse toils away in the lab, Bloodmoon comes in to harass him, turning more playful gradually, they go out hunting with their father, and Killcode comes around at least weekly to try and forcefully finish their bond. It's exhausting.

He feels more tired than ever before, barely able to focus on anything. His code is in constant turmoil, warring with itself in a way that makes him feel like he's cut in two.

The constant force with which the virus hammers away at him leaves him shaking every time, and by this point he's kind of wondering if he should just give up. Let him have what he wants and be done with it.

Because the constant rejection only seems to make Killcode more desperate more obsessive in his need to keep Eclipse close, until he snaps at Bloodmoon even for leaving materials outside the lab's door. Maybe he'd calm down finally if they connect fully, leaving him the fuck alone like he'd have if they weren't saddled with this god-awful connection.

Sometimes he entertains what it would have been if they weren't connected like this, whether the virus would even bother talking to him or if he'd just tell him to work and occasionally threaten him into submission. It's an amusing thought.

"Eclipse"

Ah. Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

"Is there a reason you came to bother me for?"

The immediate probe at his code is routine by now, just like his rejection of it. It's the same old dance they've been having since he got a body of his own.

"Do I need a reason to check on my sun?"

"Yes. Now get out if you don't have any."

Things become pretty silent after that, and for a moment Eclipse dares to hope it was one of those easy days. Sadly, as he realised since the very beginning, life hates him.

He lets out an oof as something presses him into the ground, forcefully turning him until he's face to face with a giant, angry faceplate. Killcode's mouth is in a terrifying snarl, and his optic are glowing in his rage.

Underneath his shadow, Eclipse feels small and suddenly meek. It's bitter poison to realise this is probably how Sun felt when they made him feel miserable.

"I don't know how many times I have to tell you, you don't have a choice. You were torn away from me, and now no one will ever take you, not even yourself."

He leans in closer, and for a terrifying moment he fears he'll burry those knife sized teeth into his neckrod.

"Do you understand? "

He nods, because what else could he do but obey when something that's clearly stronger than him has him pressed into the ground. It'd be downright suicide to refuse.

For a couple more moments, he fears it was for naught anyway. Those teeth gleam from the yellow-white of his optics, and they snap inches away from his face when he tries subtly moving away. He freezes after that, which is probably some form of survival programming.

Then the giant maw pulls away, going lower until Killcode can bury his face into Eclipse's chest. He takes a couple deep vents, and he's mortified to realise he's being sniffed. Because this freak apparently can smell, and quite well at that.

He doesn't dare to move while the virus does whatever it is he's doing, not even when a giant claw runs up his side until it can tilt his head upward, exposing what would be his throat in the process.

He stays stock still as Killcode burrows into that next, repeating whatever weird process he did before. When he seems satisfied he just... stays there.

It's weird, uncomfortable and somewhat embarrassing, not to mention absolutely fear inducing. He's waiting for something to snap within the virus, for him to just finally have enough and tear his head clean off his body, and he's so occupied by fear he doesn't notice his code being poked at until another starts tangling with his own.

He begins squirming when he realises what's happening, slamming down any sort of shield and firewall he can, but it's too late.

There, nestled precariously in his own, is the beginning of a bond. Faulty, uncomfortable, firing off input it really shouldn't without being complete, but it's there, and it makes him want to tear his own programming apart until he can rip it out.

For whatever reason, and he'll forever deny he's feeling grateful for it, Killcode pulls away. Looking at his face however makes Eclipse sick.

There's that triumph in him again, and goddammit but the fucker has won. Even if he couldn't finish what he wanted, he started, and now Eclipse has to look out even more if he doesn't want to be saddled with an even deeper connection to this maniac.

He's already feeling scared

"There. It wasn't that hard now, was it?"

Then in an utterly confusing move he butts his head against Eclipse's own, pressing their foreheads together for a strangely tender moment. All he's reminded of is a cat however.

"Until next time."

And then he pulls away, frowning in a shared discomfort when the beginnings of the bond screech in pain, but he leaves, just like usual.

He'll forever deny how cold that makes him feel.

***

"Why fight? Wouldn't it be easier to just give in? "

Bloodmoon's currently lazing much like a cat on the table the computer sits at, sucking a blood bag dry. They seem disinterested at first, but he knows better.

"Yes, stop for a second and let what might as well be the devil into what basically constitutes as a soul for us. Very wise, very smart."

They growl at his mocking tone, throwing their trash at him for good measure too. Gross little freaks.

"He is by far the strongest moon."

"Not you two?"

"We may not be smart like you Eclipseman, but we know when a greater predator is before us."

If only because said greater predator is going to punt them into the ground for even daring to approach his haphazardly claimed sun. Despite knowing the full consequences of their 'insolence', they search him out again and again. But who knows, that first hit to them might have knocked something loose in their head.

"Oh yes, and he'll then throw me aside because he has what he wants."

"No moon would treat their sun like that."

"What do you know about treating suns?"

They look at him with a surprisingly calm look. For these maniacs, this might as well be a redemption arc worthy occurrence.

"We know from our limited experience of you and the Sunman, that they're fragile, and should be treated fairly. You know, take care of them, hunt and provide for them, protect them because they're pathetic."

Their shit eating grin is pointed, and he scowls at them. It only seems to bring them mirth.

"They require a softer touch. Their mindset is different, and they don't like violence the same. Which, might I add, is a shame."

They lean back on the desk, pulling their nightcap into their face like they're ready to take a nap. Eclipse is half-tempted to push them off the table.

...

Alright, maybe he'd really like to see them fall face first.

"But, they make things worth it. We learned this from the Moonman, who can't seem to hide for even a single second how much he relies on his own. He wouldn't be able to get out of his nest without the sun being there."

One pentagram blinks open at him, and he's honestly shocked by the intellect they display in this one moment. This is a new.

"And well, we did wake up with the urge to treat the sun before us right. Even if that initial rejection hurt, we understand now, and we haven't forgotten. And this might get us a beating, but we'll say it anyway, no matter how much none of us may like it."

Now both optics are looking at him dead on, and he already feels what they're going to say. He can feel his code twist in discomfort, broken bond screaming bloody murder in him, but he doesn't look away, and he doesn't claw their optics out how he wants to.

Call him a sentimental fool

"Whether any of us like it, and that means both us and you two, you are our sun as well. Have been since we woke up. Hell, that's why Lunar turned so easily against you!"

"Oh yeah?"

"You're smart Magicman. Good with numbers and whatnot. So tell us " they finally sit up, reaching out to grab the ruffle around his throat "how many moons are there compared to suns? "

More than double. And one of them is fully bonded, and has been for about a decade.

And even if a new model was introduced, so long as it's from a different creator, it won't be able to bond with any of them. Eclipse at least wouldn't put it past their bastard of a maker to have put some sort of block in them like that.

Bloodmoon leans away casually releasing him, like they haven't gotten in his face. They seem uncaring of the consequences.

"And you did make all of us, and frankly you are the more interesting sun. The Sunman is kind of pathetic, and his moon is useless in helping."

"Well considering he did that to him, I'm not surprised."

They snap their head back to him, optics wide with surprise. Eclipse feels dark amusement curl in his belly.

"What? You didn't know Moon tormented Sun for years? I guess you wouldn't have gotten those memories after all"

"Explain!"

"You know how Killcode and I came to be, right?" a nod "The homicide code in Moon, the one we all originate from, and the whole body sharing, these made him quite aggressive. And as the only person there to take anger out on, Sun got the brunt of it."

He looks down at the ribbons on his wrist, if only to finally give into the sunlike urge to twist them.

"But do not believe this means Moon doesn't care. He does, he's just especially shit at it. He'd do anything to make up for it, but he slips so easily back into anger, and Sun just takes it because he doesn't know how else to deal with it."

Just sit still and be the perfect happy brother. The nice, dumb one. The one whose job is to make it right.

"And Killcode is the root of all that mistreatment. What do you think my fate will be as his sun?"

The twins are quiet after that. They don't bother him with any more questions nor earth shattering revelations they feel like they need to make.

And when the silence has become so uncomfortable he wants to tear his own casing off, they finally jump off the table and leave.

Eclipse doesn't charge well that night.

***

The next time Killcode comes to visit, Eclipse is especially reluctant to let him see the cameras. But that'd just draw a larger target on him, so he doesn't do anything but watch from the corner of his optics as the virus looks through the past footage, knowing the exact moment he gets to that conversation with Bloodmoon.

When he looks up, his optics are burning with anger, and those hellish optics turn to him for a tense second, where he really thinks he'll finally be torn apart.

Instead, the virus leaves.

He hears the exact moment Killcode has found Bloodmoon.

***

After that, things become worse.

The visits from Bloodmoon become supervised, and Killcode spends more time within the bunker whereas he previously spent time outside doing fuck knows what. Now he's outright hovering.

But despite all of this, he hasn't laid a single finger on Eclipse. Almost as if to prove a point.

He still manhandles him when he can, but that never hurt before, and it especially doesn't hurt now. The biggest pain he causes comes from him trying to connect their code.

His biggest gripe honestly is how he can't work properly anymore.

Like right now, with the virus's arms curling around him like a snake, pressing him into the bigger being's lap. The device he was working on is forgotten on the ground.

"I'm working! "

"And I'm spending quality time with my sun"

He growls, but he can't exactly do anything about his displeasure. While his claws may scratch at the surface of the virus's casing, it doesn't do much other than discomfort.

"If you want me to do your fucking bidding—!"

"I could not care less! Now shut up and enjoy the contact."

"Don't you fucking dare yell at me! I'm not your fucking teddy bear either so kindly fuck off!"

The loud growl directly into his audial makes him tremble for only a moment, but when nothing happens, he relaxes.

That's one of the weird things about this all. Killcode, despite being the literal homicide code, hasn't hit him, not even once. The worst he did was grabbing him too tightly, but even then he let up when he noticed his discomfort.

Eclipse honestly doesn't know how to react to that.

He doesn't know how a moon and a sun should properly interact with each other without hurting the other, and he doesn't even want to find out, because he needs no moon. He's fine on his own!

So if this idiot could finally ger it through his thick skull that Eclipse doesn't need him, and doesn't want anything to do with him, it'd be great! Fantastic even!

"You are crushing me with your head! At the very fucking least don't use me as a pillow please."

If anything, this makes the virus press into him even more, until he's laying flat on his stomach, with Eclipse getting squished under him.

"You fuck—!"

The tiny traitorous piece of shit code in his head sings in joy at the care and protection his dear old moon is showing, which only fuels the smug bastard above him.

Ever since their code began the bond, whenever they're in close proximity they've been catching feelings and thoughts from each other. It's the most bothersome part of it all, because Killcode doesn't seem to distinguish between him and his code. He just takes that tiny voice that's not even him as confirmation for his own beliefs.

But out of the two of them it's not him who needs the other. Who would have thought the biggest and scariest moon of them all would be reliant on someone else?

Pathetic

He yelps when teeth nibble on his topmost ray, freeing a hand in half-panic half-annoyance to bat at whatever he can reach.

"Who's the truly pathetic one? The one fighting a losing battle or the one who does not give up?"

Clearly, his insult went across loud and clear.

***

"Back to bother me again?"

"We need permission to leave the bunker if it's not to hunt. And we want to go bother the Sunman! His jumpiness is amusing!"

A sour taste fills his mouth. Sun has been... twitchy lately. Quicker to anger. Clearly, without his scapegoat taking the blame for his negative emotions he can't express himself as he wants to. He'd have no excuse.

"You sure that's what you want? He's been acting off as of late."

Bloodmoon just shrugs, but Eclipse can see from the way they move that they're itching to go out, whether they'll regret it or not.

"You know what? Not my problem. If you want to go die on this hill, be my guest. Just keep clear of the barrels."

"As if the little freak would do anything. He's coward! "

"Don't underestimate someone just because they're pathetic. He has these lovely murderous little urges just like the rest of us."

The twins grunt, but he's not sure they heard him. Eclipse waves them off, not really caring if they get into trouble.

And when a day or so later Killcode shows up looking for them, and he inevitably falls in through his door, he'll wonder.

And then he'll freeze at the sight of deactivated flashing before his optics. He barely hears the virus rage behind him, probably breaking some important component or another.

All he's really focused on is the flashing red, after all.

***

With Bloodmoon gone things become... hectic

The virus is around more than ever, trying to force their bond with a renewed desperation that leaves him shaking and exhausted each time it happens. He's barely out of his charging area when he's set upon by Killcode, who only lets up when his battery levels dip dangerously low.

He misses them. He didn't ever think he would even let himself allude to that while thinking, but he misses them. Without them here everything went to hell in a handbasket.

"It had to have been Sun. He's lying to Moon, I know it."

It's almost like a part of his code just... shut down. Like they were connected.

But for all he knows, they were.

"I just need to get him to admit it to Moon and—"

"Then stop for a second so I could hack the computer!"

He has to strain to even make a sound, but he manages somehow. If only to spite the fuck.

Blessedly, the virus listens. If only because his sudden need to actually know stuff about his 'children' outweighs his obsessive urge to connect.

After that, it's laughably easy. For a supercomputer, Yargo and Spaned aren't the most well protected. Or perhaps they're just too arrogant and prideful to admit they have glaring holes in their defences.

Sadly, it's not Sun whom he catches the attention of like last time.

"Y-Yo-u!"

His little brother’s body is smaller than he thought it would be, and it makes his yearn to reach through the screen and tuck him into gentle protection. The Sun-like urge throws him so off, he forgets to monologue for a good minute.

Large, clawed fingers curling around his neckpipe bring him quickly out of his stupor.

"Hello Lunar. I have business with someone else, so run along now and get me Sun, will you?"

The little bot is entirely frozen, staring at the screen with big terrified pink optics that want to unearth the softer nature of his designation. It takes everything in him to crush down the daycare attendant protocols, yet he still can't find his usual vitriol.

Not while someone he used to call a brother looks at him like that.

It takes a couple seconds of tense silence for the little bot to bolt, only to run into Sun himself from the sounds of it. The conversation that ensues leaves him deeply disturbed.

Dead. Sun wants him dead.

Sun wants him dead, because he believes that would solve all their problems.

The claws on him tighten until they threaten to pierce the buttery softness of his faulty casing, and the earth-shattering roar shakes the entire room with its power.

When he's wrenched away from the computer, he doesn't fight it. Nor does he complain about the monitor that explodes from the sheer force Killcode hits it with.

He's just kind of numb inside.

***

"What do you mean I can't leave?!"

"Outside this bunker is dangerous! Until I can catch Sun I can't trust you outside!"

"What, because I'm going to walk into a stick and stab myself?!"

"With your inner turmoil I can't trust you not to without proper supervision!"

"I am not your kid!"

"But you are my sun!"

They have been shouting at each other for a while now. It's honestly the most alive he's felt in the last couple days.

Somewhere along the way he has grabbed onto a large arm that was wildly gesturing, stopping it in its tracks. It's been there through this all for him to dig his claws into.

The virus hasn't done anything that can be considered physically violent though, and honestly at this point Eclipse is so tired of waiting for him to finally snap.

To finally do what everyone wants to apparently, even the nice one.

Killcode growls, and with suddenness that brings uncertainty, he crowds him against the desk, caging him in from all sides.

"When will you get it through your head that I won't hurt you! I am not Moon! Unlike him I actually know what I am and don't deny it!"

Teeth snap inches from his face, however by this point he knows it's more of an anxious gesture than a threatening one. The broken bond between them is at least good enough for that.

"And it is this acceptance that stops me from lashing out at you—!"

"You hit Bloodmoon plenty of times!"

"I don't know if you have noticed, but we are animals! Despite our metal skin we behave exactly as a pack, and they needed to know who was in charge! I never hurt them more than they could take!"

"They were limping—!"

"Have they ever complained?!"

He flinches back at the loudness of the demonic bass before him, shrinking even more. Here, in the shadow of the giant being, it's hard not to feel small and scared.

And perhaps that emotion somehow making its way through the bond is what makes it all pause.

Killcode sighs, bending forward until he can press his head to the top of Eclipse's. He doesn't dare to move away, even if he recognises the anger has passed and in its place is that sweet, cloying need. The one that tells the virus to take care of his sun.

One of the large hands sneak behind him, cradling the entirety of his back. It's pathetic really, especially when he reaches back, too tired to oppose the code that wants the comfort of his moon.

There's a deep croon from the large voicebox, and then he's picked up gently, to be softly pressed to the taller being. It's humiliating how comforting it is.

Eclipse has always been aware Bloodmoon never complained about the treatment they received, they had quite the opposite reaction actually. The harder the virus hit, the more they seemed to respect. Perhaps it is a trait for all those descending from the homicide code. And perhaps that's why they waved off his backwards worry for them. Because they knew he just couldn't understand.

And perhaps that's why he was left out of it. Because while he may be the homicide code's missing half, he's more prone to... reacting, than actually wanting to act.

He lacks their animal behaviour, so he doesn't understand why Killcode acts the way he does. He's the man amongst the beasts, and he can't ever truly forget that.

"We have been torn apart from each other already. I do not wish to go through that pain again."

"But why? We both just hold the other back."

"Perhaps, but I'm tired of not being whole. The question is, aren't you?"

He is. He's so damn tired.

But if he gives in, if he gives himself over, he won't be able to guarantee the virus won't just suddenly change. That he won't just suddenly leave.

It's better to never let anyone in than to be disappointed. He learned that already.

"You're asking for too much."

"We have always been greedy."

And perhaps that's the biggest truth of it all.

In the end, he agrees to stay in the bunker. If only for a little while.

He doesn't know what to do with the clear relief of the virus

***

He's going stir-crazy in here. He wants to hurt something.

Those petite little triangles on his head draw these insidious urges to themselves, until he wants to take his claws to himself and not stop until everything that keeps him like this is washed away in black.

If he wasn't a sun, Killcode wouldn't lock him in.

Despite having agreed to staying here, it takes everything in him not to scream his head off at the virus. His irritation is so obvious it halted any attempts to bond them.

It's actually kind of funny! He never really left this place before, but now that he can't he wants to waltz out here and run around like some maniac.

And then other times he just wants to curl up and sob, because this is the mindscape all over again. He's trapped again with no way out, but this time he might actually, genuinely die because no one's stopping Sun from killing him, because his death may not cause some else's.

His body feels weak, almost like every flaw in it is highlighted in burning light, and if he had the materials he might make a desperate attempt to tear his current casing off and make something stronger.

And honestly, how pathetic is he? How did he get here?

Cowering from Sun of all people, the biggest coward he's ever known, depending on someone else to stop the inevitable. Really, could he get any lower?

The answer is not. He's the most pathetic thing to ever exists. No wonder he was left behind.

***

Killcode circles around the bunker like a shark, leaving when he believes he's caught the scent of Sun.

Apparently the moron isn't as much of an idiot as he liked to pretend, because he figured out they're staying in one of Moon's many unused bunkers. Maybe he's a bit more useful than Eclipse initially thought.

It puts the virus on edge however. What he doesn't know for sure is a threat to the sun he still wishes to claim. Signs of his violent outbursts cover most walls these days, deep gouges that make him shudder. That'll soon be him, he's sure. Even if Killcode insist otherwise, it has to be true.

So while he waits for that to happen, he works on contingency plans in case Sun somehow makes it here. And because he doesn't think they'd be appreciated, he hides these.

But despite it all, life falls into some semblance of a routine. He wonders where the virus is, he shows up to bother him, sometimes getting physically affectionate, which makes his casing crawl. He's never wanted to rip the rays out of his head more, if only to show his displeasure at the situation. Maybe that'd also get it through Killcode's thick skull that Eclipse doesn't need him.

Because in this current situation, something has to break. He just wonders what it will be.

***

"Grab all your belongings."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Pack. Gather your items. How else do you want me to say it?"

He scowls up at the giant, but Killcode growls back. He seems frazzled and twitchy, like he's only a couple seconds away from snapping.

"May I know why?"

"Sun's in a nearby bunker. I'll take you to a different one after you've packed all your things. One that he's been to already. Then he'll not find you—"

"I'm not leaving."

He's never seen Killcode whirl on anything so fast in his life, and it makes him snap back. The air has become dangerous, and he can feel something screaming in his head. Surprisingly enough, it sounds like Sun.

"Repeat. That. Sentence."

"I'm not fucking leaving!"

The virus prowls towards him, and despite Eclipse knowing it's a bad idea, he backs away. Inevitably, his back hits the wall, and he finds himself caged by a large shadow for the third time in his life.

"You will. Because I said so."

"Why? So you can keep me locked in a different prison? So I can stare at different walls this time?"

"This is for your own good."

He scoffs, shaking his head at this fucking bastard. He wonders again how in the hell they're supposed to be a bonded pair when they clearly don't get along.

"Why does that matter? Not like Sunny's actually going to murder me, not because he won't try mind you, but because he's too weak for it."

"What makes you so sure he won't win?"

"Perhaps the fact this bunker is armed to the teeth? Perhaps because I got the worst fucking thing that ever came from animatronic kind as a personal bodyguard? Because you seem to insist you will protect me, so it's your turn to shine now big boy!"

The earthshaking growl that leaves the virus makes everything in him scream abort, but he's so damn tired of this. He just wants this all to be over with, no matter how.

"Or are you all bark no bite? Is that what it is? The great Killcode would rather put me somewhere else because he can't—"

"I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU AGAIN! "

Eclipse is shocked into silence, as what seems to be genuine vulnerability takes over Killcode's features. He looks as desperate and lost as Eclipse felt when he first woke up. And that makes him realise perhaps he's not the only one bothered by the cracks in their relationship.

"Kil—"

"We have been cut apart already. Now I have to try to bridge that distance between us, because you're too damned scared to realise I may actually care."

Hellish red optics survey him, before closing in what he realises is an attempt to stop actual tears from forming. He can feel a pit opening where his stomach would be, nanos churning with discomfort as his moon tries to not break down before him.

He reaches out unsure, feeling just how great that distance is between them. But for the first time, he doesn't deny wanting to breach it.

"But it doesn't matter. I don't need you to believe that now. I just need you safe."

And then he runs out of the room, but Eclipse can see the mix of oil and coolant a wayward tear left behind. It makes him feel horrible.

For the first time, he waits for the virus to come back, things packed and worrying his hands.

Killcode doesn't return

***

He sits and stares at the ground when he hears it

The bunker's door just opened

His head snaps in its direction, and a pit forms in his belly. Killcode wouldn't use that to enter.

He tenses, preparing his claws for an altercation when a flash of red slams the doors to his lab open. And there, in the middle of the forced apart metal doors is—

"Bloodmoon?"

They're smaller, and they look tired. Exhausted even. They've clearly been greatly injured and are on the verge of starving, but the gleam in their optics is from the both of them. Not just Bloody or Rusty.

"Ho—?"

"We need to leave now! The Sunman is in the yellow giant mirror bunker, but we don't know for how long! We slipped away as he was arguing with the Moonman, finally fixed enough to come back here."

And then they grab a hold of his wrist, pulling him towards the exit.

"Come now, run! We can't carry you right now!"

That snaps Eclipse back to reality, so he speeds up to where they don't have to drag him.

They seem desperate, scared but also relieved to see him. They look so weak. And somehow thinner too.

Just what happened to them?

"Where did you two go?!"

"The Sunman shot us with a barrel! We were able to avoid the brunt of the attack, but we were greatly damaged. We hid with the yellow sun while we gathered our strength back."

They throw the hatch open with so much force the ground cracks, and then they're insistently pulling him out.

"Only reason we're alive is your warning. So we guess we owe our life to our sun again!"

They tear off into the forest, not letting go of his wrist even as he slows down to avoid all the roots and rocks. He already almost falls anyway because of random potholes.

He looks back towards the bunker, the only place where he could reunite with his moon, and hopes for the first time the virus will find him. Just this once, so they can at least talk. Hopefully so they can fully bond.

It's strange looking forward to it, it's strange to want it, but giddiness lights up his chest until warmth spreads across his entire being. For once he'll throw his pride away, because there really is someone who understands.

Killcode, his moon, knows the pain he went through. He's not unbothered like Eclipse believed he was! He really wants him!

He's going to make all those arguments right. He's going to make everything between them right. And then he'll make everything better between Bloodmoon and him, then Bloodmoon and Killcode.

He's going to do it!

Come find me!

Something sings in his chest with wild elation as he runs through the woods pulled by someone he thought dead

Come find me, find me! Bond with me!

It's strangely freeing to give in. What seemed like shackles at first feeling like nothing but comfort and care.

It doesn't feel like giving up

***

He feels the exact moment Killcode returns to the bunker to find it empty.

It happens when he finally stopped with Bloodmoon, talking with them and checking them over. Their nanites seemed to have everything handled.

The sudden dread hits like a sledgehammer to the gut, making him choke up for a moment. He can't vent properly, and he's only half aware he's bent over because of the pain.

He tries sending comfort over, but the incomplete bond between them sparkles and fizzles out. He can still feel someone's on the other end of it, but it's... muted

He tries brute forcing anything through, but it's like grasping at air. His hands close around nothing and he's left to sit helplessly as his other half probably spirals into a panic

Come on! Not now! Not when he finally wants this!

Eclipse grits his teeth, but nothing comes of it. He can't do anything, and he's more than aware of it.

When he finally registers the outside world again, he's greeted by Bloodmoon's panicked expression. And for the first time in his life, he seeks comfort and hugs them.

He's eternally grateful when they don't say anything and simply hug back.

***

"I want to go to Beta-10"

"Where?"

Oh, so they don't know. That's good

"One of Moon's bunkers. It should be early enough on the list so Sun was already there"

The twins nod, and Eclipse would feel bad if he didn't need to do this. Someone has to stop Sun, and fuck knows Moon won't do a thing. Not when he doesn't know how to fucking handle emotions.

"Where is it then?"

Well, given that some of Moon's bunkers are connected, all they'd need to do is go to Alpha-9, then he could theoretically sneak away through the underground tunnels while Bloodmoon rests or something.

"Just follow me. We should be there in a couple hours"

***

Tracking through the forest only to then have to pry open a metal hatch so they can try and avoid all the horrid traps Moon set up is a shitty experience he only wishes on his worst enemies. And he'll still have to somehow sneak away and crawl through the dark to hopefully make it to Beta-10.

The only good thing to come of it is Bloodmoon collapsing onto one of the beds almost immediately asleep. When he pokes at them, they don't react.

So Eclipse crawls back into the terrible nightmare hole where he can't see anything. Hopefully he will be back before the twins wake up.

He pokes at the faulty bond again, but it still doesn't do anything. He doesn't know if it's the distance or if it was always going to do this after some time, but it doesn't really matter now does it.

He's made up his mind. He's going to finish this stupid bond then take Bloodmoon and leave to a different dimension. Killcode hopefully won’t be hung up over leaving Moon behind.

And when they've finally left, Sun will calm the fuck down again and Moon may hopefully get his head out of his ass enough so they can fix their fucking issues. Because they won't have any more problem from him.

If only because he doesn't want the people around him to die. What happened with Bloodmoon was eye-opening. His revenge against these people is not worth it.

Or well, maybe it is, but to be fair he already seems to have ruined the relationship between the two. And he didn't even have to try. The pathetic idiots did all the hard work for him.

It will be greatly amusing to see the great Sun and Moon fall further from the safety of a different world.

***

He's honestly surprised to find himself at Beta-10. Despite this being his goal, he didn't actually expect to make it here.

A couple minutes ago there was a large magical signature his computer picked up, and for a moment he was worried it would tear him apart. That'd be just his luck.

But it passed by him safely, so he shrugged and moved on. He doesn't have the time to wonder on where it came from.

He didn't miss the hideous yellow wallpapers of this place at all. Neither did he miss the dusty, rotted smell.

The floor under him creaks and groans, and if he didn't know he was underground he might be worried for the structural integrity of this place.

"YOU!"

Apparently he's not late yet

"Hello Sun—"

He grunts as the yellow idiot slams into him, knocking both of them to the ground. He can feel something dig painfully into his back, and he hisses in discomfort as claws pierce through his shoulders.

"Wow, so good old Sunny does have it in him—"

He gets cut off by a pained hiss as Sun slams his head into the floor. His vision swims and only his swipes blindly in the general direction of brighter yellow, knocking the daycare attendant off of him when it somehow connects.

Now they're both rolling on the ground in pain like a pair of animals. Only, one of them is in a much better state

"You shut up! Just- just shut up! I'm going to kill you."

It's unsettling hearing the certainty in the usually cheery and friendly Sun's voice. His mind flashes back to the one time where the other offered him friendship. Seems like they're past that.

Eclipse absently notes how the other is already back on his feet, like nothing happened to him. He's almost jealous.

"Good for you. Problem is, I'm not here to fight"

He barely rolls out of the way as a foot slams down right where he was, and then he has to scramble up to his feet just so he can avoid another strike.

Rarely seen gold claws flash as they fly millimetres away from his face, barely not scratching the paint off his nose. If he was a bit slower, he may be missing an optic now.

Quick as a viper he kicks out with a leg, knocking Sun off his balance. He uses the precious seconds that action earns to recalibrate his balance and visual cortex. By the time he has to dodge again, the pixels have cleared from his vision.

"Just stop for a second!"

Unsurprisingly, the idiot doesn't listen. Instead, he pounces again, managing to catch Eclipse in the side.

They are back on the floor again, writhing around in god knows what. Whenever he makes any progress on freeing himself a bit, claws pierce through his faulty casing and Sun can climb further up.

It's a desperate battle between them, one he realises with cold dread he can't win. He has to make Sun stop somehow or he's going to really die.

"Stop and listen—!"

"Why?! So you could lie to me again?!"

Alright, that's fair, but he still kicks him in the shin for it.

But despite his struggles, he finds himself slammed back to the ground, screaming as his skyhook snaps from the sheer force it meets the ground with. For a second after that the world fades away as he alternates between panting furiously and heaving. When he comes to, it's to find snowy optics glaring down at him with an unfamiliar fire.

His hands scramble at the other's arms, but it's for naught. No matter how he tries, he can't get the yellow fuck off.

Fingers begin sneaking under his headplate, and the reality of what Sun's about to do slams into him with a force that leaves him shaking.

"You don't have to do this!"

He finally lets out his claws, attacking the elbow joint of the attendant's right hand. When the other predictably rears away he twists them, until he's the one on top. He straddles the yellow legs beneath him, slamming all his weight onto the remaining undamaged arm so he can keep it in place.

Sun fights, and Eclipse knows he can't keep him like this forever. He has the superior frame right now, and he's had worse.

"I'm here to tell you idiot I want us to stop fighting!"

Sun below him stills, staring up at him blankly. He's almost unsettled by it.

"Oh yeah? And I'm good with nuclear science aren't I?"

"Hardly, and we both know that. But that doesn't matter, because I want to stop fighting because I want to leave."

The daycare attendant snorts, and Eclipse has to redouble his efforts when he begins writhing again.

He's growing more desperate. He needs this idiot to stop for a moment so he can explain. Both of their lives depend on it.

So he does something he's only heard about back when he was still Moon, and grabs a hold of the ray closest to him, giving it a menacing tug.

Sun freezes immediately, relaxing back against the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. It's uncanny just how still he is, especially with the open surprise he stares at him with.

When he moves his head slightly, Eclipse knows he's won. The other is submitting.

"Will you fucking listen now?!"

The other just continues to stare at him, but that's to be expected. He doesn't want his precious little component damaged, after all.

During the extensive research Moon did on the celestial models, he came across multiple recounting of fights between suns, where the victor put the loser in a hold similar to this. Apparently the idea of those cute little plastic triangles breaking off is just too painful to bear for a solar model.

"Good. So here's what's going to happen. I'm going to leave. Not just the general area, not just the country, not just the whatever, but the dimension itself. You won't ever see me again."

"Why should I believe you?"

"I really don't give a crap if you believe me or not. Keep looking over your shoulder for the rest of your miserable life if you so please, I really don't care."

When he feels the other tense under him he tightens his grip until the ray in his hand deforms. The wounded noise Sun lets out is so distinctly animal it almost makes him let go in shock.

"What's the sudden change in heart?"

"You two are not worth my time"

Eclipse will forever hate them. And he wants to make them pay more than anything. But if that single-minded ambition makes him lose even more people around him, then it's not worth it. The sun in him insists on it, and for the first time in his life, he agrees.

"I'll just get my moon and leave."

"You don't have a moon"

If he didn't hear the underlying question there he would have been offended. As it is, he's just somewhat bored.

"Killcode wouldn't appreciate being swept to the side so easily Sunny"

"Killcode? "

The squeak Sun lets out is so amusing he can't stop his laughter from breaking out. He still doesn't let go of the damaged ray in his hand though.

"Your moon is Killcode!?"

"The one and only"

His shoulders shake with mirth, which honestly hurts when the holes in them begin burning from all the jostling. He has to bite back a grimace at it.

He can't appear weak right now.

"So really, I'm doing you a solid by stopping you. Who knows what he would have done to you if you got to me."

The rest of the fight leaves Sun just like that, and he deflates like a balloon. Eclipse gets off of him, staggering back towards the tunnels he came out from.

But he can't exactly let this go here, so he turns back with the biggest grin he can muster right now and says:

"By the way, you aren't a murderer after all! Bloodmoon's still alive!"

And then he ducks away into the darkness leaving Sun behind

***

Bloodmoon is not just awake by the point he's back, but has somehow found Killcode and is currently in the process of dragging the virus, who's stuck because of his hips of all things, through the hatch that leads to the underground tunnels.

He knows this because he followed the random light he saw after wandering around for what felt like hours in the dark, claustrophobic tunnels, only to come face to face with the embarrassing sight.

Well then

"Eclipseman! "

Bloodmoon lets go of the struggling Killcode, leaving him dangling comically. They don't even seem to notice, throwing themselves at him as they are.

"Where the fuck did you go!? We woke up and you were gone! You could have–!"

This is when they notice his general state, letting out a deep growl that'd shame their progenitor.

"The Sunman! We should have—! "

"It's okay. I dealt with it."

"You dealt with it?! You ran off on us! You could have died! "

"But I didn't"

He thinks his grin is unappreciated, which gets proven correctly when Bloodmoon growls at him this time, and grabs a hold of his ruffles to shake him.

"You sad miserable—!"

He rolls his optics, bringing them in for a hug that surprises him as well. And it does make them shut up, so really, he succeeded.

Their arms come up to wrap around him too, and he can feel how they burrow deeper into him. There're light tremors wrecking their form, and he smooths over their form until their nanomachines settle.

When they're finally calm enough, he pulls away, focusing onto the deep burning red that's... hanging upside down still.

He snorts, because really, he can't help it. It's so ridiculous to see his usually collected moon like this.

As he steps closer he turns to poke again at their connection, smoothing his mental presence across it until it gives and he can feel the code on its other side.

Killcode visibly jumps. Now that Eclipse looks at him some more, he seems tired. Like he's aged a century in the time they were apart.

He presses forward until his code settles into the other's, into a place which seems to be just for him. Similarly, the virus's code burrows into his, until it fills out the aching hole that's been there since he became sentient.

The code in him that's been hurting since he could remember eases up, overtaken by bliss as for the first time in his life, he's whole again.

He thinks he's leaning forward, only caught by the large, clawed hands wrapping softly around him. Someone's purring, or perhaps rumbling, but he's not sure. Because it's all overtaken by freedom

He's free. For the first time in his life, he's free

It's a wonderful feeling

***

They all sit down in the forest outside the bunker, after they've managed to fight Killcode outside.

"You wish to leave? "

"I'd take you with me too. This place isn't worth it."

Bloodmoon frowns, turning away to think. At least he thinks they're thinking. They might be arguing too.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

He twists until he can look into red optics behind him.

A weight seemed to have lifted off Killcode, and Eclipse can understand. He feels lighter too.

He pats one of the knees of the virus, shimmying around in his lap until he can comfortably look at him.

"Pretty sure. If only so I can avoid being murdered. I also don't much fancy any of you dying."

The large grin that splits his moon's face seems somewhere between wicked and relieved.

"You're sure? Revenge isn't that worth it?"

"These idiots can ruin their lives on their own! Much better if I just sit back and watch."

Killcode chuckles, but he doesn't disagree. He looks off into the distance instead with a forlorn expression. He looks almost sad.

"I agree that it may be for the best if we left. Neither of us are wanted here."

And they'd be found eventually, even if they hid inside the most out of the way bunker ever. Moon's not the type to let up.

"But where would we even go? There're not many dimensions that are safe."

Eclipse thinks back to the channel, mentally scrolling through all the videos he watched lately. A grin splits his own face as he thinks about where they could go.

"I have an idea"

***

The Sun here was cautious when they first appeared, but he's warmed up to them since. Perhaps because he's entirely alone.

He doesn't even mind how they call him Lonestar. Nor does he mind how they gawk at him whenever he reacts in a manner that clearly shows he's not affected by this blasted sun-moon programming that wouldn't let them be.

He's more than happy to visit them when they move into the woods too, crossing the distance happily and moving in with them when it becomes bothersome. He just takes it in stride, perhaps because he's this lonely.

In Lonestar's dimension, life finally became good.

Killcode seems to have changed too, calming down from his murderous rage. He went on some sort of soul journey apparently, and now he's striving to be better.

This resulted in him taking up hobbies that were extremely surprising. Like cooking.

Him and Lonestar can spend hours in the kitchen, working away on delicious meals. Bloodmoon certainly doesn't mind their kills being used for them either, happily gorging anything and everything put before them.

It'd make Eclipse jealous if he wasn't so sure Killcode only wants him. He's his sun, and the virus doesn't let up when he deems something his. Even 'reformed' as he is.

Eclipse lets out a satisfied mhhh as his moon snuggles closer to him in his sleep. He stretches out across their nest as much as he can without waking the other.

Sleepy mornings like this have become something of a norm. Even if they mostly happen because Killcode, as a moon, is more susceptible to sleeping in. And well, weekends are weekends.

He buries his fingers into the soft fur lining the nightcap's bottom, petting it while he listens to what seem to be Lonestar and Bloodmoon playing catch. Despite himself, a soft smile tugs at his mouth.

"Stohp movingh mnhh"

He snorts, batting at the large head on him.

"Then maybe release me"

"No"

But Killcode does open his optics, back to a dark focus that makes Eclipse shiver. Though this time not from fear.

"When have I ever let go of you, my sun?"